Jordan Henderson

[little dave hedgehog]

if our forwards weren't such bottlers he would already have provided several assists with his early balls through. he sees the field very quickly.

[Zapater]

I like him, he keeps things simple and does the things a midfielder should do well. At times, I'd like it if he took more of a chance, or tried to play between the lines more, but overall I can't fault him. He's young and needs to learn how to impose himself on the game better and that will come with time, we've seen similar players have this problem when they play for big team (Marchisio springs to mind). We have him for many years, so can therefore develop him into the player we need. I don't really have a problem with him, he hasn't been fantastic, but there's been enough signs to show that he should become a pretty good player.

As I said a few months ago, I'd have liked to have seen him play more cameo performances, coming on for the last 25-25 minutes and changing a game late as he did a few times, but we don't have enough quality and depth in his position, so it means he'll have to start the majority of games. I don't think he's ideally suited to playing with the other players we have currently available - Adam, Gerrard and Spearing, but he offers something a little different which can add stability to the team. I think the expectations upon him are harsh, he's clearly not a genuine ball winner so I'm not sure why some are expecting him be crashing into challenges, and on the other hand he isn't exactly Xavi either. But overall I think he's a good player, whom will grow and become better, and therefore a better asset to the team.

[Fosterbloke]

I think he'd link with Texeira nicely as they read the game very quickly. Just need Lucas to provide the cover.

[little dave hedgehog]

i think that's a fairly light weight midfield.

[kop-al-74]

Not good enough for now.alot of our attacking play breaks down in the final third when he is involved...Loan him out for a season I say....And send Downing,Adam and Spearing with him.

[Darkon]

Not good enough for now.alot of our attacking play breaks down in the final third when he is involved...Loan him out for a season I say....And send Downing,Adam and Spearing with him.

And play who?

[kop-al-74]

It was meant in sarcasm......just saying that none of them are really good enough for us to push on.

Seriously I believe Henderson can do with a loan somewhere,maybe even back to Sunderland where Martin Oneil would bring him on without the pressure.I'm sure he would improve a great deal quicker with less pressure of being at Liverpool.

[Darkon]

Tbh. I'm slightly concerned about our tendency to loan out most of our best youngsters instead of playing them ourselves like many other teams seem to do when they hit 20+ of age.

IMO Henderson is to old to by loaned out, he needs to learn our system and tempo (and he does well if you ask me) not spending his crucial years in midtable, because that's the level he will get then. Of course if we couldn't give him time then it would be better, like with Shelvey and Flannagan but in the end I think it's better we play them ourselves. Especially if it means we have to buy new players to have backup.

That said Downing, Adam and Spearing will never really be good enough to push for first team, but the later I like having as backup. Downing and Adam seriously need to improve their game, and not sure a loan would help them enough.

[Lecter]

Also I think it was Lec who said on here that Cahill was after 90k a week in the summer when we were sniffing around.
So I guess 12m would have got him then plus 90k a week x 5 years deal.

Would guess that Coates is on something closer to 30k a week

Cahill wanted £120 K per week in the summer

[Exiled_red]

Same here. He's CM and that is where he should play.

Personally I thought we bought him one year too early but I do think he has the potential to be a good player over time.

Not ready yet imo to be playing week in and week out and though fundamentally he is very solid he needs to improve his crossing, learn how to take a man and tackle, head the ball better and not shy from the challenge and contact.

I think that's probably true, but there were supposedly other clubs interested and if he'd had a good season at Sunderland his price would have increased. I guess it's a balancing act.

[Alex]

I think that's probably true, but there were supposedly other clubs interested and if he'd had a good season at Sunderland his price would have increased. I guess it's a balancing act.

I also dont think he would have progressed as well with Steve Bruce as his head coach for another 6 months

[Exiled_red]

Tbh. I'm slightly concerned about our tendency to loan out most of our best youngsters instead of playing them ourselves like many other teams seem to do when they hit 20+ of age.

IMO Henderson is to old to by loaned out, he needs to learn our system and tempo (and he does well if you ask me) not spending his crucial years in midtable, because that's the level he will get then. Of course if we couldn't give him time then it would be better, like with Shelvey and Flannagan but in the end I think it's better we play them ourselves. Especially if it means we have to buy new players to have backup.

That said Downing, Adam and Spearing will never really be good enough to push for first team, but the later I like having as backup. Downing and Adam seriously need to improve their game, and not sure a loan would help them enough.

I agree with that, but I'd like us to loan players out at a younger age rather than leaving them in the reserves for a couple of years. I'd like us to loan players out a couple of times before they are 20 or 21, but when they get to that age if they have a future with us we need to give them chances in our side.

[Exiled_red]

I also dont think he would have progressed as well with Steve Bruce as his head coach for another 6 months

[Muddled]

Before you read on, I'm putting a warning of hyperbole for player comparison.

I reckon they can both play together easily. Shelvey always strikes me as a "Gerrard" type of player, one who arrives late, drives forward making direct runs and makes some great passes.

In my opinion, the Gerrard comparisons with Shelvey are heavily made on the very similar runs they make, for me, that's were the comparisons end; Shelvey is made for the 'link' position between midfield and attack and nothing more. A Henderson, Shelvey (and Lucas) midfield would be - for want of a better example - lacking a quarterback. For all of Henderson's quickness of thought and neat passing, I think he lacks range and can't really switch play. Maybe Adam would be able to make it all work ...

Henderson on the other hand is like Iniesta. He knits well, makes some effective runs but he needs to make a lot more off the ball runs to help out his teammates. Also, he needs to seek the ball more rather than become a floating midfielder. Most of his play is pressing. If he asks for the ball more and releases it more clinically, then he'll become one heck of a player.

I very much agree with that.

[Phoenix07]

In my opinion, the Gerrard comparisons with Shelvey are heavily made on the very similar runs they make, for me, that's were the comparisons end; Shelvey is made for the 'link' position between midfield and attack and nothing more. A Henderson, Shelvey (and Lucas) midfield would be - for want of a better example - lacking a quarterback. For all of Henderson's quickness of thought and neat passing, I think he lacks range and can't really switch play. Maybe Adam would be able to make it all work

I agree that a quarterback would be needed. I still think Shelvey could become a superb passer of the ball and effectively take on the responsibility of a quarterback, giving more mobility when attacking too. As you say, he's more of a link between midfield and attack and I think that's how we'll continue to use him.

As a quarterback role, I take it we're thinking along the lines of Xavi, Alonso, Carrick, Scholes and Adam.

The more I think about it, the more I am finding myself in agreement with you that it will be one of Henderson/Shelvey unless we decide to sacrifice the holding midfielder in favour of a more attacking outfit or Henderson steps up to the plate. He played just ahead of a 'quarterback' for England U21's, pinging passes to the wide areas.