It's pretty clear that, if everyone is fit, he doesn't start. With the injuries he has suffered, it's not surprising he is eager to make an impact but it won't hurt him to play Under-21s for another season and gradually get introduced to more 1st team action. I can't see him really being a first choice starter for another 12-18 months but hopefully he can get half a dozen starts this season.

Should we change the formation for an unproved 18-year-old? Are you cuckoo-bananas?!? And there is no 'we' in formation and selection; it is only 'he': David Moyes.

I'd like to see him play more but you're expecting him to make the grade in the Premier League where Mirallas gets his first go at 24.

Still, if he ain't no Pele, I'd take a Boban.

I agree with you Gavin he has a lot to learn before he becomes a first team regular. If I was gaffer I'd loan him out let him mature and make his mistakes in another team bring him back with a bit of steel to add to the class and talent he obviously has.

If we need to keep him in the squad and play him, I'd play him in the middle drop Fellaini back and let Barkley sit in front and use the ball going forward.

The other problem with playing Barkley is he tends to look for a pass to the right and as we all know our right side is not our best side. From what I've seen I definitely think Barkley needs a loan spell in the lower divisions this year and give Francisco Junior a spot on the bench.

I always expected him to play where Cahill played, and score the 10 or so goals that I think he's capable of every year. But, now that Fellaini is playing in that more advanced role, he is almost resigned to sitting deeper, which he is probably capable of as well.

What he needs right now though, is to be loaned out, he needs to be playing 90 minutes every week if we want to enhance his development, I can imagine him dominating League 1 and even the Championship. We'll see what happens though, my biggest concern is that he becomes a big flop.

Moyes wouldn't give him any time on the pitch last season when we were crap; he's not going to do it when we have better players.

I'm with Moyes on this.

The cameos Barkley has had show him to be work in progress to me, stamina, strength and speed of decision making needs work.

He's an 18-year-old with potential – but we've had loads of them.

It's never boring being an Everton fan.. Amazing start to the season, some quick transfer business, all going well, then BOOM! Back down to earth. First loss, Niang rejects (and puts the boot in) us, Gibson out injured, Pienaar about to have his court case, Ofoe deal falls over and now Naismith caught on video doing the dirty on a Serbian player (perhaps not the best phrase to describe this!)

I can't take much more of this!! (Oh who am I kidding?) COYB!! We'll take whatever is thrown at us and come out fighting!!

Gavin, being a bit too eager to make an impact is what done for James Vaughan. It'll do for Barkley too, as Moyes, in my view, has an inherent weakness in bringing young players in. They come in during an injury crisis(Duffy) play well and then get tossed aside. It is ,in my opinion, the single biggest failing of David Moyes.

While Phil Neville draws breath a young Messi wouldn't get in the team. Safety first, the managers default position. He isn't going to change because safety will do quite nicely for his employer. A new huge contract is on it's way.

Oh yeah.. Love see Barkley given a run in the team to prove himself..

Joe Malone #504; he may have a lot to 'learn' but will he...a) actually have it in him, that certain something, not potential more like the ability to put it into practice; and ...b) will he be best schooled playing U21 without the need to extend himself over that required for the grade?

What also needs to be decided (if not by us then Moyes): What will be his most effective position and can the overall team dynamic afford to give him a run in that position to grow into it?

The answer I fear is No; his development will mirror Rodwell drib and drab starts from the bench, no dedicated position unless injuries ect force Moyes's hand.

Short version for both us and Barkley...don't hold your breath.

He's not a regular yet, but there is no doubt he is legit cover deep in midfield. I'd much rather see him there than Neville. Yes, he will make mistakes because he's young. But he will also be more dynamic on a regular basis because he's more talented at that position. Since the Belgian isn't coming to join us, he is even more valuable an asset than before. I think with some decent playing time as cover, him and Seamus Coleman should become reliable starters for us in the future at holding mid and right back.

When I saw Ross play I thought he looked a decent young talent with a lot to learn. Right now we have better options in midfield, when everyone is fit.

So I definitely wouldn't change formation to accomodate an unproven kid.

He would benefit from a loan period elsewhere but we have a small squad so I doubt that will happen now.

I can see Ross being a like for like replacement for Rodwell.

Not on the pitch.......but here on TW.

People can moan about Moyes ruining a young talent.

A talent that hasn't actually done anything on the pitch yet.

Branch, Cadamateri, Ball and Jeffers all made a bigger impact by the time they played the same amount of games as Ross has played now and look what happened to them.

For that reason I'm not getting carried away hoping Barkley will turn out to be a great player. Too many disappointments in the past.

I watched Barkley come on against Leyton Orient and I thought he looked very average. He looked a long way away from the first team and if I was honest looked like a League One player. I agree he should be loaned to get some games and lets see where he is then.

Lee(543), perhaps the reason he's done nothing on the pitch is because he's not actually been given any time on the pitch?

What we do know is that he's played really well for the reserves and he's played really well for the England youth sides.

From what little we've seen of him in the first team, we know that he is prone to occasionally trying something (too) adventurous and losing the ball. Perhaps this is because he feels the need to impress in the 10-15 minute cameos he is sometimes given?

Either way that is going to need to stop before he can become a regular first teamer. I worry that Moyes wont tolerate it enough to give him the time on the pitch he needs to step up to the next level. Remember how Fellaini needed time on the pitch to step up? I think Barkley also needs to be given that time on the pitch to develop.

Loaning him out to a Championship club would be one solution, or playing him in an advanced role behind Jelavic would be one possibility, with Mirallas and Pienaar on the wings and Fellaini and Junior as a central midfield pair. There would be less issue if he lost the ball and he does have an eye for a pass and the confidence to try things.

Either way I think this season is make or break for the lad. If he spends another season playing reserve team football then I think he'll never realise his potential.

Whilst he has undoubted talent, two footed, finds space, orchestrates tempo (even Trevor Brooking was eulogising about him 12 months ago) he just makes too many mistakes at the moment. His biggest problem is giving the ball away in our own half - remember Blackburn last year and he did it again against Orient 2 weeks ago. he tries to beat people in the wrong places. Moyes just wont tolerate that and until he learns he 'll never be a regular.

A loan could help but no matter what level you cant give the ball away 20-30 yds from your own goal.

Wayne - He has had time on the pitch and has shown that he makes silly mistakes and is definitely no Rooney or Owen at that age.

He has talent but he is nothing to get worked about yet. Just like Rodwell.

Perhaps we could start with asking the question "could he add anything to the team that nobody else can"? Most definitely yes in the final third, with the exception of Osman he's the only player we've got that can give us the creativity around the opposition box, particularly at home although West Brom away was also a good example when they sussed out the long high ball to Fellani.

He needs to play in the number 10 role behind Jelavic, initially at least for the final 30 mins of every game to give us that defence splitting pass without putting our defence in danger by attempting to do too much on the edge of our own box - which he also does when playing for England U19 and U21. The creative aspects of his game need to be encouraged rather than just working on his defensive side, that can come later.

Mirallas should play wide right as he would inject some much needed pace into our team as illustrated by the chance he created for Fellani at West Brom. Fellani would then be able to play in his best position, centre midfield linking with both the defensive and attacking midfielders.

When he has a couple of years experience under his belt he can then move back to the deep play maker role. Steve Gerrard didn't go straight to the box to box all rounder that he later developed into. Ross can't tackle to save his life so he needs to be kept away from our box.

I think that developing youth is Moyes biggest weakness, he just doesn't trust them enough, so Ross needs to go out on loan to learn how to play professional football where people are paying to watch and mistakes really matter rather than in the Reserves. As a club our future is totally dependent upon developing (and selling a few) young players, so Barkley, Vellios and Duffy need to go out on loan and learn the ropes elsewhere rather than warming the bench. There are (were) lots of players available on a free who could warm the bench whilst our young players develop (Guthrie/Squillaci etc).

I fear that Ross will have to move away to progress and achieve his potential.

I'd agree with Barkley in the hole, but probably not yet. If Gibson is fit, we have an interesting tussle for the right wing, Number 10 and who [plays centre mid.

One worry is apparently Fellaini said this will be his last season with us.

The thing that has stood out in his most recent brief appearances is his desperation to make an impression. Given the very limited opportunities he has been given in the first-team then he probably thinks he needs to produce something spectacular in order to try & force his way into the manager's thinking. It's not like he is being granted regular 15-20 minute run-outs to find his feet and showcase what he can contribute.

I see Barkley as a ball player and someone who can beat his man. He ideally would replace Osman or Pienaar while he is away this season. He wants the ball and does not just make short, safe passes.

He is industrious and will always be noticed as is Pienaar and in the past Arteta. I would like him to be used as an alternative to Osman when Ozzie is off form or injured. I'm sure that the lad would develop if used sparingly from the bench initially and started as the situation allowed eg; suspensions/injuries/form loss.

He is an old fashioned right half or inside right and should be kept on the books. I have not seen Junior play so have no opinion on that lad. Surely it's better to develop the British players we have as they are the future of the club.

I have seen good money squandered on overseas players who have not lived up to their price tag. I know that some have been great for us and given 100% but we have also wasted money that we can ill afford on the likes of Bily who was given many chances and failed.

If the morning press is to be believed, Ross, is going on loan to Dave Jones at Sheffield Wed. For a chance of getting a regular game, and hopefully the experience that helped young Wilshere, when he spent time at Bolton.

If you're good enough, age doesn't matter, you only have to look to Mr Rooney and Sterling for that shower to see that. I believe he has all the attributes to become a future England international, BUT will Mr Moyes do a Rodwell on him??

He needs more game time so he doesn't have to try too hard to impress. Why he didn't play from the start against Orient is beyond me... surely we had enough first team players out that night to accommodate a future star?

To think people were demanding he get a starting place 12 months ago!

He's not ready. Simple as. At the moment he is not even standing out that much in Reserve/U-21 games and has a few apparent weaknesses in his game.

I think by far the best thing for both parties would be regular pitch time in a ball playing Championship team where he can learn what does and doesn't work and improve his decision making. Pity we missed out on Vadis as now Moyes may feel he needs to keep Barkley as backup though he will only start in the cup or in last resorts at the moment.

Sam we simply don't have the squad to be loaning out players. what is another midfielder gets injured we would be up shit creek. Our squad is feather light as it is.

Loan him out but bring him back if we need him.

James, did you read my whole comment? I said if we had got Vadis then we could have loaned him (as we would have Vadis, Neville, Ossie, Gibson and Fella who could play in the middle). But we didn't so now I'm not sure we can.

Form-wise, Barkley is not ready to play, but that can be solved by getting some playing time at the end of matches. 30 minutes or so each game until he looks fresher, then start him in the Cahill role.

What everyone seem to forget is that Fellaini wants to leave as soon as possible. The only player capable to replace him is Barkley. I think it would be best to keep Barkley in the first team; we lost out on Vadis so we need Barkley.

Junior is injured.

I agree that Barkley is far from ready to start games yet, but he needs to get playing time somehow. Best solution is to bring him on at the 60th min each game, that way he will have learned a lot and gained some fitness and form. Barkley is too good to play for the U-21, he either needs to play here or in the Championship, each week.

Glad to see a sensible 'Barkley,' discussion break out.

...As when he first came on the scene, it appeared that many thought we had the Second Coming on our books!

Primarily, Barkley has to impress the manager, improve his game, and when given the chance, HE needs to fit-into OUR style of play - not the other way round.

I wish him well, and do think he has something about him.

Fair post Kevin. I believe Moyes leans toward the old guard but I doubt there is a club in the four divisions whose supporters don't believe the "Second Coming " is on their books.

Don't need him and Moyes won't play him; let him go to Wednesday.

I could be wrong but I believe that the club see brittleness in him, huge talent but a propensity to make mistakes that result in goals. the EPL is harsh, mistakes are punished and Managers very unsympathetic. The nswer is erhaps to develop him in a forward midfield role where there's two layers of protection behind him if the does make a mistake. For me though that would be a waste of his prodigious creative talent. He has time yet though and he is considered good enough to represent England at All levels below senior, I'm glad to see that Evertons standards are higher than that for the National team. Eventually I'm sure that he'll make it for us, the club see him all week in training and at every game he plays so I trust them to either use his talents to our best advantage to save us buying it or that they get an offer they can't refuse to enable them to buy it.

'I thought he looked great for the England Under-18s. He was at the centre of everything, and really drove the team forward. I was particularly impressed by the range of his passing, and his movement off the ball'

This is what I want him to do for Everton!

I think as a centre midfielder will be his best position, as some have said he isn't the type to be scoring freely and needs to learn to control the game from the centre of the park.

The learning to cut out the mistakes, is a case of more consistent game time – be it in U21s league or for a Championship / decent League One side. He will come good, just hope it's as good as anticipated.

17-year-old Sterling of the RS is picked for the England squad and is getting every opportunity to make his name.

Ross Barkley is presumably too young even for cameos?

I agree with Dick (#944)... Sterling looks a real prospect as he plays without fear. Barkley has lots of ability and MUST be used more often.

When Baines first came, DM continued to play Lescott out of position rather than letting Baines play. Fans even suggested he was too small although most of the best ever fullbacks have been average height at best. Pace has always been needed at fullback and dealing with high balls into the box is down to central defenders to defend.

DM is loath to bring in youngsters and he over-nursed Rooney for my money. He would rather play the old guard out of position than use youngsters. Players who have cost money will be played or used from the bench even if they are not playing well eg; Bily.

Barkley is the replacement player for Osman if he loses form or is injured. I am sure that he could do a job for us and fully develop if he is tried.

Sterling is a lower-risk player to introduce than Barkley, as he plays on the wing ahead of a CB playing Full-Back. He has no defensive responsibilities. Also - who are the RS gonna play ahead of Sterling? Downing?.

Barkley is a CM. He has a lot more responsibility to the team as a whole in that role.

He is not ready for regular first team action yet. 10 minutes off the bench here and there until he is ready for a 45.

I would also stick him against Leeds for the full 90!

Bit chicken and egg innit? He needs game time for experience and fitness, but doesnt have the experience or fitness levels at present to be selected ahead of the other players. I think he just has to be patient, and when his chance comes, which it surely will in such a small squad, he needs to take it, proving he is worth a starting place. Its the same for most young players. Its exactly what Sterling did the other week.

The problem with giving him game time in the prem is that it is just too high a risk environment to be sticking him on just to give him experience. Maybe the Villa game was a good chance, game won and pressure off. But at present the guys in the team offer less risk. The current midfield may not be favorites on here, but they are all experienced and offer a degree of consistency that Barkley does not, YET!

He should be a dead cert for Carling cup games

Who would you rather have coming through in the next year — Ross Barkley or Jon Jo 'Nosferatu' Shelvey?

Okay, both good players... but which one will be the better player???

when Ross gets his 10 minutes at the end of a match I expect him to come out all guns blazing , I couldnt think of anything worse than watching him stroll around the pitch for 10 minutes

The lad is young but many players are quite mature when they are young; perhaps he is in need of a little more action? As Moyes seems to feel he doesn't fit in yet, we have to wait and see what happens.

Barkley is strong, willing and has undoubted talent but when I see the kind of feeble tackling by Osman against the Barcodes, I wonder what Moyes is thinking when he selects the team. Osman has been guilty of that wimpish tackling for years and yet gets selected but other stronger tacklers are overlooked. Until that is remedied, the Blues will continue to falter.

Neville is also past his sell-by date and is no longer an inspirational leader (as if he ever was). Time for Moyes to get real!!!