Brandon Barker

[yuddie 1,012]

Halliday said a few weeks back that he's the best he's ever seen in training and now Trent Alexander-Arnold has come out and said he's the best he's played who hasn't 'made it'. He even said he thought he'd be one of the best in the world.

 

Makes me think of other talents we've had who've been that prodigious but just couldn't translate it to a match day and disappeared, Jordan Rossiter another one perhaps? Robbie Fowler thought he was the next one for Liverpool.

 

It's probably why Gerrard gave Barker chance after chance, he's tearing it up in training but just couldn't do it in the match - must be frustrating as a coach.

 

What do you guys think? Opinions on Barker and players with a similar story with us or other clubs?

 

The podcasts that I'm talking about are an Open Goal one a few weeks back with Charlie Mulgrew (I know) and a podcast by Liverpool Football Club that came out today on their YouTube, I haven't got the timestamps apologies.

[Gonzo79 13,589]

Barker was rubbish.  End of.

 

I thought Rossiter had the makings of a good midfielder but the injury problems just wouldn't go away.  

 

A curveball from me - I thought Pena was pretty good. Obviously had a drink/attitude problem but the lad could definitely create and score goals.  

[yuddie 1,012]

3 minutes ago, Gonzo79 said:

Barker was rubbish.  End of.

 

I thought Rossiter had the makings of a good midfielder but the injury problems just wouldn't go away.  

 

A curveball from me - I thought Pena was pretty good. Obviously had a drink/attitude problem but the lad could definitely create and score goals.  

Aye he didn't do anything for us tbf, but when ex teammates and pros who've won the biggest trophies say he's got talent then it must've been there somewhere.

[Thinker 854]

If I remember rightly the story was that Windass had "unbelievable techers" on the training ground, but was crippled by an unfortunately high level of dozyness.

[compo 6,123]

Would have been better with Ronnie Barker and Leonard Rossiter

[yuddie 1,012]

Michael Ball another one? He was highly rated in England.

[Devil's advocaat 1,275]

Tbh it's pointless asking fans this, as we only see them on the field, when they're shit. 

 

We don't get to see them looking awesome in training, or as youths. 

 

I played amateur with a guy who was head and shoulders above anyone in our team in bounce or training games. He was superb, but for whatever reason it just never happened for him on a Saturday. 

[Scott7 5,150]

2 hours ago, Gonzo79 said:

thought Pena was pretty good

I agree.

 

Charlie Miller had a bit of a career but not the stellar one predicted by Hateley.

Edited October 10, 2023 by Scott7

[Devil's advocaat 1,275]

Dragan Mladenovic was the Zidane of the Balkans, apparently.

[JohnMc 2,468]

Back in the late 80s and early 90s Rangers used to train in public places, like West Of Scotland Cricket ground and Jordanhill College grounds. You could go along and watch them and I occasionally would. I witnessed a bounce game once where you'd have sworn Peter Huistra was the finest football player on the planet. His close control, touch and dribbling were literally unbelievable, he simply couldn't be dispossessed. The speed with which he'd make a fool of anyone stupid enough to try and tackle him was incredible. Mikhailachenko and Trevor Steven played in that match too and were close in ability, but Huistra was simply outstanding. 

Come a Saturday though Huistra was a nearly player. He'd some very good games, and some good moments in games but he wasn't the player I saw in training. Professional sport is 90% ability and 10% mentality. If you don't have that final 10% the other 90% isn't enough. Barker, I suspect, is similar. I think Matondo is another one. It's why so many talented young players simply don't make it. 

Edited October 11, 2023 by JohnMc