When was the last time....

[Taxi]

a player was drastically better in his second season with us?

I say this as the consesus when a player arrives is that he needs a season to get used to the team or league if he isn't playing that well.

I'm not entirely convinced that its right as class players tend to make their mark right away and will make an immediate improvement to the team. It is just football after all.

Ronaldo is often named as the player to prove this point, but people seem to forget that he was a raw, young talent at the time, not a seasoned professional, and when we're dealing with players in their 20's I think that the excuse is a lot less valid.

I think Alonso was definitely an improvement after his first season, though he he was pretty good right away in a subtle way, and couldnt have been that bad taking us to the CL title, but the likes of Torres, Mascherano and Agger hit the ground pretty much running. It seems to me that most of the time, if a player hasn't put in a top performance within his first few games, he turns out to be a pretty average player?

[Craig_H]

Reina? He's improved year on year.

[Taxi]

Reina? He's improved year on year.

He has definitely improved with dealing with crosses, what about an outfield player?

[Craig_H]

What, now? Or ever?

Carra certainly improved, way back in the day. And Lucas without a doubt.

[Taxi]

What, now? Or ever?

Carra certainly improved, way back in the day. And Lucas without a doubt.

Carra was here as a kid though, I'm talking about transfers in and men at that. Lucas has improved a little, but I'm still not convinced and wouldn't say it was a drastic improvement. Fans are completely split on him as well, some think he's ok, some think he's average.

I'm talking about the last 5 years, god knows we've had enough transfers to look at.

[dww]

a player was drastically better in his second season with us?

I say this as the consesus when a player arrives is that he needs a season to get used to the team or league if he isn't playing that well.

I'm not entirely convinced that its right as class players tend to make their mark right away and will make an immediate improvement to the team. It is just football after all.

Ronaldo is often named as the player to prove this point, but people seem to forget that he was a raw, young talent at the time, not a seasoned professional, and when we're dealing with players in their 20's I think that the excuse is a lot less valid.

I think Alonso was definitely an improvement after his first season, though he he was pretty good right away in a subtle way, and couldnt have been that bad taking us to the CL title, but the likes of Torres, Mascherano and Agger hit the ground pretty much running. It seems to me that most of the time, if a player hasn't put in a top performance within his first few games, he turns out to be a pretty average player?

Agger played what 4 times in his first (half) season and I don't remember him being great. So he probably technically counts. I also think he has improved as a player between his first season and now the problem has been his injuries. Similar problems make comparisons for Torres hard.

Kuyt was better third than first season I think but dipped in his second.

Reina is a good call too.

Benayoun was much better in his second season with us.

I remember Garcia being better in the PL in his second season. I struggle to remember why I think that though.

[ukfootballfan101]

I know what you're saying.

I can't think of any Liverpool players where there has been a really dramatic difference, Sami was always class, so was Hamann etc...

I think Evra is one of the best examples, he was poor for you united for a big part of his first season but he's been good ever since.

Drogba also got better after his first season...

How good was Essien in his first year?

[ukfootballfan101]

What, now? Or ever?

Carra certainly improved, way back in the day. And Lucas without a doubt.

Carragher was utter ****e for a number of years, I remember the crowd getting as annoyed with him as they get with Lucas, but being a local lad he always got a cheer when he did something right...then he got good

[Taxi]

Agger played what 4 times in his first (half) season and I don't remember him being great. So he probably technically counts. I also think he has improved as a player between his first season and now the problem has been his injuries. Similar problems make comparisons for Torres hard.

Kuyt was better third than first season I think but dipped in his second.

Reina is a good call too.

Benayoun was much better in his second season with us.

I remember Garcia being better in the PL in his second season. I struggle to remember why I think that though.

I thought Agger showed plenty of class right away, charging forward with the ball like nothing we've seen for years. You could definitely see it with him.

I thought Benny started well too.

Garcia yes, I won't comment on Kuyt though as I've made my feelings well known on him and therefore have to disagree.

[Taxi]

I know what you're saying.

I can't think of any Liverpool players where there has been a really dramatic difference, Sami was always class, so was Hamann etc...

I think Evra is one of the best examples, he was poor for you united for a big part of his first season but he's been good ever since.

Drogba also got better after his first season...

How good was Essien in his first year?

Don't really want to talk about players at other teams as this is more a question about us and our transfers which, to be honest, I have great concerns with our midfield every year it seems to be the same old.

I think Essien has always been immense though, Evra is a tidy shout.

[murder_inc]

thought Essien was pretty average in his first season but has been immense since. imo.

[dww]

I thought Agger showed plenty of class right away, charging forward with the ball like nothing we've seen for years. You could definitely see it with him.

I thought Benny started well too.

Garcia yes, I won't comment on Kuyt though as I've made my feelings well known on him and therefore have to disagree.

Agger was very good on the ball but not great at defending. It is the latter part of his game which I thought improved.

[andrewces38]

I'm Sure Henry is the finest example of this although Wenger did use him as a wide player if my memory serves

[Mike]

Skrtel?

[Shaggy]

Pires is surely the best example of this. Pants in his first season and ****ing fantastic thereafter.