|
LIVERPOOL -- Everton manager Roberto Martinez says criticism of Ross Barkley is "cheap" -- while Gareth Barry believes the young midfielder needs to relax to find his best form. Barkley made England's World Cup after making a significant impression on the Premier League last season. But the 21-year-old has scored just once this season, after hitting seven goals last term, while his performances have not hit the same heights. Martinez has had to defend both Barkley and club-record signing Romelu Lukaku this season, but insists criticism of them is unfair. He said: "I think there's been a lot of cheap talk from the outside. There's been a lot of talk about Romelu Lukaku, there's been a lot of talk about Ross Barkley, there's been a lot of talk about our form. "We accept that. All we need to do is focus on winning games and enjoying our football. "Ross Barkley, remember, is one of the best young European players. At times, you need to find a way to be consistent. At times, the opposition man-mark Ross and make it very, very difficult. "That's something that, as a team, we should take advantage of. If we have two players marking Ross Barkley, there should be someone else spare. "I think that's part of the learning curve for Ross, and the learning curve of us as a team. We need to find a way to create momentum in the league, which is what we've missed this season." Barkley helped Everton to a 4-1 away win over Swiss side Young Boys in the Europa League round of 32 first leg meeting last Thursday. He is set to play a part in this Thursday's second leg, and will benefit from putting less pressure on himself in front of an expectant Goodison Park crowd, according to fellow midfielder Barry. "Ross is still really young," Barry said. "People seem to forget that. He had a fantastic season last year. The big test for any player is to keep performing like that week in, week out, season after season. "No player can do that consistently, but Ross is still going through a big learning curve. His performance against Young Boys last Thursday was tremendous. "He was like the team as a whole; he performed at a different level to what he has done at home. "At home, in front of our own fan, he probably needs to relax a bit more, play his normal game and don't worry about anything. Then his ability will come through." Martinez and Barry, meanwhile, have both backed the decision to move the 2022 World Cup in Qatar to November and December. A Fifa taskforce recommended the move on Tuesday, saying that playing it in June and July would endanger the health of players and fans because it would be too hot. Everton spent a week in Qatar earlier this month at a warm-weather training camp, and Martinez said that once the decision had been made to play the World Cup there, a change of dates had to be made. The manager said: "We went to Qatar not long ago, and the reality is that I don't think it's a debate. "If there is a World Cup played in Qatar, it has to be in the winter. It's impossible and unfair on the fans. "I know that in Qatar, they've got all the facilities to drop the temperature on the pitch. But to enjoy the World Cup, you've got to have a temperature where you can be outdoors and follow the games in that manner. "It will have to be in the winter. So from our point of view, we need to adapt to whatever the decision is, and I'm sure that they're going to organise a phenomenal tournament." Barry played for England against Brazil in a friendly in Doha, Qatar's capital in November 2009, and said that the heat would be an issue in summer. He said: "In terms of the players and the quality of football you want to see at the World Cup, you need it in the right circumstances. "In terms of the weather, it's going to be too hot. I played a friendly in Qatar in really tough heat, and the level of football just wasn't there. "It's the World Cup, so let's be positive towards it and let's be excited about something different. It will be the first World Cup to be played in the winter, so we'll look forward to that."
|
