22 Sep 2016 08:35:50
I just scrolled down and read some of the posts about Barkley. I have to make a few points:
Moyes was accused of holding him back by some people when Martinez threw him into the first team. My own view was that Barkley was a young man that played a role that needed confidence. It was a sink or swim situation. In fact sometimes he has played well so you could say he swam. In other games he has failed and sank. That tells me Moyes had it right and Martinez put too much responsibility on him. I did see some statistics on him regarding goals and assists and they are very very impressive. Up alongside great players of the past eg Gazza and other England greats. So he obviously has the ability. So now it is up to Mr Koeman to handle him with the kind of management that is needed to protect and nurture him to bring out that talent. What Barkley does not need is the negative mindless supporters booing him and moaning every time he loses the ball. I am sure Barkley will be blooded more slowly by Koeman and rested at times. He had a big spell out with a terrible injury when younger and this should be considered. He has played 119 games and he is only 22 years old. this is including the lengthy spell out. Last week he was absolutely top class. This week he was terrible. That should be telling us something. But fans need to get off his back.
{Ed025's Note - he is not a kid now degsy his arse is hairy enough for him to be classed as a man at 22 mate, because he is a scouser some think he should get preferential treatment but i dont, i dont want him booed either just treated like any other player..
22 Sep 2016 09:16:01
My own take on Ross is. . He loves the plaudits when things go well!
So why do things go well? because imo he's on his toes and knows he is is human and like everyone else if he's not focused then things will go wrong!
So why do things go wrong? because imo he's no longer on his toes and thinks he's 'Messi, Bsst. Pele and god knows who else after all the plaudits he got from his last game.
Ross Barklay needs to know himself from within methinks!
22 Sep 2016 10:02:03
Good post Degs. I think there are two major issues here.
Firstly this local lad thing is a blessing and a curse. As Ed025 pointed out, he gets preferential treatment from some fans, however the other way round, because he's a local lad, fans think it's okay to tell him what they think. From my seat in the Lower Gwladys, I think that Ross is the most booed player by a mile. This is probably because he is so frustrating. But I don't think we should ever boo our own players. By all means boo the team at half and full time if necessary but mid match boos and booing individuals is not on at all in my book. No wonder the lads a nervous wreck.
Secondly, we all place too much responsibility on Ross' shoulders. He can't win the game on his own and the fact is, maybe he will never be the player we want him to be.
This brings me to my third point. The fact is, in my opinion, Ross has to play. We have literally no-one else for direct cover in his position. The only options are the equally inconsistent Deulofeu, or playing two up front, and I don't think I'm convinced by Enner Valencia.
22 Sep 2016 10:41:44
I agree with pretty much all said above.
22 Sep 2016 13:09:49
Have to agree with you Degsy a good post. It amazes me how quick some fans are to criticise Ross yet Gerry Delafou has been very ordinary and at times woeful but he seems to avoid any criticism because the fans have some mis conception that he is good. I don't get it. Ross has more talent than anyone else in the team so give him a break. His treatment by Woy was appalling at the Euros and it will take Ross a bit of time to get over it. Foeman says he does extra training sessions all the time so he is working hard to improve. So I say to the fans don't push him away because we will regret it.
Wellzee.
22 Sep 2016 15:53:04
I guess we are all so desperate for success after the longest barren run this club has ever had. Unfortunately, we are paying the price for a lack of vision and greedy board members from before Kenwright took over. It was then that Abromovic and the Yanks were looking to invest as well as Moshiri at the Arse . but we never took that chance. So now we play catch up. But that desperation does not mean we should not do what supporters are supposed to do. ie support. I believe it means to offer help and encouragement. not whinge and moan at the players. I have never understood the moaning at our players on the pitch. I get called negative, but I have never once at 59 ever booed a player in Royal Blue. The referee, yes. he usually gets both barrels and the opposition. unless its someone with class and dignity or an ex Blue. isn't this how its supposed to be? The Z cars theme starts. the hairs on your back stand up. you are playing a side that was put together with 10 times our cost. and the hope is there. the ref blows his whistle and you can hardly hear yourself think. Then some old fella behind leans over you when one of their players commits a dirty foul on one of our starlets and he shouts, "you winged eel fingerling" or something like that. And we then all join in shouting abuse at the opposition. together. players and supporters all in Royal Blue. But not at our own. surely?