Ross Barkley

[West Derby Villan]

Jesus wept, we don't half give up on folk quickly.

People can discuss the fact that he hasn't played at all well in the last two games without "giving up" on him, surely?

Yes but there are calls for him to be dropped. He's been a big part of the good start to the season, and yet people want him out of the team after a couple of bad results. See also Cash, Mings, McGinn and people are suggesting Watkins is anonymous too.

Getting dropped and giving up on a player are two different things entirely. The only player on our books that the forum (and also the club) has given up on is Lansbury.  Getting dropped is no harm, it happens most players at some stage for various reasons unless MON is the manager.

Resting/dropping all them may be a problem in itself

[LukeJames]

Fucking superb!

He's either 9/10 or 3/10, If he can turn the 3's into 6's or 7's he's a £50m player.

[brontebilly]

Fucking superb!

He's either 9/10 or 3/10, If he can turn the 3's into 6's or 7's he's a £50m player.

Andy Townsend said the same tonight on commentary. Brilliant assist for the second goal.

[Ian.]

Great game tonight. He’s better off in the team than the bench as when he’s in form like this he’s bloody brilliant.

[darren woolley]

He was another brilliant performance for us.

[paul_e]

Yep, Smith needs to braver with hooking him in his 3/10 performances because I think we're just going to have to accept that he'll have bad games.

[TonyD]

I still say he was ill v Leeds and Southampton.

[PaulWinch again]

Tremendous.

[London Villan]

He does nothing defensively, but how he links up with Jack is brilliant.

[PeterWithesShin]

If he did all the defensive work on top of what he offers attack wise, and did it every game, he wouldn't be on loan to us.

[Meanwood Villa]

What an assist for the second. Tremendous.

[Lastfootstamper]

I noticed him a couple of times go to track back onto the advancing Arsenal midfield, but he stopped himself. I reckon he was under instruction to stay up top near Watkins, and it's hard to argue that that didn't pay a handsome dividend. Similarly, both Grealish and Trezeguet rarely got dragged deeper than Targett or Cash. Stick to the game plan and trust your teammates.

[brontebilly]

If he did all the defensive work on top of what he offers attack wise, and did it every game, he wouldn't be on loan to us.

While that might be true, it still shouldnt stop Barkley putting more of a shift in without the ball. At times when Grealish is caught up the pitch it shouldn't be beyond him to cover back. Watkins at times sprinted back to help us out.

[nigel]

If we can, I think we should try and make it a permanent move in January before Chelsea decide he can do a job for them

[frank black]

If we can, I think we should try and make it a permanent move in January before Chelsea decide he can do a job for them

I’d rather we spend the money elsewhere January and assess Barkley’s situation in the summer.