Maxi Rodriguez

[dom9]

I am happy to eat some humble pie.

Never massively rated Maxi. He had something missing. Not loads missing, but enough to frustrate. He has got some sort of spark now, and he can't do much wrong.

I'd like him to do it more regularly now.

[Fredo]

Some people seem not to rate Shelvey as well, well over the top criticism I've seen.

[Exiled_red]

Some people seem not to rate Shelvey as well, well over the top criticism I've seen.

People need someone to moan about all the usual candidates are having a great time at the moment Kuyt, Lucas, Maxi, Spearing, I guess Shelvey is just next in line

[BobTheCharmer]

Some people seem not to rate Shelvey as well, well over the top criticism I've seen.

I don't rate him. That doesn't mean he's ****. That doesn't mean he won't make it. It's an opinion. You don't have to rate every player that pulls on the shirt. But the fact that Kenny seems to like the look of him means I'll bow to his superior knowledge and sit back and see what occurs.

It's funny when you read the Spearing thread from the first page to see how wrong some people that post with such belief, can actually be.

[PTP]

Maxi - whilst i never had anything against him - i had him down as one of the many players who can be sold and improved on - well he may just have saved his liverpool career with the last few performances and i'm made up

I still feel we need to add one or maybe two first choice wide men/attacking wingers or whatever you want to call them - but nowadays you need a squad of quality of players not just 11 players on the pitch, and the better the quality of your squad, the better the competition for places and the performances improve and Maxi has certainly shown he deserves his place

Same for spearing, now unlike maxi who i just felt we could afford to sell if we signed an improvement - i totally didn't give spearing a chance - i thought he'd missed the boat, in the sense that he's what 22/23, a year younger than lucas, and didn't look like he was ever going to show enough to break through - but fair play to him, he's got a chance, a run of games, and he's worked his bollocks off - now whilst i still don't know if he'll ever be a top class midfielder who has to start every game - he's certainly shown he is good enough to be involved and is willing to fight for his shirt, loves the club etc

Shelvey - i liked from day one - i think he's a raw talent (which well for 18 you're supposed to be) but he has something about him - but i reckon, certainly if we sign a top centre mid like that m'vila lad - with a new centre mid, lucas, meireles, gerrard and now spearing, his game time may be limited and i'd like to see given a season loan at say west brom or qpr type team - were he can get 10-20 premiership games under his belt

[Exiled_red]

Maxi - whilst i never had anything against him - i had him down as one of the many players who can be sold and improved on - well he may just have saved his liverpool career with the last few performances and i'm made up

I still feel we need to add one or maybe two first choice wide men/attacking wingers or whatever you want to call them - but nowadays you need a squad of quality of players not just 11 players on the pitch, and the better the quality of your squad, the better the competition for places and the performances improve and Maxi has certainly shown he deserves his place

Same for spearing, now unlike maxi who i just felt we could afford to sell if we signed an improvement - i totally didn't give spearing a chance - i thought he'd missed the boat, in the sense that he's what 22/23, a year younger than lucas, and didn't look like he was ever going to show enough to break through - but fair play to him, he's got a chance, a run of games, and he's worked his bollocks off - now whilst i still don't know if he'll ever be a top class midfielder who has to start every game - he's certainly shown he is good enough to be involved and is willing to fight for his shirt, loves the club etc

Shelvey - i liked from day one - i think he's a raw talent (which well for 18 you're supposed to be) but he has something about him - but i reckon, certainly if we sign a top centre mid like that m'vila lad - with a new centre mid, lucas, meireles, gerrard and now spearing, his game time may be limited and i'd like to see given a season loan at say west brom or qpr type team - were he can get 10-20 premiership games under his belt

I certainly think we should loan him out for a season, to get some premiership experience.

But not West Brom, I don't think we should let Hodgson near any our our players ever again.

[Fredo]

I don't rate him. That doesn't mean he's ****. That doesn't mean he won't make it. It's an opinion. You don't have to rate every player that pulls on the shirt. But the fact that Kenny seems to like the look of him means I'll bow to his superior knowledge and sit back and see what occurs.

It's funny when you read the Spearing thread from the first page to see how wrong some people that post with such belief, can actually be.

Spearing has improved immensely but Shelvey has more to his game. He reminds me a bit of Stevie when he was around that age, albeit a bit less athleticism.

[BobTheCharmer]

Spearing has improved immensely but Shelvey has more to his game. He reminds me a bit of Stevie when he was around that age, albeit a bit less athleticism.

Shelvey has a swagger and obviously a fair amount of self confidence which top players usually have. I just think and I have seen you post elsewhere to the opposite, that he is quite slow, very in fact and that may be his downfall in 'making it'. But more than happy to see him come good and learn to run. He will need loaning out though to someone like Bolton. I would add Norwich but they will probably be fighting relegation and that isn't great for a youngster after game time.

[Fredo]

Shelvey has a swagger and obviously a fair amount of self confidence which top players usually have. I just think and I have seen you post elsewhere to the opposite, that he is quite slow, very in fact and that may be his downfall in 'making it'. But more than happy to see him come good and learn to run. He will need loaning out though to someone like Bolton. I would add Norwich but they will probably be fighting relegation and that isn't great for a youngster after game time.

I posted quite the contrary. I don't think he's slow, he's got a good engine and sometimes his style can be deceptive. Then again, lots of good players never had much pace, Beardsley, Kenny for example and they both had great careers alright. Shelvey has a good footballing brain and that makes him quicker than some.

[Alex]

Happily eating a big old slice of Humble Pie over Maxi. He is beggining to prove people wrong. 2 Hatricks in 3 means he is better than Messi

[BobTheCharmer]

I posted quite the contrary. I don't think he's slow, he's got a good engine and sometimes his style can be deceptive. Then again, lots of good players never had much pace, Beardsley, Kenny for example and they both had great careers alright. Shelvey has a good footballing brain and that makes him quicker than some.

I meant I've seen you posting that he isn't slow whereas I think he is.

Footballing brain is important , sheringham was ****ing slow yet was quite effective at times.

[Shaggy]

He's painfully slow if you ask me and his lack of athleticism is dire. He's got to overcome those weaknesses but he can play, that's for sure.

[BobTheCharmer]

He's painfully slow if you ask me and his lack of athleticism is dire. He's got to overcome those weaknesses but he can play, that's for sure.

summed up brilliantly. just one question, how does one overcome said weaknesses?

[Shaggy]

summed up brilliantly. just one question, how does one overcome said weaknesses?

I dunno...just by sheer quality of football? Someone like Alonso comes to mind. Slow, not the most athletic. Not saying Shelvey will ever reach Xabi's level, obviously, but it can be done.

[CJ]

i also think that pace is hugely important in the "modern" game. Now you dont need all players to be a torres or owen. but it is possible that a lack of pace will count against you.

hope he progresses though