Jon Flanagan

[Rowan]

All in the Premier League:

Michael Owen
Jack Wilshere
Wayne Rooney
Cesc Fabregas
Francis Jeffers(he was class when he was 18)


Probably a whole load of others.

And i mean by making a name for themselves, by being well known in the footballing world. Not that they're the finished article or anything by 18.

[Craig_H]

No chance.

Kelly should be our first choice right back next season with Flanno as back up.

No place for Glen Johnson in this Liverpool team i'm afraid

How many games was it you said you watch a player for, before making a judgement? 30-35, was it?

[red g]

How many games was it you said you watch a player for, before making a judgement? 30-35, was it?

[Craig_H]

It's absolutely crazy.

This dismissal of the international Glen Johnson, who was signed by Rafa for around £17m and was wanted by Ancelotti at the same price, in favour of a lad recently turned 18 is absolutely ludicrous

It's ACTUALLY laughable. I literally laughed at the 'no room for Johnson in this Liverpool team' comment. From the poster who recently had a go at someone for posting a kneejerk reaction, and saying how he prefers to watch a player for 25-35 games before making a kneejerk reaction. The same poster who is now saying there's no room for Glen Johnson in the Liverpool team, because of:

Martin Kelly (12 league appearances in his career)
John Flanagan (1 league appearance in his career)

As i say, laughable.

And he gets annoyed when people (genuinely) think he's a WUM.

[Assassin]

It's ACTUALLY laughable. I literally laughed at the 'no room for Johnson in this Liverpool team' comment. From the poster who recently had a go at someone for posting a kneejerk reaction, and saying how he prefers to watch a player for 25-35 games before making a kneejerk reaction. The same poster who is now saying there's no room for Glen Johnson in the Liverpool team, because of:

Martin Kelly (12 league appearances in his career)
John Flanagan (1 league appearance in his career)

As i say, laughable.

And he gets annoyed when people (genuinely) think he's a WUM.

Not forgetting the all of the Mehreiles bollocks after a handfull of games

[Craig_H]

well in that case name me 5 defenders who made there name at 18?

or are you saying Flanagan is the first defender in the history of football ever to be good enough at 18.

[RichC]

I think its great that we have the likes of Kelly, Flanagan and others promising players coming through. But as Kenny says we must protect the youngsters not over expose them. Anything else would be pure madness

absoultely - they have plenty of time to grow, mature and get better.

Selling Johnson IMO would be utter madness, he is our first choice full back and should be - Kelly et al should be putting the pressure on and looking to improve.

[Chrono]

For arguments sake:

Rio 18
Clichy 17
Kelly 18
Richards 18
Bale 18

[Craig_H]

For arguments sake:

Rio 18
Clichy 17
Kelly 18
Richards 18
Bale 18

Rio is one great example, bit of a child prodigy (hence the absurd fees he's commanded). Clichy looked great but has fallen away a bit. Not a write off yet though. Kelly's a good prospect. Richards...meh. Bale - no longer a defender It's an interesting debate though.

[Shaggy]

IIRC Rio at the time played defensive mid more often than not, Clichy and Richards are prime examples of why you shouldn't over expose young defenders, Kelly is 21 in two weeks and still not quite what you'd call a regular and Bale isn't a defender.

[Craig_H]

IIRC Rio at the time played defensive mid more often than not, Clichy and Richards are prime examples of why you shouldn't over expose young defenders, Kelly is now 20 and still not quite what you'd call a regular and Bale isn't a defender.

This paragraph, i think, is the 'i rest my case' comment, as far as the 'we can tell Flanagan is going to be good enough' theory goes.

[Assassin]

absoultely - they have plenty of time to grow, mature and get better.

Selling Johnson IMO would be utter madness, he is our first choice full back and should be - Kelly et al should be putting the pressure on and looking to improve.

[Rowan]

Bale was toilet as a left back in the prem. Didn't Spurs lose every game he played in the prem?

As it is I'm still tickled by the fact that the 5 defenders who'd made it in he prem by 18 were all midfielders or attackers an that one of them was Franny Jeffers

[little dave hedgehog]

It's ACTUALLY laughable. I literally laughed at the 'no room for Johnson in this Liverpool team' comment. From the poster who recently had a go at someone for posting a kneejerk reaction, and saying how he prefers to watch a player for 25-35 games before making a kneejerk reaction. The same poster who is now saying there's no room for Glen Johnson in the Liverpool team, because of:

Martin Kelly (12 league appearances in his career)
John Flanagan (1 league appearance in his career)

As i say, laughable.

And he gets annoyed when people (genuinely) think he's a WUM.

at least he admits that after watching said amount of games, he will still have a knee jerk reaction.

[Craig_H]

at least he admits that after watching said amount of games, he will still have a knee jerk reaction.