Martinez retains faith in 'brave' Barkley

, 11 May, 53comments  |  Jump to most recent
Roberto Martinez says he retains his belief that Ross Barkley will fulfil his potential at Everton despite what has been a disappointing season for the 21-year-old.

Barkley was one of a number of Blues players whose under-performance in the defeat to Sunderland on Saturday was illustrative of the entire 2014-15 campaign but his manager insists that the player's mentality indicates that he will be able to ride out this difficult patch.

“Sometimes, as a midfielder, you get in positions, but today was sunny, the grass was sticky and you can miss a pass and that can affect the next two or three decisions,” Martinez said, “but the thing I love about Ross is that whatever happens it never affects the next moment when he wants the ball.

“He will have good moments and bad moments, but what you see is that he has the strong mentality of always being brave, of always wanting to be on the ball.

“I just want to see Ross developing and getting through those moments because that is where he becomes a stronger and a better player to fulfil his potential.

“He is always very, very unemotional. He doesn't get emotional in the game. He is always brave, he is always available.

“He had a few moments [against Sunderland] that were not good but it is just because he wants to take responsibility in difficult circumstances and that is why we need young players to be given opportunities.”

 

Reader Comments (53)

Note: the following content is not moderated or vetted by the site owners at the time of submission. Comments are the responsibility of the poster. Disclaimer


Patrick Murphy
1 Posted 11/05/2015 at 19:15:56
"I am a manager that wonÂ’t make excuses for performances..." but by the way "The grass was too sticky"! MMMMMmmmmm.

Good job the players and supporters have 100% faith in this guy!

Craig Mills
2 Posted 11/05/2015 at 19:16:27
"Today was sunny, the grass was sticky" FFS we are starting to dig really deep for the excuses on why Ross put in another miserable performance at the weekend..............

How about you just say, " Ross had a bad day at the office like too many of his team mates did." Enough said, move on.

Joe Foster
3 Posted 11/05/2015 at 19:38:34
I nearly fell off my chair laughing "today was sunny... sticky grass" – that’s just classic RM for you. Somebody said on here the other day that maybe RM is trolling us now; I think he is.
Barry Thompson
4 Posted 11/05/2015 at 19:29:34
WTF?!? Â’sticky grassÂ’ ... I thought IÂ’d heard all the lame-arsed excuses but this one takes the biscuit. Could playing the game at a snails pace have anything to do with it becoming sticky. Anyway, he could always attach a couple of sods of it to Lu-cack-oos boots then maybe some of the passes played in to him might stick for once.
Jim Bennings
5 Posted 11/05/2015 at 19:40:28
DonÂ’t forget the worms in the soil under the finely cut grass lads, it can sometimes knock a guy off balance.!! ... Well itÂ’s only a matter of time before Marty drags that excuse out ainÂ’t it?

Barkley has been skank this season, poorly coached and has continued to play the game without a football brain.

Been outperformed by too many midfielders younger and older across the Premier League board this season.

Phil Gardner
6 Posted 11/05/2015 at 19:43:23
Â’Sticky grassÂ’ ....Barkley played like heÂ’s been smoking it, not running on it. Do yourself and us a favour, Baffled Bob... shut the fuck up for a fortnight eh?
Ross Edwards
7 Posted 11/05/2015 at 19:44:00
HAHAH! Sorry but just when you think MartinezÂ’s ramblings couldnÂ’t get more ridiculous, we get this: Â’The grass was stickyÂ’.

Fantastic. I think itÂ’s got to the stage where he has to be sectioned. Either heÂ’s taking the piss now or he truly believes these excuses.

For someone who says that he makes no excuses for poor performances, I just want to say that Roberto, you have truly outdone yourself there. I take my hat off to you señor.

Pete Edwards
9 Posted 11/05/2015 at 19:55:17
WhereÂ’s this come from? Strange if heÂ’s actually said those things!!

I thought he played okay Saturday, looking to go forward more often than not to be fair.

Patrick Murphy
10 Posted 11/05/2015 at 19:56:35
Head Groundsman on radio phone-in with Monty Don, "I’m having trouble with sticky grass – what do you recommend?"
Monty - "You could try vegetable cooking spray. More importantly, do not mow a wet lawn. I use my blower to clean off my mower.

Head Groundsman "Thanks Don" replaces receiver and tells Roberto he needs Mazola to solve the problem.

Roberto: "Cheers fella - IÂ’ll get my Football Manager 2015 switched on and see what his pass completion rate is!"

Darren Hind
11 Posted 11/05/2015 at 19:49:24
Sticky Grass eh ? I thought it was greasy as fuck when I saw Ossie slip every time he tried to change direction Then I noticed the silly fucker was wearing a pair of Claire Rayners.
Dont these guys have a proper look at the pitch before choosing their footwear ?

I didnt get close enough to see what Lukaku wore to counter the "sticky grass" but he played as if he was wearing chest waders

Ray Robinson
12 Posted 11/05/2015 at 20:01:39
Martinez must really think that Ross is crap because thereÂ’s not one "phenomenal" or "incredible" in the piece. Strange also that he calls Ross "brave". The Barkley I see quite often looks scared to express himself and short of confidence.

My grass needs cutting. ItÂ’s also "sticky" but I put that down to the neighboursÂ’ cats.

Keith Meakin
13 Posted 11/05/2015 at 20:05:44
To be fair to Bob, I know what he means. I have had problems with my sticky rice – it’s an absolute bugger trying to maneuver it around my plate.
Denis Richardson
14 Posted 11/05/2015 at 20:00:01
I am waiting for the Martinez supporters to explain why the Goodison turf is sticky and how a sunny day might make a professional footballer play badly (WTF??).....

I honestly have run out of adjectives to describe this guy, I’m just utterly amazed as to how a guy like this can be a professional football manager – at any level, let alone the Premier League. I’ve heard of bullshitting your way into a job but, fuck me, what did he say at the interview? Whatever it is it’s golden!

Our manager is officially a loon – had he been 25 years older, I’d be calling the local old folks home to take him away! Please can someone just take him away, pleeeeaaaaasssssse

Paul Andrews
15 Posted 11/05/2015 at 20:03:52
Pete Edwards,

That is the key to Barkley mate. He could play the percentage pass every time, retain possession, pass square or back every time. If he did he probably wouldnÂ’t get the stick he gets now from our fans.

Instead he holds possession, carrying the ball looking for the game-changing pass. Sometimes he gets caught in possession because of that.

He looks to play the eye of the needle pass that creates a chance, inevitably some will be misdirected.

Give me a player brave enough to try to make a difference every time.

Michael Winstanley
16 Posted 11/05/2015 at 20:03:58
That is an amazing statement.

Thankfully it didnÂ’t deter Ross, who was brave in looking for the ball even though he knew the grass wasnÂ’t quite right, a few passes had gone astray which would have confused more average players but not our Ross, he carried on regardless.

And some would have you believe our manager canÂ’t train professionals.

Chris Feeley
17 Posted 11/05/2015 at 19:54:57
Possibly the water on the magic sponge was too wet as well? Was the ball too round? Were the bows on his boot laces not bunny-eared enough?

This is getting beyond ridiculous now. Ian Holloway has nothing on Señor Brown Shoes when it comes to nonsensical sound bites. The only difference is that I’m not laughing and our current situation is certainly not amusing.

Jim Bennings
18 Posted 11/05/2015 at 20:08:55
Maybe we will lose to Spurs on the last day because there might be a row of pigeons sitting on top of one of the stands hypnotizing the players with their beady eyes!!

Seriously IÂ’m finding MartinezÂ’s musings rather farcical and IÂ’d be laughing if he wasnÂ’t our gaffer.

Basically heÂ’s off his tits.

Callum McNab
19 Posted 11/05/2015 at 20:11:40
I felt a bit depressed today after that crap on Saturday. I just read this and nearly pissed myself laughing. We have now become the circus of the Premier League with Martinez, the Chief Clown. Pathetic.
Ross Edwards
20 Posted 11/05/2015 at 20:11:09
Barkley has had all his confidence and attacking intent coached out of him by Martinez. Mainly because heÂ’s been played in all sorts of positions this season, out on the wing, central midfield, the No10 role etc.

ItÂ’s such a contrast to last season where often he would run the show. Fast forward a year and for the majority of this season heÂ’s been anonymous.

Mark Pierpoint
21 Posted 11/05/2015 at 20:15:22
I hope that this is an example of someone being unable to convey what they mean in a second language..... Sometimes he has to realise that less is more for during some interviews.
Colin Glassar
22 Posted 11/05/2015 at 20:15:13
Sticky grass? Maybe Cantona is his new speech writer, seagulls, trawlers and all that. IÂ’m with Callum, that made me laugh. Just keep yer trap shut Roberto. For a day at least.
Phil Walling
23 Posted 11/05/2015 at 20:08:43
Just to think that Howard Kendall never got one England cap whilst this kid has 12 of them already, you begin to realise how standards have fallen.

Â’PromisingÂ’ as he might be, Barkley would never have got into either CatterickÂ’s or KendallÂ’s trophy-winning sides and is no more impactive now than Rodwell was at the same age.

But perhaps the grass will be more to his liking next season... or the one after that!

John Malone
24 Posted 11/05/2015 at 20:05:57
Barkley is useless in a Â’tightÂ’ game were the opposition sit deep, his inability to see and play a first-time pass or make a simple one-two give-and-go in order to break the Â’linesÂ’ is so frustrating to the point were IÂ’m screaming "Take him off!"

Steven Naismith has nowhere near the individual technical ability Barkley has but the fact he uses his brain to play quick passes while running directly at the defence means he is a lot more effective in games like Saturday.

I really wish the penny would drop with Barkley and he would do the simple things well and build up an understanding with players around him and link up to unlock defences and score goals but, the more I watch him, the more I think he is "thick" and is that kid in school who just wants to run with the ball, no matter how many people are around him, and no matter where on the pitch heÂ’s going, he canÂ’t release the ball and canÂ’t understand why he should!

Jim Bennings
25 Posted 11/05/2015 at 21:28:08
Does anybody else think a really underrated player is Ki at Swansea??

I have always been impressed with this guyÂ’s energy every time IÂ’ve seen both at Swansea and at Sunderland, heÂ’s also quite technically gifted when you watch him.

Tony Sullivan
26 Posted 11/05/2015 at 21:45:25
Jim Bennings (#25)

But if we buy him and he has a couple of poor games, he will be shite. It amazes me that such fickle ToffeWebbers think they have all the answers. I am prepared to give Rosss Barkley more time, as he is also technically gifted. I am also pleased that his manager is prepared to stand up for his performances.

Peter Howard
27 Posted 11/05/2015 at 21:58:38
Rub some of it on LukakuÂ’s boots.
Colin Glassar
28 Posted 11/05/2015 at 22:05:47
Tony, most pundits, and people ITK, rate Ross very highly, including Roy Hodgson and Gary Neville. I know heÂ’s had a poor season and I canÂ’t put my finger on the why this has been so but the lad has talent and I just hope he can fulfill his potential with US!!
John Raftery
29 Posted 11/05/2015 at 21:53:00
Ross is the latest in a long line of young English players who have failed to build on their early promise. His performances were vastly overrated last season thanks to the usual media hype. Taking him to the World Cup merely put him in the spotlight so opposing teams are now more aware of how to nullify him.

Is anyone coaching and mentoring him on or off the field? As many people have said this season he takes too many touches, fails to make the quick, simple pass, and has forgotten when and how to shoot. Worryingly he seems no more able to play against a well marshalled defence now than he did six months ago.

Whether or not he will ever be able to harness his many natural attributes to become our top player is a huge question, the answer to which may determine not only his own future but also that of his current manager.

James Stewart
30 Posted 11/05/2015 at 22:41:17
Barkley is worth more as an asset than a player. If a decent bid came in it is a no-brainer. No intelligence or vision and those things canÂ’t be coached. Naismith offers more in his position which tells you all you need to know.
Ant Dwyer
31 Posted 11/05/2015 at 23:12:40
Maybe the problem is that Martinez killed RossÂ’s confidence early on in the season by playing a bog-standard Championship player in his preferred roll in Naisy.

I like NaisyÂ’s work rate and professionalism but the fact is heÂ’s not even close to being a top 6 Premier League player, just like Martinez isnÂ’t a Premier League manager.

Minik Hansen
32 Posted 11/05/2015 at 23:29:17
New season, new energy, new squad, new goals, COYB!
Derek Thomas
33 Posted 11/05/2015 at 23:41:40
Sticky grass ffs; maybe if they stopped watering the fuck out of it right up to the kick-off and at half-time.

The sooner this idiot goes, the better.

James Martin
34 Posted 12/05/2015 at 00:45:16
Waffle waffle waffle waffle good moment waffle waffle waffle.
Mark Andersson
35 Posted 12/05/2015 at 02:00:08
Loved all the posts, made my day, what a laugh.

Ross will come good under a new manager. But it wonÂ’t be at Everton.

Paul Kelly
36 Posted 12/05/2015 at 02:46:01
El Bob has come out with some cack but this one is the best yet.

I have tears rolling of my cheeks and I donÂ’t know if there tears of laughter or tears of despair, probably a mix of the both.

Get this idiot out of our club now.

Ian Jones
37 Posted 12/05/2015 at 05:38:14
Three things spring to mind from MartinezÂ’s comments:

It was mostly cloudy, Lukaku’s poor movement was also due to sticky grass – he was simply stuck. Need accurate weather forecasts before naming team.

On a serious note re Barkley. HeÂ’s only 21. He has a few years left in his career. HeÂ’ll be okay.

Andrew Lawrenson
38 Posted 12/05/2015 at 05:43:10
The Catalan Clown strikes again... Wow!!... what a excuse!!!

I read the other day on TW that Ross needs to work on improving peripheral vision... how can you work on that... unless you have eyes like Marty Feldman or Mezut Ozil (who can watch a game of tennis without moving his head). You either have peripheral vision or you donÂ’t.

And now sticky grass... Let’s just hold our hands up and admit that RB just as not improved and developed as we had hoped. Maybe the Catalan Clown as destroyed his confidence – he certainly as destroyed mine.

Jim Bennings
39 Posted 12/05/2015 at 08:07:05
Can you seriously expect a manager who has spent the last 2 yearÂ’s hyping up a player as "the best talent in Europe" on to make a pathetic excuse like "when he gets into good positions the sun is shining and the grass is sticky"???

I mean honest to God, imagine Enrique at Barcelona giving Iniesta or Xavi that excuse??

ItÂ’s embarrassing and frankly youÂ’d think Martinez needs to start thinking before opening his mouth.

Geoff Evans
40 Posted 12/05/2015 at 08:56:21
STICKY GRASS, two words that say it all, over and out.
Phil Walling
41 Posted 12/05/2015 at 09:14:22
When the Martinez Everton Â’obituaryÂ’ is writ, Â’sticky grassÂ’ will go down as his most asinine comment of the lot. It will never be lived down ....or forgotten.
Matt Traynor
42 Posted 12/05/2015 at 09:29:05
Phil (#41), thereÂ’s likely to be plenty more opportunities for him to top that comment. The new guy will have such a hard act to follow though when it comes to pressers.
Brian Harrison
43 Posted 12/05/2015 at 09:36:33
Another classic from Mr Bean, I really wonder what the senior players make of all his inane ramblings. BK donÂ’t worry about what the pundits or journalists might say if you sack a man who got us to 5th last year, just do the sensible thing and get shut.
Ian Jones
46 Posted 12/05/2015 at 11:37:28
On reflection, Martinez might have been referring to those Â’sticky grass ballsÂ’ which attach themselves to pets at certain times of the year.

If the above post doesnÂ’t make sense then I have achieved my purpose!

Harold Matthews
47 Posted 12/05/2015 at 15:36:48
Yes, I try every week to defend him but I cannot defend "sticky grass". WouldnÂ’t know where to start.
Frank Crewe
48 Posted 12/05/2015 at 16:31:17
I think the real problem with the grass is that RM is smoking too much of it, especially if he thinks Ross Barkley will become a world class player.
Geoff Evans
49 Posted 12/05/2015 at 17:24:00
Anybody out there like to try and defend a manager who comes out with this classic... How about you, BK?
Geoff Evans
50 Posted 12/05/2015 at 18:00:00
Martinez shouldnÂ’t still be giving interviews to anybody as EvertonÂ’s manager. HeÂ’s brought this great club into disrepute and insulted the intelligence of its supporters with his inane comments and stupid excuses and remarks.

HeÂ’s a joke and should have been shown the door.

Michael Winstanley
51 Posted 12/05/2015 at 23:33:31
Big Sam will have clocked those comments and will be having a word with his groundsmen.
Sean McCarthy
52 Posted 13/05/2015 at 00:54:57
Ross #20 "It's such a contrast to last season where often he would run the show. Fast forward a year and for the majority of this season he's been anonymous."

I mustÂ’ve missed the games where he "ran the show" as the times IÂ’ve seen him (every home game) heÂ’s been virtually anonymous. People mention his "footballing brain" but I actually believe that Ross is also hindered by not being the sharpest tool in the box and lacks the basic nous to work situations on the pitch out for himself. Rooney may not be Einstein but no-one can say heÂ’s not at least got a football brain.

This isnÂ’t meant to be disparaging towards Barkley but next time you see him being interviewed you will know what I mean. And I know someone will no doubt come back with the cliche that all footballers are thick when clearly they arenÂ’t. But I believe his lack of intelligence is going to stop him developing into the player we hoped he would become.

Geoff Evans
53 Posted 13/05/2015 at 08:53:38
Young players like Barkley need the guidance of a top man-manager... eg, Cleverley and Sherwood.
Peter Barry
54 Posted 13/05/2015 at 09:10:38
Roberto does not belong at Goodison; he should be on the stage – preferably the "landing stage’, getting the next boat outa here!!
Roger Helm
55 Posted 14/05/2015 at 18:28:59
The personality and character of a player are part of the package. As was pointed out by the commentators last night, thatÂ’s part of the reason Ronaldo succeeded at Real Madrid and Bale, almost as talented, is struggling.

If Ross was the great player everyone says he is, "lack of confidence" wouldnÂ’t be an issue. I agree, if a good bid arrives, grab the money.

Geoff Evans
56 Posted 14/05/2015 at 18:33:33
Impact player at best.

Add Your Comments

In order to post a comment, you need to be logged in as a registered user of the site.

» Log in now

Or Sign up as a ToffeeWeb Member — it's free, takes just a few minutes and will allow you to post your comments on articles and Talking Points submissions across the site.


About these ads

© ToffeeWeb