Jordan Henderson

[el matador]

Because he is no better than average at anything.

Matt hes 21 ffs.

He doesnt give the ball away and is very good at moving it quickly to other players. as he gets more experience he will gain more to his game. If we had better players arounf him it would make a difference.

Hes been messed around this season too by playing on the right wing when it just doesnt suit him.

Henderson will be a very important get it give it type of player. He wont be spectacular and most of his displays wont be eyecatching. Hes the type of player who you notice more when hes not playing.

[RichC]

exactly my point in a round about way, Lucas was widely written off (booed by our own fans against Fulham I seem to remember) and is now arguably our most important player and if not the most important certainly he's one of them.

Henderson should be given some time to show what he can do rather than being written off as 21 year old after his first season with us!

[Exiled_red]

Lucas wasn't the player he is now but in my opinion he wasn't poor. I thought he showed great promise and was bemused that so many thought he was crap.

Likewise I think Henderson also shows great promise and I believe will develop into a very good player. Again I'm bemused by people not being prepared to give him time and so quickly writing him off.

I'd have thought that those who'd wrongly written Lucas off would have learnt a lesson but maybe it's a different group.

The problem is no-one is prepared to give players time to develop, we are all able to accept that Lucas developed over a period of a few years into a very good player. But that was a few years ago, most people aren't prepared to accept a player developing before our eyes, they want the end product now.

[el matador]

Are you saying tests specific to Lucas or general for ACL tears? Where does it come from?

I think the afl did some research into specific injuries and in acl type of injuries they said that on average players returning after acl damage performed 30% below their normal standards. I guess in term agility and speed this is probably where the impact will be the greatest.

So I hope to god hes one of those who comes back way above average.

[Gibbo]

See a lot of people calling him a bottler, so was Merieles apperently and we're argubaly worse of in midfield since he left.

I'd give Henderson a couple more seasons, due to the injury to Lucas and our lack of wide men he has played to much, that has brought out is inexprienced mistakes more often. I think Shelvey is better and I also think they will both make it here. At least as squaddies.

[el matador]

See a lot of people calling him a bottler, so was Merieles apperently and we're argubaly worse of in midfield since he left.

I'd give Henderson a couple more seasons, due to the injury to Lucas and our lack of wide men he has played to much, that has brought out is inexprienced mistakes more often. I think Shelvey is better and I also think they will both make it here. At least as squaddies.

Gibbo I sent you that pm mate.

[Mattshark]

Matt hes 21 ffs.

He doesnt give the ball away and is very good at moving it quickly to other players. as he gets more experience he will gain more to his game. If we had better players arounf him it would make a difference.

Hes been messed around this season too by playing on the right wing when it just doesnt suit him.

Henderson will be a very important get it give it type of player. He wont be spectacular and most of his displays wont be eyecatching. Hes the type of player who you notice more when hes not playing.

That is where Sunderland fans seem to think he is best.

He maybe 21, doesn't mean he is good enough.

[Gibbo]

Gibbo I sent you that pm mate.

**** aye! Just seen it on my phone mate, will give it a read when I get one me laptop

[el matador]

Yes mate but at that age you cant write players off either.

I like him and I think he will come good for us. for me he needs to be a bit more aggressive but thats it.

[Mostar]

Lucas was a world beater when he first came. How many games did he play his fist season? Wasn't he booed a lot for **** performances?

He was but Lucas had the mental strenght to succeed regardless of the lack of fans support (or should I say abuse), which may not be the case with Hendo.

One important factor is that Lucas hasn't had the luxury of playing in England from early days so he had to adapt, which took some time while Hendo was home grown.

Also Lucas price tag was also much smaller than what we paid for Hendo at about the same age so the risk of failing was not as profound.

Henderson could come good over time but at this point he should not be starter and I personally would like to see Shelvey over him tomorrow.

[el matador]

I would start with both henderson and shelvey. Spearing has already shown hes not good enoughto play at this level so why not give shelvey a game. Whats the point in playing spearing.

[RichC]

I'd almost be tempted with 3 at the back

...................Reina.......................

........Carra.....Skrtel......Agger

johnson...............................Enrique

............Henderson....Shelvey.........

.....................Gerrard....................

..........Carroll.............Suarez.............

Spearing shouldn't be starting at not sure Shelvey and Henderson at their age will be able to run a centre of midfield without some help and tbh I really don't see a problem with trying something different for the last couple of games.

[el matador]

They should play sterling and let him run at bosingwa. Seriously whats the point in playing kuyt and maxi. Theyre both off in the summer so we might as well try sterling. What have we got to lose. This seasons **** anyway.

[RichC]

again a good option but I'd be bloody surprised if we do so

[JHP]

I think the afl did some research into specific injuries and in acl type of injuries they said that on average players returning after acl damage performed 30% below their normal standards. I guess in term agility and speed this is probably where the impact will be the greatest.

So I hope to god hes one of those who comes back way above average.

Thanks. I hadn't realised it was a potential risk. I knew it was a serious injury (I tore mine at 16 when the only treatment was physio for strengthening the leg muscles) but I though that today it was treated with synthetic tissue and all was OK.

I saw a specialist recently for a half knee replacement and he told me that athletes had won olympic medals after having torn their ACL. I assume the problem must be with turning. How recent/ old is the data and are there signs of improvement in recent years?
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