Photo by Lee Parker - CameraSport via Getty Images
Photo by Lee Parker - CameraSport via Getty Images
Thierno Barry is perhaps one of the most talked-about Everton players of the season, and captain James Tarkowski has made some interesting comments about his teammate.
Barry was on target for the Toffees in the 2-2 draw with Hull City on Sunday, but did also miss several big chances beforehand.
In total now, he’s scored six goals, and is slightly unlucky not to be on seven after his header against Ipswich Town was ruled out for offside against Brennan Johnson.
But Barry is also top of the ‘big’ chances missed table in the Premier League, having squandered 10 for Everton so far.
That’s a statistic that will be used by some as a stick to beat him with, but James Tarkowski has moved to defend his teammate amid some of the criticism that is still coming his way.
It’s been a great start to the season for Everton so far, but which has been the best game and why?
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James Tarkowski makes great points in defence of Thierno Barry
Arguably, Barry is the most divisive player Everton have had in years. Plenty recognise that he is not the finished article and is improving. But there are others who aren’t convinced he’s good enough, and think he misses too many chances.
After the draw with Hull, Tarkowski gave some thoughts – and he made some really good points about Barry, and offered some much-needed perspective.
He said (via Liverpool Echo): “Thierno knows himself, he’s working on himself all the time, technically, his movement, where to be on the pitch, every part of his game he’s working on. He’s a great kid and got a real desire to learn and improve.
“He’s still scored a few goals. I know he missed a couple of chances but his finish for the goal was brilliant.
“There’s a lot on his shoulders. He’s our only recognised striker so there’s a lot on him in the toughest league in the world. It’s not an easy task. There are going to be times when things don’t go his way, but he has to keep his head down, keep working hard and the goals will come.
“I’m always talking to him. He’s a confident lad, but I’m not saying that missing chances won’t affect him – it can affect anyone – but he’s willing to put himself in those positions to try to score.”
Tarkowski is spot on here. It perhaps gets lost for some people just how much pressure is on Barry at the moment and it cannot be easy for him to deal with. We all saw what happened with Everton at the end of the transfer window. It’s not just Everton fans who have Barry under the microscope, it’s fans of other clubs, knowing what happened. They are looking out to see how he does.
The Premier League is tough at the best of times, but Barry – who has the second-highest xG in the league – has been done no favours and now has to get on with the job.
But a return of six goals in eight games is not bad at all. Yes he’s squandered a lot of chances and he needs to improve, but there’ll be a much greater chance of him doing that if he knows most Everton fans are with him every step of the way.