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24 Jan 2015 23:38:30
Eds, is Sakho still likely to leave the club having shown he's far and away our best central defender?
{Ed002's Note - Not in January.}
Hopefully Ed means not in the summer as well!
How bad is it lovren can't remove Can (or Johnson) - I'm hoping he finds the form / inspiration that he had before his move to us!
24 Jan 2015 21:50:37
I still don't know what to think of Lallana yet. He has great skills, but he is always taking one too many touches, meaning the pass that was on is no longer there. And he misplaces some very simple passes also. I do love some of his turns and little skills, but quite like Coutinho (who i love) his best and his worst are too far apart.
Thoughts?
That is nonsense. He played poorly today but he has been one of our best players all season. He hasn't had a competent striker in front if him all season and I think today he started to try to hard to make something happen after sterling gooned up around fifteen goal opportunities.
Sterling no longer wants to pass the ball because he thinks he is the man now due to BR not keeping his mouth shut and always praising him even when he has a poor game. He was NEVER like that last year because Studge and Suarez would have giving him the business for being too selfish. Hopefully with Studge back, he go back to passing the ball to his better-positioned teamates.
{Ed001's Note - do you not think it is more because he is being asked to score more goals, so is looking to hit it at every chance to get them? He just looks to be trying too hard to score to me.}
Agree Llalana looked poor in the first half but recovered well in the second half. Our front three looked crowded and disconnected but I think it was because we lacked any threat elsewhere on the pitch.
More specifically in this game the wing backs got it wide and passed backwards or inside 90% of the time, whereas previously Markovic and Moreno have been looking dangerous going forward, preventing the opposition from just packing the centre of the pitch. Coutinho and Llalana rarely got the ball without someone on their backside and no-one to pass to.
You`re probably right, Ed. As a former striker, I can tell he is hurrying things and trying too hard hich makes him look selfish and kind of hugging the ball too much.
24 Jan 2015 21:25:12
I think perspective is the key today, yes we weren't great, but 4 teams from the top 6 are out, as everyone knows, and we are still in. Albeit another game, and going away to Bolton will be tough, but get through and its a great chance.
We weren`t great BUT it wasn`t all that bad because I think the changes we made messed the collective mojo up a lil bit. Bolton parked the bus YET we created 3-4 chances that should have been buried, a penalty that wasn`t given (cos spearing wasn`t even playing the ball and went straight for Hendo) and the ref missed a red card. All in all, can do better would be my grade. We`ll have a better chance at the Reebok because Bolton would have to come out which will leave them open for the counter. Here`s the hoping!
24 Jan 2015 20:45:52
Don't start!
It could be Chelsea, City or even Spurs!
Anyway, City are going through another bad spell, Chelsea have hit theirs, Utd aren't very good anyway, Arsenal always fizzle out and Spurs are just Spurs.
In layman's terms, today's poor performances reflects more than that of a cup defeat, it actually reflects how poor the Premier League is.
Liverpool haven't been good enough this season, neither were they today, but aside from your Southampton and West Ham supporter, I guarantee many other supporters will be criticising their clubs form.
In my opinion, regardless of today, Liverpool will have a strong second half of the season and if the inconsistency of the 'big' teams continues above us, then regardless in comparisons to last seasons performances and lofty heights, we can still comfortable reach that top four position.
Not good enough for some on here I know, but any realist is comfortable with that considering there is still a re-building process under-way.
Easy.
24 Jan 2015 21:36:46
Davey agree that top 4 still doable, but very hard. We can be just as inconsistent as the teams above us , last year second half performances are just that last year, there is no guarantee we can repeat it this year.
And what re-building are you on about, Its very easy to give this excuse, but even BR realised he can't get away with saying that any more.
24 Jan 2015 21:41:42
And don't forget corners. How can a professional footballer take a corner and never get it past the first man. Baffles me.
24 Jan 2015 20:19:46
Every liverpool player should spend the next three days practicing nothing else only shooting because looking at the team the last few match's it's the only thing that's missing. The conversion rate from chances created must be the lowest in the country # feelingfrustrated#
The Italian needs to go.
All Liverpool need is a quality striker to replace him this January, nothing else.
The lad from West Brom would do nicely.
It was the same from day 1 of the season and it is not just the shooting itself, it is the crossing that never find a header (or at least a foot), the passing in the final third as well as the decision making. I said earlier today that Sterling Lallana and Coutinhu will be too much for Bolton. I was wrong.
After the Chelsea game a lot of people here were singing praise for Coutinho and said that Gerrad should be rested. I started writing a comment back then saying that for an offensive role I would take Gerrad over Coutinho every day of the week, though didn't get to finish it. The Brazilian may be pressing well and run the ball from midfield to the box area but he seem to be always losing the ball there, running into four defenders, misses his passes or shot weak shots straight on the keeper and every such a loss of ball cost us. 2 goals and 2 assists in 19 games, not a great return. Also, according to the official statistics, Gerrard in 20 games created 41 chances, Coutinho 21. Says it all.
Raheem's finishing, passing and decision making in the box can also be at times quite frustrating (and was today pretty awful) although he at least have a moment of brilliance every other game when he either scores or created the goal. so you can't complain about him. Markovich and Borini's finish is not better.
You cannot win games if you don't have players who know how to create chances and score. Simple as that.
Or sell balotelli and borini, buy a new striker who can actually score goals
How we haven't signed one is criminal.sturridge is back which is good but what stops him from breaking down again??
24 Jan 2015 20:05:44
Against Chelsea, I hope we play a striker, with sterling off him! He does well up top, but he's so much better picking up the ball in space and running at defenders, like his goal against them!
I know it's not his role to occupy the centre backs, but maybe in the second leg, borini would be a better option, to actual have a striker in the box when coutinho and sterling get down the sides!
24 Jan 2015 19:58:40
Didnt get put under much pressure but thought Johnson wasn't too bad as the right sided cb in the 3.
Also thought Enrique delivered some good balls from the left, teams not really set up for those to be much use though.
Sterling is still our best central option but I think where his game is lacking is that he negates the benefit of his pace by taking extra touches in the box.
Still in the cup, tough game away at the Reebok (or whatever it is called now)
Enrique wasted the ball too much, for every good long ball, he gave it away an thee time. And easily too.
Johnson was poor in my view just wasn't under pressure. Also when ever a player of Bolton got close to him he always passed the ball back to the keeper. In contrast I don't think Sakho passed the ball back once and his passes forward were always very accurate (in general our best player in the last 5 games IMO)
24 Jan 2015 21:33:37
In contrast I don't think Sakho passed the ball back once
==============================
What game have you been watching, he passed the ball back few times and one of them nearly cost us, if it was n't for Mingo being at the right place.Sakho also lost the ball 14 times that's more than any other player except for Coutinho.
If we pretend Johnson was bought last summer then I bet most of you kids would've been singing his praises.
Agree, Sakho really is coming good, his passing as you say is precise and often gets us 20 or 30 yards forward in one pass, while others in the team may take 10 back and sideways passes before we even gain 10 yards.
24 Jan 2015 23:20:41
Sakho did not lose the ball 14 times
24 Jan 2015 19:28:17
Well, what can you say? Bolton stuck to their gameplan, and did a great job. BR bereft of ideas (I could have offered him a few, such as bring on Lambert or maybe keep stevie atlas on the bench, or Balo. ) anyway, we saved some key players for a lesser cup (capital one) in which we are unlikely to progress, for a better cup (FA) which we would have been favourites to go all the way (us or united). Not that we are out of FA cup, but who wanted to go back to Bolton?
Atlas we didn't lose I suppose
Their gameplan was simply to hope liverpool don't have their shooting boots on. The game was in our hands, should of started with a striker imo
24 Jan 2015 19:07:24
Don't get me wrong, I'm a big sterling fan. But he is no striker. He's had approx 10 shots today, very greedy. Ok he has no support, but then he should hold the ball up and wait for support.
Balotelli gets stick for playing the exact same way.
We don't need a replay, fixtures are already manic.
Come on liverpool ynwa
24 Jan 2015 19:27:41
Seemed ideal for Lambert to come on with 30 minutes to go; he knows where the goal is if he gets a half chance. Borini had 2 golden opportunities
Balotelli needs to play, or sell him.
Allen must go, or maybe BR is keeping him so he's not the shortest man at the club.
We were so wasteful today.
It's hard to be too crit
It's hard to be too critical of Sterling. Of the 7 strikers we've bought in the last 2.5 years-
Sturridge is injured, Balotelli is sick or something, Lambert isn't playing for some reason, Borini is Borini, Aspas is apparently on loan to play in the La Liga cups, I have no idea what happened to Yesil, and Origi is also on loan.
Can't really fault Sterling for being the best option available of the 7 even though he's clearly not a striker at this point in his career, but why we're in the situation where we are starting a 20 year old winger as our primary striker is well beyond me.
My just think we have 5-6 players who need a handful of chances to score. Sterling being one of them. So why not play a striker and put sterling where he's most dangerous. Then we always have the option of putting him up top with 20 mins to play.
I find it hard to believe balotelli has become so poor over night. With Sturridge back. Balotelli should be on the bench, lambert and borini should be nowhere near the first team squad.
Maybe I'm wrong, but not as wrong as BR this season
RDL,
Could it be that BR just bought terrible strikers in the last few windows.
Balotelli is nothing like Sterling.
Sterling is much more effective with one boot on.
I would sooner defend against the Italian all day long as he would have much less effect than Sterling.
Of course not, Mcgoveb. We just need time for Balotelli, Borini, and Aspas to settle before making a push at the FA Cup next season. We never expecting to beat Bolton, at least not on the first go.
24 Jan 2015 18:56:27
Bit silly using all our subs before 70minutes.
Sterling is not a striker, Markovic is not a wing back and Can is not a defender, but all 3 are doing a job for Rogers due to his inability to sign specialists in these positions.
The boys are giving their best but any stick should go to Rogers not the players.
24 Jan 2015 18:10:13
Lallana and Henderson never stop running, amazing energy.
I've thought before Sakho wasn't comfortable on the ball, now I just think he looks awkward but his passing and vision is excellent and he's always looking for the runners.
My only issue so far is Coutinho and Sterling really need to lift their heads more, just a little bit too much dribbling into trouble when there are players free across and ahead of them.
By the same token, how poor has Allen been, zero tackles, wayward passing and bullied in every challenge. A poor signing and we will never get that £15m back.
I agree Mr D just didn't want to say it in my post. Though we are really lacking that clinical quality in the last third.
Loads of energy from the guys, great chasing and great passing to get us to the edge of their box then it just fizzes out too often.
It has to be said, Allen wasn't good enough against championship opponents.
Players who offer nothing, Allen, Borini, Johnson and Manquillo.
24 Jan 2015 22:10:01
Manquillo is a good full back, runs all day but doesn't offer too much at the moment going forward. Glenn Johnson is now a swear word
24 Jan 2015 17:31:42
with spurs, city and chelsea having lost if we win we could have a better chance of winning the FA cup than the league cup.
24 Jan 2015 17:39:53
{Ed001's Note - We have posted a new article entitled, Magic of the Cup as Chelsea and Manchester City exit
24 Jan 2015 17:21:13
Hmmm. I worried that BR would slot Allen and Johnson back into starting 11 and fears are today realized. Squad still looks strong enough to win, but I think Johnson will cost us a goal today.
Honestly don't see the point in playing Johnson, he offers nothing defensively or going forward and always costs a goal through his lack of concentration.
As for Allen, he has the presence and purpose of a carrier bag blowing in the wind. Show have played Rossiter or Williams. Brendan bottled a chance to give a youngster a go who could make a difference in favour of two players who just are not good enough.
24 Jan 2015 17:21:05
LoL McAteer. ''Heskey played in a Liverpool legends game about 2 months ago, Steve McManaman got man of the match and Emile Heskey was offside about 20 times.''
24 Jan 2015 17:18:07
I know its dangerous to post before the game, but can help feeling a little deflated to see Johnson and Enrique in the starting line up! I hope I have to eat my words tonight and both play blinders but sometimes BRs team selections are beyond baffling. Where's Ibe tonight?
Ed 001 love to hear your thoughts on what you think of tonight's line-up? Why did he not bring Lovren back in a bid to build up his confidence and move Can into central midfield? he is gong to waste Emre's talent by playing him 'out of position' to accommodate the return of Allen
24 Jan 2015 18:24:23
Jordon Ibe is cup-tied , as has been mentioned on these pages at least twenty times !
For the younger posters , you can't play for two different teams in a cup competition in the same season .
Jordon Ibe is cup-tied mate, played for Derby against Chelsea in the last round.
Cheers Nowthelad, a genuine mistake about Ibe.
Ritters of Hale, I bit condescending there old chap!
24 Jan 2015 17:09:09
Wait. What. Ermm, what just happened in the fa cup games. Checked the scores at half time and it was the usual. And now the biggest giant slayings just happened. David has just taken out galiath, I repead David has taken out galiath.
24 Jan 2015 17:16:10
Absolutely nuts ain't it. But that's the beauty of the fa cup. Come on the red men.
David has taken out Goliath then just put another one in to make sure!
24 Jan 2015 17:05:56
Liverpool will never have a better opportunity to go on and win the FA cup than now. City, Chelsea, Tottenham, Southampton all go out on a crazy day. If we win today, we would have to be considered favorites, wouldn't we? Perhaps we should get king kenny to manage us in the cup competitions?
24 Jan 2015 16:56:36
Well done to Middlesbrough
And that is why we have to be careful tonight against Bolton
24 Jan 2015 16:50:37
Eds or anyone else
What happened with Ayala at Liverpool ?
Was it his choice or the club to offload him
I ask because he really looks good and I've seen him 5 times now
I'm guessing regular football has helped him
To be fair, considering Ayala got off to a quick start in his career regular football is something Ayala has never had, at any club he's been at.
The most games he's played in a season was at Derby back in 2010/11 when he played 17 times while on loan from us.
He had a 93 day emergency loan from Norwich to Middlesbrough back in Oct 2013. Then he signed a permanent deal in January 2014 for approx £350,000
Since 2009 (Ayala played for us five times in the Premier League) he has gone on to play 78 competitive games in his domestic career and he has featured once for the Spanish U21's back in 2011.
Now at 24 years old and seasoned via the Championship, let's hope he goes on and has many more days like today.
I remember seeing Ayala in the 1st team and TBH he struggled; having said that later in the season he played again and I saw vast improvement.
Both times he was in due to injuries etc. - justifies what the Ed's have said you need experience and opportunities to play in the first team and to be trusted (playing in the 1st team)- that being said how many centre backs make the position their own between the ages of 16 and 22?
24 Jan 2015 15:37:54
I had an idea last night.
The football rumours six a side competiton.
I'm in.
Has this idea got any legs Eds?
We could all come out to Dubai Ed001.
Sort it please :)
24 Jan 2015 16:42:11
I'm up for it. Perhaps ed1 can convince one of the sheikh to sponsor it. I could be the young prodigy
24 Jan 2015 12:17:08
I hope there's not one eye one Stamford Bridge with the team selection today. Could end up being out of 2 cup competitions in the space of 3 days if we don't play it right.
I'm always of the thinking, start with our best players, get the job done and then bring them off when we've killed the game, rather than rest them and throw them on 20mins from time, but that's just me. Wary today
Even a weak Liverpool team with a few first teamers should be able to get a result at home to any Championship side.
Think we will put out a strong team,
a point that I want to make is that at anfield, the Chelsea game, there was only two mins injury time, just heard that there is seven mins injury time in todays FA Cup game,
I will be looking at the 2nd leg at Chelsea on tuesday, and keeping a close eye on that point .
Actually Chelsea would want to play it right on tuesday or they will be out of 2 cup competitions in the space of three days . this is why I really like the cup games .
24 Jan 2015 18:30:07
Hmmm half time and I hope your right
24 Jan 2015 11:32:55
No disrespect intended, but the last few weeks I think we've played mediocre teams that made us look better than we are.
The opposition quality over the coming fixtures really ramps up with consecutive games against West Ham, Everton, Spurs, Southampton and Man City.
Fingers crossed, but a little worried :$
24 Jan 2015 11:59:58
If Chelsea and arsenal are mediocre opposition then i'm frighten to see what world class opposition is. The only reason we drew these two games (which we bossed practically the full 90mins) is because we didn't have a recognised goal scorer in the team. Although I agree that we may not have turned a complete corner, I think we are well on the way to doing so to an extent and with all the players returning from their respective injuries, I can only see us getting better.
24 Jan 2015 12:09:39
Chelsea?
. referring to league matches, not cup.
Chelsea were poor and let us have possession. The 5 minutes or so that they actually came at us once we scored, we looked jittery.
Wiwar, they will always play like that against the bigger teams. We couldn't have done more without a recognized striker.
Well weener1000 I disagree. 10 games without defeat?
Always a joke - disagree to your hearts content but it's 9 games since we met Utd and we've played Burnley, Bournemouth, AFC Wimbledon, Leicester, Sunderland and a poorVilla side
25 Jan 2015 08:52:18
and Chelsea!!!!
24 Jan 2015 11:16:36
whats the situation with flano's contract has he had an offer from us because his contract is running out in july.
{Ed002's Note - Search engine.}
24 Jan 2015 11:09:36
ARTICLE
Due to LFC playing style and the problem they have in front of goal, I suggest to buy Alexandre Lacazette to solve the problem.
I only see lad fit in very well.
Pls buy the lad.
Hate to ruin your plan but all of Europe know about him now. It was the same deal with Diego Costa a couple of Summers ago. Lacazette will probably cost £30+ million now.
24 Jan 2015 11:09:36
ARTICLE
Due to LFC playing style and the problem they have in front of goal, I suggest to buy Alexandre Lacazette to solve the problem.
I only see lad fit in very well.
Pls buy the lad.
That would be great signing, unlikely, but great.
24 Jan 2015 10:57:07
Is all this talk of Johnson getting a new contract rubbish or is BR really looking to keep him?
Please tell me we are finally getting shot of this guy
{Ed002's Note - It seems Liverpool will be offering a new contract. It may well be on reduced terms.}
So looks like we may be losing probably our most important player right now (Lucas)
And giving our least important player an extension (Johnson) all in one month.
With Lucas out the team and Johnson back in then that's the final nail in the coffin for this season and Brendan's time in charge.
24 Jan 2015 11:17:22
Johnson has done nothing to deserve an extension. Rodgers seems to be intent on keeping 'experienced' players regardless of their ability or desire.
This has put me on the verge of tears
Rodgers only deals with his favourites.
Ed, would you give him a new contract even on reduced terms?
The fact as Mickey has said that we could be losing Lucas to give a new contract to this clown is really sickening my stomach to be honest.
{Ed001's Note - I wouldn't give him a contract if he was paying us to keep him on!}
Nice one Ed.
Ed001, are u aware which incompetent person within the club is pushing for a new deal for Johnson? That person needs to be sacked immediately.
{Ed002's Note - God you are one ignorant mother aren't you? Absolutely the worst type of football supporter.}
24 Jan 2015 13:42:20
If as is expected a number of high earners out of contract and otherwise move on if we don't get champs league, such as Gerrard, Enrique, Toure, Coates, Lucas, Balotelli etc etc then we will still need some experience. I think we will look to the spine of the team to invest if possible depending on sales. Maybe a keeper, centre half if sell most of the ones we have except Sakho and a striker such as Lacazette or Benteke and that's it. Therefore filling the squad with youngsters around a strong first team core of players. I'm happy if Johnson stays and can play left back too remember and right side of back 3. Would rather lose Manquillo who will end up back at Atletico anyway.
While I realise a lot of you don't have any time for Johnson, the odd thing is that our current formation might be the making of him as a wing back, rather than a full back. He's always been better at going forward and playing as a winger. We'll see won't we, but Rogers would be insane to tinker with the 3 at the back in order to accommodate the second stringers.
ND, Johnson isn't the same player of even 2 years ago. He can't beat a man, can't run as quickly as the other full backs, and has no desire to get back when we lose possession and are countered on. Its all well and good having experience, but I would rather buy it than have him taking up a youngsters playing spot.
I can't see him accepting reduced terms to be honest.
I think he will try and get the biggest contract offer he can elsewhere.
24 Jan 2015 09:35:44
Next week will be an interesting one for me, with markovich playing well it would seem foolish to return him to the bench but in saying that Johnson always seems to find a way into our starting line up. This will obviously be complicated further when Sturridge returns as there will have to be players in the current line up that miss out. I just hope markovich and Can are not the two to miss out.
24 Jan 2015 12:12:13
Henderson or Gerrard to drop out of the team for me. I don't see the reason for playing both of them myself
Lucas and Gerrard can rotate, Henderson and Can can rotate. Allen can cover both.
24 Jan 2015 08:55:29
About our youth players. What I couldn't understand and maybe it's the wrong thing to do, but last season I don't really recall many sat on the bench if any. When we were on our run, confident and winning games sometimes 3-0 up at half time. Is it not a good time with 10 minutes or so to go to introduce a youth player into that winning atmosphere, with little expectation or pressure like when we demolished Arsenal?
This season although not been in control of games like last. Isn't now the ideal time to have players play in the same side as Gerrard while he's still here? I saw Wilson on the bench the other game and Rossiter is mentioned a lot. But have either had any first team minutes playing alongside Stevie to learn and see the passion? I just don't see the point in Enrique playing last 5 minutes over Wilson. Not that I see the point in Enrique playing over anyone
Just wondered when is the best time to blood the young? Cup games keep getting mentioned and I'm not against that but when you aren't going to win The league, cups are both important and pressured. Being 2-0 up at home against a poor Villa side or a like when we're not going to lose isn't that the time? Doesn't that give winning atmosphere and confidence? Experience?
24 Jan 2015 09:26:08
I think it's a bit of both. You need to give young players experience of the first team when there's no pressure and try can concentrate on just playing their normal game. But they also need to experience a real in-game situation too to see if they can handle it. So perhaps a few sub appearances first when the games are own and then some cup games. Obviously it also depends on the player's mentality too .
You should look to give them minutes whenever you can ideally, winning or losing shouldn't really matter.
In Brendan's own words they will run through a brick wall for you.
Would you rather bring on ballotelli with 10 minutes left, chasing a game or an 18 year old promising striker, desperate to make a name for himself?
I think whenever an established player is under performing he should be dropped for a youth player, gives them both some much needed motivation.
24 Jan 2015 08:23:01
There's been a lot of talk here about the manager and whether he should be sacked.
In my opinion, a manger is responsible for the following (and this isn't an exhaustive list):
1. Results
2. Management of the squad
3. Development and integration of the youth team
4. The style of play
5. Transfers
6. Handling of the media
All I'll say is compared to the previous managers, is BR doing that much worse at each of those things? Rafa, Kenny, Roy all had their weaknesses. So would a new manager be any better? Sometimes the grass isn't greener and it's a case of better the devil you know.
If the owners decide it's time to change managers then fair enough, if they stick with BR he has to learn where he's made mistakes and admit he needs help in some areas as currently the job is too big for him.
Team selection is obviously a massive one, and so is the team formation (obviously linked to style of play but not sure it's exactly the same thing).
I personally think team selection is where he's fallen down most often this season, and although it looks like he may have corrected some of the fairly baffling choices from the first half, the jury is still out for me whether he's gotten things right recently through luck rather than design. Also whether he'll revert to what he seems to prefer once he gets (eg. a 4-2-3-1 and including Allen, GJ etc. ) will be a massive indicator as to whether he's the right person to move the club forward.
When he sets the team up "right" (obviously a very subjective word!) then we look awesome.
24 Jan 2015 09:30:38
I agree. I think his stubbornness might ultimately be his undoing. We'll see.
You could argue he has failed in all of them points, his only real good run was the second half of last season and that was based on the advice of another manager.
His only real success in the transfer market (out of many)was Sturridge and his mismanagement of his fitness has forced him out for 6 months.
24 Jan 2015 03:13:31
hello eds.
thanks for the reply, just one more question.
since there is a possibility of sacking rodgers what do u think of Eddie Howe as his replacement?
thanks.
{Ed001's Note - I don't see the point in changing a novice for another novice.}
Ed1 we obviously haven't a hope of getting simeone? So de boer is realistically the best we could lure? Maybe capello?
Thanks
{Ed001's Note - De Boer does seem the most realistic possibility.}
I like Eddie Howe too.
But like Ed I feel he is not ready yet.
Do you think he should be looking to move to a bigger club to improve his cv?
Of course he may still take Bournmouth to the prem
24 Jan 2015 09:07:28
If we're getting a DoF I'd be more relaxed about having another less experienced manager. Experience doesn't always mean instant success e.g. LVG at Utd (at the moment).
Rather wait until the end of the year . And support our current manager
Is De Boer not a novice then?. bearing in mind he has never managed in the premiership.
No disrespect intended on the Dutch League.
24 Jan 2015 03:05:35
Hi guys
Obviously Markovic has been playing really well. But does everyone think he can make the step up to the next level?
He certainly seems to have the talent and desire
Ed1 would also pike your opinion
{Ed001's Note - yes mate, I think he has the right attitude to do that.}
24 Jan 2015 06:19:35
And Ed1 what's your opinion considering his recent performance?
{Ed001's Note - I think he has the potential to be a very good player, I don't see him ending up long term as a wing back, but it is a good learning curve for him. So long as he remembers the work he had to put in in this position and carries it into a more attacking role, he could be as good as he wants to be. Right now, he is just a very good, but young player, needing to work on finishing and tackling plus the timing of his runs could be better. All of that can come in time, if he works hard enough, which he is currently.}
24 Jan 2015 09:18:19
More than finishing or tackling I feel he needs to work on his touch, which is a major issue with many 'high-speed' players
Just shows what a talented player can do when he gets a run of games. Emre Can is impressing people aswell.
I want to see him take people on. I like his pace, passing and work rate, but he doesn't seem to be able to beat people apart from using pace. He'd be great if he had Coutinho's skill.
I want to see him take people on. I like his pace, passing and work rate, but he doesn't seem to be able to beat people apart from using pace. He'd be great if he had Coutinho's skill.
His desire is admirable, the willingness to track back, and not dove in against players like hazard was brilliant in the week. I think he does freeze a little when one on one with a good defender, but hopefully that will come too with game time. Was very worried when he played his first five games or so that we bought badly. But hats off to him, I really enjoy watching him play, even if it doesn't come off for him, he wins it back. He's like a quick Henderson at the moment, just needs that final bit of quality.
His football intelligence is very good.
Sometimes too good for the players we currently have.
I was harsh on him to begin with. but he has grown on me.