Martinez defends caution over Barkley

RM has failed Ross this season and his confidence is shot because of it.

He does, however deserve protecting from the morons who seem to believe that moaning/jeering/booing will accelerate his progression.

I'd rather wait 2-3 years to see him completely BEASTING every side in the EPL in a Royal Blue Jersey...... and doing it until he's 40 !

"We've got a diamond called Ross Barkley...... ! "

Barkley should have played a larger part of the game. We offered nothing going forward without his and Lennon's pace.

Steven Gerrard was rested every now and then, because of some growing pains (his back I believe). Back then, people were also criticizing his manager and the player. Michael Owen was all out blazing, and was finished by 26 years old.

Re Ross being played out of position, while I think we are all unanimous in our disappointment over the performances, I am all for educating players when they are young. Let them find out what their strengths are, get the experience of playing in different parts of the pitch. It’ll be good for their overall footballing education.

I remember many fans slating Moyes for doing that for Coleman. I remember Moyes explaining how playing Coleman forward will develop his full-back play. And we can see the benefits of that now.

The "protection" is him learning from his mistakes and improving his game. He will or won't. That's up to him, not any manager. But we won't find out unless he plays. Let someone else sit the bench.

Whoever Everton is playing is supposed to do the worrying. The other team. About Barkley, they worry. The kid plays.

It could be that RM felt he needed more guts rather than garters early on.

Every player has to merit a place on form not promise and this kid is taking a long while to fulfil his. So give him time. But not as an automatic choice, please!

If Barkley was older we'd say he'd been dropped but as he's still developing Roberto can put a positive spin on it and call it 'protecting'. We need this kid's confidence back soon as we're seriously lacking creativity in midfield.

Can't believe I'm saying this (walks upstairs to have a lay down) but good point Phil.

This Spanish phrase roughly translates to:
Mo Besic is dropped for Gareth Barry.

Martinez is full of shit on this one, he was indecisive and plain wrong on that Barkley (in)decision. Granted, Ross on recent form was justified being on the bench, however giving him 5 minuets, His tactics killed the game off and he showed zero initiative to go for the win.

where better to give an extremely talented local lad (who knows the gravity of the game) a chance to discovered form.

How does he explain the pathetic stats in regards shots. Was it by any chance, "Interesting"

Thanks to ToffeeWeb and the many different views my own perspective of things has been a education in footballing matters. I donÂ’t have enough knowledge to contribute but do know when I hear common sense.