Stones impresses but Barkley only a sub in England win

, 27 May, 111comments  |  Jump to most recent

Ross Barkley is on the bench again for England but John Stones starts
John Stones played the full 90 minutes and Ross Barkley came on for the last half an hour as England won their friendly with Australia at the Stadium of Light.

Barkley is still not guaranteed to be among the final squad of 23 that will travel to France for the European Championship Finals and he had to be content with a place on the bench after Roy Hodgson opted to give Jack Wilshere another run-out alongside Adam Lallana and Danny Drinkwater.

Stones was in the line-up again at centre-half, however, partnering Chris Smalling as he looks to stake his claim for a starting berth when Euro2016 gets underway next month.

England have one more warm-up game against Portugal next Thursday but Hodgson's final squad has to be submitted by Tuesday 31st May meaning the Australia game is the last chance for players to impress the manager before he makes his decision.

The hosts got off to a flyer when Marcus Rashford became the youngest debutant to score for England since Tommy Lawton, volleying home inside three minutes.

Wayne Rooney was introduced at half time and he smashed home a second early in the second half before Barkley came on for Rashford with an hour gone.

An Eric Dier own goal halved the deficit for Australia, however, with a quarter of an hour to go and Barkley, who struggled to impose himself, had one shot on target that was saved by goalkeeper Matt Ryan.

Stones gave further evidence that he is getting back to the form that has made him one of the most highly-sought defenders in the country with an assured display.

Meanwhile, Seamus Coleman was in the Republic of Ireland's starting XI to face the Netherlands but his Everton team-mate James McCarthy missed out because of a thigh injury. Aiden McGeady and Darron Gibson were among the subs.

Shane Long put the Irish ahead after half an hour after Cillesen had spilled an effort by John O'Shea.

Article continues below video content


Gibson came on with 23 minutes left and Luuk de Jong levelled for the Dutch soon afterwards as their game ended 1-1.

 

Reader Comments (111)

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James Carroll
1 Posted 27/05/2016 at 18:50:21
Oh dear
Oscar Huglin
2 Posted 27/05/2016 at 18:51:49
Not even a start? Obviously Hodgson already has a place in his starting line up for Ross and is giving everyone else a fair chance...
Tony Smith
3 Posted 27/05/2016 at 19:02:14
Roy will pick anyone other than Barkley, his England career in serious risk of being over before its even started
Colin Glassar
4 Posted 27/05/2016 at 19:02:43
Hmmm, don't know what to make of this. I doubt Ross is one of his favourites eg Wilshere, Lallana, Henderson, Clyne etc..... So he might have to book his holidays in Rhyl early this year.
Ian McDowell
5 Posted 27/05/2016 at 19:02:57
I have a feeling Ross will miss out. Not sure Roy fancies him. I recall the comments made by Hodgson and Warnock about Ross. These dinosaur managers want players that can run and pass 5 yards.
Mark Ryan
6 Posted 27/05/2016 at 19:06:32
He's a cert to go, end of
Robert Elliott
7 Posted 27/05/2016 at 19:07:55
Ross may as well sit on the bench with a holiday brochure because he ain't going to France! Hodgson's barely concealed his lack of faith in him over the years and now the emergence of the latest media darling Dele Alli and Rooney's drop to midfield has given him the cover he needs to leave him out. In truth, Ross can have few complaints given his recent form, but that hasn't stopped Sterling getting picked has it? Ross's standing with the media has dropped so much that even they are saying he'll stay at Everton this summer!
Charlie Lloyd
8 Posted 27/05/2016 at 19:08:50
He's not actually been in good form of late. He's on the peripheral of this squad and may yet miss the cut if Wilshere & Henderson prove fitness. He's not a steady player like Drinkwater but can bring something different to a game problem being the emergence of Alli has eclipsed him.

If he gets the summer off he may be better prepared for next season which will be a massive one for him. Will he kick on or just fade away as younger versions like Davies develop.

Mick Quirke
9 Posted 27/05/2016 at 19:16:59
Would have been a shock had he been playing like he did in the first few months of the season, but he can't really complain if he's left out based on his form this calendar year.
Nick Entwistle
10 Posted 27/05/2016 at 19:19:30
Oh god, forgot there was an England match and I'll just gravitate toward the TV and listen to bloody Clive Tyldesly.

Playing Oz tonight to replicate Wales. A lesser team who want to beat us more than we want to beat them.

No Cahill?

Les Martin
11 Posted 27/05/2016 at 19:22:38
I think Roy will give Henderson and Wiltshire as much competitive playing time as possible to get them up to scratch, which is understandable from a squad perspective.
Ross may well come on in the 2nd half for 20 minutes. Dont jump to conclusions until the Portugal game, he may yet still shine.......
Doug Harris
12 Posted 27/05/2016 at 19:26:12
I would like to see Ross PLAY for Everton first.
Rick Tarleton
13 Posted 27/05/2016 at 19:30:44
He is better in the number 10 role than the flash boy from Tottenham or the old man from Manchester. Hodgson does what the media tells him to do.Barkley is two-footed, physically imposing, and has vision.
England are mad to neglect his talent.
Darren Hind
14 Posted 27/05/2016 at 19:33:57
so was Martinez
Si Turner
15 Posted 27/05/2016 at 19:48:00
100% certain to go.

They don't have anyone else like him who can burst with pace from the middle of the pitch other than maybe Alli.

Dave Ganley
16 Posted 27/05/2016 at 19:50:14
God knows what people see when watching Ross Barkley. Ross isn't playing tonight because he's overweight, more akin to a back row rugby union forward than an elite football athlete. He can't tackle, run, track back, very seldom sees a pass and as for being better than Delle Ali.....fuck me, talk about blue tinted glasses!!

When we finally got rid of the idiot manager and we had an adequate stand in Ross couldn't even get a place in our eleven such is his poor form and fitness let alone the England team. Ross is a very lucky boy even to be in the provisional squad. He would probably be better served missing out on these championships, get himself to the point that he can actually last a full 90 minutes without panting like a 40 a day man ready for the start of the season. He has been a passenger in our team for quite some considerable time now and he should be ashamed of himself of how much he has let himself go. Start acting like the professional athlete he is purported to be instead of an overweight lad who can't be arsed to put any effort in for the fans who obviously adore him.

Don Alexander
17 Posted 27/05/2016 at 20:10:22
Dave Ganley, I agree.
Tony Smith
18 Posted 27/05/2016 at 20:18:49
Can see this England defence getting pulled apart in the Euros. The Russia game wont be the walk over everyone thinks it will be.
Viv Sharma
19 Posted 27/05/2016 at 20:25:38
anyone know if theres a livestream on this one?
Brian Foley
20 Posted 27/05/2016 at 20:26:00
Dave Ganley,

I agree too and I sort of hope he doesn't make it. So, with Stones going and Jags and Baines particularly already left out, I hope England go to penalties at some point. This way, all proper Everton players have a rest and come back refreshed for Mr de Boer.

ps: Thinking fiscally, I hope Stones stands out and Belgium win it with, yes, you've guessed it – Motor Mouth scoring say, 10.

John Davies
21 Posted 27/05/2016 at 20:33:19
Smalling, captain of England !!! Oh my days, what the fuck has football come down to?
Colin Glassar
22 Posted 27/05/2016 at 20:36:10
Let it rip Dave. Stonesy looking very accomplished tonight. Another classy Everton player like Ross Barkley.
Pete Ellingham
23 Posted 27/05/2016 at 20:38:48
Agree John@21. Is he really the best Captain we can get? Bloody awful and always looks like he is going to make a mistake.
Denis Richardson
24 Posted 27/05/2016 at 20:41:21
Isn't he almost a cert to go?

Thought three would be cut and Sturridge and Delph seem to be injured and are a doubt. So only one place still left to be cut.

Dave Ganley
25 Posted 27/05/2016 at 20:50:11
Ok I'll bite Colin. Yes both classy players on their day. Problem is their day isn't very often. Stones you could argue that he is very inexperienced and coached very badly over the last couple of years, but he managed to find some composure and produced some decent performances towards the end of the season. Ross, I can't remember the last game he played where I came away thinking yeah he's the real deal. I stand by my comments from above. Classy? Yeah very very occasionally, however not for a long time. He's not a kid anymore, he's been around the first team for 5 years now and a regular for 3. He should be starting to be the real deal not an overweight passenger who was afforded all the leniency in the world by Martinez, in doing so did him absolutely no favours whatsoever. As I say, he's a lucky boy to be anywhere near the England set up given his shocking club form.
David Barks
26 Posted 27/05/2016 at 21:03:15
All these players highly rated from the outside. All these players gone backward over the past year plus at Everton. I guarantee if Stones ends up at United or City under those managers he will be absolute class. All about the manager.

Meanwhile we dither on, no manager, no words from the Board at all. Just sitting and doing nothing. And we wonder why the young talented players might just want to move on. What the hell would you do if you were a highly sought after employee at a company showing no ambition and in no rush to even give you a manager, who sat by while the previous manager failed for two years?

Barkley is over weight. The question should be why the hell was he allowed to get that way? And why has his football gone backward? Managers matter. I would bet any on here that United and City will finish 1-2 next season after their managerial changes. But, we sit around doing nothing.

David Barks
28 Posted 27/05/2016 at 21:06:21
And just to make a point. Rashford with a terrible first touch just then after being sent through by Rooney. Cost them a goal. I thought only Lukaku did that? Or could it be that maybe, just maybe, we over analyze every mistake from one of our own players in a way that we obviously do not do when another player does the same thing?
Gary Reeves
29 Posted 27/05/2016 at 21:20:59
Dave
Cheers mate, agree with every word. Amazes me, it really does. Three seasons now and that diamond turned out to be a piece of broken glass (from an Alpine bottle).
Don Alexander
31 Posted 27/05/2016 at 21:30:56
Stones, Barkley and every other player had their careers badly damaged by Martinez, and that's why so many of us fans yonks ago got very, very critical of the muppet and the lazy so-and-so who appointed him in the first place. So, having had seriously crap management and coaching for all that time nobody developed their talent and in football you can't do it on your own in the main.

Players like Alli, Dier, Vardy, Drinkwater did develop their talent at other, successful teams who mysteriously had good managers and coaches. It ain't rocket science, and watching Stonesy playing so well tonight (okay against a bang-average side) after a couple of weeks with even Woy just emphasises what a bag of shite Martinez was.

IF we hang onto our young players, and IF we get a manager worthy of the job description, we might next season see the very same squad that's stunk the place out for two years actually win something. Leicester did it, but don't hold your breath.

John Crook
32 Posted 27/05/2016 at 21:35:12
Barkley has barely put a foot right tonight. I agree with previous comments and think he would be better served staying at home, realise he's overrated and put in the effort for a whole season and play his way back into the England squad. I feel for the boy as he's obviously lost his confidence however there's no excuse for not trying.
Colin Glassar
33 Posted 27/05/2016 at 21:43:38
Stonesy was class tonight. What a player he could be if managed correctly. It's a pity some see him as a luxury player who we can do without
Dave Abrahams
34 Posted 27/05/2016 at 21:46:22
That Dier own goal was nearly as good as Andy Grays in the cup against Notts County the year we won the cup.
Geoff Williams
35 Posted 27/05/2016 at 21:55:27
Suspect Ross will be down the travel agents on Monday to book his summer holiday. Sadly he doesn't warrant a place in the squad and doesn't have the insurance of playing for Man U or the RS.
Martin O'Sullivan
36 Posted 27/05/2016 at 21:55:50
I know Barkley didn't get long on the pitch but he was terrible!!! He gets caught in possession so much. But I thought stones had a good game though.
Colin Glassar
37 Posted 27/05/2016 at 21:59:15
Dixon and Wrighty sticking the knife in Ross's back big time. Maybe if Ross played for a media darling team he'd be safe.
Patrick Murphy
38 Posted 27/05/2016 at 22:01:20
Henderson was boss though wasn't he as was Lallana and Milner et al. I hope Ross doesn't travel to France he could do with a rest and a couple of months away from the pressures of the game.
Andrew James
39 Posted 27/05/2016 at 22:05:32
I thought he did ok, some nice touches and passes. More direct and effective than some others who seem to get off every time.

I'm still questioning the logic of taking Dier to fill in at the back when he only plays in midfield because he was deemed not be good enough at centre half and moved to another position. Then he scores an OG straight away. Nuff said. That's not a go at the player, that's the media and the coaches.

Eric Paul
40 Posted 27/05/2016 at 22:09:05
Dave Ganley @16

Fuckin' spot on. What happened to the Ross of 2 years ago? Martinez has a lot to answer for... Stones soon shook his influence off. MotM for me.

Kim Vivian
41 Posted 27/05/2016 at 22:09:34
If anyone stuck the knife in Ross tonight, it was Ross. I said on the forum I think he might have booked himself a ticket home tonight. Hope he gets a chance against Portugal but maybe better off booked in to a 1 month boot camp.

Sadly he need Martinez exorcised from him.

Dave Abrahams
42 Posted 27/05/2016 at 22:10:41
Colin (37) I switched off at the end of the game and I'm not really interested in what the pundits say on TV, but Colin did you think Ross did anything to improve his chances of being picked for the Euros, I didn't think he helped himself tonight.

If he isn't picked, like Patrick says, the rest might do him some favours, especially if the new manager can give him a kick up the arse and change his game and attitude.

Colin Glassar
43 Posted 27/05/2016 at 22:11:18
Ross lost the ball TWICE in 25 minutes. Twice. No further comment.
Jay Harris
44 Posted 27/05/2016 at 22:12:04
We cant dodge the fact Ross was abysmal tonight.

He looked totally lost and lacking fitness and confidence.

On the other hand JohnStones was starting to look majestic again towards the end having done his starting chances no harm at all.

For the record I also thought Lallana and Henderson were poor and how Milner continues to get a game I don't know.

When you look at Woy's ex team finishing 8th and they have 5 players and 1 ex player in the squad you have to ask questions.

Colin Glassar
45 Posted 27/05/2016 at 22:14:41
I'm not bothered if he's picked or not Dave. I think a rest will do him good but what will really help him is a manager who can teach him to dawdle on the ball and can give him the confidence to be the main man on the pitch.

Skill he has, what he lacks is self belief (IMO).

Kim Vivian
46 Posted 27/05/2016 at 22:16:52
Was that the two times you were watching, Colin?

In fairness he wasn't totally shite but I thought I was watching Everton a few weeks ago. Not impressive.

Colin Glassar
47 Posted 27/05/2016 at 22:22:36
Kim, I support the lad, I think that's obvious, and I hope he can fulfill his potential. Only time will tell.
Dave Abrahams
48 Posted 27/05/2016 at 22:24:03
Colin it's obvious you want the lad to do well, Colin we all do, but it is just not happening for him and he is not helping himself, he was not worth his place with Everton for the last couple of months of the season (at least ) and I think it would have been better for him if he had not played tonight.

Not having a go at you Colin but you are fighting a losing battle, at the moment, defending Ross, he is playing very poorly, lacks confidence as you say, but is not working hard enough, not even getting into the game, it passes him by.

Ian Burns
50 Posted 27/05/2016 at 22:30:27
Stones excellent - showed tonight what he is going to be with some decent coaching - which I suspect he has had this past week or so with Gary Neville - a world class centre back is not that far away.

I find Ross's demise really sad and without any doubt I blame Martinez who has done nothing with regards to his fitness; his mental strength and making him aware of what is happening around him. He simply doesn't lift his head prior to the ball reaching his feet which is why he often runs into blind alleys.

I agree that he will be lucky to go to France but I hope for his confidence he does in fact make the cut, otherwise we will need a damn good manager to come in and bring him back to the talented lad we all saw in him a year or two ago.

Joe O'Brien
51 Posted 27/05/2016 at 22:31:58
I blame Martinez for Barkley's decline. Never was he let play to his strengths. Never let his undoubtedly talent flourish. Been given stupid instructions by a bad manager and had become lost and his confidence is shot. I feel sorry for him tbh. Under new guidance we'll see the real Ross I'm sure. I don't think he'll go to France unfortunately but we got to remember and give him a break. He was playing under RM ffs. Form is temporary class is permanent, which he obviously has got.
Chris Watts
52 Posted 27/05/2016 at 23:02:37
Just commented on the live forum so apologies if repeating. I feel for Ross. He really needs the summer off. He's definitely lost a yard of pace. From being able to go length of the pitch against Newcastle last year he seems unable to beat a man now. And he looks like he doesn't know why. He also wasn't busting a gut to get in good positions, it really was a strange performance for someone with 30 mins to make a case

Martinez does have a lot to answer for. Ross is the worst case but stones, who was quality tonight has had to rebuild his confidence, Baines and jags missed out, luk wants to leave.

The good news is they are not bad players and a new manager can galvanise them and build them up again. I think, unfortunately for Ross it's not gonna happen in the euros

Phillip Mark
53 Posted 27/05/2016 at 23:09:31
i think he needs 'a rocket up the arse', not 'an arm around the shoulder' which is what Martinez gave him. I just wish he'd show more fight!

Love the lads ability but he can't complain if he's left out based on this seasons showing

Matt Garen
54 Posted 27/05/2016 at 23:12:51
Ross not going and a new manager is exactly the best outcome for Everton. The lad had been systematically broken by Martinez. He looks like a formula 1 car driven by a 9 year old. That being said if Henderson and Milner are a better option then there is something wrong. Stones on the other hand looks a different player, as the post above says, a few sessions of actually being shown how to defend has only served to demonstrate what a player he will become.
Paul Birmingham
55 Posted 27/05/2016 at 23:19:36
John Stones, looks happy and free and in control and had a v.g. game in a defence where none were used to playing together.

Ross looked better and has lost some timber, IMO, likely to scrape in and if so use this as a get back to normality chip butty moment and accept the great world we live in and embraces and accept the talent he has and so to grow up and take control of games.

You can't play football like lucky chairs, if and if goes on the ferry to France, he needs to look at this as a chance to turn back the clocks. Fresh shape, mind and start.. And move on and forget the past. We may have a new set up soon. Hopefully :)
Kieran Kinsella
56 Posted 27/05/2016 at 23:23:55
Ross is like Preki. Just not good enough at the 11 a side game
Raymond Fox
57 Posted 27/05/2016 at 23:33:00
Very convenient to blame Martinez for our players lack of ability.

Ross doesn't deserve to go, he's playing shite and looks shite, Stones looks half decent on the ball, but clueless when defending as usual.
Should have sold both at Christmas, we'll get much less now.

Rashford is the latest media young darling, watch this space for a downward spiral.

I've more chance of winning the lottery than that clueless bunch have of winning the Euro.
They will be an embarrassment as usual!

Chris Wilson
58 Posted 27/05/2016 at 23:35:04
Ross has been doing Crossfit or something after training sessions this season - he's way too heavy in his quads and ass and has lost all of his quickness and endurance. He does need a summer off so he can just do some cardio and lose that muscle he's put on. This is further evidence that Roberto's fitness team didn't know what hell they were doing. Ross should never have gotten that heavy. It ruined his season, and he has a lot of work to do in order to get back to his optimum weight.
Andrew Presly
59 Posted 27/05/2016 at 23:40:20
A Preki reference mid way through 2016? Delightful.

I can sense the media warming to Stones now he's going to one of the Manchester clubs. Funny that.

As for Ross, never wanted one of ours to miss a major tournament and won't start now. Yes a break would probably benefit him in the long term but even out of form and wearing the current fat suit he has more to give than Lallana or Henderson combined.

The latter two are certs to make it though and Ross will miss out. This Is England.

Chris Leyland
60 Posted 27/05/2016 at 00:05:54
Stones was man of the match tonight. Glen Hoddle, who incredibly a couple on here want to be our manager, gave it to Rashford who, apart from his goal, did feck all and who had the first touch of Lukaku.

As for Ross, he looks a broken player. He frustrates me so much with his positioning and his jogging back to make it look like he is closing down with out actually ever closing down or putting in a challenge. I counted 6 occasions when he should have closed down the space to prevent a pass by the Aussies but didn't bother then made a half hearted attempt to look like he was trying bit actually wasn't. He has ability but lacks self belief. Maybe the summer off might do him some good.

Tony Farrell
61 Posted 28/05/2016 at 00:38:10
A lot of supporters on here seem to have written off Barkley, and to a certain degree I can understand their comments. He, like the entire team with one or two exceptions, have had a shit season and we all knew whose fault that was. Fitness, or in this case lack of it, was the main culprit. Most of us on here have played the game at various levels and we know as amateurs fitness is essential even at our level so for professionals it is paramount.

We were second to the ball on the majority of occasions. Lukaku was sweating like a navvie coming out of the tunnel and Barkley looked like he'd been locked in a sayers shop all night. Fitness breeds confidence, self belief and self esteem. We all know what Barkley can do. His confidence is shattered, his fitness level is non existent.

I am sure with the right guidance we will see the real Barkley. I say take him. He's still as good as the red shite that will be going.
Matt Garen
62 Posted 28/05/2016 at 00:53:02
Ross looks like one of those lads that I'm sure lots of us have played with, either in a Sunday morning pub team up through the league's to getting 50 notes a game and playing a half decent level, who turns up 20 mins before ko stinking of sambuka, farts in the dressing room so everyone is wretching for a boff, warms up with a penalty, does nothing for 75 mins and then scores a worldy.

Annoying but everyone knows you have to play him because he is better than everyone else. Get him in behind someone who is willing to make runs between the centre half and full back and not concerned about whether his cv is up to scratch and he will run the show. He's a diamond that one.
Phil Sammon
63 Posted 28/05/2016 at 01:15:31
Let's be clear about Ross being 'overweight'. He is...but it's not because he's a lazy slob sitting on the couch all day. It's because he is spending far too much time lifting weights rather than running laps.

He is also not in any way arrogant as some on here have suggested. Quite the opposite. He's far too delicate mentally and takes criticism to heart.

Barkley is no longer a kid and, as much as I like him, he does deserve some flack. However I really think that with a new manager we will see a new Barkley. Next season is massive for this lad's career.

James Flynn
64 Posted 28/05/2016 at 01:17:37
Barkley just needs a manager who puts him to the test.

It's near impossible to talk Ross, Stones, and yes Lukaku; McCarthy too, without mentioning how poorly the Club's been run under Roberto.

Just a bunch of guys sent out to play on certain dates of the calendar. Because that's all we've had.

Barkley, Stones and McCarthy haven't progressed, no question.

Let's see what the next manager brings.

David Barks
65 Posted 28/05/2016 at 01:33:04
Phil,

100% correct. He's not overweight for lack of fitness. He's put on far too much muscle. I totally agree. Can we just get a damn quality manager to take over the team now? Get them fit, instill confidence but consequence as well? Jesus. This is getting sad at this point.

Mark Andersson
66 Posted 28/05/2016 at 01:55:54
I stopped watching England years ago. I do however always want any Everton player to do well. Ross as others have said is seriously lacking in confidence.

Next season will be his make or break season. Personally I think he will fade into the background, he does not have the mental strength or intelligence to turn this around.

Stones will be sold no doubt about that no matter who ends up being the manager. If any of the so called top managers have been interviewed I think most of them would look at Everton and think shit this is one rebuilding job here.

Martinez inherited a good solid team and completely fucked it up. Dont be surprised to see Moyes back in to rebuild and we as fans can moan for the next 5 years.

Sean McCarthy
67 Posted 28/05/2016 at 02:07:49
Matt (62) - I'm sorry but I'm in the same camp as Dave (16). I've tried really hard to see the diamond that allegedly exists within Ross Barkley but for the life of me I just don't see it.

Someone earlier says he can see a pass. I fail to see how as he never looks up!! I fear the nasty leg breaks he suffered a few years have left mental scars as well as physical and this is the reason he never even tries to tackle. As for tracking back Yaya Toure does it better and that's saying something!! His decision making is as poor as anyone I've ever seen. How many times has he gone left when right was wide open or vice versa??? Again he doesn't make the right choices because his eyes are fixed on his feet!!

Matt you say he will run the show well I've seen no evidence that that will ever be the case. I hate to say but at the same age as Ross is now Steven Gerrard was calling the shots in the champions league. Can you seriously ever see Ross doing that?? Certainly not with us and if he does move to "a bigger club" this summer or next I fear that within 2 yrs of that he will be drifting around like the new Jack Rodwell.

The whys and wherefores of the England squad can be debated all day and night but seriously is Ross Barkley one of the best 23 English players around at the moment?? In my view that answer is no and for that reason he shouldn't be going to the Euros. Whether the likes of Henderson, Milner etc should is another debate all together
Derek Thomas
68 Posted 28/05/2016 at 02:24:56
It can't be hard to find the fitness regime that de-bulked Isreal Folau from his Rugby weight to a leaner AFL weight.

If Barkley and Lukaku want to play for England or in the CL let them put the effort in.

James Flynn
69 Posted 28/05/2016 at 03:04:26
be clear about Ross being 'overweight'. He is...but it's not because he's a lazy slob sitting on the couch all day. It's because he is spending far too much time lifting weights rather than running laps."

Subtly, satire even.

Well done.

Gordon Crawford
70 Posted 28/05/2016 at 03:31:02
Ross is very talented, no doubt about it. But as someone has said, he has a fragile mind. He needs help with it. Hopefully the next manager will work on his confidence. Or we could see him fall by the wayside.

He remind me so much of Sebastian Deisler. He suffered from severe depression which affected his game at times.

This is from Wikipedia:

Sebastian Toni Deisler (German pronunciation: [zeˈbasti̯an ˈdaɪslɐ]; born 5 January 1980) is a former professional football player and a former international player for Germany. During his career, Deisler was employed as right winger and attacking midfielder.

Having been hailed as the future of German football at the turn of the millennium, Deisler's career proved a disappointment as the midfielder never managed to reach his full potential due to several cruciate ligament ruptures and other major injuries, as well as depression. Deisler retired from professional football in January 2007 at the age of 27.

Anto Byrne
71 Posted 28/05/2016 at 04:38:23
He should go to France and at the same time get some decent coaching. As an Evertonian he will be looked after by Rooney and can only benefit from the training and being part of the set up. Unless he is not fit then there is no reason not to take him. He needs to go to get experience for the next world cup.

Has the talent just need to get his confidence back. Let's not write this kid off just yet. Thought he did ok not brilliant but can be a match winner on his day.
Darren Hind
72 Posted 28/05/2016 at 06:41:40
Sad to see Ross in this state. He just looks like his confidence is shot. a serious rebuilding job required here.

Stones oozed class. Dont know what the fuck he is thinking; Didnt kick anyone. Didnt boot it 70 yards away from danger. Didnt even put it into row Z . .not once.

Bring back the yard dog that has served English football so well since Bobby Moore retired.

Barry Pearce
73 Posted 28/05/2016 at 08:41:30
Let's hope the new manager, whoever that may be. Does revive Ross Barkley's career. Because he has rapidly gone downhill.

Can't argue with any of his detractors above. He really needs to up his game.

Les Martin
74 Posted 28/05/2016 at 08:55:02
Stones had an excellent game but was allowed his ground game where he excels. I am still concerned about his tightness of marking forwards on crosses, sort that and he has cracked it.
As for Ross, juts cant see him making the Euro bus, the fire as gone out, he looks slow and lacking enough energy for 90 minutes, and trying to pace his runs. Offered nothing last night, and should have been a superstar on show, what went wrong ?
Two things for me, like many posters he is carrying too much muscle weight and this is because he has not been on fitness drills, Martinez said fitness would be gained by ball work (balls!) therefore Ross has utilised his extra energy wrongly in the gym.
Second, no manager has decided on his correct role, which should be behind the striker, too much competition for that in the England camp.
I hope our new manager drags him out of the gym, gets that muscle off with runs and gets him fit again.
On a different note I thought Aaron Mooy who plays for Melbourne FC was the best player on the park, he was everywhere and his passing was excellent, someone is going to pick up a bargain, Kruse and Ryan can come also, Tim please sort ok ?
Nick Entwistle
75 Posted 28/05/2016 at 09:03:45
Don't know if anyone noticed, but the ref was fantastic. He was telling players like Wilshire to get to their feet when going to ground that would normally get a free kick in any other game and even pulled a player to his feet who no doubt had a whack, but was definitely not going to have the trainer on.

Players soon understood and got on with the game. I don't know why refs are not more like this.

Tony Abrahams
76 Posted 28/05/2016 at 09:19:21
Darren 72, I never watched the game, but I really hope Barkley, doesn't go to France. I am aware that football, can change very quick, but it's obvious to us all that he needs a complete rest, to recharge.

I Remember the last World Cup, when I said that Gerard, shouldn't go because losing the league had took its toll both mentally and physically and was called a biased and bitter c**t, off people who should have knew better than me. He went, he was shite, and I don't think his form ever really recovered for Liverpool after that.

Barkley is obviously a lot younger, but he's not the strongest mentally, so even if he does get dropped, there is nothing to say, it will do him any good either.

We just need to worry about Everton, and pray to God, that we get a proper strong manager. One who also tells Mouriniho to fuck off, when he comes back for Stones!

Dave Abrahams
77 Posted 28/05/2016 at 09:23:09
Les (74)yes I thought Mooy was excellent, if that is his normal form he will be well noted, but could still be a bargain.
Sam Brennan
78 Posted 28/05/2016 at 09:37:23
Does everyone have a short memory? Barkley was the best midfielder in the Premier League in the first stage of last season. Okay, his form dipped but maybe as fans we could get behind him instead of giving him abuse. I am sick of the negativity towards our players... let's fucking get behind the lads and get Goodison rocking.

Ross is class and he needs us to get behind him so no more negativity! I swear the people on this site have never played football or understand it, it's not football manager.
Tony Woods
79 Posted 28/05/2016 at 09:55:01
To be fair to Barkley, he is not the only player to be carrying excess weight. Far too many players seem to get out of breath too easily. Deulofeu is a prime example.

They are young men and as stated is a previous post should not be moving around as though they are Sunday league park players (no disrespect intended – been there myself many years ago). Hopefully a new manager and coach will see fitness – physical and nutrition – as a major priority.

Geoff Williams
80 Posted 28/05/2016 at 09:57:31
I suspect Barkley and Townshend will be the two to miss out. Hodgson still has a close affinity to Liverpool players, Man U players never have bad games and if you play for a London club you must be good.

Hodgson 's judgement is so suspect. Hart apart the goalies are poor. He has chosen other players who can't hold down regular places in their clubs eg. Sterling and Cahill. Players such as Sturridge and Wiltshire Andre are injury prone. Most damning of all though is selecting only three centre backs and all three are suspect at times. If Hodgson does recognise his error I hope Jagielka tells him where to go.

James Hughes
81 Posted 28/05/2016 at 10:17:29
I heard that Stones was man of the match ! I didn't watch the game so can't comment on him or Ross. I am a massive fan of both and like to believe that with a proper coach at our club they would be in a world XL . Then again they could both end up at Accrington Stanley.
Chris Williams
82 Posted 28/05/2016 at 10:21:06
Ross, sadly is unlikely to cut it at the top level, for England and more importantly, for Everton.

He lacks what would be called football intelligence. Rooney at 16 had more game nouse than Barkley will have at 27.

Someone wrote on ToffeeWeb a while ago that 'you can't coach gormless'.

Sad but true

Phil Sammon
83 Posted 28/05/2016 at 10:26:18
Les & Dave

I watch Aaron Mooy regularly and I was interested to see how he'd get on in this game. He is head and shoulders above anyone else in the A-League...but it's hard to tell how well he'd do over in England.

He played for Bolton as a kid and made a few appearances for St Mirren but he has progressed massively since then.

If we could put his brain in Ross Barkley's head then we'd have some player.

Colin Glassar
84 Posted 28/05/2016 at 11:08:38
Please don't destroy Ross. He's our only player who has two feet
Colin Glassar
85 Posted 28/05/2016 at 11:13:52
Two footed, I mean
Colin Malone
86 Posted 28/05/2016 at 11:21:26
How the fuck did Phil Jagielka not get in the squad?UNFUCKINGBELIEVABLE.

Any decent international manager could see that Martinez's history of defence tactics is to blame. Not Roy, fucking dickhead.

Jags or Smalling? A complete no-fucking-brainer.

Barry or Drinkwater / Henderson? No-brainer.

Regarding Jags, Roy's fucked up big time.

Steve Guy
87 Posted 28/05/2016 at 11:30:34
If Hodgson takes injury prone Wilshere (a player with virtually no game time for Arsenal this season) ahead of Barkley, the manager will regret it big time. Imo he might as well go with 22 players not 23 if he chooses Wilshere.
George Bethell
88 Posted 28/05/2016 at 11:35:20
I think Ross would benefit if he lost some weight, he,s looking a bit chunky.
Paul Andrews
89 Posted 28/05/2016 at 12:01:17
I hope Ross doesn't go to France. A good rest and a good pre-season will hopefully recharge him.

An improved performance from Stones although against Australia. More concentration and improved awareness of space around him, albeit with a couple of lapses.

Let's watch him against a team with top class forwards before gushing over him.

Mike Allen
90 Posted 28/05/2016 at 12:40:27
With all the hype for Rashford I think he will take him instead of Barkley. Nice goal but MotM way off the mark.

The over-the-top hype is not his fault but is Rashford anything special? Not for me.

Alan Bodell
91 Posted 28/05/2016 at 13:21:09
He has been a waste of time this season but when the new manager comes in it will be interesting to see if Martinez was to blame, no way should he get a place in France as his form this season doesn't deserve it.
David Connor
92 Posted 28/05/2016 at 13:23:14
Stones is a cert to be in the squad. Ross has been dogshit second half of the season and, for that reason, I can't see him making the squad. He needs to roll his sleeves up next season and really get stuck into matches before he disappears off the radar all together.

Lets hope he fulfills his potential sooner rather than later. He should be bossing games now. A huge season for him. He needs to impress the new boss or he could find himself surplus to requirements.

Tony Draper
93 Posted 28/05/2016 at 13:42:11
Both of these lads will absolutely flourish with the right insight, encouragement and tactically adept coaching. The key element is closing down the opposition and converting turnovers into punishing attacks. A great example of how to do this is by looking at how we get punished because we don't.

Now, I'm hoping just as much for them as for us that our new management team can step them up and Big Rom too.

Them three improving plus a top drawer 'keeper and we can rub our hands with glee.

Matt Muzi
94 Posted 28/05/2016 at 14:46:46
Agree with George at 88, Ross is too heavy he needs to loose some of the bulk muscle he is carrying, get his fitness up and I think a good break will do him the world of good. He's only young and there'll be another major tournament in 2 years time.
Ian Bennett
95 Posted 28/05/2016 at 15:05:08
I thought Stones had a really strong game.

Ross was sadly not at it. He looks too big as most people are also saying, and his token gesture closing down is a joke. A 6 foot tank of a lad, who won't tackle. I really hope someone gets hold of him this summer. A big talent, but big questions.

Paul Kossoff
96 Posted 28/05/2016 at 15:10:59
Stones played well against not the strongest team he will face in the Euros. Ross had some nice touches and hopefully won't just be used as a sub when the game is already won.

Why Hodgson continues to play players out of position is beyond me. In the Turkey game he had Kane – a centre forward – taking all the free kicks, even ones out wide, crossing the ball into the box, where he should be.

Rashford is just a big fit 18-year-old trying to impress. The fact he is in the England squad for a major tournament is purely down to who he plays for, Man Utd. His first touch is not international class, and he shouldn't be in the squad before proven strikers.

I think this team will get turned over at least once come June.

Paul Kossoff
97 Posted 28/05/2016 at 15:21:04
Colin 84, only player who has two feet? My God!! lol
That reminds me of the time my now, ex wife told me my son has just stood up on both his hind legs!! "Fuck me" I said, "how many legs has he got?"
Paul Kossoff
98 Posted 28/05/2016 at 15:32:44
Anto 71, Ross looked after by Rooney? If Ross was my son I would tell him to stay as far away from Old Illuminati worshipping Rooney as possible.
Stephen Ashton
99 Posted 28/05/2016 at 16:23:11
Sincerely hope that neither stones nor barkley go to France. No chance of them getting injured and they will get a rest for the start of next season, not in the spotlight and perhaps both will stay with little interest from predatory clubs.

As an aside isn't it interesting that on this thread stones is stones but barkley is ross.

I hope lukaku has a great euro increases his value and leaves asap for as much money as possible.

Paul Kossoff
100 Posted 28/05/2016 at 18:12:43
Ross should be taught that winning the ball back does not necessarily need what we would describe as the conventional tackle, as in going in hard or sliding and going to ground with the possibility of injury.

In England's last friendly, Rashford tried to outpace a defender but picked the wrong one. The Aussie matched him and simply back heeled the ball away from him leaving Rashford wondering what had happened.

Ross should look at different players who don't tackle but successfully win the ball back.

Terry Underwood
101 Posted 28/05/2016 at 20:05:33
We just have to keep Stones, he is learning that although it is nice to play a good ball out of defence, sometimes you just have to hoof it. MUST KEEP!!!

Barkley was just as disappointing in an England shirt as an Everton shirt.

Jay Griffiths
102 Posted 28/05/2016 at 22:03:00
I don't buy into the weights not overweight debate. He's overweight and unfit. Ross also has a very low ability to process. He never checks his shoulder when without the ball and doesn't look up to see options earlier when driving with the ball. He does this repeatedly. Another issue that infuriates me at the game, he's approx 6"1, yet attempts to take corners and free kicks whilst the likes of Lennon, 5"6, is in the box! Anyone seen him win a brave header? I think he needs to show some pride, get lean and fit then man up, as they say. I would love this kid to work out as he is one of us. Sadly at the moment it's more, we've got a cubic zirconia called...............
Tony Dove
103 Posted 28/05/2016 at 23:29:27
Ross can do things that the wind-up toys like Lallana Henderson and Milner couldn't even dream about. I agree his performances over the past three months have generally been poor, but he still had a great second half at Wembley. 5-6 weeks with Gary Neville and others can only be good for him and Everton.

He may not not go the Euros but I have a feeling that for all Hodgson's faults he knows that Ross of all the available midfielders is the only one who can provide that bit of match winning magic.

Keith Monaghan
104 Posted 28/05/2016 at 23:51:25
Dave Ganley @16 – spot on.

Ross has been ridiculously over-hyped and is wildly over-rated. I've watched Everton for over 50 years and he's one of the laziest midfielders ever to pull on the Royal Blue Jersey.

He has great talent but we so rarely see it – and as Neil Warnock rightly said is a defensive liability – doesn't want to know when we don't have the ball. How good and full of energy our midfield looked without him against Norwich – Gareth Barry has been miles ahead of him since he joined the club and young Tom Davies looked a far better player.

Stones is a class act and we should keep him – selling him will be crazy. Should also try to keep Rom and give him better service by playing quicker and utilising his strengths.

Michael Farrelly
105 Posted 29/05/2016 at 01:21:19
Just on the England v Australia friendly I would love to see Everton trialing Australian midfielder Aaron Mooy (Melbourne City) he is so impressive, very creative and those corners he put over werebang on the money............I haven't seen a decent corner taken for Everton for at least two seasons! He is certainly worth a closer look.

Goalkeeper Mathew Ryan (Valencia) is also very impressive – brave, strong, decisive a ready made I would think for the EPL.

Perhaps two gems that would cost us very little!

Sean McCarthy
106 Posted 29/05/2016 at 01:27:25
Tony (103) where's the evidence that Barkley can provide "that bit of magic"??? Seriously I just don't get it. For the most part this past season he's been a passenger.

Someone said earlier that he was the best midfielder in the league for the first half of the season. Really?? Take those blue tinted spex off fellas!! Better than Dele Alli?? Kante?? Wilian?? de Bruyne?? Drinkwater?? Erikson??

Even the much maligned RS Lallana and Milner had better seasons than Barkley who wasn't even the best midfielder for Everton let alone in the Premier League!!!

Colin Glassar
107 Posted 29/05/2016 at 17:57:43
I feel sorry for our two lads as the pundit-driven media campaign is going into overdrive, "suggesting" that neither of them are good enough to start, and in the case of Ross, he shouldn't even be selected.

If this is the case, then I hope we don't get through the group stages and let a committee of Sky and BBC pundits select the next fucking squad and put the likes of Andy Dunn and some other journo creep manage the team.

Patrick Murphy
108 Posted 29/05/2016 at 18:02:45
Colin (107) I agree but what will those same pundits be saying if or when either player leaves Everton to join one of the media's chosen clubs? To be fair, if Woy doesn't take Stones he's crazy, but if he doesn't take Barkley it would be understandable.
Colin Glassar
109 Posted 29/05/2016 at 18:14:06
If either of them go to one of "their" clubs then they will be automatic choices, no question about it Patrick. Roy has a fetish for his former club hence the automatic inclusions of Henderson, Lallana, Milner, Clyne, Sterling, Sturridge, whatever their form or fitness.

I know Ross has been poor since Xmas but if he played for a Sky club he'd go no matter what.

Jim Bailey
110 Posted 29/05/2016 at 18:28:37
Ross has been hyped to to death. He is patently not fit enough or skilled enough to play in Everton's first team, never mind the England team.

For this, I blame Martinez, he sold most Evertonians a dream, that wasn't remotely attainable. Barkley, Mirallas, Lukaku and Stones. Other players as well. For me, as a supporter for 50 years, we need to get some sort of respectability back.

I don't give a flying fuck who the next manager is as long as he has a connection with the players and is GENUINE. Martinez was not genuine apart from the fact that he believed his own fantasies and had no idea of how to realise those dreams.

Rambling a bit but EFC have to get this right. Rhino, Simeone, Pellegrini, Emery and others... Idon't care as long as they have EFC's future as their as their main objective.

COYB

Tony Draper
111 Posted 29/05/2016 at 20:57:05
Jim "EFC have to get this right".

Yes mate, we do. Utterly and completely. The age of mend and make do has to end, forever.

No more "Andy the dodgy shandy", no Craptain Pip, no Per Kroldrup, no teaspoons to bun fights, no falling out of the loft, no tripping over a groundsmans sign in the goalmouth, no ending your centre halves career and relying upon a fascist to save the day, no half arsed dickhead taking a penalty, no more sitting on a one goal lead at wembley against an opponnent who was so devoid of hope that an alcoholic carthorse was worth a "last throw of the dice", no more playing our leading goalscoring number 9 on the wing, NO MORE !

Don Alexander
112 Posted 30/05/2016 at 02:39:30
Jim and Tony are 100% right. I really do empathise with Ross and his terrible injury when he was 18 four years ago, but as Tony in terms emphasises, THIS is NOW. If the lad is irredeemably scarred we, the fans, have to deal with it quite apart from him, Ross.

He and other youngsters in our squad have to look in the mirror and listen to those they might trust (not including their grasping agents obviously) and then decide what they're willing to do for Everton......... for fuck-knows how much per week. But if it's one per cent less than some midfield nobody playing for the bottom six gives for his team they can fuck off right now.

The same goes for others in our squad. After Leicester nothing less than TOTAL commitment will wash, cue a manager with such aspirations.

On his wages Ross Barkley can easily afford a personal insurance that will mean that he never ever has to worry about a comfortable life regardless of how long he lives, so get your head down and PLAY!

......And like Tony in particular, that is what being a fan since 1962 has done to me!

Mike Allen
113 Posted 30/05/2016 at 09:44:54
We are all in this media driven fantasy football world of ex-players who have not got the guts or intelligence to coach or manage, out-of-work ex-managers that where abject failures, all trying to justify their £500 plus appearance money.

Most talking arrogant absolute bollocks and yet we fall for it. All the Premier League clubs will have money this season; most of it will be sitting on the subs bench along with a couple of local lads who won't get a look-in.

David Ellis
114 Posted 30/05/2016 at 12:11:26
I think Ross will be picked. He is a potential game winner so expect him to be thrown in when we are 2-0 down and on the way out... and expect the scoreline not to improve!

I can't understand why Wilshere is in the mix – he can't be fit. However it seems that the final place trade off is between Sturridge and Rashford, and that really comes down to the fitness of Sturridge. Trouble is, even if fit, he doesn't stay fit, so that's a tricky one.

Anyway, hopefully training with England and not playing too much will help Ross find his manga again.


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