Everton star Thierno Barry has given himself a huge chance to turn a corner after scoring his first goal in the royal blue shirt last weekend.
Thierno Barry had gone 16 games without a goal prior to his strike against Nottingham Forest, and after producing one of the loudest moments yet at the Hill Dickinson Stadium when he rolled the ball home, Everton fans will be vying for him to increase his output on Merseyside.
David Moyes will continue to back the star in his starting lineup, despite insinuating that fellow striker Beto will also be given a chance to feature from the off in certain games throughout the campaign.
And Toffees icon Alan Stubbs, despite praising Barry for getting off the mark, has heeded a warning that he cannot slip up – not least before the January transfer window.
Everton striker Thierno Barry.
Photo by Chris Brunskill/Fantasista/Getty Images
Alan Stubbs has praised Thierno Barry for significant improvement but urged him not to let standards falter
Speaking to the Liverpool ECHO, Stubbs claimed that although Thierno Barry’s goal was a huge moment for both the Frenchman and Everton in terms of the season, he’ll need to keep repeating those antics.
And Stubbs opted to proceed with caution when giving his verdict on whether Barry could make that jump to become a regular scorer.
Stubbs said: “I think for Thierno personally, it’s a huge moment. When that goal went in, you could really feel not just the excitement in the air, but the emotion too.
“It was a significant moment in his Everton career and I think David Moyes played it brilliantly after the game as well when he said that he’s got to do that more regularly if you want to be the number nine at Everton. That’s exactly right.
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It’s up to Thierno Barry to change Everton’s mind from here until January…⌛
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“He’s done the first part now and it’s taken longer than everybody would have expected, including Thierno Barry, but now hopefully he can go on a bit of a run.
“There’s no doubt that his performances have significantly improved the more he’s been in the team. As the manager has said though, there’s no guarantee of you staying in this team unless you’re doing your job and his job is to score goals.
“When we’re comparing where he’s been to where he is now, it’s a big ask.”
He’s shown in recent weeks that he’s slowly warming to Premier League football, breaking the season record for aerial duels won against Manchester United and almost bagging against Bournemouth. Let’s hope that continues.
Everton are still looking for a striker in the January transfer window
There is no shame in admitting that if Everton want to secure European football, they will have to sign a striker in the winter transfer window.
Manager David Moyes has already alluded to that fact during his time at the Hill Dickinson Stadium, and that has seen links to various strikers.
Thierry Henry is right, Everton need to give him time…
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Joshua Zirkzee has been strongly touted for a Merseyside move, whilst Troy Parrott’s antics for Ireland saw him linked with Everton after five goals in just two games for the Boys in Green.
Gabriel Jesus could be a dream target, but if Everton don’t get anyone in, then the onus will be on Barry to perform.
With four games to go until the January transfer window opens, perhaps we’ll know more in those four games about whether new firepower is needed.
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