Lucas cleared

[dww]

Believe it or not. before he came here, Igor was dubbed the croatian Zidane aswell as the new Boban

I feel sorry for Biscan. He seemed a good lad and we clearly misused him during his key development years. I hope that the young players we have now don't suffer the same fate - at least we seem much keener on loaning out promising players now.

[stevie_gerrard_8]

I feel sorry for Biscan. He seemed a good lad and we clearly misused him during his key development years. I hope that the young players we have now don't suffer the same fate - at least we seem much keener on loaning out promising players now.

True but most of them don't go to good enough clubs. I can only think of Guthrie and Hammill who have gone to good enough clubs to get some experience

[bazza76]

Baseless in the sense that I've never seen him play.

[dww]

True but most of them don't go to good enough clubs. I can only think of Guthrie and Hammill who have gone to good enough clubs to get some experience

I think that League one can be a good experience for the likes of Anderson. He needs competitive games and I really think the style of the team and quality of coaching is nearly as important as the standard of the league. I believe that Rio Ferdinand and Beckham had loans to lower leagues which helped them both enormously.

[stevie_gerrard_8]

I think that League one can be a good experience for the likes of Anderson. He needs competitive games and I really think the style of the team and quality of coaching is nearly as important as the standard of the league. I believe that Rio Ferdinand and Beckham had loans to lower leagues which helped them both enormously.

I agree with that aswell but apart from those three, who have gone on loan to a 'good standard' and that doesn't include the likes of Accrington etc. That's what I feel we should be doing more of, so when they come back they are ready to push on for a place in the squad.

[dww]

I agree with that aswell but apart from those three, who have gone on loan to a 'good standard' and that doesn't include the likes of Accrington etc. That's what I feel we should be doing more of, so when they come back they are ready to push on for a place in the squad.

You are making a fair point. I think it depends on how far individual players are along their progression to the first team. Sometimes a loan to a much lower level could be used to give them an idea of what is needed to become a professional player. I think in this country we tend to want all players to break through very early whereas particularly defenders may come through in their early 20s and a loan at 17/18 to even the likes of Accrington can be an important part of a players development.

Hopefully as more loans to better teams will happen in future as Rafa seems to be bringing in a lot of higher quality talent and to be putting a bigger emphasis on this aspect of the club.

[desertscouser]

I feel sorry for Biscan. He seemed a good lad and we clearly misused him during his key development years. I hope that the young players we have now don't suffer the same fate - at least we seem much keener on loaning out promising players now.

GH ruined poor Igor. There's no doubt that under a better manager gor would've become a much better player than he is today.

[stevie_gerrard_8]

You are making a fair point. I think it depends on how far individual players are along their progression to the first team. Sometimes a loan to a much lower level could be used to give them an idea of what is needed to become a professional player. I think in this country we tend to want all players to break through very early whereas particularly defenders may come through in their early 20s and a loan at 17/18 to even the likes of Accrington can be an important part of a players development.

Hopefully as more loans to better teams will happen in future as Rafa seems to be bringing in a lot of higher quality talent and to be putting a bigger emphasis on this aspect of the club.

I agree and ever since G+H took over Rafa has drastically changed the set up at the club and hopefully signals a change of direction. Our youth setup is fine, it's just the transition from youth to first team that is the problem.

[stevie_gerrard_8]

GH ruined poor Igor. There's no doubt that under a better manager gor would've become a much better player than he is today.

Under Rafa he was very very good in some games and bossed the midfield, especially against leverkusen and Deportivo.

[Guest]

GH ruined poor Igor. There's no doubt that under a better manager gor would've become a much better player than he is today.

A bit harsh on Ged mate as Stevie has developed into a world class player under his tutelage, IMO. Echoing the words of Jamie Carragher, the 2001 team Ged assembled was the best of the last 10 years, as in addition of winning the treble, we finished second in the league that same season.

[Guest]

Under Rafa he was very very good in some games and bossed the midfield, especially against leverkusen and Deportivo.

Igor was an enigma for me. He played plenty of games in his favored position of central midfield during GH's tenure, but he couldn't kick on and establish himself as a regular, for a reason known by himself. He was probably a bit overrated IMO, but still was a cult hero.

[stevie_gerrard_8]

Igor was an enigma for me. He played plenty of games in his favored position of central midfield during GH's tenure, but he couldn't kick on and establish himself as a regular, for a reason known by himself. He was probably a bit overrated IMO, but still was a cult hero.

Bit of an understatement dont you think?

[Guest]

Bit of an understatement dont you think?

Wasn't he ? For letting his wily free in the dressing room post CL final, he deserves to be a cult hero.

[dww]

A bit harsh on Ged mate as Stevie has developed into a world class player under his tutelage, IMO. Echoing the words of Jamie Carragher, the 2001 team Ged assembled was the best of the last 10 years, as in addition of winning the treble, we finished second in the league that same season.

I'm inclined to agree with you on the general point of Ged not being as bad as many make out, he initially did a very good job in my opinion. I do think though that he totally mishandled some of the young players he bought in with Biscan being a prime example of this. I think he was lucky with Gerrard in that he was versatile enough to be eased in at full back and play in a number of positions. Gerrard also had a relationship with Owen who was already a first team regular which made it easier for him to make an impact.

Igor was an enigma for me. He played plenty of games in his favored position of central midfield during GH's tenure, but he couldn't kick on and establish himself as a regular, for a reason known by himself. He was probably a bit overrated IMO, but still was a cult hero.

The problem for Biscan under Houllier was that he rarely got a run in the first team - let alone one in CM. It is hard to establish yourself when you don't feel you have a mangers full support. Obviously in the end Biscan wasn't good enough to force his way into the team but I can't help feeling that he had the potential to do more for us than he did.

The problem is it is easy to pontificate on the situation from the outside as I have done above, it may simply be that Biscan had a limited level of talent and that he reached his full potential at a very young age.

[stevie_gerrard_8]

Wasn't he ? For letting his wily free in the dressing room post CL final, he deserves to be a cult hero.

It was free in a match aswell wasn't it?