Jordan Henderson

[Lecter]

It appears though that Henderson is the designated holding player, so that's his role. Obviously he isn't playing the role in the traditional sense, but that's why Milner is there to offer further protection.

Maybe Rodgers has got too cocky after the Gerrard experiment and maybe I'm showing too much faith after I (like everybody else) was proven wrong on that front, but as I responded to Shaggy earlier, I can see the logic in what Rodgers is trying to do, even if I do have my concerns that it will leave us too exposed. So far though, I've been quite encouraged with what I've seen, certainly defensively anyway.

I can see what hes trying to do but its extremely difficult to do, nigh on impossible imo

Henderson isnt a holding / deep lying player by any stretch of the imagination either

I'm not that confident defensive wise, theres been enough examples of teams getting in areas to hurt and us not being able to deal with it

A better team with better quality players will punish us imo

The results have been good as have the cleansheets but it hasnt done much to allay my fears in us defensively and also indicate that we are going to be an attacking force either

I still think one of Rodgers biggest problems is his attacking play when it clicks naturally leaves the side exposed and that when he tries to tighten up that side of things it stymies/slows down our attacking play

We shall see, I hope I am wrong

[RedReet]

Well one thing I agree with is that Rodgers definitely hasn't found the right balance between defence and attack since he's been here, it definitely seems to be either/or in our performances.

In saying that, I’m a lot more confident that we can add goals to our game while keeping things tight at the back that I would have been the other way round if we’d have won the opening matches 4-3 and struggled defensively and were looking to tighten up.

[Lecter]

Well one thing I agree with is that Rodgers definitely hasn't found the right balance between defence and attack since he's been here, it definitely seems to be either/or in our performances.

In saying that, I’m a lot more confident that we can add goals to our game while keeping things tight at the back that I would have been the other way round if we’d have won the opening matches 4-3 and struggled defensively and were looking to tighten up.

Again I'm not sure these 2 games have showed us anything

Stoke were utter balls and Bournemouth could have scored a couple yesterday

[RedReet]

We were lucky to win both games, but we were noticeably better defensively, despite some worrying issues. Still progress IMO.

I think back to the Burnley game last year when we robbed them, as we were quite poor that day, but that 3 points after playing so well in previous games was the catalyst for us to go on our good run just after Christmas. That’s why I’m not that worried about our performances this season so far, just as long as we get the points.

[Scratch]

...Henderson isnt a holding / deep lying player by any stretch of the imagination either

Correct me if I'm wrong, but neither was Lucas when he arrived? What's to say that Henderson, or Can, or even Milner can't adopt and learn in the same way Lucas did?

[RedReet]

Or Didi.

[redmike65]

Correct me if I'm wrong, but neither was Lucas when he arrived? What's to say that Henderson, or Can, or even Milner can't adopt and learn in the same way Lucas did?

Lucas was a classic box to box player when he arrived and he was terrible in his first year but we also had Masch in the team back then, right now Lucas is our Masch so if Hendo or Can are going to be adapted to play deep the club really needs to hold onto the Brazilian for at least this season.

Personally I don't think that's Rodgers line of thinking - he really wants a mobile middle. No one minding the shop full time.

[Slinky Skills]

Who was he screaming "Eff off" to as he was coming off the pitch? The crowd or just the fact he was frustarted to have to come off?

At you Ronan.

[Lecter]

Lucas was a classic box to box player when he arrived and he was terrible in his first year but we also had Masch in the team back then, right now Lucas is our Masch so if Hendo or Can are going to be adapted to play deep the club really needs to hold onto the Brazilian for at least this season.

Personally I don't think that's Rodgers line of thinking - he really wants a mobile middle. No one minding the shop full time.

[Lecter]

Correct me if I'm wrong, but neither was Lucas when he arrived? What's to say that Henderson, or Can, or even Milner can't adopt and learn in the same way Lucas did?

I think they vacate the space in front of the back four too frequently to succeed in that role

Time will tell but having watched Hendo for England try that position and seeing Can in the odd cameo in there I all feel they want to push on

Its a real disciplined role for me and I feel that the situation will be further complicated further if Rodgers does go with the laissez-faire idea of not nominating a dedicated player to hold

[Scratch]

But if the three of them (Can, Milner and Henderson) can form an understanding...ie not all three can bomb forwards at the same time, this wouldn't limit their box-to-box impact and it would also be a far more mobile midfield, as for all his attribute, Lucas does lack pace.

[Lecter]

But if the three of them (Can, Milner and Henderson) can form an understanding...ie not all three can bomb forwards at the same time, this wouldn't limit their box-to-box impact and it would also be a far more mobile midfield, as for all his attribute, Lucas does lack pace.

As I have said previously this is really really difficult to achieve

Nigh on impossible imo, it creates too much uncertainty, hesitation & confusion

Nobody else plays in this manner, virtually all top sides have a dedicated / nominated holding / deeper player and there is a good reason for this

The theory behind the rotating mobile unit that fills in the gaps is sound but in practice its virtually impossible imo

[Scratch]

As I have said previously this is really really difficult to achieve

Nigh on impossible imo, it creates too much uncertainty, hesitation & confusion

Nobody else plays in this manner, virtually all top sides have a dedicated / nominated holding / deeper player and there is a good reason for this

The theory behind the rotating mobile unit that fills in the gaps is sound but in practice its virtually impossible imo

Possibly, but the only way to find out for sure is to give them a run of games, and it takes a brave manager (or a foolish one) to risk his career like that.

Either that, or Rodgers figured that there was no need for a dedicated holding midfielder against either Stoke or Bournemouth, but in the "tougher" games, he will adopt his tactics to suit.

[ronanm]

At you Ronan.

[Fredo]

Any news on his injury?