Everton midfielder Ross Barkley accepts his form this season has fallen below his best but insists he is not feeling the pressure . The 21-year-old 's fortunes on the pitch have mirrored that of his team as neither have been able to reproduce the standards of last season , when a brilliant campaign saw the Toffees finish fifth after being in contention for the Champions League for a long period . Barkley has struggled to rediscover the form which made him such an integral part of the team 's success but he is working hard to get back to his best . Everton midfielder Ross Barkley has admitted he has failed to replicate last season 's performances . Barkley , pictured scoring against Newcastle , has netted just two goals so far this season . 'From my point of view I have n't done as well as I know I can , but things like this happen , ' said the England international . 'You have to go through bad days to get to the great days you have in your career . 'Everything 's a learning curve . We have n't been going through the best period at the moment but we 're going to come through this and be really good at the end of it . ' I do n't feel pressure . I believe in myself and I know what I can do . It 's not me feeling pressure , it 's just me putting pressure on myself if I do n't do my best , and I know I can do better . The 21-year-old ( right ) is expected to start against Italy after coming on in the second half against Lithuania . ' I just focus on getting better every day , putting things right in training and then hopefully what I 'm doing right in training I 'm going to show in games as well . ' Barkley , when he has started , has found himself switching positions regularly and has not been given a long spell behind the centre forward where he was most effective last season . Many observers appear to have pencilled him in for a deeper midfield role but he does not feel that will get the best out of him . ' I 'm a striker , ' he said . ' I feel I can have my greatest impact there because I 'm free to roam around the pitch , take players on , have shots and create chances . '
Ross Barkley has struggled for form during the course of the season . The Italy starlet insists he performs better in an advanced role . Barkley believes you have to 'go through bad days to get to the great days ' CLICK HERE for all the latest Everton news .