Thierno Barry reveals two Everton stars’ behind-scenes reactions amid ‘pretty hard’ times
Thierno Barry has singled out a pair of his Everton teammates for showing him vital support during his early struggles at Everton.
Barry joined Everton from Villarreal in the summer for a fee of around £27 million after Dominic Calvert-Lewin’s departure from the Toffees.
Youssef Chermiti subsequently left Everton for Rangers as well to leave the Frenchman and Beto as the two senior striking options for David Moyes.
However, he has yet to find the net for the club in 13 league and cup appearances, but appears to be starting to win over the fans through his endeavour of late.
Idrissa Gueye and Seamus Coleman support Thierno Barry
In an interview with The Athletic Barry, 23, has admitted that things have been tough since arriving on Merseyside as he has taken time to hit his stride on the pitch.
But he has highlighted both club captain Seamus Coleman and veteran midfielder Idrissa Gueye as key influences behind the scenes.
And the backing of the fans as Everton beat Fulham 2-0 prior to the international break has given the forward a boost, despite his lack of goals.
He said: “Lots of players have been supportive. Seamus has been great. He’ll send me a message before and after every match — against Crystal Palace, for example, where I found things pretty hard. Idrissa helps me every day because I have been finding things hard. It’s very different to football in Spain, and there have been times where I’ve felt a bit down. They have been keeping me going and really helping me.
“I didn’t feel great going off (in the Fulham match) because I’d played well and wanted to finish with a goal. But then I heard the applause from the fans. Idrissa came over and said, ‘You’ve done well. The goals will come in the next match. Not everyone gets a reception like that’.”
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Ivan Toney links show patience will run out for Barry
Strikers can obviously contribute in different ways and if they are part of a system that sets up regular goals from other positions they can be valuable without finding the net themselves.
But Moyes’ set up isn’t exactly known for being an attacking bonanza from all angles, and the central forward really needs to chip in regularly for it to be a success.
Everton fans can appreciate it is difficult for a player who is still relatively young to adapt to new surroundings and start firing in the Premier League, as can club staff.
But with Everton links to a January move for Ivan Toney materialising ahead of the winter window it shows that understanding can only stretch so far.
Former Brentford star Toney may be out of reach of Moyes and others in England for now but if the club are on the look out then Barry and Beto, who only has two goals to his name this term, are on notice.
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