Jordan Henderson

[Maxiedge]

I have an opinion about Jordan. I don't think he's a central midfielder in all honesty. He's got some great attributes but composure isn't one of them.

IMO, he could play a very similar role to Thomas Mueller at Bayern in a wide right position. I guess, more close to home, Dirk Kuyt over the years.

Has a good cross on him, a good engine...in fact I think he did start his career in the PL wide right?? His bursts through the opposition defence are also limited when he plays CM. IMO, it's his greatest attribute and criminally underused.

Would love to see Can in midfield with Lucas and/or hopefully another signing.

I actually feel quite strongly about this. I thought he would mould himself into the midfield role over time but last season showed that he's not got the game intelligence for that role. Akin to Gerrard in his hey day maybe?

[Rich]

I have an opinion about Jordan. I don't think he's a central midfielder in all honesty. He's got some great attributes but composure isn't one of them.

IMO, he could play a very similar role to Thomas Mueller at Bayern in a wide right position. I guess, more close to home, Dirk Kuyt over the years.

Has a good cross on him, a good engine...in fact I think he did start his career in the PL wide right?? His bursts through the opposition defence are also limited when he plays CM. IMO, it's his greatest attribute and criminally underused.

Would love to see Can in midfield with Lucas and/or hopefully another signing.

I actually feel quite strongly about this. I thought he would mould himself into the midfield role over time but last season showed that he's not got the game intelligence for that role. Akin to Gerrard in his hey day maybe?

I feel equally strongly that you're wrong. Henderson's best position is through the middle.

[Maxiedge]

I feel equally strongly that you're wrong. Henderson's best position is through the middle.

ok cool cool

Just interested to know if anyone else has the same thoughts or if I'm in the the very small minority here...

[Kenneth]

I have an opinion about Jordan. I don't think he's a central midfielder in all honesty. He's got some great attributes but composure isn't one of them.

IMO, he could play a very similar role to Thomas Mueller at Bayern in a wide right position. I guess, more close to home, Dirk Kuyt over the years.

Has a good cross on him, a good engine...in fact I think he did start his career in the PL wide right?? His bursts through the opposition defence are also limited when he plays CM. IMO, it's his greatest attribute and criminally underused.

Would love to see Can in midfield with Lucas and/or hopefully another signing.

I actually feel quite strongly about this. I thought he would mould himself into the midfield role over time but last season showed that he's not got the game intelligence for that role. Akin to Gerrard in his hey day maybe?

i.e where he played for Sunderland where we bought him.

[Maxiedge]

i.e where he played for Sunderland where we bought him.

yep

[Rich]

He played in a similar role when Kenny was manager and didn't do very well. Now he's developed as a player since then but I want Henderson to do his running in the middle of the pitch.

[Maxiedge]

He played in a similar role when Kenny was manager and didn't do very well. Now he's developed as a player since then but I want Henderson to do his running in the middle of the pitch.

Ok yeah, but my argument is that I reckon he's developed as a player (as you said) and can go back into what was regarded as his initial role. I don't think he's developed as a midfielder, albeit, it's happening very very slowly.

At the end of the day, we were void in that department last season, unless Lucas was playing, a vacuum of empty space

[BigChief]

ok cool cool

Just interested to know if anyone else has the same thoughts or if I'm in the the very small minority here...

Its a minority but not a small one. I've also been thinking along the same lines. Last season his best contributions/passes have been just to the right of middle whether long passes from the back or one twos with Coutinho/RWB.

The one thing he sorely lacks is shooting ability and as he's not a genuine defensive mid that is pretty noticeable. I thought he would put in the Bale/Ronaldo-esque practice in but seems like he didn't or it didn't help him.

With all these midfielders being linked and Can bossing the U-21s (I don't think Can is fully ready yet either FWIW) then I can see Hendo suddenly finding it hard to get games regularly. Which is a good thing, we haven't had genuine competition for places for a while.

[Corndog]

Comparison to Müller isn't fair. The german is very good at beating his man one on one, he is so much more than the workhorse non german fans often believe him to solely be.

Henderson can play midfield but I still think he runs around a bit ad hoc at times. I have seen him dictate the tempo at U21 England level, he can do it but I think he is a player who needs the belief and a strong team around him to do so. The pressure Suarez and Sturridge took off everyone was confirmed last season when sterling, Gerrard and Henderson to name a few couldn't improve upon their performances.

I do fear with Henderson that he is being elevated to a level that he hasn't necessarily achieved yet. He is a good player but not a great one, there is a lot of pressure on him now. hopefully he goes up another level this season.

[Maxiedge]

I didn't think he's a workhorse, just like I don't think Henderson is either, but they're not flair players either and if you put them out wide, then they look like workhorses in comparison to the tricky wingers (same with Kuyt).

I'd like to see him play out on the right like Benitez did with Gerrard.

[Corndog]

I understand what you mean but I've seen Müller skin his man, turning him inside and out lots of times even though he doesn't look like Ribery or Ronaldo when he does it. I don't think Henderson has that same ability one on one.

To pass is generally always Henderson's go to option, although his shooting from around the box is better now. That's why I think he should stay in the centre. Gerrard could do it all which meant he could play pretty much anywhere. Few players that talented obviously.

[Maxiedge]

I understand what you mean but I've seen Müller skin his man, turning him inside and out lots of times even though he doesn't look like Ribery or Ronaldo when he does it. I don't think Henderson has that same ability one on one.

you should report him to the authorities!

yeah, Muller is a great player, big fan, and I see similarities with Jordan, especially now he's grown as a player. I don't think you need to be able to skin your man necessarily for that role as long as you can constantly try and get in behind him and be a nuisance.

[Corndog]

you should report him to the authorities!

yeah, Muller is a great player, big fan, and I see similarities with Jordan, especially now he's grown as a player. I don't think you need to be able to skin your man necessarily for that role as long as you can constantly try and get in behind him and be a nuisance.

Fair enough, interesting point raised though

[Maxiedge]

Fair enough, interesting point raised though

ok, cheers, yeah just thought I'd put it out there. Would make me laugh if he did start first game of the season out on the right

[DannyMan2006]

His best position is in a midfield three in a wide role. His link up play with others further up the pitch is excellent, he has got a good range of passing and incredible stamina to press the opposition all day long.

He needs to add more goals, but his assist rate is on the rise and hopefully some better attacking players will bring more out of him.