Jordan Henderson

[RedReet]

Im not sure where all the hate for him has come from. Is it just the fee? Because he's been ok this season. Not spectacular but (with a few exceptions), not terrible either. There are far, far more players this season who have been a lot worse than him. And he's shown enough for me - like Lucas before him - to show that he's a good player. He's neat, tidy passer, good stamina, always plays with his head up, and is always on the move after giving the ball. He needs to become more assertive and demand the ball more, and he's never going to be another rampaging Gerrard going forward, but he can be an important cog in a successful team. If he has players around him who are good enough.

He’s definitely shown enough glimpses of ability to deserve at least another season. People keep pointing to Lucas as the prime example as to why he should be given more time, but there are plenty more in the league at all the top teams. Fletcher was a laughing stock at United for years and he went on to prove all his critics wrong. Alex Song took a few years to make an impact at Arsenal and now he’s wanted by Madrid. Although I’m still not won over personally, there must be a reason why Mikel has been mainstay in the Chelsea midfield under various managers. Even the new golden boy of English football Scott Parker struggled to make an impact at Chelsea when slightly older than Henderson, albeit he had less opportunities. I'm sure there are plenty more examples but they are the more high profile ones I could think off the top of my head and I’d be very surprised if there is a single member of this site that hadn’t slagged at least one of them off at some stage, only to be proven wrong. Who’s to say Henderson won’t do the same?

[danperkins]

The big difference between the examples you gave Red in Fletcher,Mikel,Song & Parker as oppose to Henderson is that all of them are very physical,combative players and Henderson just isn't. That mentality can't be trained into a player, either you are or you are not. Henderson has been a passenger in so many games, sometimes you forget he is even on the pitch & if people want him to play at CM he'll have to grow a pair of balls and start to impact and influence games, instead of just making up the numbers.

Clearly i'm not a fan of Henderson and if he was sold tomorrow i wouldn't care less, obviously he won't be though. I won't have such a issue with him if he is used more sparingly next season. He is simply not ready for first team football yet at LFC IMO. The fact that Downing and Henderson have been used in almost every game this season is a big reason why we have had such a ****ty season.

[RichC]

The big difference between the examples you gave Red in Fletcher,Mikel,Song & Parker as oppose to Henderson is that all of them are very physical,combative players and Henderson just isn't. That mentality can't be trained into a player, either you are or you are not. Henderson has been a passenger in so many games, sometimes you forget he is even on the pitch & if people want him to play at CM he'll have to grow a pair of balls and start to impact and influence games, instead of just making up the numbers.

Clearly i'm not a fan of Henderson and if he was sold tomorrow i wouldn't care less, obviously he won't be though. I won't have such a issue with him if he is used more sparingly next season. He is simply not ready for first team football yet at LFC IMO. The fact that Downing and Henderson have been used in almost every game this season is a big reason why we have had such a ****ty season.

Lucas was far from physical when he first came to LFC, how did that side of his game develop? Magic?

[BrooklynRed]

i think people look at hendersons price tag and think that he should be the next incarnation of steven gerrard.

thats just not going to happen. he aint gerrard and never will be...he cannot be compared to gerrard, lampard or fabregas. hes not a playmaker but just a facilitator.

instead think ronnie whelan, xabi alonso, michael carrick, mikel and the like. not spectacular and never will be but he's always one of the first names on the teamsheet because he links the defence to midfield well and he does most of his work when we dont have the ball.

we need to get off this lads back because he will be a player for us.

This for me the best case scenario; a Xabi Alonso replacement would be an ideal outcome for us here. Xabi is not a great tackler but he had a certain graft in the midfield and his passing is on another planet. he also drew fouls like nobody's business with his control of the ball. he was always looking for contact.

Henderson is nowhere near Xabi's ability to take the ball from the DM (ideally Lucas) and spray a creative pass that rips open the opposing defense or changes to focus of the attack. Henderson's MO is play it on the floor to the nearest player then retreat and wait for the ball back, playing as a poor man's Lucas without any of the defensive capability.

However, if you told me that in two to three seasons, we'd have another Alonso type in Henderson, playing alongside Lucas in the DM role and that we could buy a CAM who would, in some ways try to replace Gerrard, I could live with that for sure. The issue is that the way we're using Henderson is a poor man's Dirk Kuyt on the right and as a CM who seems torn about his role and thinks he is a DM without much defensive ability.

[Rich]

I'd like to see Lucas/Henderson more next season as that should free Jordan to break forward more.

[RichC]

I think Henderson would do well playing next to Lucas. I would like to see us playing a 4-2-3-1 system next season though

[Mattshark]

I'd like to see Lucas/Henderson more next season as that should free Jordan to break forward more.

But he is not very good at breaking forward

I think Henderson would do well playing next to Lucas. I would like to see us playing a 4-2-3-1 system next season though

He isn't good enough at defending to play there.


He should not play every game like he has this season, he is an average player we need miles better unless we are happy to linger where we are.

[el matador]

I hope lucas can recover his best form even though he has suffered a huge.injury. we may have to acceptthat he might not because look at essien. He doesnt even look half the player that he was prior to injury.

We should look to bring in another midfield player but depending of the formation we use.it could be a defensive shield like hamann or a ball winner like mascherano who will press the opposition much.higher up the.pitch. Alternatively we go for someone like james mcarthy who can tackle a bit and is very good on the ball and can help keep the ball well. Basically another henderson.

[RichC]

it's been very hard to judge him this season in all honesty, when Lucas was playing he was stuck on the right with Adam playing next to Lucas and since the Lucas injury he's been playing next to Spearing which can't be easy.

We need do probably need to bring someone else in but I'll not write him off just yet.

[RichC]

I hope lucas can recover his best form even though he has suffered a huge.injury. we may have to acceptthat he might not because look at essien. He doesnt even look half the player that he was prior to injury.
We should look to bring in another midfield player but depending of the formation we use.it could be a defensive shield like hamann or a ball winner like mascherano who will press the opposition much.higher up the.pitch. Alternatively we go for someone like james mcarthy who can tackle a bit and is very good on the ball and can help keep the ball well. Basically another henderson.

The Lucas bit is a big worry for me.

[Rich]

But he is not very good at breaking forward



He isn't good enough at defending to play there.


He should not play every game like he has this season, he is an average player we need miles better unless we are happy to linger where we are.

:yawn: Herr Shark :yawn:

[el matador]

Honestly im not sure he will be the same player he was. Hes.suffered such a bad injury which.in tests has shown a performance drop of 30% when compared to pre injury.

But he deserves the chance to play his way back into things if he can. How weve.missed him.

[Mattshark]

:yawn: Herr Shark :yawn:

Indeed, yawn at bigging up a mediocre player because next to no one also rated Lucas either so we get bombarded with the same **** analogy.

[RichC]

Honestly im not sure he will be the same player he was. Hes.suffered such a bad injury which.in tests has shown a performance drop of 30% when compared to pre injury.

But he deserves the chance to play his way back into things if he can. How weve.missed him.

I agree with you about Lucas, really bad injury but hopefully he'll come back as good as he was.

Certainly the player we've missed the most this season

[el matador]

How is henderson mediocre ?