ROSS BARKLEY was a real positive for Everton FC in a difficult first game of the season against Queens Park Rangers.

The 17-year-old looks as though he is going to develop into a top player and when someone that young has time and space in the Premier League, like he did on Saturday, then believe me when I say big things will follow.

The manager, David Moyes, will not be putting any sort of pressure on Barkley and like every young player, his form will plateau at some point and he may go through a period of starting games on the bench.

Barkley’s progress through the Everton Academy has been no secret and for a long time people have told the fans what to expect.

Some Evertonians of course will worry that the club will be forced to sell him in the next 18 months or two years, and the club are in such a position where that may have to happen.

The club have no money and, after the transcript of a supporters’ meeting with chairman Bill Kenwright was released last week, we know the bank is unwilling to lend them any more money.

But Moyes and the players are just accepting the situation as it is and getting on with it.

And Everton have a really good manager in charge with some excellent footballers in the team don’t forget.

It was intimated at the meeting that people within the club were taking big chunks of money out, but this is not the case.

Everton are not a very attractive proposition for investors because, for example, their lack of executive facilities.

Aston Villa have around 100 executive suites whilst at Goodison Park there are just 12.

As a consequence, Everton do not have that wealthy owner who is able to dip into their own pockets and fund transfers, like across the park at Anfield.