22 Jan 2017 08:40:10
10 or so games ago, the manager dropped Ross Barkley. He told the media that Ross needed to sort his game out. That he needed to decide what he wanted. Ross was a shadow of the player we thought he could be. Ross Barkle is now starting to look aggressive, hungry and like most of all.
he is enjoying winning football matches. The previous manager never criticised him. It was alwys encouragement. My own view is that this manager is a born winner. He does not care how we win football matches. We can sort out the niceties at a later date.
For now, let's get every player fighting for the club. let's get every player enjoying winning football matches. because there is nothing worse than losing football matches. even if you are playing well.
{Ed025's Note - good post that degs, and i agree that tough love seems to have worked on ross, ronnie will not pull any punches mate and i like that about him..
22 Jan 2017 10:23:39
Dogs of war topped with a large helping of quality.
22 Jan 2017 16:31:35
Agree that the last regime wouldn't say a bad word about the lad, meaning he could switch off and do as he pleased as he was, by and large, one of the first names on the team sheet. Credit has to also go to RK for giving him a kick up the backside and keeping him on his toes with his 'tough love' stance. Ross has also taken on board what his new manager wants and expects from him, it might have taken a bit longer than we all wanted but he is getting there and that's all that matters I suppose.
Another thing worth noting Degs is that he hasn't got the weight of the fans on his shoulders in the same way as the last few seasons. The emergence of Davis has given Ross a bit more freedom from being the only one who tries to make things happen. He looks a totally different player now that he can play his own game. Someone said on here a while ago that Ross would look a lot better when he had good players around him, forget who that was but they were spot on. With the likes of Gana, Davis and now Schneiderlin we will see Ross further forward causing mayhem for the opposition. Hopefully :)
22 Jan 2017 17:26:05
There is also the point I went on and on about. lack of goal scorers throughout the side. especially in midfield. Players like Cleverly, McCarthy, Barry and Besic seemed to play game after game without ever contributing with goals or assists. Our opposition just had to stop Lukaku and Barkley and they effectively nullified us. So we looked pretty poor around the oppositions penalty box. We would have 70 or even 80% possession but do nothing with it because Lukaku and Barkley were heavily man marked. All of a sudden we have Gana and Davies who are willing to bust a gut and get from our box to the oppo box and that frees up space for Barkley and Lukaku. and the full backs who have started scoring again. no coincidence in my view.