Jordan Henderson
 

I don't get it, what does he do exactly? A weird signing IMO i just don't see it. Much prefer Kuyt to start out right. Wish the lad the best of luck and hope he proves me very wrong but i just don't see him being a regular first teamer.

well let's see how he gets on. it's obvious kenny sees something in him.

Dan, how many times have you seen him play? Because if you are basing your opinion on pre season and today's game, I think it's a pointless thread

I think its ok for people to question this for a £20m signing.

You called him a "talented young player" so you tell us.

At least you've got a new whipping boy anyway, the 100s of posts on Meireles being a "pussy" were a bit much.

Seen him play several times for Sunderland, England U21 & pre season with us, he cost a lot of money so it's certainly not a pointless thread IMO.

I just don't get what his role is?

:D That isnt a question dan. :D

:handshake:

:haha: it's more me asking myself the question.

I'm baffled to what Henderson actualy does, not saying he's a bad player or anything he has some talent, i just don't get his role in the team.

INVESTMENT FOR THE FUTURE :handshake:

could be blowjobs. how else is he supposed to get into the team?

Thought we were weak down the right today. He doesnt look like a wide player. I dont like to see Kuyt play wide against weaker teams though. Its a waste of his attributes. Thought Downing should have stuck to one wing, or the other, and played 4-4-2, with Suarez dropping off, and Lucas and Adam in the middle. Dont really have another player who can play wide right. They all like to drift inside. We need the wing play to get the crosses in for Carroll, who on todays showing played more like Andy Cole. How many chances does he need? He is supposed to be good in the air.

i dont think it was 20m, i read somewhere it was 10 upfront plus 3 performance related. chelsea paid 17m for ramires, city paid 26m for milner, the lads got potential and we need to be patient with him too.

he's not a right sided player but today he was employed centre right, again im not sure if thats his best position but he tried and never stopped running. theres big things to come from this lad so we need to get behind him and understand that the next 2 seasons are foundation seasons for him. the real benefit will come in a couple of seasons time, just like with kelly, flano, carroll, robinson, shelvey and co.

For a start he doesn't give possession away cheaply trying to do stupid things he can't do(and as much as I like dirk ) like Kuyt who at the worst of times has a woeful 1st touch and poor judgement when trying to do the out of the ordinary , 2nd He is still young and obviously has something about him which Kenny thinks he can mould, in his interviews its always when I realised the club and Kenny were interested, give the lad some slack its his first few months at a big club where he's bound to feel a tad nervous against 'his' club where he has grown up and his family are from and who he and them are supporters, if you played against Liverpool how would you feel 1st time after growing up there and supporting them and still only being 21 or so

I don't know I maybe totally wrong, but I think we will get a better idea of his role when GJ comes back into the team. I have a feeling he will start wide right but when downing moves further up the pitch he will come inside and make a 3 man midfield, which will provide more cover for the fullbacks to bomb forward and allow the whole team to press higher up the pitch. As I said could be totally wrong but I see something along those lines happening.

Not much really. He's good at passing the ball in tight spaces but I actually think Shelvey is a better player especially given the difference we paid for them

I actually think he's Comolli type of signing more than Kenny's.

Time will tell Dave :handshake: He deserves that much the young lad.

I know that no-ones slagging him off but it seems a pointless discussion at this early stage :)

Yeah I wouldn't be surprised if he was told to stay deeper to cover Flano.

So I think we will better understand his role when GJ comes back into the team.

I think of all the transfers we will have to be a bit more patient with him. But I do Think he will come good.

Also the 20mil the rags reported is more than likely bullshit the price el matador quoted of 10 + 3 in addons is much more realistic and reasonable IMO.

Dead right about the price tag and unfortunately some of our fans will bring that up as though it's his fault we paid that amount of money for him. Time will tell where and how he will be played. :handshake:

One game.

I liked how comfortable he was when under pressure with men around him. Composed and keeps the ball well in tight spaces. Fella behind me was giving him some right stick, constantly on his case to "get some fuckin chalk on yer boots lad". We all know he's not that sort of player so that bloke and anyone else thinking along the same lines is gonna be disappointed, but his tendency to drift miles infield does leave a lot of space and congests our play.

I thought he did ok yesterday, he did some decent stuff, but didn't have as much effect on the game as the other new signings, I think that we need to remember that he is still young (just turned 21) and young players are inconsistent, so I think some of the stick he's been getting after one game is harsh.

I am still unsure what his role is going to be long term, yesterday he was wide right, I think alot of people have said they would prefer Kuyt in that position, personally I think Kuyt is less effective in a wide right role in a 4-4-2, than he is playing wide right in a formation which pushes him further foward, maybe Kenny sees Henderson as the right sided player in a 4-4-2?

Lets not start this shit. Kenny signed him.

:handshake:

Based on yesterday Id sell him. Clearly Kuyt is the one for the future. We need to think about now and not building a squad that can challenge.

Please note that this not what I think.

Sell him, sell him now!!!

One game, come on dan give the lad and the new tactics a bit of time before asking a question like 'what does he do exactly?'

:handshake: Well said Alex, I agree with you and cannot see the white text at all

Deleted.

^^^
THIS

I think to get the best out of Henderson, you need a three man midfield, therefore:

1/ he's not got the pressure to drift out wide, as the wide right forward and right back will provide the width.
2/ if he does drift infield, he's got cover.
3/ his ball retention will keep our midfield ticking over.

-- Adam -- Lucas -- Henderson --

However, when Gerrard returns, you know where he is going to play. Henderson is one for the future and can only learn from Gerrard.

I personally think Adam is the Gerrard replacement, not Henderson. So when he is fit I think itll be Adam that misses out.

I hope not, I don't really think Gerrard is suited to the role Adam played yesterday, also Adam is a much better set-piece taker than anyone else in the squad so it would be useful to have him in the team. Personally I'd prefer a midfield of Gerrard, Lucas, Adam and Downing to Henderson, Lucas, Gerrard and Downing

He's technically very good, he has great fitness, and is supposed to have an excellent mentality. And he clearly has the potential to be creative as last seasons stats prove. I think he's the sort of player who will continue to improve and develop his game. A Lampard type, who perhaps won't hit his peak till his mid 20's.

I think Kenny sees him as someone who is capable of playing it simple and moving into space - the epitome of a pass and move player (potentially). Unfortunately, most of his passing seems to be backwards or sideways at the moment. He was far too negative yesterday.

He'll get better, I'm sure.

Sounds eminently plausible and sensible to me :handshake:

Agree with this too :handshake:

must be an eternity for yourself. thats 6 lots of 15 mins.

plus halftime

First post - Deep breath, no pressure here goes: My first thought when i got the ground yesterday and heard the team was why hendo was in ahead of dirk in the first place, likewise Flanno/Kelly. Obviously the fact he was playing against his old team and making his debut played a major part in his display though, he just wanted to make no mistakes, it must be hard enough making your debut at such a young age with a hefty price tag on your shoulders, add to that it's your childhood team your playing against and his emotions must have been all over the place.

So basically i'm just saying give the lad a chance, I know we didn't see anything from him attacking wise really but that'll come with confidence, his distribution is obviously very good, I don't think I remember him giving the ball away at all? Could be wrong.

good first post. however, its the rules that first posts are in downing related threads

i have to agree, not sure chelsea fans will think they cant win the league after one game. so hoping we will still get top 4

:haha: :handshake:

henderson looks like a technically good player with excellent athletic ability and good composure on the ball. young players should ideally be played in their preferred position which he wasnt and it looks like kenny wants him to get used to a new position.

it will take time and when johnson gets fit im sure he'll help henderson play that role better.

He'll be fine for us, but he should not start over Dirk Kuyt on the right. I get the feeling he got the start to give him a chance against his old club, but against Arsenal I believe Dirk should start. We can use his graft and tracking back, plus I think he and Suarez know one another very well and I think that will make a difference.