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Spoiler:

How dare you question Leon Osman

He's an England international you know

TheSecondComing wrote:Barkley had Leon Osman ahead of him for half the season...

Not really because of ability though was it.

Afro wrote:

TheSecondComing wrote:Barkley had Leon Osman ahead of him for half the season...

Not really because of ability though was it.

Why was it then? Osman had a stormer away at Chelsea (I was there), took Oscar and the defence to pieces. He had another outstanding season. Wasn't that why Barkley couldn't get 5 straight starts?

More to do with form.
 
Twice in the season, Barkley's form fell away, whether that was tiredness or not I don't know, and both times he had a spell on the bench and came back firing

--------------Courtois
Carvajal -Varane - Marquinhos -De Sciglio
----------Pogba --Goretzka/Koke
Rodriguez -----Isco ---------Gotze/El Shaarawy (Gone downhill)
-------------Morata

*Not a fan of Lukaku.

De Gea >>>>> Courtiois

Another English player getting madly overhyped, like it or not Barkley will not reach the heights you're all expecting from him. Lamard and Gerrard are the standard of very good midfielder we've produced not world class but very good and I struggle to see Barkley being better than them two.

Form is temporary, class is permanent. Except in the case of Leon Osman, who is always in form.

Alright, I'll be back in 30 mins or so if you want to,
Feel free to post your under 23 squad without Neymar.

Thanks for the idea Afro.

VivaPaulScholes wrote:De Gea >>>>> Courtiois

Another English player getting madly overhyped, like it or not Barkley will not reach the heights you're all expecting from him. Lamard and Gerrard are the standard of very good midfielder we've produced not world class but very good and I struggle to see Barkley being better than them  two.

I don't buy into the hype, but I do see a fantastic footballer, with two great feet, dribbling ability, shooting ability and great passing ability.

Just because he's English doesn't mean he has to be talked down.

VivaPaulScholes wrote:De Gea >>>>> Courtiois

Another English player getting madly overhyped, like it or not Barkley will not reach the heights you're all expecting from him. Lamard and Gerrard are the standard of very good midfielder we've produced not world class but very good and I struggle to see Barkley being better than them  two.

I'd argue that you have a habit of jumping on the other bandwagon. As soon as there is any credit given to an English player, you jump on with the English players getting overhyped bandwagon.

Truth is probably somewhere in the middle

Afro wrote:

VivaPaulScholes wrote:De Gea >>>>> Courtiois

Another English player getting madly overhyped, like it or not Barkley will not reach the heights you're all expecting from him. Lamard and Gerrard are the standard of very good midfielder we've produced not world class but very good and I struggle to see Barkley being better than them  two.

I'd argue that you have a habit of jumping on the other bandwagon. As soon as there is any credit given to an English player, you jump on with the English players getting overhyped bandwagon.

Truth is probably somewhere in the middle

It's mostly midfielders.

He lives in fear of someone eclipsing Scholes.

Ah Scholes. The epitomy of over hyped midfielders.

To me, their nationality doesn't come into it. If Barkley had been German or Spanish, my expectation for him would be the same.

If he doesn't achieve his potential (in my eyes), it's not because he is English

If he doesn't achieve his potential I think it'll be because he's a scouse scally.

What's the story (with) Yaya Toure?

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-2666899/Yaya-Toure-claims-Manchester-City-did-not-grant-leave-stay-sick-brother.html

Would he leave?

Lawyers and Injuries up.

English players have a History of hype surrounding them and failing to produce that is why I'm a bit more hesitant in rating him as high as you do.

Isco and Gotze play at huge teams no offense but Barkley is benched for flippin Osman. He is made out to be one of the best players in the world, Gerrard and Lampard are the standard he needs to reach before he can even be classed as a good player let alone the Tottis Scholes, Zidanes level.

He won't be no where as good as Rooney and Rooney at best is a second /third tier player in world football. I'll bet my life that Barkley will not reach those standards that people are expecting of him.

On a side note is Barkley quarter black?

1st XI:
2nd XI:

I reckon he'll be better than Rooney.

I can't help but feel disappointed that Rooney wasn't the same player after Euro 2004.

I'm not even going to take the bite on Scholes, none of these guys come close to the magican. Paul Scholes is the greatest midfielder ever and I tell you what his better than Zidane who was a proper overated player.

VivaPaulScholes wrote:English players have a History of hype surrounding them and failing to produce that is why I'm a bit more hesitant in rating him as high as you do.

Why do you even consider that other people overrate them, in your rating of a player? Why not just base it on what you see?

And having seen both players at Everton, Barkley has always been better than Rooney at the same age. On that basis, why would he not go on to achieve the same level as Rooney.

And the question was on current young players, so by definition it is about current ability, not potential as all of these players should get better.

And yes, his grandad is Nigerian I think

VivaPaulScholes wrote:I'm not even going to take the bite on Scholes, none of these guys come close to the magican. Paul Scholes is the greatest midfielder ever and I tell you what his better than Zidane who was a proper overated player.

Typically overhyped because he is English. If he was Spanish, he wouldn't have made it into their current World Cup squad

I really hope he turns out better than Rooney, I wish he becomes the best player in the world and wins balon dors but I really can't see that happening.

I feel United coached that magic out of him and made him a more all round player, sometimes you need that unpredictable play for risk to win you a game sadly Rooney now only shoes it in spurts.

Rooney used to score goals. Different positions, obviously, but I don't see Barkley as having the skill to unlock a defence a la Ozil or Mata. He wants to do it himself. He's not that good yet.

Rooneys career has stalled since his first years at United. Brief resurgence in 09/10 or so. He should've gone to Chelsea last summer.

http://www.birminghammail.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/west-bromwich-albions-full-back-search-7308403

I TOLD YOU. I MOTHER FUDGING TOLD YOU. GOD DAMN ALAN FUDGING IRVINE. GOD DAMN HIM TO HELL. WHAT A TORSSER. COMPLETE PREEK. I HATE YOU IRVINE. I FUDGING HATE YOU.

Dare I ask?

Without clicking, I'm assuming it's either Tony Hibbert or Nuno Valente

He'll still score as many as Anichebe

Anyone keen on Barreto for more than £5m, get in touch.

TONY FUDGING HIBBERT. LINKED TO TONY FUDGING HIBBERT. THE ONLY FOOTBALLER SLOWER THAN JAN MOLBY.

My brother got a refund on his season ticket, and my stepdad has now sold his 1 share in Albion. Neither of them want any part of our club any more.

How sad is it when a chairman reduces a club to that kind of state? My stepdad has been a lifelong STH, snuck into Wembley for the 68 cup final as he didn't have a ticket (snuck onto the train down too). The guy would bleed blue and white if you cut him open. And now he can't bear the thought of watching the team.

Shows you how bad things have become.

Would be v. funny if Hibbert scored in his first match.

But also sad because Azzy wouldn't be able to see it from the noose in his wardrobe.

Your step-dad needs to get that checked out Azzy Badmood nobody should be bleeding blue and white.

Mafia is looking like it could be on for the afternoon chaps.

I'll run one, but get over there and make an expression of interest if you please.

Question of Sport teaser
Posted at 13:49
Right then. Here's today's #QSTeaser from our pals at A Question of Sport:

Who are the eight players whose surnames start with 'S' to play for England at the World Cup since 1998?

Shearer, Seaman.

Sturridge
Sterling

Shaw, Sturridge

Smalling

Scholes
Shearer
Seaman
Sinclair
Sheringham
Sturridge
Shaw (or he will be after today)
Sterling

Scholes?
Sheringham?
Gareth Southgate?

I only just re-read the question and realised it said 'at the world cup'

When did Scholes turn his back on his country? He must have been to a World Cup after 1998

He was at 2002

As was Super Trev

He was at Euro 2004

Can I just say I saw Barkley first game of the season and said he'd play for England before the season was out. He dominated us that day

Best young English prospect folks? Shaw is for me, barring his positioning which can be coached up he has all the attributes to be world class very soon

Worth £30m though Olly?

Is Patrick Bamford still banging them in at a lower level?

The Special Juan wrote:Worth £30m though Olly?

Is Patrick Bamford still banging them in at a lower level?

For me I'd say yes. You're gonna get 10-15 years out of him I reckon (barring a bad injury), that's more than worth the investment for me.

Bamford curtailed a little at derby, super Chrissy martin kept him out the side!

Guardian sport ‏@guardian_sport 1h
Alexander Büttner says he left Manchester United for Dynamo Moscow to ‘win trophies’