David Moyes has revealed why he took Thierno Barry off against Nottingham Forest
David Moyes has been speaking about Thierno Barry
David Moyes has been speaking about Thierno Barry
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David Moyes’ tender moment with Thierno Barry as the young forward left the pitch after his first goal for Everton included an explanation for his withdrawal. The Blues boss shook the hand of the 23-year-old following his breakthrough moment and placed his arm around his shoulder after he left the Hill Dickinson Stadium pitch to a thunderous reception.
Asked to explain what he said as he greeted his summer signing, Moyes said he told Barry he felt he needed to take him off because he had picked up a booking for a foul on Nottingham Forest centre back Nikola Milenkovic. He also feared Barry’s shoulder was troubling him after the France youth international aggravated an issue that has caused him problems through the season.
Moyes said he was pleased for Barry after the forward finally netted for the first time since his £27m move from Villarreal. He also quickly sought to temper expectations around the forward and stressed that he would need to carry on delivering if he is to keep his place – Moyes telling reporters Beto had been looking strong in training.
The Blues boss had started Barry for six consecutive games and watched as he appeared to make progress through those performances. He said he did feel a degree of vindication for that show of faith after Barry scored a crucial second in the 3-0 win.
But, he added: “He'll not be able to play another six games and only score one goal. He's been given the opportunity, but I have to actually say that Beto's beginning to show more in what he's doing and just beginning to look as if [he is improving].
“It was just getting into January when he hit really good form when I came in, I think. So Barry will need to keep playing well if he's going to stay, or we will put him [Beto] in.
“In the opening games of the season we were happy to change them round after 60 minutes or swap them over because we were needing one of them to score.
"As it was, neither of them were scoring, at the time, so the choice was to give Thierno a run in the team and get him used to the Premier League. We're really hoping that Beto comes back into form as well because we need the goals from both of them.”