Jay Spearing

[Mostar]

It took Kenny 4 months to turn Spearing from a joke into a legitimate squad player. I've been genuinely shocked with how he has progressed in such little time. Fair play to him, I really didn't rate the lad at all and gave him stick. He has a lot to improve still but there's a place for him here.

[Pablo]

He's 23 in November! Didn't realise he was quite that old. Lucas is only 24.

[Mostar]

http://tinyurl.com/4xzsq77

Dalglish salutes Jay Spearing on 'deserved' Liverpool FC contract

Kenny Dalglish has paid tribute to Jay Spearing after he signed an improved Liverpool contract.

The 22-year-old has emerged as one of the Reds' stand-out performers this season, forging a strong partnership with fellow in-form team mate Lucas Leiva at the heart of midfield.

And Dalglish believes that Spearing has thoroughly deserved his extended run in the first team at Anfield and cited the Birkenhead-born player and veteran defender Jamie Carragher as ideal role models for the club's upcoming youngsters.

"It is great news for us, great for wee Jay and for everybody concerned,” said the Kop boss.

It's just reward for the performances he's put in and he thoroughly deserves what he's got.

"He has started the last few games for us, so that is progress in itself as he was never one of the starting XI unless there were injuries or suspensions.

“But he's in there now and he's in there on merit. I think that's progress.
"He's certainly reached a higher level than he has done before. We're delighted with what he's done and he's a great asset for us to have."

He added: "Jay has earned the games he is getting and the way he has played in those games has been fantastic. He and Lucas have done tremendously well in the centre of midfield.

"If anybody wants to look at Jay as a local boy made good, then he is a good example to follow.

"Jay's probably looked at Carra and thought the same thing, and Steven will also come into the equation.

"As we've said before, local players are important but their ability is more important. The people I have mentioned there qualify on both counts."

[JohnDoe]

What areas would you say he needs to work on? Not saying he doesn't obviously, just wondering your opinion.

He's a pretty good passer, but he needs to learn to make better decisions.

He's not assertive enough and doesn't win enough balls in midfield to be considered a defensive midfielder, which is where his future lies if he wants to solidify a position in the squad. Needs to improve his positional sense and his timing because he can get easily beaten in the 50/50 balls.

I do like his energy. If he can become a Mascherano type player then he'll be very useful as he's a good passer, but his defence needs to improve. He needs to sweep that midfield line, right now he's just pesky.

[Shaggy]

He's not a good passer. It's improved of late but it's seldom been a feature of his game. Gives it away too readily and isn't brave enough, although again he's improved with both facets lately.

[Shaggy]

Comolli on Spearing: "His commitment & aggression on the pitch is fantastic & he has added some passing quality which we had not seen before. He has started to get forward more and the more he plays the more he improves. We think he will be part of the future of the club which is why we rewarded him with a new contract."

[Vermilion]

He's 23 in November! Didn't realise he was quite that old. Lucas is only 24.

Thought he was a couple of yrs younger. Needs to kick on now, but in fairness to him he is doing just that.

[RedReet]

He's a pretty good passer, but he needs to learn to make better decisions.

He's not assertive enough and doesn't win enough balls in midfield to be considered a defensive midfielder, which is where his future lies if he wants to solidify a position in the squad. Needs to improve his positional sense and his timing because he can get easily beaten in the 50/50 balls.

I do like his energy. If he can become a Mascherano type player then he'll be very useful as he's a good passer, but his defence needs to improve. He needs to sweep that midfield line, right now he's just pesky.

He's not a good passer. It's improved of late but it's seldom been a feature of his game. Gives it away too readily and isn't brave enough, although again he's improved with both facets lately.

That's fair enough. Obviously I'm not saying that Jay can't improve any areas of his game, of course he can, he can improve every aspect. When I read JohnDoe's particular post I was just wondering what particular areas he can as from my perspective, he seems pretty solid at everything (excluding aerial ability obviously) without excelling in any particular area. In saying that, I haven't been giving our matches as much attention as I usually so, so certain things could easily pass me by.

Looking at the points raised I did take a look at his stats for the past five games.

Passing: 187/234 (80% success)
Tackles: 17/22 (77% success)
12 Interceptions.

That doesn't prove anything obviously and I'm not trying to prove anything, but I was just curious after your replies which is why I checked and I think they look pretty impressive to me.

[Shaggy]

Well the last five games have been his best, showing major improvement, so if he keeps it up then we're all happy.

[RedReet]

When was the Commolli quote?

[Shaggy]

Widely reported, came from the offal originally.

Director of football Damien Comolli told the club's website: "He won his place in the team on merit and has showed in the last games that he can raise his game to what we need.

"To be fair to him, it's not only what he has done in the last four or five games that triggered the new contract. We have been talking for quite a while, independently of what he was doing on the field. But that was confirmation that it was the right thing to do.

"His commitment and aggression on the pitch is fantastic and since he has been playing I think he has added some passing quality which we didn't see before. He has started to get forward more and the more he plays the more he improves.

"We think he will be part of the future of the club which is why we rewarded him with a new contract. He was part of the team which won two Youth Cups and he was telling me when he signed his contract that he has been here since he was seven.

"It's great for the club to have people like him around and it shows others that if you do well at the Academy then you have a chance of getting new contracts."

[RedReet]

I meant when was it from? Did he say it this week when the contract was signed or did he say it a few weeks back?

Edit: I should have read in properly.

[yamiedo]

So impressed with this lad once again today. Phenomenal work rate. Hardly made a mistake and one sweet pass to Suarez with the outside of his foot early on. Going from strength to strength and I can genuinely see a case for him keeping his place in the first team even with Gerrard fit.

[anfieldanfield]

His first goal is just round the corner as well I think. He likes a shot.

I think Lucas really likes playing alongside him as well.

[Shaggy]

Absolutely fantastic again. I'm gobsmacked at the level he's producing at the moment.