04 Jan 2015 15:58:41
If what I'm reading is true, that Everton are actually considering selling Barkley how are we ever expect to move forward and win anything or for that matter bring any sort of investment into the club? I mean just because Justin Bieber has been spotted in an Everton shirt does not mean we are winning any sort of popularity stakes with serious investors.
I'm not sure Martinez is cut out for this club either and possibly should have been shown the door after the Newcastle game - to play Barcelona's tip-tap style of play you need a whole squad of that caliber of player, that we do not have, besides this is not La Liga this is the EPL where points mean prizes.
Kenwright surely if you sell our best player then you need walk as well, no Blue will thank you for £50m, that is the bottom line .
Them over the park have had 1 great midfielder over the last 15 years in old slippy himself, and let's face it whether your a blue or red you've got to admit he's been a world beater in some crap liverpool teams, the result of keeping hold of someone like that over the years, the odd trophy.
I've rambled a bit but hopefully made my point.

1.) 04 Jan 2015
I agree with 99.9% of that Baz. The part about Barkley being our best player is the bit I would have to disagree with. he's not Baz, but imo he has the potential to become one of the Everton greats if say that potential is reached, plus add in other factors like better players alongside him, investment in the club, regularly playing champions league football, winning a trophy here and there along the way. Seeing as none of the above mentioned are going to happen to our club in the near future by the sounds of things Barkley will be sold eventually. Its the way the club works and will continue to work until we can manage to get ourselves on an even keel with the rest of the big boys, and we all know how that happens.Getting back to slippy G love him or loath him you got to admire what he's achieved for the RS over his career, here lies another argument at 20/21 years of age Gerrard was taking games by the scruff of the neck, and pulling the RS outta the sh*te most of the time, Ross is that same age now, but I've not seen him doing that for us, the odd occasion we get a 10 minute glimpse maybe.He needs to start delivering the goods on a regular basis instead of believing the hype.Thats my reason why he's not our best player or even close yet to becoming a great player.

2.) 04 Jan 2015
Jimmy, all valid points mate, and God knows, I've possibly been the kid's biggest critic, but in all fairness, Barkley never made all the hype, that's down to the press and media. I personally have never seen, consistently, what these fellas allegedly see, not at all. but like you and most other Blues, I've seen flashes. But maybe, by playing him in his rightful position( which I believe to be behind two strikers), added to a decent coach, then maybe, just maybe, we might have a future gem on our hands. I'm a lifelong Blue who's been down this road many times before, Christ, I remember a 17 year old, Martin Murray from Home Farm, Dublin, being hailed as the next George Best, we signed him and never heard of him again! I'm not saying Barkley is the second coming, far from it, but given the right circumstances, he might just go on to be an Everton legend. but I'm not holding my breath

{Ed025's Note - i cant argue with any of that PE..good post..

3.) 05 Jan 2015
Martin Murray, jesus I remember him signing for us.In fact I am certain I have the matchday programme in the loft with an interview in by him after he had signed for us. And you're right park ender he was being likened to George Best.