Nah, just not helping myself on the new boy clique front. It's all a bit "Top gear" excitable, sarcastic banter isn't it. Little bit like too much self congratulatory back patting. Way to go...
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Nah, just not helping myself on the new boy clique front. It's all a bit "Top gear" excitable, sarcastic banter isn't it. Little bit like too much self congratulatory back patting. Way to go...
Chang Elephant
Forum God
You have wielded your rod of power and banned BMG ?
@OliverKayTimes: Hodgson also says Rooney won't start against Spain tomorrow, but will return to face France on Tuesday. Sounds like Barkley behind Kane tmrw
This kid needs to be shown more love by our fans because he is the only one of our 4 young talents (ross, rom, stones and del) that we have any chance of keeping hold of long term. Del will be back to barca in no time of his form continues, rom will be gone as soon as a half decent champions league club comes knocking and John stones has already shown his intent to leave. Imo he will be the best of the 4, and could be a massive player for us in the next decade. He should be a hero to our fans but always seems to be one of the first players our fans turn on
Charlie Sweet
Player Valuation: £35m
That's just not the case. Since when did honesty become a crime? I absolutely accept he has talent. I question whether he can ever develop into a more complete player but I would love to be proved wrong.
He does make incredibly poor decisions in the final third though. Hopefully time with someone like Roy Hongson and the England set up may actually help in that regard.
I believe a lot of Everton fans look through the bluest of blue tinted specs when looking at Barkley. If Martinez had signed him as a foreigner for £15m in his first season with us - I believe the jury would be still out on him. The fact he's home grown gives him that veneer where he can't be criticised.
I like the fact that he's young and hungry. And the fact he's come through the ranks is a positive but at some point he has to be judged on his true merits. Him being a scouser doesn't mean anything to me. There's plenty of examples where being from the city doesn't inspire any great loyalty on the players part.
Barkley is becoming a victim of being able to play multiple positions in my eyes. There is obvious talent there but I think he'll never fully realise that until he decides "my best position is ..." and the manager agrees and sticks him there week and and week out. I think many of us agree he's not a number 10 and would be best starting from deep in a midfield 2 or 3 but isn't playing their currently because he's not trusted that far back (ironic since Martinez says he doesn't mind young players making mistakes and one of his best ever games was QPR last season partnering Besic). There'll come a time when the manager will have to just risk the consequence of pushing Barkley back to see him bloom but whether that's sooner or later we can't know.
mightymoyes
Player Valuation: £70m
Is Barkley ‘special enough’ to be excused?
Date published: Friday 13th November 2015 10:10
“People will look at what Ross does defensively, but what I always look at is what he can do offensively against these types of teams. If England want to just wait and get set and have the ball, then Ross is not special. We have got to that point where Ross Barkley knows how special he is and what he does.”
A simple quote from Roberto Martinez, but one which elicits a number of questions: Does it really benefit Ross Barkley to know how ‘special’ he is? Is he truly ‘special’ enough to render any defensive duties obsolete? Is Barkley so one-dimensional he only works when playing in one particular system which suits him? And, perhaps most pertinently, is Martinez aware he is describing his own approach at Everton rather than England’s?
Still in its embryonic state, this has been an oxymoronic season for Barkley, one of underwhelming promise. I lamented the predictable comparisons made with Wayne Rooney and Paul Gascoigne back in October, and the 21-year-old has since seldom impressed. Does his manager at club level know how best to use him?
Martinez’s comments on Wednesday did not represent the first time the Spaniard had advised Hodgson on how to get the best out of Barkley. The Spaniard spoke of a need to “ensure the team suits Ross” 12 months ago, while he delivered the following missive ahead of the 2014 World Cup:
“We have to allow him room to develop and let’s not put too much pressure on him. At the moment he is perfectly suited to playing in the No 10 role, but in time he will develop into the complete midfielder.”
The latter comment was in response to perceived criticism of Barkley by Hodgson after a typically promising but sloppy performance against Ecuador last June. “He’s got drive, he’s got energy, but he’s got to learn when to release the ball,” the England manager had said. “For every good turn there was a time when he lost the ball and put us on the back foot defensively.” A perfectly fine and levelled judgement; you’d be forgiven for thinking it was Hodgson, not Martinez, who coached the midfielder each week at club level.
With three goals and three assists so far for Everton, this season already represents Barkley’s joint-highest in terms of productivity. Although they have since tailed off on a more familiar disappointing tangent, his early performances evoked fond memories of his breakthrough campaign two years ago. Yet it feels as though the 21-year-old has achieved it in spite of his club manager, not thanks to him.
For although Martinez may bemoan England’s plodding, possession-based style of play, believing the team must be built around Barkley’s counter-attacking verve, the Spaniard fails to realise his Everton side are set up to play in exactly the same way. While only Leicester and Newcastle can match the Toffees in terms of their goalscoring exploits on the break (three goals each this season on the counter), Barkley makes more backward passes per game than any of his team-mates (21.75). For comparison, central midfield pair Gareth Barry and James McCarthy make 15.1 and 19 respectively; Romelu Lukaku averages 16.1, Arouna Kone produces 11.4 and Gerard Deulofeu makes 6.1.
The latter, Deulofeu, has turned up the pressure on Barkley considerably in recent weeks. His one goal and five assists equal the Englishman’s return, having started seven fewer Premier League games.
“People will look at what Ross does defensively, but I look at what he can do offensively against these sorts of teams. These international teams when they lose the ball, there is space, but you need pace and power to break into that space. Ross gives you that. Those four seconds as soon as you win the ball, who can affect the game then in transition? He is the best in the business. But if England don’t want to play like that, if they just want to wait and get set and have the ball, Ross is not special. Depending on how they want to use him, he will be influential or not for England.”
Martinez’s comments on Everton’s ‘diamond’ were, at best, ill-advised and contradictory. At worst, they uncover a manager unaware of his own style, and for whom any semblance of his supposed star man’s responsibility or defensive duties have been dangerously suppressed as a mere footnote.
Barkley has featured in every minute of Everton’s league campaign so far this season, making an average of 0.8 tackles per game. Only Deulofeu, Romelu Lukaku, Arouna Kone and Kevin Mirallas have made fewer for the club so far this season. The former trio’s attacking output warrants a diminished defensive responsibility, while Mirallas has been cast aside as a bit-part player.
Of the 18 Premier League players who have played at least four games in Barkley’s attacking midfield role this season, only Dimitri Payet, Georginio Wijnaldum, Jack Grealish and Bojan make fewer tackles, only Wijnaldum, Wayne Rooney and Ola Toivonen make fewer interceptions, and yet only Philippe Coutinho registers more shots. Stats often form a crude base for an argument, but they evidence a diminished defensive role which Barkley’s figures do not warrant.
To reduce his defensive duties to little more than a passing dismissal is negligent, rendering Barkley a ‘luxury’ player. For an attacking midfielder with such relatively poor productivity, he is one which managers can seldom afford.
It is clear that Barkley’s reluctance to help out defensively is a directive from his manager. In four England games under Roy Hodgson so far this season, Barkley made the second-most tackles against San Marino, made the most clearances against Switzerland, and only Kieran Gibbs gained possession more times against Lithuania. With two goals and two assists across those four games, Barkley managed to couple his obvious attacking talents with defensive duties. It can be done, and not to the detriment of his game, Roberto.
In truth, most managers would have dropped Barkley for Everton now if basing their team selection on merit. However, Martinez’s infatuation with the midfielder renders that unlikely, and Barkley must instead battle through a run of poor form which could threaten his side’s own performances. What is frustrating for Everton fans is that he looks a different player, a more confident player and a more rounded player in an England shirt and under a manager willing to treat him not as ‘special’ but as a team player. Where Martinez is famed for his development of young players, it’s the old-timer Hodgson who is showing the Spaniard how best to use Barkley.
The message is clear: People who live in glass houses shouldn’t throw Stones, and nor should they sound so confused when discussing his club and international team-mate. Martinez insists Hodgson should use a particular style to suit Barkley, neglecting to realise Everton play in a remarkably similar way. And yet Barkley’s performances for club pale in comparison to his impressive showings for country. It should represent a worry for Everton fans, but it’s a promising trend for the England faithful.
Matt Stead
Date published: Friday 13th November 2015 10:10
“People will look at what Ross does defensively, but what I always look at is what he can do offensively against these types of teams. If England want to just wait and get set and have the ball, then Ross is not special. We have got to that point where Ross Barkley knows how special he is and what he does.”
A simple quote from Roberto Martinez, but one which elicits a number of questions: Does it really benefit Ross Barkley to know how ‘special’ he is? Is he truly ‘special’ enough to render any defensive duties obsolete? Is Barkley so one-dimensional he only works when playing in one particular system which suits him? And, perhaps most pertinently, is Martinez aware he is describing his own approach at Everton rather than England’s?
Still in its embryonic state, this has been an oxymoronic season for Barkley, one of underwhelming promise. I lamented the predictable comparisons made with Wayne Rooney and Paul Gascoigne back in October, and the 21-year-old has since seldom impressed. Does his manager at club level know how best to use him?
Martinez’s comments on Wednesday did not represent the first time the Spaniard had advised Hodgson on how to get the best out of Barkley. The Spaniard spoke of a need to “ensure the team suits Ross” 12 months ago, while he delivered the following missive ahead of the 2014 World Cup:
“We have to allow him room to develop and let’s not put too much pressure on him. At the moment he is perfectly suited to playing in the No 10 role, but in time he will develop into the complete midfielder.”
The latter comment was in response to perceived criticism of Barkley by Hodgson after a typically promising but sloppy performance against Ecuador last June. “He’s got drive, he’s got energy, but he’s got to learn when to release the ball,” the England manager had said. “For every good turn there was a time when he lost the ball and put us on the back foot defensively.” A perfectly fine and levelled judgement; you’d be forgiven for thinking it was Hodgson, not Martinez, who coached the midfielder each week at club level.
With three goals and three assists so far for Everton, this season already represents Barkley’s joint-highest in terms of productivity. Although they have since tailed off on a more familiar disappointing tangent, his early performances evoked fond memories of his breakthrough campaign two years ago. Yet it feels as though the 21-year-old has achieved it in spite of his club manager, not thanks to him.
For although Martinez may bemoan England’s plodding, possession-based style of play, believing the team must be built around Barkley’s counter-attacking verve, the Spaniard fails to realise his Everton side are set up to play in exactly the same way. While only Leicester and Newcastle can match the Toffees in terms of their goalscoring exploits on the break (three goals each this season on the counter), Barkley makes more backward passes per game than any of his team-mates (21.75). For comparison, central midfield pair Gareth Barry and James McCarthy make 15.1 and 19 respectively; Romelu Lukaku averages 16.1, Arouna Kone produces 11.4 and Gerard Deulofeu makes 6.1.
The latter, Deulofeu, has turned up the pressure on Barkley considerably in recent weeks. His one goal and five assists equal the Englishman’s return, having started seven fewer Premier League games.
“People will look at what Ross does defensively, but I look at what he can do offensively against these sorts of teams. These international teams when they lose the ball, there is space, but you need pace and power to break into that space. Ross gives you that. Those four seconds as soon as you win the ball, who can affect the game then in transition? He is the best in the business. But if England don’t want to play like that, if they just want to wait and get set and have the ball, Ross is not special. Depending on how they want to use him, he will be influential or not for England.”
Martinez’s comments on Everton’s ‘diamond’ were, at best, ill-advised and contradictory. At worst, they uncover a manager unaware of his own style, and for whom any semblance of his supposed star man’s responsibility or defensive duties have been dangerously suppressed as a mere footnote.
Barkley has featured in every minute of Everton’s league campaign so far this season, making an average of 0.8 tackles per game. Only Deulofeu, Romelu Lukaku, Arouna Kone and Kevin Mirallas have made fewer for the club so far this season. The former trio’s attacking output warrants a diminished defensive responsibility, while Mirallas has been cast aside as a bit-part player.
Of the 18 Premier League players who have played at least four games in Barkley’s attacking midfield role this season, only Dimitri Payet, Georginio Wijnaldum, Jack Grealish and Bojan make fewer tackles, only Wijnaldum, Wayne Rooney and Ola Toivonen make fewer interceptions, and yet only Philippe Coutinho registers more shots. Stats often form a crude base for an argument, but they evidence a diminished defensive role which Barkley’s figures do not warrant.
To reduce his defensive duties to little more than a passing dismissal is negligent, rendering Barkley a ‘luxury’ player. For an attacking midfielder with such relatively poor productivity, he is one which managers can seldom afford.
It is clear that Barkley’s reluctance to help out defensively is a directive from his manager. In four England games under Roy Hodgson so far this season, Barkley made the second-most tackles against San Marino, made the most clearances against Switzerland, and only Kieran Gibbs gained possession more times against Lithuania. With two goals and two assists across those four games, Barkley managed to couple his obvious attacking talents with defensive duties. It can be done, and not to the detriment of his game, Roberto.
In truth, most managers would have dropped Barkley for Everton now if basing their team selection on merit. However, Martinez’s infatuation with the midfielder renders that unlikely, and Barkley must instead battle through a run of poor form which could threaten his side’s own performances. What is frustrating for Everton fans is that he looks a different player, a more confident player and a more rounded player in an England shirt and under a manager willing to treat him not as ‘special’ but as a team player. Where Martinez is famed for his development of young players, it’s the old-timer Hodgson who is showing the Spaniard how best to use Barkley.
The message is clear: People who live in glass houses shouldn’t throw Stones, and nor should they sound so confused when discussing his club and international team-mate. Martinez insists Hodgson should use a particular style to suit Barkley, neglecting to realise Everton play in a remarkably similar way. And yet Barkley’s performances for club pale in comparison to his impressive showings for country. It should represent a worry for Everton fans, but it’s a promising trend for the England faithful.
Matt Stead
orly
Please check with me for Blammo criteria
Is Barkley ‘special enough’ to be excused?
Date published: Friday 13th November 2015 10:10
“People will look at what Ross does defensively, but what I always look at is what he can do offensively against these types of teams. If England want to just wait and get set and have the ball, then Ross is not special. We have got to that point where Ross Barkley knows how special he is and what he does.”
A simple quote from Roberto Martinez, but one which elicits a number of questions: Does it really benefit Ross Barkley to know how ‘special’ he is? Is he truly ‘special’ enough to render any defensive duties obsolete? Is Barkley so one-dimensional he only works when playing in one particular system which suits him? And, perhaps most pertinently, is Martinez aware he is describing his own approach at Everton rather than England’s?
Still in its embryonic state, this has been an oxymoronic season for Barkley, one of underwhelming promise. I lamented the predictable comparisons made with Wayne Rooney and Paul Gascoigne back in October, and the 21-year-old has since seldom impressed. Does his manager at club level know how best to use him?
Martinez’s comments on Wednesday did not represent the first time the Spaniard had advised Hodgson on how to get the best out of Barkley. The Spaniard spoke of a need to “ensure the team suits Ross” 12 months ago, while he delivered the following missive ahead of the 2014 World Cup:
“We have to allow him room to develop and let’s not put too much pressure on him. At the moment he is perfectly suited to playing in the No 10 role, but in time he will develop into the complete midfielder.”
The latter comment was in response to perceived criticism of Barkley by Hodgson after a typically promising but sloppy performance against Ecuador last June. “He’s got drive, he’s got energy, but he’s got to learn when to release the ball,” the England manager had said. “For every good turn there was a time when he lost the ball and put us on the back foot defensively.” A perfectly fine and levelled judgement; you’d be forgiven for thinking it was Hodgson, not Martinez, who coached the midfielder each week at club level.
With three goals and three assists so far for Everton, this season already represents Barkley’s joint-highest in terms of productivity. Although they have since tailed off on a more familiar disappointing tangent, his early performances evoked fond memories of his breakthrough campaign two years ago. Yet it feels as though the 21-year-old has achieved it in spite of his club manager, not thanks to him.
For although Martinez may bemoan England’s plodding, possession-based style of play, believing the team must be built around Barkley’s counter-attacking verve, the Spaniard fails to realise his Everton side are set up to play in exactly the same way. While only Leicester and Newcastle can match the Toffees in terms of their goalscoring exploits on the break (three goals each this season on the counter), Barkley makes more backward passes per game than any of his team-mates (21.75). For comparison, central midfield pair Gareth Barry and James McCarthy make 15.1 and 19 respectively; Romelu Lukaku averages 16.1, Arouna Kone produces 11.4 and Gerard Deulofeu makes 6.1.
The latter, Deulofeu, has turned up the pressure on Barkley considerably in recent weeks. His one goal and five assists equal the Englishman’s return, having started seven fewer Premier League games.
“People will look at what Ross does defensively, but I look at what he can do offensively against these sorts of teams. These international teams when they lose the ball, there is space, but you need pace and power to break into that space. Ross gives you that. Those four seconds as soon as you win the ball, who can affect the game then in transition? He is the best in the business. But if England don’t want to play like that, if they just want to wait and get set and have the ball, Ross is not special. Depending on how they want to use him, he will be influential or not for England.”
Martinez’s comments on Everton’s ‘diamond’ were, at best, ill-advised and contradictory. At worst, they uncover a manager unaware of his own style, and for whom any semblance of his supposed star man’s responsibility or defensive duties have been dangerously suppressed as a mere footnote.
Barkley has featured in every minute of Everton’s league campaign so far this season, making an average of 0.8 tackles per game. Only Deulofeu, Romelu Lukaku, Arouna Kone and Kevin Mirallas have made fewer for the club so far this season. The former trio’s attacking output warrants a diminished defensive responsibility, while Mirallas has been cast aside as a bit-part player.
Of the 18 Premier League players who have played at least four games in Barkley’s attacking midfield role this season, only Dimitri Payet, Georginio Wijnaldum, Jack Grealish and Bojan make fewer tackles, only Wijnaldum, Wayne Rooney and Ola Toivonen make fewer interceptions, and yet only Philippe Coutinho registers more shots. Stats often form a crude base for an argument, but they evidence a diminished defensive role which Barkley’s figures do not warrant.
To reduce his defensive duties to little more than a passing dismissal is negligent, rendering Barkley a ‘luxury’ player. For an attacking midfielder with such relatively poor productivity, he is one which managers can seldom afford.
It is clear that Barkley’s reluctance to help out defensively is a directive from his manager. In four England games under Roy Hodgson so far this season, Barkley made the second-most tackles against San Marino, made the most clearances against Switzerland, and only Kieran Gibbs gained possession more times against Lithuania. With two goals and two assists across those four games, Barkley managed to couple his obvious attacking talents with defensive duties. It can be done, and not to the detriment of his game, Roberto.
In truth, most managers would have dropped Barkley for Everton now if basing their team selection on merit. However, Martinez’s infatuation with the midfielder renders that unlikely, and Barkley must instead battle through a run of poor form which could threaten his side’s own performances. What is frustrating for Everton fans is that he looks a different player, a more confident player and a more rounded player in an England shirt and under a manager willing to treat him not as ‘special’ but as a team player. Where Martinez is famed for his development of young players, it’s the old-timer Hodgson who is showing the Spaniard how best to use Barkley.
The message is clear: People who live in glass houses shouldn’t throw Stones, and nor should they sound so confused when discussing his club and international team-mate. Martinez insists Hodgson should use a particular style to suit Barkley, neglecting to realise Everton play in a remarkably similar way. And yet Barkley’s performances for club pale in comparison to his impressive showings for country. It should represent a worry for Everton fans, but it’s a promising trend for the England faithful.
Matt Stead
Also from the author of the above:
Erm agree in parts, wildly disagree in others. Can't seem to tell if he's slating Barkley or the way Everton plays. Also find it laughable how he says his productivity is identical to Deulofeu's but then stating only Geri's attacking output warrants diminished defensive responsibility. Surely same stats, same defensive responsibility? Seems a bit of a cocksnogger this Matt.
Is Barkley ‘special enough’ to be excused?
Date published: Friday 13th November 2015 10:10
“People will look at what Ross does defensively, but what I always look at is what he can do offensively against these types of teams. If England want to just wait and get set and have the ball, then Ross is not special. We have got to that point where Ross Barkley knows how special he is and what he does.”
A simple quote from Roberto Martinez, but one which elicits a number of questions: Does it really benefit Ross Barkley to know how ‘special’ he is? Is he truly ‘special’ enough to render any defensive duties obsolete? Is Barkley so one-dimensional he only works when playing in one particular system which suits him? And, perhaps most pertinently, is Martinez aware he is describing his own approach at Everton rather than England’s?
Still in its embryonic state, this has been an oxymoronic season for Barkley, one of underwhelming promise. I lamented the predictable comparisons made with Wayne Rooney and Paul Gascoigne back in October, and the 21-year-old has since seldom impressed. Does his manager at club level know how best to use him?
Martinez’s comments on Wednesday did not represent the first time the Spaniard had advised Hodgson on how to get the best out of Barkley. The Spaniard spoke of a need to “ensure the team suits Ross” 12 months ago, while he delivered the following missive ahead of the 2014 World Cup:
“We have to allow him room to develop and let’s not put too much pressure on him. At the moment he is perfectly suited to playing in the No 10 role, but in time he will develop into the complete midfielder.”
The latter comment was in response to perceived criticism of Barkley by Hodgson after a typically promising but sloppy performance against Ecuador last June. “He’s got drive, he’s got energy, but he’s got to learn when to release the ball,” the England manager had said. “For every good turn there was a time when he lost the ball and put us on the back foot defensively.” A perfectly fine and levelled judgement; you’d be forgiven for thinking it was Hodgson, not Martinez, who coached the midfielder each week at club level.
With three goals and three assists so far for Everton, this season already represents Barkley’s joint-highest in terms of productivity. Although they have since tailed off on a more familiar disappointing tangent, his early performances evoked fond memories of his breakthrough campaign two years ago. Yet it feels as though the 21-year-old has achieved it in spite of his club manager, not thanks to him.
For although Martinez may bemoan England’s plodding, possession-based style of play, believing the team must be built around Barkley’s counter-attacking verve, the Spaniard fails to realise his Everton side are set up to play in exactly the same way. While only Leicester and Newcastle can match the Toffees in terms of their goalscoring exploits on the break (three goals each this season on the counter), Barkley makes more backward passes per game than any of his team-mates (21.75). For comparison, central midfield pair Gareth Barry and James McCarthy make 15.1 and 19 respectively; Romelu Lukaku averages 16.1, Arouna Kone produces 11.4 and Gerard Deulofeu makes 6.1.
The latter, Deulofeu, has turned up the pressure on Barkley considerably in recent weeks. His one goal and five assists equal the Englishman’s return, having started seven fewer Premier League games.
“People will look at what Ross does defensively, but I look at what he can do offensively against these sorts of teams. These international teams when they lose the ball, there is space, but you need pace and power to break into that space. Ross gives you that. Those four seconds as soon as you win the ball, who can affect the game then in transition? He is the best in the business. But if England don’t want to play like that, if they just want to wait and get set and have the ball, Ross is not special. Depending on how they want to use him, he will be influential or not for England.”
Martinez’s comments on Everton’s ‘diamond’ were, at best, ill-advised and contradictory. At worst, they uncover a manager unaware of his own style, and for whom any semblance of his supposed star man’s responsibility or defensive duties have been dangerously suppressed as a mere footnote.
Barkley has featured in every minute of Everton’s league campaign so far this season, making an average of 0.8 tackles per game. Only Deulofeu, Romelu Lukaku, Arouna Kone and Kevin Mirallas have made fewer for the club so far this season. The former trio’s attacking output warrants a diminished defensive responsibility, while Mirallas has been cast aside as a bit-part player.
Of the 18 Premier League players who have played at least four games in Barkley’s attacking midfield role this season, only Dimitri Payet, Georginio Wijnaldum, Jack Grealish and Bojan make fewer tackles, only Wijnaldum, Wayne Rooney and Ola Toivonen make fewer interceptions, and yet only Philippe Coutinho registers more shots. Stats often form a crude base for an argument, but they evidence a diminished defensive role which Barkley’s figures do not warrant.
To reduce his defensive duties to little more than a passing dismissal is negligent, rendering Barkley a ‘luxury’ player. For an attacking midfielder with such relatively poor productivity, he is one which managers can seldom afford.
It is clear that Barkley’s reluctance to help out defensively is a directive from his manager. In four England games under Roy Hodgson so far this season, Barkley made the second-most tackles against San Marino, made the most clearances against Switzerland, and only Kieran Gibbs gained possession more times against Lithuania. With two goals and two assists across those four games, Barkley managed to couple his obvious attacking talents with defensive duties. It can be done, and not to the detriment of his game, Roberto.
In truth, most managers would have dropped Barkley for Everton now if basing their team selection on merit. However, Martinez’s infatuation with the midfielder renders that unlikely, and Barkley must instead battle through a run of poor form which could threaten his side’s own performances. What is frustrating for Everton fans is that he looks a different player, a more confident player and a more rounded player in an England shirt and under a manager willing to treat him not as ‘special’ but as a team player. Where Martinez is famed for his development of young players, it’s the old-timer Hodgson who is showing the Spaniard how best to use Barkley.
The message is clear: People who live in glass houses shouldn’t throw Stones, and nor should they sound so confused when discussing his club and international team-mate. Martinez insists Hodgson should use a particular style to suit Barkley, neglecting to realise Everton play in a remarkably similar way. And yet Barkley’s performances for club pale in comparison to his impressive showings for country. It should represent a worry for Everton fans, but it’s a promising trend for the England faithful.
Matt Stead
He seems to fail to note the important point in us indulging a player who has relatively "poor productivity" in that our manager wants to play a young player with talent and allow him to learn in the team. Just because he is hit and miss with his final ball now, doesn´t change the idea of letting him gain experience so that we see the benefit in a hopefully long future at the club.
I think many fans are fine with this, although others will want the method of "play well, stay in" used regardless of age or long-term planning.
The writer seems to have his dig to make at the manager and player, and it´s stopped him from being balanced in his overview of the situation.
sageyefc
Player Valuation: £90m
https://twitter.com/MattStead91/with_replies the blurt that wrote it
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