Duncan Ferguson’s blunt Thierno Barry verdict amuses Ally McCoist
Duncan Ferguson has praised Thierno Barry’s improvement at Everton, admitting he never expected the striker to score so regularly after his difficult first season at the club.
The former Blues forward was speaking on talkSPORT’s breakfast show with Alan Brazil and Ally McCoist on Wednesday when the conversation turned to Barry’s impressive start to the campaign. Ferguson did not hold back in his assessment of the Frenchman’s first year on Merseyside, before making a joke at McCoist’s expense.
Ferguson surprised by Barry’s goalscoring form
As reported by Goodison News, Ferguson questioned how many people would have predicted Barry’s improvement.
“Last year, he was absolutely useless, to be honest with you,” Ferguson said.
The former Everton striker then acknowledged the work that has gone into Barry’s development under David Moyes. Ferguson said the 24-year-old had kicked on this season and credited the work being done with him on the training ground.
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He also joked that McCoist, a prolific goalscorer during his playing career, would not understand quite how difficult the job could be. The remark left McCoist laughing, but Ferguson’s wider point was about the progress Barry has made.
Barry already past last season’s goal tally
Barry scored eight goals in his debut campaign following his move from Villarreal, but has already surpassed that figure this season. He has 10 goals in 13 appearances across all competitions, including six in 10 Premier League matches.
His recent form has been particularly encouraging. Barry scored the winner at Newcastle United before netting twice and setting up Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall in Everton’s 3-1 comeback victory over Coventry City. That result completed three successive wins for Moyes’ side and lifted the Blues to fifth in the Premier League ahead of the international break.
Moyes has also praised Barry’s improvement while stressing that there are still areas of his game to develop. For Evertonians, the difference from last season is clear. Barry is getting into goalscoring positions and, crucially, finding the net regularly.
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Ferguson’s assessment of his first season was characteristically blunt, but the praise for what has followed was just as clear. Barry now has the chance to show that his strong start is more than a short run of form.
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Gary Gowers is a sports journalist and the editor of Read Everton, where he leads daily coverage of Everton news, transfers and analysis. He also writes about Manchester City for Read Man City and motorsport for Read Motorsport. A former accountant, he became a freelance writer in 2011 and has written for BBC Sport and Metro.
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