Ross Barkley

[aj2k77]

I just don't understand the rationale for starting him. He's been absolutely dreadful every game he's played for months and months. The game yesterday was always going to be the easiest we had left in the run in, so you'd expect everybody to look better, which on the whole they did. Why not then, give Ramsey a start or perhaps even rearrange things slightly so that Davis could start. I expect we'll see Fat Ross starting against Everton, because, well, it's Everton and he played against them.

It was a very poor selection by Smith yesterday. Also bringing on the second Striker so late. He's too scared/reluctant to do it earlier and it hampers us.

[wittonwarrior]

I thought he had a decent game yesterday.  Somethings gone wrong possibly COVID after effects but his energy levels are low but you can tell he has something about him

[Three Spires Villa]

Well I really hope we don’t buy him

[Chris Smith]

I thought he had a decent game yesterday.  Somethings gone wrong possibly COVID after effects but his energy levels are low but you can tell he has something about him

Reasonable first half but but fairly anonymous in the second. His inconsistency with us is just a reflection of his wider career. He’s just not good enough to hold down a starting place and I hope reports that we’re not looking at him beyond this season are accurate.

[tony scott]

I thought it was his best performance this year, but the opposition squandered possession a lot.
What I find puzzling is he is really struggling for breath after about 10 minutes.

[brontebilly]

When was the last time Barkley impressed, either starting or coming off the bench?

Opening game of season 2016/17 for Everton. Since then he's been shit.

😄

[postal]

I think that that was the last start for Ross in a villa shirt. He had moments, but not enough.

[Risso]

I think that that was the last start for Ross in a villa shirt. He had moments, but not enough.

I bet he starts against Everton.

[colin69]

Did a bit better yesterday but I still never want to see him start again.

[chrisw1]

I think Smith knows he really needs to get some results between now and the end of the season, if not to ease pressure on his own job security then to try to get some momentum for next season.

He was probably hoping Barkley could be a bit of a flat track bully against a very shit team and open up sapces in what was bound to be a pretty packed defence.  I thought he did reasonably well at times, but nothing like the spark we'd hope for.  I don't think he stood out as particulalry worse then the rest of our very mediocre midfield, but that is faint praise.

Smith needs some results and probably still thinks in the absence of Jack playing Barkley into some form is our best chance of getting them.

[SaddVillan]

I think that that was the last start for Ross in a villa shirt. He had moments, but not enough.

I bet he starts against Everton.

Here's my starting XI

Emi
Cash, Konsa, Mings,Targett
Luiz, Marvelous
Watkins, McGinn, El Ghazi
Davis

On the bench:
Heaton, Hause, Elmo, Ramsey, Chucky, Philogene-Bidace, Wesley.

On the National Express back to London:
Barkley

McGinn is much more effective playing further forward more of a goal scoring threat and his scuttling around makes fir a better press on the back 4.
Watkins can play slightly behind Davis. Ollie's control and pace combined with Davis's strength and movement should give us a greater attacking threat and more options im terms of an out ball from the back.

[eamonn]

I'm surprised why people are so surprised that Barkley started. And he'll get a few more starts regardless of form between now and the summer.

He is an expensive signing (loan fee and salary), a senior player with a history of playing at the highest level (Chelsea, England). I think that carries a lot of weight in a manager's minds, they want to coax that calibre out of the player. Also, he's possibly the highest-achieving player Dean has signed/managed so there may be a bit of deference from him towards Ross, even if it's sub-conscious. He'll have to get that out of his system in the summer when our owners want to pull off a marquee signing or three.

[ChicagoLion]

We were better without him yesterday and that’s all you need to know.
But he will start against Everton.

[PaulWinch again]

Really good display tonight. Well done Ross.

[LukeJames]

Much much better, dictated the midfield tonight.