Ross Barkley

[orly]

Adds weight to the argument that he'd be much more effective if he played deeper for us; a play maker in front of him and Barry et al at his side.

How often is he closed down outside the area and forced along the area with very little options in front of him?

Yep.

It would also stop the need for Funes Mori to feel he has to bring the ball forward out of the defence so often - which creates so much space, punished like against Arsenal. If they had a player prepared to drive it forward - which currently through either form or fitness McCarthy isn't doing - our defence would function in a more structured fashion.

 

[chippy1722]

Him and Alli are different players, Alli is more gungho buccaneer type midfielder, his game is more built around energy.

Ross is a very rare type of midfielder for England, his control and skill level, the way he glides around the pitch, is 2nd to none, he's come on so much this season, his goals scored and assists are much improved, he links play very well now too.

Alli and Barkley are a very good blend for that England midfield, with Dier sat behind them it's looking very very good for the next decade.

I worry that the media will play them off against each other at some point and say we can play one or the other, If Ross would have missed that sitter he would have took more stick than Alli did.

 

[Zaschrona]

I really hope Martinez starts him playing number 6 position. He has all the needed tools I believe. I think he is better there than playing number 10.

 

[smileychap]

I really hope Martinez starts him playing number 6 position. He has all the needed tools I believe. I think he is better there than playing number 10.

Agree. For me he is also suffering way too much hype. He's learning, frequently wasteful in possession and still plays plenty of pretty stuff sideways.

Potential, absolutely. The call to play him alongside Barry earlier in the thread is a good shout, too.

 

[Neiler]

Ross would be wasted in the double pivot, he's kicking on playing further forward and I expect that to continue.

 

[Dario Terracotta]

I worry that the media will play them off against each other at some point and say we can play one or the other, If Ross would have missed that sitter he would have took more stick than Alli did.

Woy would have done his mad owl impressionlol

 

[Stephenlloyd]

Agree. For me he is also suffering way too much hype. He's learning, frequently wasteful in possession and still plays plenty of pretty stuff sideways.

Potential, absolutely. The call to play him alongside Barry earlier in the thread is a good shout, too.

Wasteful in possession, I totally disagree with this, his pass stats are very good for an attaching midfiehder that's always trying to look/pass forward.

The problem is options when he's in possession. Going back to Spurs Ali will have 3 options infront of him most of the time. Kane, ericksen and lamela, and sometimes dembele will run past him. The amount of times Ross looks up and sees lukaku marked by 2 defenders and Lennon/geri standing on the touch line. And behind him McCarthy and Barry are holding hands. And cleverly doesn't offer much as atacking threat.

Needs to play deeper for me and have more options and movement infront of him. Think he needs a Roy Keane type behind him not Barry.

Also it's easy for teams to come to Goodison and mark lukaku and Barkley tightly. Knowing full well Barry McCarthy and cleverly are not going to cause them any problems

 

[Jimmy1]

Wasteful in possession, I totally disagree with this, his pass stats are very good for an attaching midfiehder that's always trying to look/pass forward.

The problem is options when he's in possession. Going back to Spurs Ali will have 3 options infront of him most of the time. Kane, ericksen and lamela, and sometimes dembele will run past him. The amount of times Ross looks up and sees lukaku marked by 2 defenders and Lennon/geri standing on the touch line. And behind him McCarthy and Barry are holding hands. And cleverly doesn't offer much as atacking threat.

Needs to play deeper for me and have more options and movement infront of him. Think he needs a Roy Keane type behind him not Barry.

Also it's easy for teams to come to Goodison and mark lukaku and Barkley tightly. Knowing full well Barry McCarthy and cleverly are not going to cause them any problems

This is one of our big problems. Teams stick to him like glue, yet he still does well. When teams do that it leaves space elsewhere which if we had more creative players in the side we would exploit. God knows why Deulofeu has been frozen out.

 

[bluebrotha77]

This is one of our big problems. Teams stick to him like glue, yet he still does well. When teams do that it leaves space elsewhere which if we had more creative players in the side we would exploit. God knows why Deulofeu has been frozen out.

Not enough workrate i would imagine.

 

[orly]

Best player on the pitch in first half

Auditioning Wembley

 

[ijjysmith]

What a player.

 

[Goat]

Best player on the pitch in first half

Auditioning Wembley

Really?

Havent watched it, hows he played?

 

[longers]

Really?

Havent watched it, hows he played?

ok, nothing to write home about yet.

 

[kithnou]

Really?

Havent watched it, hows he played?

How do you think mate?

Best player on the pitch in first half

Auditioning Wembley

What a player.

 

[maccavennie]

Brilliant run