Barkley feels goal could mark a turning point

, 17 March, 41comments  |  Jump to most recent

(Paul Gilham/Getty Images)

Ross Barkley has opened up about his disappointing season, one that has mirrored the team's struggles as a whole, but says that he can feel the confidence coming back after the last two results.

The 21 year-old had a breakout season in Roberto Martinez's first season in charge, scoring some memorable goals and earning plaudits as England's next midfield sensation.

His form has dropped off significantly this season, however, in tandem with those of the Blues in general but a goal to cap off an impressive team performance and victory against Newcastle on Sunday has him looking at the run-in as an opportunity to get back to his best.

“It has been a tough season for me," he said. "I know I have not been at my best.

“I am still learning and I am still a young lad. Every game is different and because last season was my first full season in the Premier League maybe no one really knew about me. Maybe this season they know part of my game and it is up to me to learn and adapt to that.

“If people think they know what I am going to do, I have to come up with something different and have other options. Our season hasn't been the best, but hopefully this will be a good experience for me."

Crucially, Barkley isn't hiding from the downturn in his personal fortunes, relying instead on the training ingrained him during his development at the Finch Farm Academy.

“I am always going to want the ball," he continued. "That is the way I have been brought up through the Academy,” he said. “Even if I make a mistake, I will keep wanting the ball because I know eventually things will click and I will create chances and the goals will come. I feel like this [goal] can be a turning point for me and the team.

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“We feel we are getting a bit of momentum and the confidence is coming back in the team as well. You can see that in training. Everyone is getting on with each other and we are looking forward to the games coming up, gathering some points and climbing up the table.”

Quotes sourced from The Telegraph



Reader Comments (41)

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Patrick Murphy
1 Posted 17/03/2015 at 11:24:49
Ross in an interview with the Echo says "Everyone is getting on with each other and we are looking forward to the games coming up, gathering some points and climbing up the table."

Does that indicate there have been periods in which everyone wasn’t getting on with each other?

James Flynn
2 Posted 17/03/2015 at 15:01:14
Fair enough. I see him having problems in his way as Lukaku is in his.

Two youngsters who had to basically show up and overpower everyone when playing against kids their age. Anyone seeing a youth coach telling either "Not good enough lad" after watching them tear defenses open, almost at will?

Now they're in with the big boys, who don't give a fuck what they did as kids.

I think Ross could do with a coach who could specifically school him on the nuance required to be successful at his position. Can't see where EFC has a guy like that on the payroll.

Youngster sure has the talent and athleticism.

Clive Mitchell
3 Posted 17/03/2015 at 15:03:43
What a great lad, and what an exceptional talent Ross is. When he moves onto the ball it's like watching a big cat set loose amongst prey animals: I love the alarm at that moment in the body language of his opponents. Reminds me of the young Gullit. Isn't it fantastic Ross is a blue?
Brent Stephens
4 Posted 17/03/2015 at 15:34:00
Well done, Ross, lad. A nice bit of honesty and modesty. I've read a few times people saying that he isn't as good as his own hype. I might have missed it but I've never once heard or see him do anything to suggest that he "hypes" himself. Maybe in fact he doesn't possess enough self-belief. Hope you come good, Ross.
John Malone
5 Posted 17/03/2015 at 15:36:11
I think Ross needs to realise the fans don't groan when he tries a bit of skill or a clever ball and it does'nt come off in the final third it's when he's in his own half or under no pressure and he gives it away that is frustrating.

It's like he's bypassed developing the simple part of the game because he can beat people and score goals, the difference between a good player and a top player is decision making to match the talent this is what he needs to master.

Jay Harris
6 Posted 17/03/2015 at 16:24:55
Brent,
I totally agree.
I think the lad is very talented but is too humble and lacks that "street" mentality that Rooney has.
Sean Wafer
7 Posted 17/03/2015 at 16:31:20
@James Flynn
think you're right there, physicality carried them through respective youth setups and now, where such advantages are basically neutered, they have both been found wanting technically. Barkley's decline is lamentable, there is undoubtedly a good player in there, but Martinez' 'free' approach has long since been shown as reckless and rash. Encouraging Barkley to dribble and step-over pointless into defenders, off the pitch or onto his arse, and to continue to attempt the ridiculous, has been a disaster. Finally he has seen sense and taken him out the team, to be brought on when we're winning and he has less pressure and more space - 2-0 against 10 men really was the perfect environment. Martinez is a dreadfully slow learner, though.
Harold Matthews
8 Posted 17/03/2015 at 16:23:16
He's to big and heavy to fly around like Naismith, Besic and McCarthy and, if Lukaku and Kone are not available, I'd like to see him up front.
Tony J Williams
9 Posted 17/03/2015 at 16:41:15
Good call Harold.

Less pressure and less men to beat when he receives the ball.

I think most of the groans, as above, have been for the simple mistakes and the lack of any get up an go when he loses the ball.

It's creeping back into his play but it was months before we saw him throw himself into a tackle. No doubt this is a mental issue due to his horrific injury a couple of years ago.

Trevor Peers
10 Posted 17/03/2015 at 16:48:07
Ross is confidence player when the team does well so does he but when the team struggles he does and this season we have struggled. I think he remains an enigma who does he compare with in modern football ? The closest I can come up with is Schweinsteiger Bayern's German international.

We can only hope the change in tactics seen in the last two games helps his confidence and he starts realising his potential. He does look exciting going forward but on the down side he rarely makes a decent telling tackle.

Mike Gaynes
11 Posted 17/03/2015 at 17:13:46
What makes me happiest is that he clearly accepts responsibility for his own performances and his own confidence -- in contrast to the ongoing fairy tale promoted by so many TWers that Martinez (and Moyes before him) were guilty of "damaging the lad's confidence."
Andrew Keatley
12 Posted 17/03/2015 at 17:21:34
He needs to improve his decision-making for sure; agree with John Malone on that.

I also think he needs to be more adventurous OFF the ball. He often takes up a position - often five to ten yards from the player in possession - and if the pass is not made to him in that moment then he just stays there. He doesn't look to drift into a new, improved position. He just stands still. And often that means that the player in possession is eventually forced to play him the ball in that static position, slowing our play down badly.

I'd like to see him work harder off the ball.

Phil Walling
13 Posted 17/03/2015 at 17:50:53
........and when the talking stops ?
Danny Broderick
14 Posted 17/03/2015 at 17:53:20
I would also like to see him at least tried as a striker. Having a free role doesn't help him - if things aren't going his way, he struggles to get involved. He needs to be more involved.

Leighton Baines summed him up well for me last week. He said when things are going well, Ross Barkley is a fantastic talent to have in the squad. What that implies to me is that Ross is probably best used as an impact sub when things aren't going too well...

Kelvin Thomas
15 Posted 17/03/2015 at 18:07:30
# 1. Patrick M
Thats exactly what I picked up. Ross has let that one slip.
There's no doubt things haven't been well in camp.
If the answer to our poor form all along was getting the ball to the strickers quicker then surely RM would have sorted it months ago!
Des Farren
16 Posted 17/03/2015 at 17:56:26
I dare say there have been Pat.# 1. It happens. Every man has his own way of walking so there are bound to be disagreements.
To nitpick a part of a 21yr old lad's comments to a journo though is a little unfair.
Jamie Barlow
17 Posted 17/03/2015 at 18:24:26
I'd have though it was obvious that when it's all going tits up on the field, there will be the odd disagreement on the training groung. We win a few games and everyone is on the same page and big pals again. No big deal really.
Peter McHugh
18 Posted 17/03/2015 at 18:28:41
I would like to see him try his best like he did before this season.
Eddie Dunn
19 Posted 17/03/2015 at 18:23:30
In my humble experience of grass roots footy, (nowadays five-a -sides twice a week), at the grand old age of 54, I see young skillfull lads regularly falling into the trap of trying to do too much. I suppose the problem some talented players have, is that they have too many tools in their locker, and don't know which tool is appropriate for the task in hand.

Ross needs to take a look at Gibson and Barry, and see how they often play the simple ball to a team mate in space.
He should realise that even Messi doesn't do step-overs all the time!
Perhaps he should play up front, he has height, strength and pace, and can use both feet.
I'm sure that he will become a 50 cap England player, but wonder whether our leader knows how to develop him?

Ian Bennett
20 Posted 17/03/2015 at 18:48:33
I was in the family enclosure with my little lad for the Newcastle game and what surprised me was his build - he's an absolute tank.

His decision making and willingness to get physically involved has got to change for me.

Paul Thompson
21 Posted 17/03/2015 at 18:52:38
It is indeed good that he's taking responsibility for his own form, but I wonder whether he knows what he needs to do - on and off the ball - to change it? I'm sure that he will improve in key areas, but whether he will ever add a really creative passing ability I have my doubts. It's noticeable that when he's buzzing side to side of the opposition penalty area, he very seldom is able to thread a pass through in the style of an Ozil or dare I say it, an Osman.
Mohammed Horoub
22 Posted 17/03/2015 at 18:59:15
I agree Ian he's built like a tank but plays like a bicycle with training wheels. He has lost his natural instinct. He needs to forget all the 'training' he has been given and go with his gut.
It has taken Lukaku 6 months to finally shed the 28 million gorilla on his back. Think it will take Ross a little longer to ditch the 60 million pound godzilla Martinez threw on his back.
Once he has learnt to control the mental part of the game we will see his true potential. (Was hoping Barry could help him with this and maybe earn his 3 year pension)
Ian Brandes
23 Posted 17/03/2015 at 19:20:57
I am liking these suggestions of putting him up front on some occasions. He has the capability to sow seeds of fear in opposition defences.

To me his weak point has always been the final pass, or, at various times, the way he drifts out of games coroner reason or another.

There is no doubt he is a great talent, and if the goal gives him confidence, it is all to the good, for him, the fans, and the club.

Let us hope his season finally catches fire for all the right reasons!

Patrick Murphy
24 Posted 17/03/2015 at 19:24:05
Des - I read the whole article in the Echo prior to this thread starting and the reason RossÂ’s comment stuck out was because it appeared twice in the original piece. It wasnÂ’t meant to be nit-picking but rather I just thought, why mention the harmony of the squad at this particular time?

Surely it may well indicate that things havenÂ’t been running as smoothly as they should have been in the past few months, if whatever the issues were have been resolved that can only be a good thing for the team and ultimately the supporters.

I think if Ross can rediscover his form out on the park he may prove a huge asset for the remainder of the season and he could prove invaluable on Thursday evening.

Sue Brown
25 Posted 17/03/2015 at 19:25:58
Ross always comes across as a really nice lad who loves his football and Everton. It's good he takes responsibility for his form and it's probably this humility that has contributed to his lack of confidence, along with the teams poor run in form. I agree with other posts that I'd like to see Ross play up front where he could use his strength and skill and use that natural ability we know is there.
Phil Sammon
26 Posted 17/03/2015 at 20:16:44
Saying the right things. Contrast this interview with Howard's head-in-the-sand comments.
Andy Crooks
27 Posted 17/03/2015 at 20:16:31
Eddie #19, I think t h at Ross is now, through shot confidence, playing the easy pass too often.
Brent Stephens
28 Posted 17/03/2015 at 20:18:51
Mohammed #22 "built like a tank but plays like a bicycle with training wheels."

Brilliant! I'll forever watch Barks and imaging him with training wheels!

Jeff Hughes
29 Posted 17/03/2015 at 20:21:53
Let’s be careful here! Ross came on as a sub when the game was won and had no responsibility. He took his goal very well and he showed a little more appetite than we have seen all season.

I would stop talking about him altogether; keep playing him as a sub and late impact player; and let him gradually develop the confidence he needs. After all his general game has been pretty shocking of late and we don’t want the same hype building up again.

Trevor Powell
30 Posted 17/03/2015 at 20:38:44
Have Barkley and Lukaku suffered from Brazil matches. They are young and thet needed to rest rather than be out there!
Jamie Barlow
31 Posted 17/03/2015 at 20:54:15
Is that sarcasm, Trevor? I can never tell.
Tony McNulty
32 Posted 17/03/2015 at 21:02:34
Jamie. Sarcasm would be something along the lines of:

"Towards the end of his interview Ross wanted to extend his personal thanks to all those who have supported him so well whilst he was being played out of position and was also suffering a dip in form. He added that knowledgeable fans know that everything a creative player tries will not always work. However it is at times like these that what the psychologists call 'unconditional positive regard' is so important to the development of a young player such as himself."

John Gee
33 Posted 17/03/2015 at 21:07:50
It's common knowledge that there's been dissent in the camp. We've been discussing it on here all season. Distin, Eto'o et al. (sounds ultra latin!)

Barkley isn't 21 in football development terms, his injuries have hampered his progress and deserves more time and more patience to become the player we all hope he will. I've been as frustrated as the next man with his lack of appetite for the physical side of the game. But, perhaps it's understandable that he doesn't want to get involved in a war on the pitch after so many horror injuries.

What can not be excused though is how the lad has been left exposed by Martinez. Giggs, Gerrard, Rooney, Beckham and hundreds of other players have been managed into the first team with intelligence and the right amount of pressure and exposure. RM didn't even give the guy a break when it had been obvious for months to everyone else that he was struggling.

By all means, bring through youth. But don't screw their careers before they have a chance to find themselves.

Peter Mills
34 Posted 17/03/2015 at 21:08:45
Ross has shown that he has brilliant talent, which sets him above most others. What he now needs to demonstrate is that he also has the determination to tackle, track back, and do the "simple" things consistently well.

The talent is uncoachable. The other things are what good tutors should be teaching him.

Tony Abrahams
35 Posted 17/03/2015 at 21:51:13
Martinez said he was learning him new positions John 33. Don't see anything wrong with that if he was telling the truth, but the fucking wing? As people have already said, he's built like a tank, who wants a tank on the wing?
Liam Reilly
36 Posted 17/03/2015 at 23:01:32
Good lad; would love to see him at Goodison for many years to come.
Eric Myles
37 Posted 18/03/2015 at 05:11:20
Yet another turning point!!!

There's been so many I'm getting dizzy.

Unfortunately they've all turned into one long downward spiral.

Ernie Baywood
39 Posted 18/03/2015 at 09:28:30
Thing is, we've criticised every single player for a lack of effort. Then we go a bit higher tempo and suddenly it's there.

Hallelujah.

In our slow paced game no-one had a chance to show some get up and go. They defended 10 yards from the man so there were no 50/50s, played so defensively with the ball that there was no prospect of beating someone to the ball and going by them – there's no-one near them to go by.

Every player turned to shit this season. Surely that says something? Even Garry Barry (yes he's been exceptionally shit) would look better with our Newcastle tactics – you can imagine him being the calm head winning the ball and setting us on our way.

Fair play to Ross for taking the flack but the responsibility isn't just with him. He's a dynamic player being used in a team that couldn't be less dynamic.

Onwards and upwards from here but I'll never excuse Martinez's stubbornness for the bulk of this season – sacrificing the team instead of his philosophy is a long way away from being acceptable.

Dave Abrahams
40 Posted 18/03/2015 at 09:53:09
Ernie (39), amen to your last paragraph. I don't think Martinez will ever be able to redeem himself for ruining Everton's season this year.
Pete Owen
41 Posted 19/03/2015 at 01:43:34
It's alarming how many TW members refuse to mention the Europa League campaign being the main culprit for this season's failings! It's a well documented fact that clubs with smaller-than-top-4 squads will suffer considerably in the league when competing in the EL.

This EL is a shambles, our manager has been the first in my memory to actually embrace it. Spurs fielded a weakened side almost every EL game, eventually to drop out IMO because they have/had something actually worth fighting for.

Remember Stoke? Remember Newcastle? RS? No?.... Short memories or ignorance?
...
...
...
.....or both?
:)

Eric Myles
42 Posted 19/03/2015 at 07:58:24
Pete #41, if the EL is to blame how do you explain the 2 months period where we had no EL games where we really went to shit?

Up until the EL break were were doing OK comparatively, but during that break we were at our worse, and have only just started to improve once we've been involved again.


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