Ross Barkley

[Tin-Tin]

much better as a central midfielder, never has been nor will be a number 10.

Agree but the problem is that he hasnt got the defensive discipline to play in a 2 - his midfield partner would be completely exposed, so needs 2 defensive minded players next to him.

If one of them is Barry, it doesnt really work either as he is tactically excellent but hasnt got the legs. It worked tonight as Gana and McCarthy had the legs and pace to cover a vast amount of ground.

 

[Joey66]

Some of his passing tonight was sublime imagine him in Arsenals midfield?

 

[The Rhino]

Agree but the problem is that he hasnt got the defensive discipline to play in a 2 - his midfield partner would be completely exposed, so needs 2 defensive minded players next to him.

If one of them is Barry, it doesnt really work either as he is tactically excellent but hasnt got the legs. It worked tonight as Gana and McCarthy had the legs and pace to cover a vast amount of ground.

100% this. Please keep this team Koeman until January Barry should be nowhere near the starting 11.

 

[Joey66]

Agree but the problem is that he hasnt got the defensive discipline to play in a 2 - his midfield partner would be completely exposed, so needs 2 defensive minded players next to him.

If one of them is Barry, it doesnt really work either as he is tactically excellent but hasnt got the legs. It worked tonight as Gana and McCarthy had the legs and pace to cover a vast amount of ground.

No we need another box to box to complement Gaye

 

[sarath]

Can't wait for him to tear up the RS!

 

[yakublue]

Should never be dropped again, not in this squad anyway.

The only reason to drop him is to motivate him, and I'm not sure that's the right thing to do. When youre choosing cleverley and McCarthy ahead of him there's something wrong.

 

[hetion]

I thought it was interesting to see McCarthy actually spending a lot of the game further forward than Ross, using his energy and pace to defend from the front and unsettle Arsenals passing. Ross could then make things happen with a little more time and space from a deeper role. I liked it. He's incredibly good at opening up an angle for a pass in the middle of the pitch.

 

[Simon baker]

I thought it was interesting to see McCarthy actually spending a lot of the game further forward than Ross, using his energy and pace to defend from the front and unsettle Arsenals passing. Ross could then make things happen with a little more time and space from a deeper role. I liked it. He's incredibly good at opening up an angle for a pass in the middle of the pitch.

Very true it's because he can go either way so is very diffucult to press & dispose him particularly when everything is in front of him.

A point for all the fools who don't rate him pogba got a 90 million transfer due to playing in a system that suits him with two compatible centre mids.
play Ross in a 3 with Gueye & schneidrlin please Ronald

 

[Mrk]

Easily his best game for a long, long time.

 

[MartSlinger]

Russ played more as a number 8 than 10 last night and he was superb. More performances like that please lad!

 

[blue61]

Looked awful for the first 30 minutes, as did the rest of them. As soon as the team started putting an effort in, his game changed completely. More of the same on Monday please.

 

[dannyboy]

No we need another box to box to complement Gaye

If we're getting a new midfielder then they need to be in the Arteta form. Between McCarthy, Gueye and Besic (when fit) we've got enough in terms of running in that position.

 

[ToffeeTim]

Hrs definitely a midfield player not a second striker. I enjoy watching him deeper and he needs a run there.

 

[flibbyflob]

Easily his best game for a long, long time.

Can say that for a few but clear for Barkley, particularly second half where the confidence came flooding back.

 

[Pabbers]

Some of his passing tonight was sublime imagine him in Arsenals midfield?

Oh this all day. Nobody has mentioned this....just the odd time he lost it. That through ball for kev....if Ozil had played that ball!!