19 Oct 2026 10:02:28
I have been impressed with Barcola.
Yes, he does miss sitters sometimes but generally, I have liked what I have seen of him recently. Hope he continues to improve.
19 Oct 2026 10:32:31
He has good pace and movement, but I think he needs to work on his aggression for the Premier League.
The shooting is poor but Raheem Sterling made a career out of being good on the ball, movement and speed, despite having woeful kicking technique.
19 Oct 2026 10:34:10
I just wish he was a bit more aggressive but he is looking more of a threat now.
I do hope that the forward line starts to click as currently we are far too reliant on Isak for our goals, wouldn't be a problem if you can rely on his fitness.
19 Oct 2026 11:42:10
I know he fluffed his lines, but that break for his 1v1 took me back to seeing Salah and Mane breaking away from the defence.
He is still 24, so there is some polishing to do for sure, but I'm very excited to see him grow in this team.
19 Oct 2026 11:51:04
FWIW I think the way he effortlessly glides on the grass looks deceivingly like he's not playing with intensity. He was supporting his fullback and made quite a few challenges/turnovers if I recall. Kayode is lauded as a monster but you can't say he kept Barcola quiet given he could have had a hattrick on another day.
Can he do better? Yes. Hopefully he will know his team mates better and better and they will play passes for him to run onto.
19 Oct 2026 12:58:37
I got frustrated at the number of times Barcola ignored Kerkez on the overlap. I understand that it can be used as a decoy tactic but I don't think Kerkez got one pass out of it all game despite it often being a credible outlet.
19 Oct 2026 13:36:59
Barcola is simply not fit enuff yet due to the lack of preseason he had. It is that simple for me.
You cannot be aggressive and mentally sharp in such critical moments without being physically and fully fit and focused. One needs the other to thrive. On that final counter at Brentford, he just stopped which tells me he was gassed hence, mentally tired and as a result, out of ideas.
He needs to keep getting his fitness up to speed in subsequent games so he can have the mental strength and aggressive approach to take these chances.
19 Oct 2026 14:54:04
I think Barcola is lacking better decision making and more time in practice and games with his frontline partners. When he missed those sitters you could see there was some hesitation, even if it's just split second. With time, both the decision making and linking up will get better and better.
I remember with Mane, Firmino and Salah, it was said that each one knew where the other two were, at any given time in attack; they could play with each other with their eyes closed. I think that is achievable with our strike force after sufficient time.
19 Oct 2026 17:08:47
Have to agree with ArAy and others I was very frustrated watching Barcola in the last 2 games because I felt his decision making was way off, he had his man isolated on countless times with acres to run into and checked back or slowed down play rather than attacking the back line aggressively, think the early miss in the last game knocked the confidence and he really should have done better, positively he got into some great positions, was wasteful at times but a real threat and when it clicks you can see a real handful.
19 Oct 2026 18:58:26
Salah and Suarez missed sitters when they first joined - just saying.
19 Oct 2026 19:00:49
Such a strange and funny situation isn't it.?
Isak scores goals, currently 2nd in PL for most goals, but doesn't work hard enough and should go.
Wirtz works very hard but not appreciated by many. so must be sold
Barcola can't score sitters, but we must keep him
Truth is stranger than fiction.