Jordan Henderson

[Maxiedge]

Good player, not an organiser, not a reliable passer or decision maker with the ball. Gets intimidated easily.

I mean the question is, with all the ground he covers, does he influence the game enough?

Won't make an iota of difference coming back into the side.

I've held back because I hate being the bearer of bad news but we won't become a good team again until we replace Mignolet, Skrtel and find a real midfield partner for Henderson. Someone in the Herrera, Schnederlin, Schweinsteiger mould (it's hurts to say that).

This could be Can in 3 years time, but ffs, what about the here and now.

Sorry guys but we've got to face the reality now and fix the issues asap.

[Lecter]

Good player, not an organiser, not a reliable passer or decision maker with the ball. Gets intimidated easily.

I mean the question is, with all the ground he covers, does he influence the game enough?

Won't make an iota of difference coming back into the side.

I've held back because I hate being the bearer of bad news but we won't become a good team again until we replace Mignolet, Skrtel and find a real midfield partner for Henderson. Someone in the Herrera, Schnederlin, Schweinsteiger mould (it's hurts to say that).

This could be Can in 3 years time, but ffs, what about the here and now.

Sorry guys but we've got to face the reality now and fix the issues asap.

The Henderson from 2013-2014 season would make a difference to this side

But we didnt see that player last year and we havent seen that player so far this season either all be it injury has hit

The question of why his form has dipped is indelibly linked with why we no longer press the ball high up the pitch

At first I put Hendersons form last season down to tiredness but the longer the season went the more I put it down to tactics. The midfield was sitting deeper so the distance to press is greater

[Maxiedge]

The Henderson from 2013-2014 season would make a difference to this side

But we didnt see that player last year and we havent seen that player so far this season either all be it injury has hit

The question of why his form has dipped is indelibly linked with why we no longer press the ball high up the pitch

At first I put Hendersons form last season down to tiredness but the longer the season went the more I put it down to tactics. The midfield was sitting deeper so the distance to press is greater

Yep the Henderson of 2013-14 was good but 11-12 was ****e, 12-13 was ****e, 14-15 was ****e and so far this season has been ****e too. So I'm going to play the percentages and say he's not as great as we all hoped he would be

I get that we're not playing to his strengths but for me that just shows he's not an all round midfielder and captain material as he doesn't have the gears to adapt to a different game plan. Needs a partner in there (not Milner!)

[Lecter]

Yep the Henderson of 2013-14 was good but 11-12 was ****e, 12-13 was ****e, 14-15 was ****e and so far this season has been ****e too. So I'm going to play the percentages and say he's not as great as we all hoped he would be

I get that we're not playing to his strengths but for me that just shows he's not an all round midfielder and captain material as he doesn't have the gears to adapt to a different game plan. Needs a partner in there (not Milner!)

Whose strengths do we play to???

Our midfield has been a cluster**** for 2 years and only really clicked for that 1 season under Rodgers

I reckon Milner & Henderson are suited to pressing high up the pitch but we just dont do that

[danperkins]

Yup, the midfield is the issue. No balance there and I agree that intense pressing has absolutely disappeared, powder puff midfield. I was a bit iffy when we signed Henderson, just didn't get what he was about. Took him time but looked great in 13-14 alright. To be fair to him last season he was babysitting Gerrard defensively and still managed to contribute alot of assists.

At the end of the day he is our captain and he could be out for a long time. Time for Milner to step up, as he's been very average so far.

[The_weatherman]

Whose strengths do we play to???

Our midfield has been a cluster**** for 2 years and only really clicked for that 1 season under Rodgers

I reckon Milner & Henderson are suited to pressing high up the pitch but we just dont do that

We don't play to anyones strengths. We have some players with special qualities, Benteke (Strength in the air), Coutinho (through balls), Henderson (pressing and movement), Firmino (pressing and movement), Milner (pressing and movement), Moreno and Ibe (Width and pace) but don't use them, it's quite frankly stupid IMO.

We could play to Coutinho's strengths by using someone like Ings or Origi and play through balls, we could play to Benteke's strengths by using width and pace, or we could use our midfields strengths by pressing.

Instead we, do something I'm sure, I just don't get what it is.

[danperkins]

We don't play to anyones strengths. We have some players with special qualities, Benteke (Strength in the air), Coutinho (through balls), Henderson (pressing and movement), Firmino (pressing and movement), Milner (pressing and movement), Moreno and Ibe (Width and pace) but don't use them, it's quite frankly stupid IMO.

We could play to Coutinho's strengths by using someone like Ings or Origi and play through balls, we could play to Benteke's strengths by using width and pace, or we could use our midfields strengths by pressing.

Instead we, do something I'm sure, I just don't get what it is.

very true. Square pegs in round holes and the players look uncomfortable in there. I have no problems with our defence or Benteke up top. Once the midfield is sorted, those two will improve.

Personally I think Milner,Can & Henderson are too similar to all play together. We've bought too many players that like to play centrally, means we are very narrow and easy to defend against. Massive issues in there. IMO We need two up top and the diamond.

-----Benteke----Ings------
----------Firmino-----------
---Coutinho-----Milner
-----------Lucas-------------
Moreno-Sakho-Skrtel-Clyne
-----------Mig--------------

When Henderson comes back, he either switches with Milner or Coutinho goes behind the strikers and Firmino drops out. All depends if Firmino starts playing well, so far he's looked lost. Would just like to see him in his natural position.

[McDermotX]

Yup, the midfield is the issue. No balance there and I agree that intense pressing has absolutely disappeared, powder puff midfield. I was a bit iffy when we signed Henderson, just didn't get what he was about. Took him time but looked great in 13-14 alright. To be fair to him last season he was babysitting Gerrard defensively and still managed to contribute alot of assists.

At the end of the day he is our captain and he could be out for a long time. Time for Milner to step up, as he's been very average so far.

[ame]https://www.twitter.com/BoringMilner/status/629332404797317124[/ame]

[danperkins]

https://www.twitter.com/BoringMilner...32404797317124

[Exiled_red]

We don't play to anyones strengths. We have some players with special qualities, Benteke (Strength in the air), Coutinho (through balls), Henderson (pressing and movement), Firmino (pressing and movement), Milner (pressing and movement), Moreno and Ibe (Width and pace) but don't use them, it's quite frankly stupid IMO.

We could play to Coutinho's strengths by using someone like Ings or Origi and play through balls, we could play to Benteke's strengths by using width and pace, or we could use our midfields strengths by pressing.

Instead we, do something I'm sure, I just don't get what it is.

We could set up with two or even three of these tactics in mind there is no reason why we can't press and play to the strengths or Benteke by playing wide players or to the strengths of Coutinho and press. Ideally we would have players with pace who could provide width and get balls in to Benteke or could use their pace to run inside onto through balls. But at the moment that's probably asking too much

[danperkins]

We really are so narrow. Playing Moreno on the left side of the diamond actually might not be a bad idea. Moreno and Ibe would give us much needed width, unfortunately it's hard to tell what performance we'd get out of them. Whatever happens we must play two up top.

-----Benteke----Ings------
----------Coutinho-----------
---Moreno---------Ibe
-----------Lucas-------------
Gomez-Sakho-Skrtel-Clyne
-----------Mig--------------

[The_weatherman]

We could set up with two or even three of these tactics in mind there is no reason why we can't press and play to the strengths or Benteke by playing wide players or to the strengths of Coutinho and press. Ideally we would have players with pace who could provide width and get balls in to Benteke or could use their pace to run inside onto through balls. But at the moment that's probably asking too much

Oh, yeah sure, in my mind one doesn't exclude the other, but it would be nice to see something though. I like the Perkins diamond though with Sakho and Moreno in the team, Sakho moves the ball fast forward and Moreno provides width, Coutinho can create chances with Firmino and Hendo/Milner provide movement, Lucas the base. It's idiot proof in my eyes.

I meant the first one danperkins posted, the other one with Moreno and Ibe in midfield is off the table

[McDermotX]

The downside is, we never looked comfortable with Moreno on the left with Sakho the few times we saw it (Villa away springs to mind instantly, so Lord knows what'd happen with Lovren there).
Moreno showed far too much indiscipline going forward at the wrong times, forcing Sakho out of the center far too often in that sometimes reckless way he tends to follow the ball - eerily similar to Glen/Skrtel at its worst.
Perhaps Moreno will have learned, but there are still doubts over his ability to be smart defensively.

[Bender]

all but confirmation
[ame]https://twitter.com/marccozz/status/643936804115230720[/ame]

[McDermotX]

****ing load of bollocks that injury.

Besides......Proud of his oul lad ! If that doctor was any use, he'd be taking on Luke Shaw's case for a real challenge.