'The majestic Ross Barkley - a joy to watch'
- Published
Geoff Doyle, BBC Three Counties Radio
In our commentary position at St James’ Park, we were privileged to be really close to the pitch, with a great angle to view the action. You can get a real feel for a player and in the 4-4 thriller at Newcastle United on Saturday, you couldn’t help but be drawn to the majestic Ross Barkley.
The midfielder has a natural talent which is bewitching. Technically, he’s elite level.
What is striking is his balance, his poise, his smoothness, his close control and the way he glides across the pitch with the ball at his feet. In possession, he can get himself out of situations which seem impossible when he's counter-pressed by up to three players because he is so natural on the ball.
It looks so easy for Barkley and it’s a delight to see him return to the confident character we saw when he was a kid at Everton.
He scored one and was involved in two others. So why is he back to the form of his life?
When I spoke to him afterwards, he told me he always believed that, if offered the chance to find his rhythm and play game after game, he would return to his best. Stop start and in and out of the team is no good for Barkley.
He needs to be consistently in the side and at Luton he knows he will be - and will continue to be considering his magnificent form.
What was also interesting in our chat was how he spoke of the togetherness in the changing room and his view that he’d "probably never been a part of a team that’s so close".
It's simplistic, but ultimately Barkley is happy again on a football pitch, he’s playing happy football and he is certainly making Luton Town fans happy. And as each game passes, more believe he's the best player to have ever worn a Luton shirt.
Calls for an England return grow stronger with each match he captivates us. He's a joy to watch.
