Ross Barkley

[ktvillan]

Even if Barkley can improve his efforts without the ball he might not represent good value for money as a permanent signing compared to younger players - e.g Brooks. 

[fredm]

Dont forget Ramsey will be another 6 months older in August, will have filled out more physically and also (hopefully) developed his game through interaction within the squad. Also are there anymore younger players who could take a position on the bench?

[OCD]

Dont forget Ramsey will be another 6 months older in August, will have filled out more physically and also (hopefully) developed his game through interaction within the squad. Also are there anymore younger players who could take a position on the bench?

Aaron Ramsay, Chukwuemeka and Philogene-Bidace have been training with the first team squad for a while now.

[eamonn]

Dont forget Ramsey will be another 6 months older in August, will have filled out more physically and also (hopefully) developed his game through interaction within the squad. Also are there anymore younger players who could take a position on the bench?

...Chukwuemeka and Philogene-Bidace have been training with the first team squad for a while now.

That's easy for you to say.

[chrisw1]

Watkins benefits from having a player play off him, but I don't think that has to be Barkley. Jack could easily play that role. I don't see McGinn as a natural number 10 but he could definitely do a job there. He links up well with Jack and Ollie when given the opportunity and in terms of pressing, interceptions, tackles higher up the pitch he would be excellent with the energy he has.
He would be a nuisance for any defender attempting to play out.
The unknown element for me at the moment is Sanson, but it's certainly worth trying. Barkley as an impact sub could be very effective.

Agree with this.

I'm a fan of Barkley but I don't think we'll know until towards the end of the season if he's right for us / worth the money or not.

[OCD]

Dont forget Ramsey will be another 6 months older in August, will have filled out more physically and also (hopefully) developed his game through interaction within the squad. Also are there anymore younger players who could take a position on the bench?

...Chukwuemeka and Philogene-Bidace have been training with the first team squad for a while now.

That's easy for you to say.

I do need to Google it to get the spelling right

[algy]

I'm on the fence with Barkley. It's been difficult with him coming back from injury straight in to a congested set of fixtures, so whilst he's not been up to standard I wouldn't be too harsh on him over that. Like a few others, I'd wait until the end of the season.

My gut feeling at the moment is that he's done a job - our midfield is stronger with him in the squad. When he's on form he's fantastic, but he's not put those performances in regularly enough to justify spending more on him than you would on a standard squad filler. If, come the end of the season, he's having a Trez/Dougie style renaissance I'd be all over him though. We do need a player *like* him, that's for sure.

[Ad@m]

He's starting to piss me off now.

I don't know whether he thinks he too good to work hard or he's unfit but he just looks like he's being lazy.

Whatever the answer he needs dropping. At the moment we've got better on the bench.

[Rudy65]

He's starting to piss me off now.

I don't know whether he thinks he too good to work hard or he's unfit but he just looks like he's being lazy.

Whatever the answer he needs dropping. At the moment we've got better on the bench.

I don’t know what position he is supposed to be playing tbh. He provides no support to Ollie nor links the play

[PeterWithe]

Same as usual today, shows flashes of absolute class but doesn't get involved enough in showing for the ball and his work without it leaves a little to be desired.

Also for a physically big lad, he gets knocked off the ball more than he should

[Risso]

I hope that kick when going off was just frustration with his own performance, because if it was a show of petulance to Smith, he can fuck off back to Chelsea.

[danno]

I hope that kick when going off was just frustration with his own performance, because if it was a show of petulance to Smith, he can fuck off back to Chelsea.

Willing to give him the benefit of the doubt, but somebody needs to have a word. He's not going to win a popularity contest with 40,000 of us if he disses Dean.

[Abbeyfealeavfc]

Not doing it for me at all. He can keep his petulance to himself. He had 70 odd minutes more than I would have given him today.
A passenger without the ball. Ok when on it but this doesn't happen often enough. I'd sooner Ramsey or Sanson in there than someone who appears to think he's something he's not

[Aldridge Villa]

Looks a good player when he’s in and around the opponents penalty area. Extremely passive though when it comes to the large expanse of midfield.

[dorsetvillian]

Taking Barkley off and replacing him with more energy meant we could press higher and win the ball in dangerous situations. Almost resulted in a couple of late goals.