Everton Banter Archive September 26 2016

26 Sep 2016 16:00:02
Just want to put in my views in relation to recent weeks.
I hope people read this and see it for what it is, because in the main part, it's about a certain Ross Barkley.

I think Barkley divides opinions massively, he's a bit like marmite, Evertonians either love him or hate him, for me, I think there's no doubting his talent, however last season, and for some of this, he has looked completely off the pace, it's like he lacks confidence, he seems so slow on the ball, the amount of times we've broke and attacked and he just seems to hold the ball instead of making that quick pass, is unbelievable, I find watching him so frustrating sometimes.

I think we, as in Everton, both last season, and this, haven't helped him, by that I mean we should have signed someone to support him, rotate him with, learn from, someone like Mata or Yarmalenko. He needs support.

I look at our last 3 games and RK just seems worried to leave him out. Sunderland 1st half we were dire, RK takes Barkley off at half time and second half we looked better, quicker, more direct. I honestly thought RK would leave him out, then we played Norwich, and I know we rested key players, but we never looked like scoring.

Okay, league cup game, I was as annoyed as anyone else because i'm desperate for silverwear, but it's not the end of the world and by no means am I blaming Barkley for the loss, but it wasn't good was it.

Then we go to Bournemouth, I was convinced Barkley would be left out, he wasn't, we lost, and again I'm not blaming Barkley, but I honestly believe he needs dropping, let Delboy play in the hole, and give Barkley some rest, let him get a fire in his belly again, bring him on for the last 10/ 15 minutes to make an impact and gain some confidence, then start playing him every week again, I think he needs to know he's not untouchable in my opinion!

The boy has talent, but for me he's not forfilling the prospects he once showed and something needs to change in relation to him.

26 Sep 2016 18:12:32
Best post for a while ASM84 can't argue with any of that.

26 Sep 2016 18:34:50
He looks a little heavy to me. Some people in particular men, no matter how fit they are still have difficulty controlling their weight. The problem then is exacerbated by the intensity of training needed and the difficulty in sustaining it. With his undoubted talent and if I am right about weight then the solution would be to adapt his play to sustain over 90 minutes or only play him part of a game.

{Ed025's Note - or to shed a few pounds and get incredibly fit...now i will probably be accused of being overweightist or picking on him.. :)

26 Sep 2016 21:18:16
Nah Ed, you miss the point. I am 66 now and still doing the same exercises (no boast just fact) after 24 years in the military and 20 years working with them as a Civilian Physical Training Instructor, in all that time I have had problems with my weight and despite obvious fitness (incredible or otherwise) it continues.

{Ed025's Note - i cant say i know a lot about it BCT so i will take your word for it mate..

27 Sep 2016 07:58:43
Rumour has it Ed . . when you first heard the expression 'pie in the sky' you tried to join the Paratroop regiment 😋.

{Ed025's Note - i do like my grub 247 but i am not overweight, im under height actually...i should be 14ft 7in for my weight mate.. :)

27 Sep 2016 08:55:31
Asm84 fair assessment that. Can't really argue with it. Barkley seems learner and fitter this season to me bct. Maybe I'm missing something but I'd bet he lost weight from last May / June.

27 Sep 2016 09:17:53
Guys should we not trust the manager here, he works with the players every day and sees the effort in training, Barkley did create a good chance had it gone in it would be an assist and we would all be shouting great ball! I believe he has to stick with him as he can't see an alternative in the system he plays, this again is compounded by our inability to bring in another player in this position to create competition.
Lets face it we have had a great start, the new lads have added much to our thin squad but it is obvious we still need more and that takes time and patience.

27 Sep 2016 09:40:43
I think your clutching at straws with Ross being over weight. Unless of course you know his fitness stats. I am pretty sure he could if he wanted to run for 90 mins non stop. I would also expect his conditioning to enable him to do so quite easily if he wanted too. Maybe he just doesn't want too or feels that its not the best way to play? I'm not trying to second guess why he is not but I can't actually remember him ever doing so. He may have to adapt under RK though as I think he prefers a more dynamic approach from his players.

27 Sep 2016 09:54:01
''patience. ''

The 'magic word' Wakka!

27 Sep 2016 15:09:05
We Evertonians are the eternal underdogs without patience we have nothing blue!

26 Sep 2016 11:41:06
It was a strange game on Saturday. I don't think either team played particularly well in the final third but defensively neither were were poor.

I'd say that was our worst performance but we have to make sure we get the initiative in these games. Score and you tend to get the result.

As soon as we went one nil down we rushed things and stopped playing with our heads. This is an old frustration that we used to get under Martinez. Last season we collected the fewest points when we went a goal down in the EPL.

Anyway, I'm not getting too carried away with the loss as we shouldn't get too carried away with the good start.

One more point though. It's brilliant to have that feeling back when you literally count down every minute to the next game instead of trying to prolong it due to dread.

Keep faith blues.

COYB NSNO IRKWT.

26 Sep 2016 11:49:38
''instead of trying to prolong it due to dread. ''


Spot on John. . I just feel it instinctively we are now in far safer hands in terms of fine tuning etc.

26 Sep 2016 13:14:50
Couldn't agree more with both.

26 Sep 2016 16:37:47
RK's after match interviews, telling the truth and not trying to candy-coat the performance, are a breath of fresh air. Phenomenally good if you ask me!

26 Sep 2016 22:52:49
Yep I'm liking that too SA. I no longer want to punch the tv into next door!