Martinez shows belief in Barkley's talents

Nice to see youth being given a chance and with proper direction and nurturing we will have a couple of cracking players on our hands.

Everton need to bring on youngsters to develop the side and potentially raise cash. Good on Martinez. Season should be interesting, but looking ahead he seems to have the right approach. Fingers crossed.

I watched the game yesterday and Ossie played well and kept things ticking over and offered protection to the centre halves. If Gibson gets fit and RM decides to go with him then that's part of football but I will be glad to have someone of Osman's experience on the bench.

You also have to remember that, even if Barkley has forced his way into the starting line-up, he is only 19 so he won't be playing too many consecutive games for his own good. RM will need to find others to play in the hole (most likely Fellaini) meaning Osman would be needed in midfield.

We have had 10 years now of Ossie getting slaughtered from all corners yet, in that time, he has improved as a player and given great service. It seems to me his only crime is not having the talent of our best players. Barkley may well have more natural talent than anyone in the squad but I just hope he learns from the likes of Osman on how to be real pro, despite what people on here think.

You're right about Ross relying on senior players to help him along, and Ossie is someone who will bring him along, but as things stand he cannot be an automatic pick. In fact, on current form, he shouldn't be in the team at all. I hope this is just a temporary dip in his form, but I'm not sure.

Sometimes Ossie can be brilliant, but yesterday, as so often recently, he looked lightweight and his passing was poor. It was his stray pass that I think led to Norwich's equaliser, if I remember rightly. He looked completely fucked near the end of the game, yet we don't really have anyone ready to step in there.

My worry about Barkley is that currently he is not a shoe-in for a centre mid role just yet. He was one of our best performers yesterday and has more talent than most of our players, but he will make mistakes and those mistakes are best made further up the pitch. Once he gets rid of the majority of his errors he'll make a absolute top drawer centre mid. Hopefully he'll still be at everton when that happens.

For this season we definitely do need to bring in another experienced centre mid(barry on loan would be a shrewd move if funds are tight). Alternatively I'd be happy to see Conor Grant being given another chance in there. I think he played during one of the pre-season games and looked quality, although if I remember rightly it was just against Accrington.

It will do wonders for Barkley's confidence, but it depends how he handles the recognition, seems by all accounts a sensible lad so the futures bright.

If we get a few points on the board I fancy RM will start introducing Stones as soon as he can, especially as sub to start with.

With current ownership, the young players appear to be our future, and I've no doubt RM will be concentrating a great deal of effort into the youth system.

We desperately need a football player in the middle of the park because Ossie isn't going to get any better at this stage of his career.

Back to Barkley as this thread is about him. I've always stayed pretty quiet about him as he never really done it for me. I've seen glimpses of what he could do and glimpses of things he definitely needs to learn. Understandably as he is only young. Yesterday he stepped up his game. He looked like a man. Someone not afraid to take responsibility. Not afraid to fuck up, and didn't it show. I can't wait to watch the lad again. In fact, I can't wait to watch Everton again. Hopefully Gibson is fit and Ossie will make way.

Still no clean sheet though. 8 games and counting.

However, even a Messiah had to learn his trade. That bloke from the Bible didn't start off walking on water, he built up to it. Card tricks, juggling, a bit of now-you-see-me-now-you-don't malarkey. Then he threw in a few sleight of hand numbers - "Bottle of wine, bottle of water, which is which?" - and crowd pleasers such as the feeding of the five thousand. Finally, as an encore, the classic resurrection routine. It took years of dedication. He was practising all the hours god gave him.

No offense, Jesus.

Barkley is a top player and he'll only get better. Yesterday was a joy to watch him play, once we've played a few more games and our link up play in the final third improves we'll see just how good he is.

You said about Zidane Kev and I wholeheartedly agree. Ross Barkley is a player.

Wayne Smith recalls some Ossie brilliance but I'm sorry I really can't... ever! Lightweight, lacking in pace, caught in possession, poor finishing. Found his level at Derby!

I'm not Ossie-bashing here, but I think Ross is the long-term replacement for Ossie. And he's ready now. He has many similar attributes to Leon, but with a better finish. Leon is a clever player, but his touch / finish often let him down. I think Ross will be a top, top player - and I vehemently hope he keeps his feet on the ground, and doesn't start hankering after a move.

And I think under RM he'll thrive.

From what I've seen of Ross Barkley in interviews he appears a level headed youngster who just wants to play football. I can't see him pushing for a move any time soon even after he gets called up to the full England squad and plays a blinder in Brazil.

He'd had a few outings at the point, I think, but was subsequently sent back to the reserves. At the time, I thought it was DM taking him out of the spotlight to avoid him being prematurely sold in the transfer window. As it turned out, he just didn't fancy him!

But all in all, we need to start trusting our young ones, and let them get the chance much more than under the old management. Man U got to become despicably successful, but most tend to forget that it all started with SAF using his youth team (and shrewd signings) as the basis for later glory! And then he couldn't afford to do that any more. Well, we can, at this point in time...

So, RM is here, and for all the other feedback but the positive, he's just got to keep us up for a few seasons to not let us down, really (pun intended!)... :P No, really, I'm inclined to to be part of the doom-and-gloom brigade, but for once we have a new start, on a good foundation. I'd be happy to let him flounder a bit, getting it right. I still expect us to finish top 6, just on principle, or at least above LFC! But of the two (not relegated, or above LFC+ in the top 4-6), I'd settle for the long term! :)

I say, give him time, and let him try out the youth if he's so inclined to, and if we're not close to getting relegated...

Just my heart was broken when Rooney left... Can't bare it to happen again before we get at least get some seasons for us to enjoy... Anyway.. Lets not start a rumour !

I suspect we will see bids come in for him because he has the ability to play at the very top level, but given the past treatment he experienced from Moyes, I hope Barkley realises the importance of sticking with a manager and club that has faith in him, rather than moving elsewhere and ending up sidelined.