Koeman: Barkley must prove his worth to England

Roberto did him no favours with some of his ridiculous, over-hyped, comments about his ability. Koeman seems to be issuing Ross a warning, deliver or be replaced, let's hope he delivers!

Roberto did him no favours with some of his ridiculous, over hyped, comments about his ability. Koeman seems to be issuing Ross a warning, deliver or be replaced, let's hope he delivers !

I suspect the playing of 'favourites' even if out of form, are over.

I think for too long he has spent matches looking for those opportunities – for me he needs to be a tempo setter first and foremost, he has the passing range to do that. He should watch Scholes tapes, perfect example. The moments of inspiration will come.

All the difficulties are in Ross's mind and if anyone is going to get the best out of him then I believe it will be Koeman. I stand by my view that if the lad can release the handbrake on his natural gifts then we will see something very special indeed.

I'm not knocking Ross and he has improved again so far this season. I think Koeman could be just the manager to get the most out of him and I wouldn't be surprised to see him back in an England shirt within a year.

Good that Barkley's confidence is high enough now that he expects to be picked and therefore can be criticised whereas the opinion a year or so ago was he was too fragile.

Step up young man. You're our Zlatan. Realise it.

He needs a game where he totally dominates to really get his confidence up and season moving. But it's been a solid start.

Muscle uses oxygen – he has too much of it. I think along with Rom, Gerry and a couple of others we will see the pounds fall off and his work rate should benefit.

Too often he is blowing after one of his runs, he has pace but it takes a few strides to get going. Less weigh = more acceleration.

I think he should be more greedy and confident to shoot rather than trying to find the slide rule sometimes impossible pass, not that I wish to tame his natural flair.

And yes, he is carrying too much muscle. I am sure all these things are evident to Ronald and I think he will work on these things to get Ross where we think he could be.

Just give me one punch at those twats, just one... preferably with two big blokes on either side of him.

Of course Koeman is aware Ross might have to be replaced, he was in for Sigurdsson in the summer, but the Icelander chose not come. He would've been a instant replacement for Barkley if he had chosen to join the Blues.

The well of potential is nearly dry and we're getting into Yoda territory now... "Try not. Do or Do not. There is no try."

He maybe a late developer or he might go down the Rodwell / Huddleston road. He has all the physical stuff but he hasn't got much of a 'Football Brain'.

If he doesn't buck his ideas up, he might not be here to be a late developer.

Our overall attacking in the first-half was poor and sadly Barkley paid the price. Koeman is not here to tell everyone how brilliant our players are. If you don't play well, you will be off. Barkley must learn from Koeman and quickly because younger players may step up to step in.