Ross Barkley

[Toronto Villa]

Does everyone remember what McGinn looked like at the end of last season coming back in from an injury? Not every player is going to be able to go at 100mph and look the best version of themselves. Ross Barkley is a very good footballer and more than good enough for us. Like every player he’s going to have the odd bad game. And players when not entirely fit cannot perform to their peak ability. Doesn’t mean he doesn’t care.

[PeterWithe]

Hmmm, that was a really difficult one to hit.

[Allan C]

Well we’ve found another player to kick and blame. It was Mings a bit back and now it’s Barkley. And blimey!! We’re 8th and winning games!!! He, like the rest is clearly knackered and in need of a rest. Yes he’s struggling for form but he’s clearly a class player and it’ll come.

[Tuscans]

You go back and watch the games where he frustrates Jack and Watkins when he doesn't pass it at that specific moment when the momentum is all us. Jack and Ollie both throw their arms in up in a "what the f*ck" was that when he's on the ball. I think he's had 1 assist in 13-14 games now which is gash when he's been told to get close to Ollie.

I said a few pages back, never rated him before there was any sniff of him joining us and I can't just then say I think he's brilliant, always has been just because he now plays for us. I still don't rate him, has little heart on and off the ball for me, arguable over hyped at Everton when England probably had a lack of attacking midfielders and now he's been lapped by a good dozen or so of gifted attacking midfielders.

I think when Sanson gets up and running you may see McGinn given more attacking intent and Sanson in McGinns present role.

[RamboandBruno]

Hmmm, that was a really difficult one to hit.

Agree. I suppose my point was he’s a good enough player to hit that in, even though admittedly it was difficult, he’s just off form at the moment. It’s not like he’s nearing the end of his career though, players with his talent rarely just turn crap

[PeterWithe]

If he makes the move permanent the fee will be far in excess of anything we have ever paid before, and what all our hard earned ticket money goes on, seems fair to discuss the pros and cons of it then?

[The Edge]

Well we’ve found another player to kick and blame. It was Mings a bit back and now it’s Barkley. And blimey!! We’re 8th and winning games!!! He, like the rest is clearly knackered and in need of a rest. Yes he’s struggling for form but he’s clearly a class player and it’ll come.

We seem to need a scapegoat no matter what. I like Barkley I think he's took us up a level.
I'll have

[ChicagoLion]

He is not contributing nearly enough to start just because he is available.
If he is not properly fit, then get him properly fit.
Right now I would swap him for Hourihane.

[Risso]

Well we’ve found another player to kick and blame. It was Mings a bit back and now it’s Barkley. And blimey!! We’re 8th and winning games!!! He, like the rest is clearly knackered and in need of a rest. Yes he’s struggling for form but he’s clearly a class player and it’ll come.

We seem to need a scapegoat no matter what. I like Barkley I think he's took us up a level.
I'll have

Go on, say something about David O’Leary being right, you know you’re dying to.

[darren woolley]

 I like the way he kicked the water bottles when he came off shows he cares.

[brontebilly]

He is not contributing nearly enough to start just because he is available.
If he is not properly fit, then get him properly fit.
Right now I would swap him for Hourihane.

Compare him to Jack today. Jack was only ok as per his usual standards but still put in a fair old shift despite being clearly fatigued. Even McGinn who I was disappointed with again finished strongly. Ramsey, Trez, Watkins again proper graft without the ball.

Barkley for whatever reason seems to think that graft and press is beyond him. It's not just a recent fitness issue, he wasnt doing this against the likes of Leeds and Southampton earlier in the season either. The pressure Ramsey applied late on in comparison was like night and day. I think Andy Townsend called it right about Barkley earlier in the season, for every 7 or 8 out of 10, a 3 or 4 tends to follow. If he wants to improve as a player he needs to address that inconsistency, starting with getting fitter, shifting some body weight and taking pride in his work off the ball.

[Tuscans]

He is not contributing nearly enough to start just because he is available.
If he is not properly fit, then get him properly fit.
Right now I would swap him for Hourihane.

Compare him to Jack today. Jack was only ok as per his usual standards but still put in a fair old shift despite being clearly fatigued. Even McGinn who I was disappointed with again finished strongly. Ramsey, Trez, Watkins again proper graft without the ball.

Barkley for whatever reason seems to think that graft and press is beyond him. It's not just a recent fitness issue, he wasnt doing this against the likes of Leeds and Southampton earlier in the season either. The pressure Ramsey applied late on in comparison was like night and day. I think Andy Townsend called it right about Barkley earlier in the season, for every 7 or 8 out of 10, a 3 or 4 tends to follow. If he wants to improve as a player he needs to address that inconsistency, starting with getting fitter, shifting some body weight and taking pride in his work off the ball.

About right.

[Dante Lavelli]

Jack had a bit of a strop at being subbed against Newcastle. Nobody was saying 'get rid' then.

I think it’s his general performances that’s attracting the comments, not the reaction to getting subbed.  The fact he is on loan, also raises the “should we, wouldn’t we?” Dilemma each week.

[Ads]

On the ball he is good, off it, he is anonymous.

[garyellis]

On the ball he is good, off it, he is anonymous.

100% agree but surely somebody like JT can read him the tea leaves? I would be interested how much ground he covers in 90 minutes compared with similar style players. He is a special talent but the work rate needs to move up a notch.