Thierno Barry appreciates fan support despite his goal-scoring struggles | OneFootball

Thierno Barry has endured a tough few months since signing for Everton this summer, but his display in the 2-0 win over Fulham offered encouragement as the French U21 international walked off to an ovation from the crowd at Hill Dickinson Stadium.

Barry’s ludicrous miss against Sunderland was one of the major talking points of the week, building up to the clash against the Cottagers. Clips of his wild shot flashing over the crossbar from two yards out were replayed over and over again as criticism kept mounting.

The infamous miss extended Barry’s hunt for a first goal in the royal blue shirt. He thought his moment had arrived against Fulham, but just as he was about to wheel away in celebration and release his emotions, he was met with the linesman’s flag going up.

Despite failing to register his name on the scoresheet, Barry’s performance against Sunderland was a marked improvement from his initial struggles. He troubled centre-backs Joachim Andersen and Calvin Bassey for 79 minutes, offered a focal point to the team’s attack, stitched play intelligently around Jack Grealish and Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall with deft touches, and made sure he wasn’t physically bullied out of the game.

Therefore, when he came off the pitch 10 minutes before the end, the Evertonians in attendance made sure to show him love as the young striker continues to search for his liftoff moment.

“There are things that mean more than goals. With my difficult start to the season without scoring, receiving an ovation from you today really warmed my heart and showed me that I’m on the right path. Once again, thank you so much!” he thanked the fans on Instagram after the game.

Barry’s display also earned praise from manager David Moyes, who persisted with the striker ahead of Beto despite the criticism surrounding the summer signing.

“I think it is great credit because all the Evertonians know players are looking for confidence and support,” said Moyes.

“I thought the crowd were brilliant for Barry today but I think he gave them something to shout about and believe in and was rightly applauded coming off.

“We need those boys to keep their confidence up and when you are not scoring as a centre-forward it’s not an easy thing to do.

“Sometimes people don’t take us seriously when we say it takes time to get adjusted. Thierno has to get used to the physicality of being a centre-forward in the Premier League, what you are going to have to come up against.“If he was scoring, you wouldn’t think about it but when he isn’t scoring he has to be very good and I thought in other parts he worked his nuts off, ran hard, was committed and did a very good job for the team today.”

Reader Comments (16)

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Sean Mitchell 2 Posted 09/11/2025 at 13:01:57

I thought he played better yesterday and was more involved.

If he can curb the social media nonsense, train hard, etc. He has a chance.

His mindset is a big thing. Maybe being young, struggling for confidence, etc.

The lad needs reassurance and the older players to look out for him.

I think he's the only French player in the squad as well. (That could make a difference not having a fellow French player around.)

Go and score for the Under-21s and keep building that confidence.

Eric Myles 4 Posted 09/11/2025 at 14:06:36

Sean #2, there are other French-speaking Africans in the squad so not like he's isolated by language.

That would be Patterson!

Neil Cremin 5 Posted 09/11/2025 at 14:46:44

Stuart, I noticed that too where he put his arms around him and said something. That seemed to prompt the crowd to react and give him a warm reception.

Much better than the previous week where he was left totally isolated by the manager and writers here on TW. Again on this article referring to his “ludicrous miss”. It's as if he is the sole reason why we are not in the Top 4! I didn't see any players going to him after the game. He seemed to be totally on his own whereas the rest of the players were going around congratulating each other.

Prior to yesterday, I thought Beto was the better option but now I feel Barry will come good if he can toughen up to the physicality of the Premier League and his own mentality. For the latter, he needs the support of the club, manager and team mates.

For me, one of the main tasks of a manager is to build a group of individuals into something better than the sum of their parts. Moyes did that when he came in after Dyche; however, I think he is struggling to integrate the new players into a cohesive team.

To date, we have got away with disjointed performances relying on some bits of individual brilliance to get results, eg, Grealish v Brighton, Alcaraz v Crystal Palace, Ndiaye v Sunderland, Dewsbury-Hall vs Fulham come to mind.

Rarely have we put in a complete team performance.

Well, he is 23, so he probably follows social media which is a cesspit.

Like all Everton players, I wish him well and really hope he gets a goal soon -- without doubt, it will make a huge difference to him.

The physical demands of the league have come as a shock to him; if he fancies it, he will learn and get used to it.

All Evertonians want any new signing to hit the ground running, especially strikers.

Our record recruiting strikers is quite poor so I wish him well on his journey, as I do with Beto, they are both here!

According to Joe Thomas of the Echo, before the stadium stood for the Last Post on Saturday, four players lined up to give him hugs -- Jack, Ili, Myko and Keano. And Eugene #6, thanks for that tip regarding Pickford and Gana.

IMO the kid has earned the starting spot now. He's had a couple of elegant layoffs -- the soaring knockdown for Garner at Sunderland and the chest pass to a flying Dewsbury-Hall yesterday -- and I don't know if anybody else noticed that he charged down three clearances against Fulham. And skinny or not, he's certainly not shy about putting himself in physically.

Just needs a couple of goals for confidence.

Delighted to see the lad play so well and get the credit for it.He is a diamond in the rough. But he has a lot of the qualities of a Number 9.

He has to add goals, but although I would have dropped him, not for Beto but Dibling, prior to this game, I can now see he is making the progress that he needs to make.

This game could be seen as the start of something for him.

Craig Scott 15 Posted 09/11/2025 at 21:05:29

I'm glad the crowd gave him a good applause yesterday. That's what every player who pulls on the shirt should get from an Everton crowd.

He showed some glimpses of good play yesterday and it does seem he needs some confidence, but from what I've seen of him so far, I don't think he has the speed and guile to make a good front man for us.

He may benefit from some games for the U21s and I think Moyes may have to look at playing Ndiaye or Alcaraz as a 9 or 10 until we can get a decent striker, hopefully in the next transfer window.

I think posters here saw what I did, a young guy toughing it out to adjust to the Premier League. What else could he do?At his age, taking up a new job offer, in a new country, with new colleagues.

Okay, same job description, and a few hiccups settling in, but how would he hit the ground running when moving into the toughest market place as a freshman?

Yesterday, he showed something, looked more resolved, showed a few quality touches, showed something different to Beto, and these two are what we have; for now... that's it.

So yeah, please keep at it, fella, there's something in there...