Everton legend Ian Snodin has urged the club's fans not to get their hopes too high over teenager Ross Barkley.
The 19-year-old's performances earned him his first England cap earlier on in the season, but Snodin said that fans cannot always expect such high standards while the player is still learning his trade in the Premier League.
"By his ultra-high standards this season, Ross Barkley did not have the best of games for Everton at the Etihad (in the 3-1 defeat to Manchester City)," Snodin wrote in his Liverpool Echo column.
"It is important to remember that there will be games like this for a player of [his] age. In any 10 fixtures, he will have a couple of quiet matches.
"The important thing is he has that ability to produce something out of nothing which we have this season and you can forgive him for the odd quiet game while he learns. It's important Everton don't rely on a lad of his age every week."
Barkley has scored two goals for the Blues this season.
Paul Gorst
