Ross Barkley

bizzaro · August 16, 2014

Tubey said:
Think it'll be Osman in behind Naismith, Hibbert right back.

And any game we start with those three in those positions, we'll lose as many as we grind out a win. You can't have three players of that quality in a team for any sustained period of time if you're chasing the top four.

In fact, if those three start, I might put a cheeky bet on a Leicester win. I don't have anything against Naismith really as a bench impact player as he moves well, but he doesn't impress from the start, and the less said about Osman and Hibbert in 2014 somehow being in an Everton starting eleven the better.

Hibbert. Right Back.

BlueLlama · August 16, 2014

Osman is actually better as AM than when he plays deep. I don't want him starting but he can handle 60 or 70 minutes against Leicester ffs

Tubey · August 16, 2014

BlueLlama said:
Osman is actually better as AM than when he plays deep. I don't want him starting but he can handle 60 or 70 minutes against Leicester ffs

It won't matter if they start confident and get their tricky wingers one on one against Hibbert.

Osman does "OK" when we need someone to look for space to break down a packed defence, so he's an "OK" squad option. But there's simply no way he should be the first choice pick for any Everton team, and if he is, it means that we need a new signing for that position.

It's different with Hibbert - that's just an all-out Martinez error, like Alcaraz and Kone. I'd rather have... well, anyone right back than him. It's not that Hibbert is the only option, it's just a bad call all round.

BlueToff · August 16, 2014

Tubey said:
It won't matter if they start confident and get their tricky wingers one on one against Hibbert.

Osman does "OK" when we need someone to look for space to break down a packed defence, so he's an "OK" squad option. But there's simply no way he should be the first choice pick for any Everton team, and if he is, it means that we need a new signing for that position.

It's different with Hibbert - that's just an all-out Martinez error, like Alcaraz and Kone. I'd rather have... well, anyone right back than him. It's not that Hibbert is the only option, it's just a bad call all round.

Stones will play Right-back think

davek · August 16, 2014

BlueToff said:
Stones will play Right-back think

...which would underline why it was such a chronic decision to give Hibbert a new contract.

Moomin · August 16, 2014

We could go for a 4 3 3

A solid midfield of Gibson/Besic with McCarthy and Barry.

Lukaku up front with Atsu and Mirralas either side of him.

Of course this is when they are match fit, not sure what to do today.

mkrudden · August 16, 2014

Tubey said:
It won't matter if they start confident and get their tricky wingers one on one against Hibbert.

Osman does "OK" when we need someone to look for space to break down a packed defence, so he's an "OK" squad option. But there's simply no way he should be the first choice pick for any Everton team, and if he is, it means that we need a new signing for that position.

It's different with Hibbert - that's just an all-out Martinez error, like Alcaraz and Kone. I'd rather have... well, anyone right back than him. It's not that Hibbert is the only option, it's just a bad call all round.

But....the discussion is who will replace Barkley who's injured...therefore Osman isn't a first choice pick...

And you, nor I not anyone can fully justify any opinion on Kone one way or the other as he's played about 11 minutes of football for us. Give him 20 games and then your opinion of "an all-out error" will at least have some substance if he does poorly.

By god I'm blue · August 16, 2014

Saw the dreaded yellow bar on sky with this news last night whilst out getting messy in my local. Nearly ruined my night until I managed to forget about it. Just woke up and it has sunk in again.

Are we the unluckiest club on the planet?

And no Hibbert FFS!

Eric Djemba-Djemba · August 16, 2014

Osman and Hibbert starting today ffs

Muggins · August 16, 2014

By god I'm blue said:
Saw the dreaded yellow bar on sky with this news last night whilst out getting messy in my local. Nearly ruined my night until I managed to forget about it. Just woke up and it has sunk in again.

Are we the unluckiest club on the planet?

And no Hibbert FFS!

Yes we are mate. Pure Evertron.

Chang Elephant · August 16, 2014

Keep it tight in midfield...McCarthy, Barry, Besic, and put players around them not [Poor language removed] duds like Hibbert, Osman, Naismith etc, and we will win

Tubey · August 16, 2014

mkrudden said:
But....the discussion is who will replace Barkley who's injured...therefore Osman isn't a first choice pick...

And you, nor I not anyone can fully justify any opinion on Kone one way or the other as he's played about 11 minutes of football for us. Give him 20 games and then your opinion of "an all-out error" will at least have some substance if he does poorly.

He's a first pick if Barkley is injured, which means that we need another player so that he isn't.

Osman should be a squad player like Hibbert is at the very best - so if Barkley is injured, there needs to be an adequate replacement brought in in that area. And not only if he's injured actually, we need a viable rotation option for Barkley, and that isn't Osman.

anton66 · August 16, 2014

Was feeling really positive about today's game then the injury and the good chance Hibbert and Osman might start has put a damper on things.

mkrudden · August 16, 2014

Tubey said:
He's a first pick if Barkley is injured, which means that we need another player so that he isn't.

Osman should be a squad player like Hibbert is at the very best - so if Barkley is injured, there needs to be an adequate replacement brought in in that area. And not only if he's injured actually, we need a viable rotation option for Barkley, and that isn't Osman.

I still think that if Osman isn't in the best 11 then he isn't a first pick, but anyway...

Considering how good Barkley is, how much would an "adequate replacement" cost? You're a blue, you know the constraints financially.

It's not ideal but unless we find a sheikh we will always have Osmans and hibberts padding out the squad in case of injuries to our first 11.

Furey1878 · August 16, 2014

Tubey said:
He's a first pick if Barkley is injured, which means that we need another player so that he isn't.

Osman should be a squad player like Hibbert is at the very best - so if Barkley is injured, there needs to be an adequate replacement brought in in that area. And not only if he's injured actually, we need a viable rotation option for Barkley, and that isn't Osman.

Think it will be Naismith if Lukaku starts, though.

In the latter half of last season Osman was always played on the left with Naismith through the middle.