Barkley unused by England in defeat to Germany

Thursday, 23 March, 2017 49comments  |  Jump to most recent
Everton's only representative in the England squad that lost 1-0 to Germany in last night's friendly watched on from the bench.

Ross Barkley had been buoyed by his recall to the national side after being frozen out since last summer but despite being the English player to have created more goals in the Premier League than any other this season, the 23-year-old was not called upon by Gareth Southgate.

England next take on Lithuania in World Cup qualifying at Wembley on Sunday.  



Reader Comments (49)

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


Nigel Munford
1 Posted 22/03/2017 at 20:23:16
Just watching England and Llalana is really poor.
Tony Hill
2 Posted 22/03/2017 at 21:35:59
Ross ignored again. If I were him, I would find myself with a niggling injury the next time I was selected and for the next few occasions after that. Anyway, at least he comes back to us unharmed.
Liam Reilly
3 Posted 22/03/2017 at 21:39:17
Luke Shaw gets a run out but Barkley doesn't. If he moved to London or Man Utd, he'd be starting.
Brian Williams
4 Posted 22/03/2017 at 21:41:37
Saving him for the qualifier on Sunday, I reckon.
Tom Bowers
5 Posted 22/03/2017 at 21:45:53
England rubbish again in what amounted to a testimonial game. Woeful finishing. If they cannot score in a half-paced game like this, then what chance against the top teams in a competitive game?

I'm glad that Barkley didn't play and hope he doesn't start in the next game. I would sooner he be totally fit and fresh for the Liverpool game.

Steve Ferns
6 Posted 22/03/2017 at 21:47:07
How the fuck have Livermore and Redmond got caps? Eric Dier can do a job but he should rarely stray into the opposition half. He's awful on the ball. And if you have three centre-backs, then it's pointless having him in the side. That's then four centre-backs.

And all the while, Ross sat on the bench. Nice one, Southgate. England won't do fuck all with that idiot in charge.

Ian Pilkington
7 Posted 22/03/2017 at 22:03:53
Defeat to a below average Germany, 5 subs used and Ross stays on the bench. I'm angry I wasted 2 hours watching this dross. I can't imagine how Ross feels.
Tony Hill
8 Posted 22/03/2017 at 22:04:07
We'll be told that Alli was marvellous and that Lallana was also magical and so on. Southgate already has that look on his face, the one all England managers have as they watch the latest defeat. He's the perfect choice.
Chris Gould
9 Posted 22/03/2017 at 22:18:21
Proper slap in the face. Redmond, Lingard, Rashford, Ward-Prowse all go on, and Barkley doesn't get a sniff.

Maybe he'll start the next one...?

Geoff Lambert
10 Posted 23/03/2017 at 01:40:50
Keep him on the bench; I want him fit for our next two games.
Chris Gould
11 Posted 23/03/2017 at 07:33:34
I can understand that it may be difficult to fit Alli and Barkley into the same team, but to put on Lingard when Alli came off would have been a bit of a sickener for Ross.

Although, he may well have been pre-warned that he wasn't going to be involved, and that he would start the match against Lithuania. I doubt it though.

Jon Withey
12 Posted 23/03/2017 at 07:34:22
Déjà vu listening to the ITV commentators waxing lyrical over the very average players on show. At one point, they even suggested that Lallana was similar to Christian Eriksen!

Only Dele Alli looked like the real deal to me and when Germany bothered to turn up, they won.

If Redmond, Ward-Prowse and Lingard are ahead of Barkley in Southgate's head, then he's already lost me.

Tony Abrahams
13 Posted 23/03/2017 at 07:54:53
I can't see him starting in a qualifier Chris, if he didn't play him in a friendly? I hope he doesn't play, and comes back home to take his frustration out on Liverpool.

Talking about Barkley though, for someone who up until the turn of the year had never really played two good games on the spin, it is good to see him now putting in at least a 7.5 in most games he's playing in now.

Hope he signs because Koeman is obviously doing something right with Ross (although it wouldn't surprise me if Duncan Ferguson has been a big help to him) and he should look at his mate John Stones, who I personally think made a stupid decision in not wanting to learn off our manager, considering the position on the park that he plays.

Colin Glassar
14 Posted 23/03/2017 at 08:00:18
Even though England played well, if Ross is behind the likes of Livermore, Lingard, Ward-Prowse and Dier then Southgate, and England, can go and get stuffed!!
Anthony Hawkins
15 Posted 23/03/2017 at 08:28:50
I can't decide if I'm surprised Barkley didn't play or not. Barkely's strength is in the pass-and-go game and he has to be at the centre of the play. Last night and England's approach isn't usually like that and is typically about majoring on wide play.

From what I saw last night the England midfield looked lightweight and in need of some muscle. Whether Barkley could have provided that, I'm not sure.

Alli did look good and I'm always confused how Phil Jones gets in the team.

Mike Berry
16 Posted 23/03/2017 at 08:41:42
Germany were for the taking and Ross would have taken them, if I were him him I would be seething looking at who got on the pitch before him.

I can only hope that Southgate has plans to play him in the qualifier? If not... then I despair.

Neil Wood
17 Posted 23/03/2017 at 09:16:08
Colin, I'm with you on this, pal. Fucking Lingard. Why does he even get picked Who does he actually play for... Oh, them. Now I see.
Gordon Crawford
18 Posted 23/03/2017 at 09:25:49
Ross plays for Everton, that's the problem. If he played for any other club above us, he would be the first name on the sheet. He is a confidence player as we all know. And he has been playing great recently. I just hope him not playing, won't wreck his confidence again.

Lingard says it all. And as for Alli, I'm not impressed, nor have I been when I've seen him. Last night he had one good turn inside the German fullback... but that was it. Overrated in my opinion.

Colin Malone
19 Posted 23/03/2017 at 09:35:40
Southgate. England Manager?

https://youtu.be/nKUGSlv0Bo8

I don't blame Southgate, I blame the FA. Let the people choose.
Stan Schofield
20 Posted 23/03/2017 at 09:37:46
No doubt Ross is disappointed he never gets picked, but playing for England isn't what it used to be. England have been so consistently scrappy and mediocre, for so many years, that's there no real advantage or kudos in being associated with the set-up.

Let's face it, it says everything if a national team can choose someone like Allardyce as a manager. I can't really see Southgate being much better than him.

Tony Hill
21 Posted 23/03/2017 at 09:38:25
Gordon, I agree about Alli. I think he's talented but he missed a great chance last night and the pundits think some flicks and tricks are enough.
Paul Kennedy
22 Posted 23/03/2017 at 09:41:18
Happy for him not to play, it could get rough on Sunday and I want him fit and firing on all cylinders against the Red Shite!
Christy Ring
23 Posted 23/03/2017 at 09:42:39
I reckon he's a certain starter against Lithuania; Southgate will play a totally different game plan.
Julie Oliver
24 Posted 23/03/2017 at 09:45:43
I hope he is not injured in some way

I was shocked to see Lingard, Ward-Prowse, Redmond put ahead of Ross.

He must be keeping him fresh for the qualifier... but bear in mind Southgate is basically a yes-man, with no meaningful managerial success or history.

Maybe he just hasn't got a clue.

James Peter
25 Posted 23/03/2017 at 09:48:23
Tony – "He should look at his mate, John Stones, who I personally think made a stupid decision in not wanting to learn off our manager, considering the position on the park that he plays."

Neil – Fucking Lingard.... Why does he even get picked? Who does he actually play for... Oh, them . Now I see.

I think Tony that Neil answered your statement. Players now seem to hold most of the power these days and are ill-advised by agents. The driver for moves, let's be honest, is (for the majority) money and their get-out to appease the fans is "compete at the top level". Well, Leicester are the only team 'competing at the top level' now – aren't they!!

As far as I'm concerned, the players in our team should be proving they're winners at Everton and win something. For example, it's alright banging in two goals against a 10-man dead-and-buried Hull but where was Lukaku in the FA Cup Semi-Final last year?

Charles Barrow
26 Posted 23/03/2017 at 10:12:15
I only hope his confidence isn't dented by being overlooked. I'm more concerned how Ross plays for Everton than England.

I think Southgate has been part of the England set up for quite a while and I think a number of personnel have always had pre-conceived ideas about certain players. I suppose, just like club mangers, he has his favourites – particularly those players who played for him for the Under-21s (and most of them looked out of their depth last night).

As Ross was fast-tracked into the senior team, he doesn't have that relationship with Southgate. Anyway, more concerned with our game against you-know-who than a friendly against Germany (who were only going through the motions).

Brian Harrison
27 Posted 23/03/2017 at 10:19:11
Guys, I think you have all lost the plot. Southgate has picked a squad to play 2 games, so wait till the second game has been played and see who plays or not.

I would imagine the same people moaning about Barkley not playing last night would be up in arms had he been selected last night and plays the full 90 minutes against Lithuania. How is Southgate supposed to find out about players if he doesn't use his whole squad in the two games?

Tony Draper
28 Posted 23/03/2017 at 11:04:26
Ross Barkley of Everton.
Jesse Lingard of Man Utd and England.
Delle Alli of England/Spurs.

Still, you don't get injured on the bench. Just do not listen to their utter bullshit, Ross. Come home and listen to Ronnie & Ernie – it's doing you good, lad.

James Marshall
29 Posted 23/03/2017 at 11:15:43
Ross is working his way back into the England setup under Southgate – much like things at Everton, give it time. Alli is a better player than Ross, without doubt.

People saying last night will knock his confidence? Why? Surely it's better to be sitting on the bench than it is to be watching it from his sofa on the telly?

I don't get how people come to such conclusions on team selections.

Colin Hughes
30 Posted 23/03/2017 at 11:22:43
Don't worry – as soon as Barkley signs for Spurs, he will be a permanent fixture in the England starting line-up, as their players are the new flavour of the month go-to team now – just ahead of the RedShite.
Tony Hill
32 Posted 23/03/2017 at 12:18:15
Alli isn't a better player than Barkley "without doubt". He was utterly shit (admittedly among others) in the Euros in which Barkley, of course, didn't get a shot. He is currently playing in a stronger club team.

There is room for the opinion that Alli is the better player but not for the blank assertion as though it were beyond argument.

James Marshall
33 Posted 23/03/2017 at 12:24:29
Sorry, Tony, you're right – I meant that Alli is a better player than Ross currently – as in, his form is better and he's been consistently better over the past year perhaps.

That's not to say Ross's form hasn't been good of late; I do think Southgate is being careful with Ross by reintroducing him gently. I actually rate Southgate as an International manager.

David Ellis
34 Posted 23/03/2017 at 12:40:07
Ross and Alli are very different players and don't play in the same position. Everton now play with a No 10 (Lookman, Mirallas or Calvert-Lewin) plus Barkley. Ross's competition in the England squad is more likely to be Lallana.

Ross is the more talented player for sure... but whether the mix of the team would be improved by adding Ross instead of Lallana, I am not so sure (can't say I watched the game or am likely to go out of my way to watch an England game anytime soon).

It's not just a question of picking the most talented 11 players and trying to squeeze them into a team – all those years of picking Lampard and Gerrard is surely proof of that.

Colin Williams
35 Posted 23/03/2017 at 13:13:14
Alli better than Ross... BOLLOCKS! Talent to talent, Ross will piss all over him.

The one factor that Alli has on Ross at present is he scores more goals, mainly due to the different role he plays to Ross for his team.

Can they be strong players within the same team? Yes they can!

Alli normally affects the game around the opposite box – (but does feck all else); Ross affects the game in positive game-changing moments throughout the opponent's defending half and still does his fair share of defending.

Jay Harris
36 Posted 23/03/2017 at 15:47:16
I'm more concerned with the choice of Livermore and Dier as England quality midfielders which they certainly are not.

I don't think you can argue with the choice of Lallana and Alli but to put Redmond and the arrogant little prick Lingard on at a time when the game was crying out for a "Ross Barkley" is very worrying.

Steavey Buckley
37 Posted 23/03/2017 at 16:02:43
In all my time watching England, they have never had a great England manager. England have had some great English players in the past but were never utilised properly by any English manager. The current English manager, Gareth Southgate, falls into this category.

On a different theme from the failure not to give Ross Barkley game time last night, when the England manager preferred Livermore, who was anonymous when Everton last played WBA and were on the wrong end of a real spanking of a score line of 3-0, how is it that Tom Davies who has galavanised the Everton team with his sparkling performances, has been relegated to the England under 19's?

A bizarre decision if I have ever seen one. No wonder England don't get passed the qualifying stages for any tournament they enter with decisions like that.

Stan Schofield
38 Posted 23/03/2017 at 17:33:48
The odd decisions of successive England managers date back, in my experience, to Alf Ramsey failing to pick Howard Kendall and Colin Harvey (who only ever got one cap) to partner Alan Ball who was a regular. That was a prime example of a missed opportunity, in this case to use the best midfield combination in the world at the time (even better than Brazil's great midfield).

Since then, the team selections have always seemed to mirror the mediocrity of the manager, and there's no sign of the situation improving and England's brand of football moving into the 21st century.

Colin Grierson
39 Posted 23/03/2017 at 17:52:18
Firstly it may leave Ross a 'point to prove', which is fine by me cos he'll be doing it in a blue shirt... and secondly, he's returned uninjured.
Paul Birmingham
40 Posted 23/03/2017 at 17:55:54
Being selfish, I'm always glad when our lads don't play for England.

After the Bobby Robson period, our players that play either get a knock or acquire bad form. I am sure Ross will take stock and will be aiming for a big performance in the next game versus them.

Steavey Buckley
41 Posted 23/03/2017 at 19:15:47
Stan, I share with your disappointment about Ramsey not choosing the 3 greats of Kendall, Ball and Harvey for England in midfield. The very best that ever played for Everton in midfield.
Mark Andersson
42 Posted 24/03/2017 at 05:51:55
Question do any of you know Ross personally to assume it may knock his confidence or make him mad to play well against the shite.

When Ross becomes a senior pro only then will we see if he has a winners mentality. I don't know him either but I get the impression that he is a follower not a leader at the moment.

As for the England set up... I don't bother as they are the international version of Everton always have the potential but always fail when it matters.

Beat the shite and manure and just maybe I will see some light..

Brian Furey
43 Posted 24/03/2017 at 15:49:12
Can't see Funes Mori's name in the Argentina team or subs last night.

Interesting that Deulofeu has been picked for the Spanish senior squad following his impressive spell for AC Milan. I read somewhere that he wants to stay with AC Milan and not return to Barca who seem to be showing some interest in him again. He didn't even mention us. I presume his baby will be born in Italy now soon. He certainly looks like he's settled in quite well in Italy and wants to stay.

Still no news on the Irish team but feeling here in Dublin is that McCarthy will play some part today as he trained the last two days.

Hopefully Lukaku doesn't get injured playing for Belgium tomorrow night. Martinez has said he could be the world's best No 9. I wonder does Bobby still live in England?

Tom Bowers
44 Posted 24/03/2017 at 16:18:16
There is a reason why crap teams are crap and that is because they have crap players.

So why does Southgate pick Livermore, Gibson and an aging Defoe from Hull, Boro and Sunderland – all good for the second tier soon?

Stephen Brown
45 Posted 24/03/2017 at 18:41:30
McCarthy is playing for Ireland tonight!!
Colin Glassar
46 Posted 24/03/2017 at 18:42:58
If he injures himself, we should sack him.
Chris Williams
47 Posted 24/03/2017 at 18:49:30
I suspect that may be the last straw for Koeman, after him making very clear to McCarthy where his loyalties lay.

Whether or not he gets injured, it is still a massive risk he is taking after his injury(ies).

Sam Barrett
48 Posted 24/03/2017 at 19:36:56
McCarthy out, he's injured himself in the warm up!
Ian Bennett
49 Posted 24/03/2017 at 19:40:51
Absolute joke. He's got to learn to be playing Under-23 and full Everton games first.
Steavey Buckley
50 Posted 24/03/2017 at 19:54:53
Does James McCarthy want to wreck his Everton career with his newest injury during the warm up? He was far from match fit when allowed to join up with the Republic on Monday, after been declard not fit to play against Hull.

He is a good player but only when he is fit. If not, he is just another Darren Gibson in disguise.


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