Ross Barkley

[Brazilian Villain]

1/8 now

Tim factor.

[brontebilly]

Barkley is a player of undoubted talent. We saw it when he played for us, albeit with some dip in form after his injury.

Now, think of every player in our squad, and tell me any that have become worse under Emery, and then consider all of the players who have got better.

Then look at Barkley, who is English, cheap, and hungry to make up for lost time, in a stable team and club environment, where the team ethic thrives, the coaching is top drawer, and genuinely tell me there isn't a very high probability of him doing well for us.

His talent has always been way over stated for one. He was never elite or even approaching elite even as a young player at Everton. Over playing the ball was his speciality with zero workrate off the ball and a very suspect attitude. Found out at Chelsea and the subsequent flops with us and then Nice. Only the favourites for the drop last season were interested in him, that's how far his star had fallen. Credit him for a career turnaround at Luton...but it's from an incredibly low base and a single season.

Ireland and Nzogbia had a handful of decent games for us, their worst performances were on a par with Roscos. "Some dip in form after injury", Barkley's performances and lack of effort were a disgrace for most of his time with us.

[tomd2103]

Fair enough, on his form for Luton, he is an upgrade on Zaniolo, Chambers, and Dendoncker - though so are countless others.

I think he is too great a risk. He did well when first at Everton and then when the main man at Luton - everything went through him.

I can't see him being happy as a back-up option, biding his time for a chance to impress or the odd cameo appearances to save the legs of Luiz or Tielemans and it looks like he can be a disruptive influence.

I have to think there are better options that are lower risk. UTV

He's not really a like-for-like replacement for any of those though.  As I see it, in the two formations we normally play, we play with a '6' and an '8' (in modern parlance!).  Kamara is the '6' and Luiz the '8'. 

We struggled without Kamara's athleticism and physicality in the deeper role and I can't see Barkley being able to do that job.  I think we need to sign a similar player to Kamara for that role this season while he is out, as Dendoncker isn't the answer either.  Barkley would be competing with Luiz and Tielemans for that '8' spot if he were to come.

I suppose my view of him is somewhat clouded by his first spell at the club.  I might not be as sceptical if that hadn't have happened.

[VillaTim]

Barkley is a player of undoubted talent. We saw it when he played for us, albeit with some dip in form after his injury.

Now, think of every player in our squad, and tell me any that have become worse under Emery, and then consider all of the players who have got better.

Then look at Barkley, who is English, cheap, and hungry to make up for lost time, in a stable team and club environment, where the team ethic thrives, the coaching is top drawer, and genuinely tell me there isn't a very high probability of him doing well for us.

His talent has always been way over stated for one. He was never elite or even approaching elite even as a young player at Everton. Over playing the ball was his speciality with zero workrate off the ball and a very suspect attitude. Found out at Chelsea and the subsequent flops with us and then Nice. Only the favourites for the drop last season were interested in him, that's how far his star had fallen. Credit him for a career turnaround at Luton...but it's from an incredibly low base and a single season.

Ireland and Nzogbia had a handful of decent games for us, their worst performances were on a par with Roscos. "Some dip in form after injury", Barkley's performances and lack of effort were a disgrace for most of his time with us.

Glad i'm not the only one being drawn in by this questionable  "Bedfordshire renaissance" mirage.

[Brazilian Villain]

Glad i'm not the only one being drawn in by this questionable  "Bedfordshire renaissance" mirage.

That's disappointing, you've always struck me as such a renaissance man.

[Anthenagin]

Fair enough, on his form for Luton, he is an upgrade on Zaniolo, Chambers, and Dendoncker - though so are countless others.

I think he is too great a risk. He did well when first at Everton and then when the main man at Luton - everything went through him.

I can't see him being happy as a back-up option, biding his time for a chance to impress or the odd cameo appearances to save the legs of Luiz or Tielemans and it looks like he can be a disruptive influence.

I have to think there are better options that are lower risk. UTV

He's not really a like-for-like replacement for any of those though.  As I see it, in the two formations we normally play, we play with a '6' and an '8' (in modern parlance!).  Kamara is the '6' and Luiz the '8'. 

We struggled without Kamara's athleticism and physicality in the deeper role and I can't see Barkley being able to do that job.  I think we need to sign a similar player to Kamara for that role this season while he is out, as Dendoncker isn't the answer either.  Barkley would be competing with Luiz and Tielemans for that '8' spot if he were to come.

I suppose my view of him is somewhat clouded by his first spell at the club.  I might not be as sceptical if that hadn't have happened.

This is exactly what I was saying earlier, Barkley is hopefully a back up 8 for Doug.

Our weakness this season has been lack of quality depth. Understandable considering we’ve come far in a short time.

The key thing is we need back up for Kamara for the deeper role. He’s injury and suspension this season exposed how much we need him. For me it’s the priority cover area.

[LeonW]

Barkley is a player of undoubted talent. We saw it when he played for us, albeit with some dip in form after his injury.

Now, think of every player in our squad, and tell me any that have become worse under Emery, and then consider all of the players who have got better.

Then look at Barkley, who is English, cheap, and hungry to make up for lost time, in a stable team and club environment, where the team ethic thrives, the coaching is top drawer, and genuinely tell me there isn't a very high probability of him doing well for us.

His talent has always been way over stated for one. He was never elite or even approaching elite even as a young player at Everton. Over playing the ball was his speciality with zero workrate off the ball and a very suspect attitude. Found out at Chelsea and the subsequent flops with us and then Nice. Only the favourites for the drop last season were interested in him, that's how far his star had fallen. Credit him for a career turnaround at Luton...but it's from an incredibly low base and a single season.

Ireland and Nzogbia had a handful of decent games for us, their worst performances were on a par with Roscos. "Some dip in form after injury", Barkley's performances and lack of effort were a disgrace for most of his time with us.

Glad i'm not the only one being drawn in by this questionable  "Bedfordshire renaissance" mirage.

I don’t think it’s as black and white as that. Players (like people) can change and we’re not recruiting him to play the same position as under Smith. If we were looking to bring him in as a 10 I would absolutely be against it. But Barkley (a bit like Pogba) has always struck me as someone who has struggled to understand what their position should be. He seems to have found that at Luton which works with his physicality and attributes. And as such, he’s performed well. Performing well in a struggling side should also have the positive viewpoint in that it can be very difficult to do so and suggests something about the person involved.

[VillaTim]

Barkley is a player of undoubted talent. We saw it when he played for us, albeit with some dip in form after his injury.

Now, think of every player in our squad, and tell me any that have become worse under Emery, and then consider all of the players who have got better.

Then look at Barkley, who is English, cheap, and hungry to make up for lost time, in a stable team and club environment, where the team ethic thrives, the coaching is top drawer, and genuinely tell me there isn't a very high probability of him doing well for us.

His talent has always been way over stated for one. He was never elite or even approaching elite even as a young player at Everton. Over playing the ball was his speciality with zero workrate off the ball and a very suspect attitude. Found out at Chelsea and the subsequent flops with us and then Nice. Only the favourites for the drop last season were interested in him, that's how far his star had fallen. Credit him for a career turnaround at Luton...but it's from an incredibly low base and a single season.

Ireland and Nzogbia had a handful of decent games for us, their worst performances were on a par with Roscos. "Some dip in form after injury", Barkley's performances and lack of effort were a disgrace for most of his time with us.

Glad i'm not the only one being drawn in by this questionable  "Bedfordshire renaissance" mirage.

I don’t think it’s as black and white as that. Players (like people) can change and we’re not recruiting him to play the same position as under Smith. If we were looking to bring him in as a 10 I would absolutely be against it. But Barkley (a bit like Pogba) has always struck me as someone who has struggled to understand what their position should be. He seems to have found that at Luton which works with his physicality and attributes. And as such, he’s performed well. Performing well in a struggling side should also have the positive viewpoint in that it can be very difficult to do so and suggests something about the person involved.

All fair enough, perspective needed though, there's a reason why he has ended up at Luton and people need to look wider than his 2 mins Bedfordshire YouTube Highlights reel. Luton were awful, relegated, he played his part all of which gets glossed over on YouTube .

[rooboy316]

He’s going to cost relative peanuts, so it’s not much of a ‘gamble’. Lots of potential upside, an able body in the squad, not a lot of downside risk.

[LeonW]

Barkley is a player of undoubted talent. We saw it when he played for us, albeit with some dip in form after his injury.

Now, think of every player in our squad, and tell me any that have become worse under Emery, and then consider all of the players who have got better.

Then look at Barkley, who is English, cheap, and hungry to make up for lost time, in a stable team and club environment, where the team ethic thrives, the coaching is top drawer, and genuinely tell me there isn't a very high probability of him doing well for us.

His talent has always been way over stated for one. He was never elite or even approaching elite even as a young player at Everton. Over playing the ball was his speciality with zero workrate off the ball and a very suspect attitude. Found out at Chelsea and the subsequent flops with us and then Nice. Only the favourites for the drop last season were interested in him, that's how far his star had fallen. Credit him for a career turnaround at Luton...but it's from an incredibly low base and a single season.

Ireland and Nzogbia had a handful of decent games for us, their worst performances were on a par with Roscos. "Some dip in form after injury", Barkley's performances and lack of effort were a disgrace for most of his time with us.

Glad i'm not the only one being drawn in by this questionable  "Bedfordshire renaissance" mirage.

I don’t think it’s as black and white as that. Players (like people) can change and we’re not recruiting him to play the same position as under Smith. If we were looking to bring him in as a 10 I would absolutely be against it. But Barkley (a bit like Pogba) has always struck me as someone who has struggled to understand what their position should be. He seems to have found that at Luton which works with his physicality and attributes. And as such, he’s performed well. Performing well in a struggling side should also have the positive viewpoint in that it can be very difficult to do so and suggests something about the person involved.

All fair enough, perspective needed though, there's a reason why he has ended up at Luton and people need to look wider than his 2 mins Bedfordshire YouTube Highlights reel. Luton were awful, relegated, he played his part all of which gets glossed over on YouTube .

It’s the risk aggregate though. If he’s relatively cheap in fee and wages, it’s worth the punt because the benefits of it being a  success…and I trust those making those decisions. On a personal level, I’m more for watching full games rather than highlights reels which I  don’t think tell much.

[olaftab]

He shined in the pile of manure that was Luton. He was crap at Villa Park when we played them and reckon will be equally shite this time as he previously.
Whatever is the question, Barkley is not the answer.

[olaftab]

Glad i'm not the only one being drawn in by this questionable  "Bedfordshire renaissance" mirage.

That's disappointing, you've always struck me as such a renaissance man.

Disappointing from you BV when you should know that Tim is a gender neutral person.

[Brazilian Villain]

Glad i'm not the only one being drawn in by this questionable  "Bedfordshire renaissance" mirage.

That's disappointing, you've always struck me as such a renaissance man.

Disappointing from you BV when you should know that Tim is a gender neutral person.

I recognised that their opinions were certainly fluid, I didn't realise it applied to their gender as well.

[purpletrousers]

I don’t think it’s as black and white as that. Players (like people) can change and we’re not recruiting him to play the same position as under Smith. If we were looking to bring him in as a 10 I would absolutely be against it. But Barkley (a bit like Pogba) has always struck me as someone who has struggled to understand what their position should be. He seems to have found that at Luton which works with his physicality and attributes. And as such, he’s performed well. Performing well in a struggling side should also have the positive viewpoint in that it can be very difficult to do so and suggests something about the person involved.

This.

The podcast link I just shared in the transfer thread had the Luton guy even musing maybe he’d finally found the position that truly suits his skill set.

I’d be impressed if we can add squad depth (and slight variety) at such good value elsewhere, including Premier League experience that doesn’t need to adapt.

I’ve seen so much pessimism about the guy, it’s pushed me into the optimist camp!

[Goldie.7]

Okay squad filler for 20 minutes here and there. Other than that I'm not too impressed with this re-signing.