sydneyneil

Prove me wrong, bounce back, but proving me wrong isn't have a good next game, or one after that, it's doing it week in week out like a top player should do. Not showing up for 10 minutes of every other game which is all he's done in the past 2 or 3 seasons.

 

You said it yourself he lacks a brain, that's something you either have or don't in football and he doesn't have one.

 

I honestly, in my opinion (although I know you don't like opinions Haf you start having a pop at people for those!) I'm amazed at how people can watch this lad (seemingly every single weekend) and invest so much confidence in his ability. That's Denousonal.

Totally agree. The minute people realise he isn't this footballer with so much potential the better. It's nothing to do with the position he plays, the manager or the crowd. The lad simply doesn't have the football brain. It is astounding how many people can see him play at a 5/10 more often than not and still think he could be the next gascoigne. Let's just move on

But, he doesn't give it away more than other players, especially those up front, do. His giveaways are magnified because of the expectation that, with his talent, what amazing things we've seen him do, and all that we've built him up to be, he will turn a miracle every time he touches it. And, of course he can't make miracles happen constantly (no player can), but we punish him for not being perfect. When he misses a pass that was on, holds onto the ball too long, makes a quick decision but a wrong one, or when he misses a shot, we as fans and the Goodison crowd abuse him. I think so many of us have put upon him the expectation that he's going to be Everton's savior (not to mention England's), that, when he fails to live up to that impossible standard, we vent all of our unfulfilled frustrations and place them onto him. In these moments, he functions as yet another symbol of unfulfilled promise and all that is wrong with club and country. From the US, and as someone who hasn't followed Everton from birth, this is evident in how the local and national press treat homegrown and English players and how fans internalize all of this. There's without a doubt an inferiority complex at work here, and Everton fans (and England fans) are constantly looking for answers as to why the team can't return to former glories. The press brings news of messiahs, and everybody gets their hopes up, and 16-year-old kids are shouldered with the hopes and dreams of club and country. Yet, none can live up to the standards. When times are good and the team is playing well, everybody sings the praises of that diamond, Ross Barkley. But, when the team's form drops, everybody looks to him and says "I've doubted you from the beginning, you fucking charlatan!" This is where the "you never ask about Seamus Coleman" quote from Koeman comes from. Ross Barkley isn't the panacea for all of Everton's ills and neither is he the root of the apparent disease.

I agree with many of your points regarding the media and the scrutiny and I get that. It isn't going to change however. Footballs like that, it always will be, not just in England but even in Europe. English fans make out that we are the only one who get on our players backs. It's not, it's everywhere, Spain, Italy and South America.

Regarding him giving the ball away, I feel it is more scrutinised as he is always in good positions where his final pass is magnified because of where we are on the pitch.

He always seems to be the one to play that final through ball and invariably doesn't deliver. Anyhow, let's agree to disagree. Let's

Hope he proves me wrong against palace!!!

Maybe that's true. I get frustrated with him more than any other player when I'm watching it on my sofa here. It's usually because he makes the wrong decision the majority of the time he gets the ball and gives it away. It's always good to have a local lad doing well who is a blue through and through but we can't keep on using emotional attachment, crowds, expectations, mental fragility forever. The crowd won't change I'm afraid and I also believe that he would have the same issues elsewhere. I disagree that he has it to become a top player. I hope I'm wrong but I think this is his season to prove me wrong and all the other doubters. If he doesn't, koeman will replace him

 

Interesting first post (Neil?). Does the "Sydney" part of your moniker make you another Oz based Blue?

Yes mike, I'm living in Sydney these days. I do read this forum often and I thought it was about time I got involved!

Not a Barkley fan I'm afraid. And the "scared of the crowd" stuff doesn't wash with me either. If he doesn't have the mental strength to deal with his confidence after he plays a bad pass he will never make it as a top player. Psychologists and doctors are used these days we all know that but they can't turn a quivering wreck into a rocky balboa. I don't know any other club who aspire to be on the top 4 who would nurture a player who gives the ball away all the time in the hope that he might just deal with anxieties and stresses from the crowd. He's not a baby. We have been waiting for years now. Yes we clearly had a poor manager in that time but top players levels don't drop that much. Natural physical ability he may have but natural football ability upstairs he doesn't.

I hope im proved wrong obviously but we aren't talking about a ravel Morrison or mario balatelli here where we're waiting for him to grow up. Ross is supposed to be a very good professional who trains as hard as most. I think koeman went out to increase our attacking options with ghezzal, brahimi, etc. I think we will see him really try and improve this position in January

Barkley simply doesn't have the football brain required for the top level. You cannot teach a football brain. Rooney had it when he was 16 and Ross has always acted on instinct when he is at his best. The moments he has to think, he is useless. Having two feet, strong, quick, etc, only gets you so far. If you don't have it between the ears I don't believe this is something which is gained through experience.

Koeman, I believe, will replace him when he gets the chance. It's basic errors with him which appear consistently. This belief he is suddenly going to get some sort of mentor who is going to teach him to do the right things on the pitch is baffling. Theo Walcott has never improved this side of his game and Wenger has had him for 10 years. One of many examples of players how don't suddenly start changing their decision making.

I think coaches can improve qualities that players already have and give them confidence, I don't believe someone who watches them train every day can suddenly give them a football brain unfortunately.