It Depends On Your Philosophy

Neil Warnock's recent comments regarding how he thinks Ross Barkley is a liability because he can't defend is really a condemnation of the management style and philosophy of some managers who perhaps could have done better in their managerial careers if they had been so conservative with a 'safety first' mentality.

Warnock makes his judgement mainly from the time he had Ross on loan at Leeds United but where he preferred to play Michael Brown in midfield who was then at his 7th club.. This was a player who has been criticised throughout his career for his heavy tackling, which has resulted in him receiving 137 yellow cards and seven red cards. Obviously a good defender and asset to a team?

 History is littered with players whose careers have been wasted on the International stage.

Tony Currie was to win just 17 caps between 1972 and 1979 - a total which did scant justice to his ability. At that time in particular, England managers seemed unwilling or unable to build teams around their most inventive players, so Currie was too often wastefully overlooked. England, who seemed rudderless for much of the 1970s, never really knew where to play him or how to get the best out of him. Players with a fraction of his lavish talent went on to win three times as many caps.

Peter Osgood was another player, precociously and richly gifted, an amalgam of power, finesse and opportunity. However with his dissident, sometimes rebellious character, he was hardly the kind of player to appeal to the straitlaced England manager, Alf Ramsey, whatever his possibilities, though far less gifted players achieved far more international caps.

 Alan Hudson’s international profile was typical of the 1960s and 1970s, a flair player mistrusted by England manager Alf Ramsey, and a meagre total of two caps was scant reward for one of the most gifted footballers of his generation.

When Hoddle dropped Gazza for France 1998 former managers Bobby Robson and Terry Venables both pleaded his forgiveness, David Batty was chosen in midfield in that squad.
In the game against Argentina five penalties were converted, leaving Batty to push the series into sudden-death.  Roa easily saved Batty's kick and England were out again. Batty admitted it was the first penalty he had ever taken.

Here is what Robert Martinez, a manager with a positive attitude has to say about Ross Barkley :-
“I have been very impressed with him, not just with his quality, because he will never lose that, but also his decision making, his impact, his role in the team and that responsibility because he wants to be the one leading every single attack we have.You can see, slowly, he is fulfilling that potential but he has the mentality of a great player.”