Ross Barkley is a victim of England's obsession with youth

Do we burn them out too quickly? Statistically it appears Germany, Italy, France and Spain allow players more breathing space to develop. England have taken over 50% more teenagers to major tournaments since 1990 than those countries combined; who has been more successful is clearly evident.

Now I have my own opinions on the state of grass roots football here and subsequent quality it pulls through, however, a valid point of view from the author. Ross is a midfielder and (scratched record time), we shouldn't be seeing the best from him on a consistent basis until his mid-late 20s. I hope we persevere and at least he has a coach who has been there and done it to guide him for the time being.

No player, no matter where they play, here or abroad, will improve their game without effort and a responsibility to the rest of the team; that is what Ross has been getting away with. Carry on like he did in the last game and he will be a better player for it; go back to the way he has played the last two seasons and he will make a living out of the game – but not in the Premier League.

If he hasn't added to his all-round game by 2018, in the manner Dave describes, under the guidance of our manager who hit the top despite not having everything in his locker (pace, dribbling ability, outstanding heading for example) then it'll be sad for him, us and England.

In my opinion, Ross is a talented young inexperienced lad who is finding his way but the amount of media attention the lad gets is unfair. BBS talked him up far too much last season – a bit like Stones – and you can see both still have a lot to learn about playing at the top level.

If we can just let Ronald work with the lad and be patient with him and not expect too much. I always get the feeling the lad thinks he has to do something amazing to get the fans and media to respect him.

Let them come through and then develop together, should always be the mantra, and only the really special ones should be allowed to miss out on this stage of their international development. Michael Owen in 1998, and Wayne Rooney in 2004, being the obvious ones.

In saying that, I honestly don't think England have had a proper plan in place for a very long time, because who wouldn't want to see their best young players developing as a team together?

It might actually be giving us a clue as to why so many academies are also not getting the results that maybe their efforts deserve?

I can maybe understand it at club level, where it's a results business built on all about now, but surely international football should have a much better structure to it because it's not as if another country can go and sign your better players?

COYB