Ross Barkley

[McMagic]

If Henderson is selected instead of Barkley, Hodgson should be institutionalised. Secondly, will you so called 'Blues' stop picking at the best
footballer (Including Rooney) Everton has ever produced. He's not like Stones , Stones may learn over the years how to play football.
He's like Gascoigne, but not 'Loony'. Good luck Ross in your career and take no notice of these so called 'Blues' who are more worried about Tony Hibbert getting a backroom job.

 

[chicoazul]

I hope Barkley is nowhere near that England squad.

He needs a summer off to clear his head and realise that an ace career is waiting there if he wants it.

At the moment he's losing his grip on it as much as he loses possession, and then trots back without trying to win it back.

A superb footballer inside here. Hope we get to see it consistently.

 

[Blue Cheese]

Really hope the next manager can get him in shape and the right frame of mind because the talent is there for all to see. I have said before we probably won't see the best of him until his mid 20's but still think those leg breaks have set him back mentally a few years.

Could also be like we suspect that martinez told the forwards not to bother tracking back too much.

 

[EFC78]

It's a shame how this season has turned out for Barkley. He started off great and for the first 10 or so games looked like he had matured in to the player we hoped he could be. But with the team's poor form, his confidence has gone to pieces and he's been awful for a while now. Having Martinez as his manager certainly won't have helped, instructing him that he doesn't have to track back etc.

The issue Barkley has that most have mentioned is a big mental weakness and fragile confidence. Both him and Stones have gone through criticism in their careers but I get the feeling that Stones can handle it a lot more than Barkley because he has a lot more belief in his own ability the whole time. Stones makes errors and puts in poor performances but I don't think he ever looks scared to be on the pitch and mess up. Barkley on the other hand reverts back to the 18 year old who gives away possession, and looks disappointed in himself when things don't come off.

Barkley has to take responsibility for how he plays when he's out of form though. He has to ignore everything he's been told by Martinez, and his own mind when it comes to grafting for the team. When you're not playing well, you have to get yourself out of that rut by putting in effort for the rest of the team. It keeps your manager happy (except for those like Martinez), and it keeps the fans and your team mates happy. That's why I think so many lose patience with him because he looks like he's jogging round half heartedly, which he often is.

I also think some "fans" just love to do players down to make themselves appear knowledgeable about the game. The ones who always comment on the negatives and never the good things that happen. Evertonians were still having a go at him when he was in great form at the start of the season. He puts in a professional performance where he keeps things simple and retains possession well and people moan at him for not doing anything. Then when he tries things and they don't come off, they slaughter him.

He's at a crucial point in his career now, I reckon it will crush him if he doesn't go to France.

 

[BlueToff]

It's a shame how this season has turned out for Barkley. He started off great and for the first 10 or so games looked like he had matured in to the player we hoped he could be. But with the team's poor form, his confidence has gone to pieces and he's been awful for a while now. Having Martinez as his manager certainly won't have helped, instructing him that he doesn't have to track back etc.

The issue Barkley has that most have mentioned is a big mental weakness and fragile confidence. Both him and Stones have gone through criticism in their careers but I get the feeling that Stones can handle it a lot more than Barkley because he has a lot more belief in his own ability the whole time. Stones makes errors and puts in poor performances but I don't think he ever looks scared to be on the pitch and mess up. Barkley on the other hand reverts back to the 18 year old who gives away possession, and looks disappointed in himself when things don't come off.

Barkley has to take responsibility for how he plays when he's out of form though. He has to ignore everything he's been told by Martinez, and his own mind when it comes to grafting for the team. When you're not playing well, you have to get yourself out of that rut by putting in effort for the rest of the team. It keeps your manager happy (except for those like Martinez), and it keeps the fans and your team mates happy. That's why I think so many lose patience with him because he looks like he's jogging round half heartedly, which he often is.

I also think some "fans" just love to do players down to make themselves appear knowledgeable about the game. The ones who always comment on the negatives and never the good things that happen. Evertonians were still having a go at him when he was in great form at the start of the season. He puts in a professional performance where he keeps things simple and retains possession well and people moan at him for not doing anything. Then when he tries things and they don't come off, they slaughter him.

He's at a crucial point in his career now, I reckon it will crush him if he doesn't go to France.

In fairness to Barkley, it was around March (when the entire team started playing badly) that his form dipped. He was superb in Jan/Feb.

Agree with the rest, though.

Although, that been said, if he doesn't go (which he should, but this is Roy we're talking about), then as much as it may crush his confidence, it should also make him equally as determined to improve. He's still only 22. He really has got plenty of time on his side. His return last year in terms of goals and assists was excellent. It just now needs a manager who can get the best out of him to come in and help him re-find his form.

 

[Papa Shango]

He doesnt deserve to go really. To be fair there are a load others in the squad who dont deserve to go either but perhaps it will teach him that you cant just amble around the pitch for 3-4 months looking like you are about to cry and still expect to get picked for games.

Shame really as he was excellent at the start of the season.

 

[BlueToff]

He doesnt deserve to go really. To be fair there are a load others in the squad who dont deserve to go either but perhaps it will teach him that you cant just amble around the pitch for 3-4 months looking like you are about to cry and still expect to get picked for games.

Shame really as he was excellent at the start of the season.

He was excellent form much of the season.

He's done more than Wilshere, Townsend, or Sturridge... or Rashford for that matter.

14 goals in all comps for Everton and England.

12 assists in all comps for Everton and England.

For a 22-year-old midfielder. Those stats are better than Lampard's or Gerrard's at the same age.

From March onewards, when the team lost it with RM, he was poor. But he does deserve to go.

 

[TrixyStevens]

He needs the summer off. Even if he goes to the Euros, Hodgson won't start him.
He needs some time to reflect and get himself in the best possible shape for next season hopefully under a manager who knows what they are doing.
He has the right profile to become a class player but needs to get tough and disciplined at this stage of his career or he could really trail off into his mid 20s.

 

[Papa Shango]

He was excellent form much of the season.

He's done more than Wilshere, Townsend, or Sturridge... or Rashford for that matter.

14 goals in all comps for Everton and England.

12 assists in all comps for Everton and England.

For a 22-year-old midfielder. Those stats are better than Lampard's or Gerrard's at the same age.

From March onewards, when the team lost it with RM, he was poor. But he does deserve to go.

I disagree because I thought his attitude was a disgrace towards the end.

I dont rate Wilshire but he has been good for England during the qualifiers, Townsend and Sturridge and rashford play in different positions so thats pretty irrelevent.

Barkley basically plays in the same role as Rooney (team captain) and Dele Alli. He wouldnt be ahead of any of those two right now.

 

[Papa Shango]

He needs the summer off. Even if he goes to the Euros, Hodgson won't start him.
He needs some time to reflect and get himself in the best possible shape for next season hopefully under a manager who knows what they are doing.
He has the right profile to become a class player but needs to get tough and disciplined at this stage of his career or he could really trail off into his mid 20s.

Yeah I agree with this. he is carrying way too much muscle/fat (I dont know which as I dont know him personally...). The worry for me is most of Barkleys problems for me are mental. I dont think he realizes how talented he is.

 

[ijjysmith]

People whinging about him being in the England squad or not.

The knock to his already fragile confidence by not being in it could be irreparable. Because make no mistake, as much as you may not want him to play for England from an Everton point of view, I bet you anything he really wants to play and be there.

We spend so much time guessing what is 'best' for Everton and forget what is better for the actual human being.

Plus, we'll get knocked out after 3 games so it's not like he's going to be away for 8 years is it?

 

[MACCA75]

If Henderson is selected instead of Barkley, Hodgson should be institutionalised. Secondly, will you so called 'Blues' stop picking at the best
footballer (Including Rooney) Everton has ever produced. He's not like Stones , Stones may learn over the years how to play football.
He's like Gascoigne, but not 'Loony'. Good luck Ross in your career and take no notice of these so called 'Blues' who are more worried about Tony Hibbert getting a backroom job.

Better than Rooney? LOLZ!!!!

 

[BlueToff]

I disagree because I thought his attitude was a disgrace towards the end.

I dont rate Wilshire but he has been good for England during the qualifiers, Townsend and Sturridge and rashford play in different positions so thats pretty irrelevent.

Barkley basically plays in the same role as Rooney (team captain) and Dele Alli. He wouldnt be ahead of any of those two right now.

Wilshere hasn't played a single 90 minutes all season, and missed half of the qualification campaign.

Townsend offers little, and will rarely play.

Barkley's attitude was a disgrace? No more 'disgraceful' than anybody else... he was out of form but it wasn't for a lack of trying

 

[Jags..class]

This is why we need a manger who will get more out of Barkley and Emery fits this, Emery knows how to get the most out of his players.

 

[MACCA75]

Wilshere hasn't played a single 90 minutes all season, and missed half of the qualification campaign.

Townsend offers little, and will rarely play.

Barkley's attitude was a disgrace? No more 'disgraceful' than anybody else... he was out of form but it wasn't for a lack of trying

Townsends been playing well tbh, and we aren't blessed with a lot of wide players.

As has been pointed out, the players in Ross's position are in better form, and will offer a lot more. It's a no brainer really.