Thierno Barry 'playing with new kind of confidence' after Everton change - Insider
Thierno Barry is benefitting from far better service at Everton this season after a strong start.
That is the opinion of former senior Everton scout, Bryan King, speaking exclusively to Football Insider.
The 23-year-old has already scored five goals in just seven games across all competitions this season, and needs only three more to match his tally from the last campaign.
Barry spent much of last season fighting for position with Beto, but his late exit to Fiorentina has now left Everton with just one recognised senior striker.
The Toffees had attempted to sign Folarin Balogun on deadline day but ultimately ended up empty-handed when the player pulled out of the deal following disagreements in the medical.
Barry has stepped up under the increased pressure, however, scoring the winner on Saturday as Everton beat Ipswich Town 1-0.
Thierno Barry 'impressing' amid Everton form
Barry cost Everton £27million to sign from Villarreal last summer and he has not always looked to be a good investment.
But should he begin to score at his current rate on a more consistent basis, the 23-year-old could well become a seriously exciting prospect.
"The service into him has been much improved, which also helps," King told Football Insider when asked what has changed for Barry.
"I think the thing that's helped him is that Everton are playing with a new kind of confidence at the moment. They're a difficult team to beat and everybody's working.
"Against Ipswich at the weekend, they give away six fouls. They're having a go, Everton, and it's good to see them grinding out results. [Jack] Grealish is always going to make a difference.
"He was popular there last season and I think he's proving the same now. But I was impressed with the centre forward because he is getting a lot better service, it seems, than he has done. If a centre forward can score goals, then it's really going to help his game."
What David Moyes revealed about Barry
Until at least January, Barry will likely be asked to play almost every minute and be Everton's main man going forward.
From the way he has started the season, it appears that he is ready to take on that burden.
"He’s certainly come back with a much better mindset since he came back" said David Moyes in August. "Last year he found it pretty tough generally, which a lot of young boys from overseas do.
"He’s quite a quiet boy and didn’t really speak the language particularly well. I think he’s come in with much better mindset, much better feeling and he’s pushed himself a bit harder as well.”