Liverpool Banter Archive January 09 2015

09 Jan 2015 20:08:22
sky sports are saying sterling is close to signing a new contract but driving home from work some one on said according to his source they are miles apart and he is no where near close to signing an extension. any one/ eds heard anything?

{Ed002's Note - The expectation is that he will sign it.}

I have always felt that Sterling will sign another contract. He's at a big club getting more game time than he could dream of, I don't think he's at the stage to be demanding stupid money to stay.

Red Rum

I think he's at the stage where there are many big clubs who would be in for him if he became available. Footballers careers are limited and youth these days are not patient and it's very hard to see where Raheem retires a Liverpool player.

Happy that sterling will sign a knew deal, he deserves big money.
We need to keep the talent we have red rum and pay what he will get somewhere else if he leaves.
What is the reason behind all the remarks abt his wage? Age?
He is playing like a man pay him like a man.
Malta

09 Jan 2015 19:42:40
Anfield is actually the new global headquarters of an evil wizrd that we know as Rodgers. Just as Gargamel needed smurfs to make lead into gold, the evil Rodgers requires footballers to be melted down into brilliant white paint for his teeth. This is why massed ranks of players disappear into Anfield never to be heard from ever again. Likewise the wheelbarrow loads of money that disappears - that is melted down into an orange paste for his skin.

Poor Yesil :'(

The conditions gargamel forces me to work under are very poor. we have been working on forming a union

09 Jan 2015 13:38:33
Hey Ed01, I'll cut this short but I'd love to help out with the site in any capacity, whether that be help editing or trying to find bugs to report,
Cheers mate.

{Ed001's Note - what kind of thing were you thinking of mate? Not sure we need another Liverpool editor at the moment. Well other than when Ed002 is not about, then we do need one. But it is unfair to ask someone to just be there to cover those times! But if there is something else you would be interested in??}

If I had more time I could go through the dross for you. Always wanted to see some of the filth too x rated for the site. Lol

{Ed001's Note - you wouldn't have time to even get a blimp at half of it mate!}

10 Jan 2015 02:05:31
Agree with mikey. Always have a curiosity for those posts which are cut at the start

10 Jan 2015 13:20:45
I'd be quite happy to help editing any of the other football sites you have.

{Ed033's Note - Emailed you, WelshBoyDave

09 Jan 2015 18:06:00
Wish all this talk of Origi coming in will save our season would stop.

The kid is no closer to starting regularly than Jordan Ibe.

Give him a year or two and he'll be class, hopefully alongside Sterling and Ibe.

Just get Sturridge back fit alongside Balotelli, as was the original plan, and with sterling or Lallana just off them we'll be firing again.

Only priority in January, if Sturridge stays fit, is a keeper.Sort that out and we'll not be far away.

He should stay on loan.

09 Jan 2015 17:34:42
Many people on here saying that we shouldn't be bringing Origi back because he is too young and its not fair to put him in, and i can see why people are saying this, but in my opinion it would be a great idea. This year we have only looked like a proper team when we have played with pace. Last year teams could not deal with our pace and the introduction of Sterling as a false 9 has improved recent performaces. This is my problem with Balotelli and Lambert, they don't bring enough pace to our attack (aswell as Balotelli be a lazy git). Origi will give us the pace we need, and with the lightning fast Sturridge still to come back, I think things may start to look better. Imo Origi suits our style far more than Borini, Lambert or Balo. don't forget that Origi is only a year younger than Can, Sterling and Markovic who are all now in our starting team.

The benefit to getting him now for me is that he will have 6 months under his belt at Liverpool when next season comes around.
The fans are turning on him at Lille accusing him of already having his head in Liverpool.
That can't be good for a young player either.

09 Jan 2015 17:17:39
Eminent Physiologist Dr Fraudian has diagnosed BR, s constant teeth whitening as a cry for help. He is literally baring his teeth at the world. The final act was to paint his face orange to further emphasis his glaring teeth. These stress action have not been helped by FSG insisting as he is only half good at his job ( i.e. good attack, bad defence) that he receive half of his pay. Thus removing his entire tooth whitening budget for the year causing further distress

He shares notes with Tony Blair.
All teeth and trousers.
However Rodgers is not allowed to share Wendi Deng Murdoch. Blair's bit of fluff on the side.

09 Jan 2015 16:01:55
Hi Eds,

Firstly, thanks for all the continuing good work you do. It must be tough listening to all the endless questions that appear here and you each deserve a great deal of credit for taking the time to reply.

You've mentioned a few times that Rodger's interactions with the press have upset the club heirarchy quite abit. I'm just wondering if you could maybe shed a little more light on what he's saying that's causing problems?

I'm just not sure I understand the issue, is he just saying stupid things that the club would rather he remained silent about?

Many Thanks

{Ed002's Note - Done to death.}

09 Jan 2015 14:47:10
eds reds I've just been having a look around different sites, lfc mentioned concerning ter stegan, it seems he's unhappy at barca, no starts ets, possible loan? also illay gundongen of dortmund, refusing new contrat, 16 million? would be a great signing, i know dream on!!!.

{Ed002's Note - I would not get your hopes up.}

09 Jan 2015 14:06:48
I don't what is actually wrong about our transfers, we don't seem to attract players of high calibre anymore and we do waste time in pursuing our targets while others gazing us in the market. We have identify a weak link in the current team which is the goal keeper. There are quality players out there, we should go for one because by summer we would have teams with more financial muscle to contend with. As far as am concern for the recent transfers made, January business has always favored Liverpool as a club. YMWA

Which qualtiy keepers are out there, please tell me? And who is a realistic option.

09 Jan 2015 14:51:15
Well to be honest, I feel like we were never the team that are filled with world class players and sign top top players. Our legends are either home grown players or they are the one who became world class playing for us. Don't get me wrong but since I started watching Liverpool that has always been the case. We have had few bad signing and few that has not gone in our support yet though.

Maybe that is why we haven't won a league in over 20 years,

09 Jan 2015 13:08:19
Hello eds. This great work your doing could not be more appreciated thank you!!
Based on all your previous edits, I came to the understanding that offloading players is the only probable move that could perhaps be done by LFC.
If that is true. who are the players that may probably leave LFC??
My sincerest regards

{Ed002's Note - If you have read all of the previous posts I would think you would know that Suso and Lucas were the players who have been actively looking for new opportunities. I have also explained that Balotelli has been offered to clubs in Italy and England but no one has shown an interest in buying him.}

Since Balotelli has been offered around, does he himself want to leave liverpool or is this Liverpool trying to get rid and hence sending the agents around? Thanks

{Ed002's Note - Liverpool contacted Balotelli's representative and told them to try to find a buyer - unfortunately the price wanted by Liverpool is well beyond what anyone would be willing to pay. Ergo, we are where we are.}

09 Jan 2015 16:40:44
Balotelli is probably a scapegoat here. I still think if played in the right position(upfront with Sturridge), he will get us many goals. And there were many games in which he was the best player on the pitch(when we couldn't get a shot on target, he was the only one making decent attempts).
He is not the kind of player who can play alone upfront, let alone with players around him who can't make a decent pass.

I`m with you, Pirate. Balo was a handful for Spurs when he played along w/ Studge and Sterling vs Spurs. That was not a flash in the pan. We were all salivating at the prospect of those two causing chaos in the PL. That player is still there and that formation can still work. Playing him in situations where he will fail and using him as a scapegoat each time we don`t win will not help because based on the crap he has gone thru in his life growing up, abuse will not affect him because he is simply used to it. He has looked sharp and gotten into good positions in the last few games YET doesn`t get any credit even for the smallest things he does right (don`t see Lambo getting stalked and humiliated by the media for having poor games and not scoring) and people berate him because their minds are already made up that the poor boy can`t do anything right. If I was him, I wouldn`t give a crap either because all I get is blame and abuse so there`s no point caring. He needs encouragement and reassurances which is what Prandelli did and he is still the only coach to make Balo shine YET. Prandelli who I like) knew how to reach him, protect and motivate him an he also knew that unlike the dictators (Mou and Mancini), abuse and tyranny will not affect him because he is extremely tough mentally so such tyranical tactics will not work with him. Hence IMO, play Balo w/ Studge or Studg w/ Balo and Sterling, support him and let him know he will and can help us and we will see improvement, IMO.

10 Jan 2015 18:08:42
In the game today, Borini was absent most of the time. At least Balotelli gave them something to be afraid of.
But the people will speak of his slip. Typical stuff.

Exactly!

09 Jan 2015 12:29:49
Can anyone confirm how Jerome Sinclair is developing? Have not been able to see any recent games he may have featured in sadly.

Very well but It doesn't matter brendan won't give him a chance in the first team at all anyway . unfortunately

09 Jan 2015 11:46:57
Eds if Lucas leaves this month for a fee, do u think there will be a replacement lined up?
Even tho we have a bunch of central midfielders, none of them can really do the defensive role.

{Ed002's Note - Search engine.}

09 Jan 2015 11:24:28
Gone already Ed's? How long was that post up for, 20 minutes or so? Some people who frequent this side need a personality transplant, they also need to look up the definition of the word BANTER!

You have enough nonsense to sort through on this site Ed's so I will make this my last post and save you even more hassle. Good luck with the site Ed's hope you attract some decent posters who can take a joke and banter and not just ask you banal questions about are we signing so and so for the 300th time that day. Take care lads and lasses.

{Ed002's Note - Yep.}

Don't worry Waro, half of the threads I comment on end up being deleted becaue of trolling. I've just leanred to take it as a compliment now! There is a famous Winston Churcill quote that goes:
"You have enemies? Good. That means you've stood up for something, sometime in your life."

Better to be hated than jump on the bandwagon! Keep posting mate. I don't always agree with you, but this sie would be boring if all the 'No.1 fans' hounded people off the site.

09 Jan 2015 14:27:51
With EMS on this! What's the point of a banter page were we're supposed to debate issues if everyone has the same opinion? It's a difference of opinions between us all that makes this page worth visiting.

If people can't handle it if someone disagrees then that's their problem, not yours. I've seen some of your posts, sure you may be a bit abrasive, but you stand up for what you believe, whether or not I agree doesn't mean you should be forced to possibly stop posting!

Feel free to post on the banter site (link at top) Waro. We have a little more time than the other Eds, and I'm quite happy to remove the abuse whilst trying to let reasonable replies through. .

You would be missed Waro.
Don't allow them to silence your opinions fella.

09 Jan 2015 11:06:17
My God what happened to giving players from the academy a chance? I'm disappointed my favourite player Suso is gone without being given a decent run of games.

Add to that the fact that there was no plan to loan out the players that were loaned, and very little follow up and plan for their development.

In the summer after we sold Kris Petersen i was surprised as he was consistently one of the best players in the academy, we loaned out Ibe when this would have been his break out season, 20 year old Teixeira was also loaned out in a move i don't think makes much sense.

I follow the academy and think we have a good bunch of youngsters but after seeing Pertersen and now Suso sold i really can't see the likes of Kent, Wilson, Dunn, Teixeira, Canos being given a chance either. Youngsters like Ward have also not been given a chance in the cups when it has seemed logical to do so

This to me is evidence of the mismanagement that will continue to hold this club back. Hopefully it changes but i just don't see it

Cheers

Best post this year mate.

09 Jan 2015 12:28:01
Good post. This is a debate I really enjoy partaking in, as I've had experience within a pro academy as a coach.

Firstly, I'll admit I was surprised Peterson got shipped out after a decent pre season. Suso, an obvious talent but without knowing the ins and outs, I can only assume he lacks application in some form.

The other thing with Suso, considering our squad is full with attacking midfield players, where does he really fit? He's not better than Coutinho who still has potential to fulfil! Many see sterling as best in the 10? So we end up playing him out of his favoured position, again something fans disagree with. Unfortunately, this for me is a lose-lose. It's just a shame we couldn't get a fee.

Let us not forget the age of the likes of Wilson etc too, there is still plenty of time. They're still developing in every aspect of their game. But the likes of; Wilson, Sinclair, Kent, Chirivella, Rossiter, Brannagan. Just a few, definitely all have the potential to be able to make it here.

And one final note, and I realise this shouldn't necessarily matter, but it does.

Squad size, there is just no way we can bring up 5 or so players and give them adequate game time. Personally I agree with loans for developing players, I just wish in future, unlike with Ibe and Texeira, that it is with other prem sides.

The only disappointment from this side of things and giving youngsters a chance, is that Sinclair or Yesil (am I right in thinking he's fit again?) haven't at least been making the bench if we have been so desperately short of a striking option.

I know many want to see our young uns coming through, I'm the same. I just don't think it's so cut and dry as throwing them in, particularly as we aren't exactly flying at the moment.

09 Jan 2015 13:44:55
Best time to chuck youngsters in, is when the side is confident and playing well and you can't really say that atm, can you? I worry about the young ones too, as at times all we seem to want to do is buy yet more players for said positions, when we have them in the club already, thus making our wage bill even higher and ending up with frustrated kids!

Very good post kawabanga. The Kristoff Peterson sale left me shocked as well. The same kid that score in nearly every pre season game he played was dumped out for a small compensation. The management really needs to buck up, we cannot have more talented players being flogged for meagre sums and buying big money replacements who are no better.

Lads I;m not being funny, I think the youth aren't being given a chance, but at the same time we have every 1 on here saying These players are class and will bring Liverpool forward:
Ojo
Wisdom
Kelly
peterson
Flanno
Robbo(when he was younger)
sterling
Ibe
Yesil
Dunne
Rossiter
Lloyd Jones
wilson
trickett smith
Mclaughlin
texeira
suso

I'm sorry but not all of these players constantly bandied about are going to make the grade, do they deserve chances in cups, sure then again you want trophies, and playing the youth in these cups might get you knocked out.

That's 14 players I have listed that people want to be itnegrated through the academy within the next 3 years or so. I'm sorry but not all are going to make it, and the way we talk about them, it has to be said surely there's a chance we are overstating some if not a lot of their potentials

I cite Robbo in this case who, 3/4 years ago every 1 was raving about after his appearance vs arsenal etc.

you are looking at us having a 100% successful 1st team rate with our 14 or so academy players I've mentioned, I'm sorry, but it's just not going to happen.

I agree with Bobatron completely. Posters wax lyrical about our youth squad but if 2 maybe 3 got regular first team football then that would be tremendous success. As i have said before, let's see where they are in 5 years time even if not at Lfc. My guess is Championship maybe lower PL football if they are lucky. I will put my hat on Suso not having a great carrer at AC Milan before moving to a lesser team in Spain and McLaughlin carving out a career in League 1.

Think i am 50/50 with Bobatron, sure we can't play too many of our youngsters, as itb would upset the balance of the team, but, there are games, say this season, that we are never going to win, let's say nearly all against the top six, we could give game time to one of the young players on that list,
this could save us millions if it worked out, we have wasted millions and more millions this last few years,
just hoping that Sturridge will be the one to spark us back were we belong, we have lacked a proper striker since he got injured,
Sterling is much better coming in behind the striker, at speed .

After Robbo's game against Arsenal did he get a run of games? No.
I want the shirt to go to a player who comes into the side and grabs the opportunity with both hands.
Robbo did that against Arsenal a few years back and then he was discarded and then loaned out.
Suso, the same.
Even Williams and Rossiter this year have not been seen since coming in and playing well.
I understand that not every player will make it but we don't really give them an opportunity to make it and that is the whole point in the academy.
There are loads of posts relating to how we have messed up in the transfer market wasting millions of pounds.
We are also wasting millions by not utilizing the academy in the right way.
We should be sponsored by a waste management company.

If we've learnt anything recently it's that Robbo isn't anywhere enar the level required we found that out when we loaned him.

It takes courage and resolve to play youth and believe in them. See Southampton. Courage is what BR lacks and only plays youth (Sterling, Ibe, Flanno, Wisdom) because he had no choice and not because he really wanted to as he is quick to take the credit when they succeed and looks to dump them and buy players from other academies to take their place. Also, the fact that they all won`t ake it is NO reason not to play them at all and stick with them even if they fail in their first game(s). That is a lame excuse and a complete cop-out. If that was the case, Barca, Ajax, Bayern, and even Real Marid would not have given us Raul, Cassillas, Mata, Negredo, Jesse Iniesta, Messi, Pujol, Pep, Van Basten, the De Boer twins, Davids, Kluivert, Lahm, Alaba, Hummels and. Emre Can just off the top of my head. You have to be commited to playing youth and it is either you are or you aren`t and BR is NOT.

But how many players didn't make the grade? The point still stands, NOT every player currently being touted as our fans as ''good enough''is igoing to actually be good enough

AGAIN, wrong argument! You must not have read the whole post because you missed the part where I said "You have to have the resolve to play them and take a chance on them" and let the chips fall where they may. The fact is you have to give them a decent shot to know if they are or are not good enuff to make the grade. AGAIN, not playing them because they all might not make it is a lame excuse and a weak argument for not giving them any shot of actually making it. That is the attitude BR has. They are all not going to make it at LFC so why bother trying? PATHETIC attitude, IMO! Those who make it, make it and those who don`t? Well, dont. Really don`t care how much you are touted as a youth player because even veterans are highly-rated and still couldn`t make the grade regardless of how many chances they were given. In our position, playing the kids and giving them a chance is our best shot at getting good players for peanuts like Sterling (who is proven already), Wisdom (very experienced in the PL already) as well as Tex and IBE who are VERY promising) to add to Dunn, Jones, Wilson and Ojo who are very highly-rated by those who have seen them play countless times. We will never know who will make it IF they are not given a fair shot.

{Ed007's Note - If they don't make it at Liverpool just sell them on, you'll always get 3/4 million for any player with a bit of EPL expereience from teams like Stoke, WBA or Crystal Palace.}

I agree with REDOHIO here. Obviously we are not going to bring 10 players through at the same time. There has to be a balance! There are too many apologists among us. Always putting out the same old rubbish, they are to young, they need more time, blah, blah, blah. IMHO that is a load of B*ll*x. I am sick and tired of hearing it. Southampton would be a non-league club by now without their commitment to youth. Even with Money to spend they are still actively promoting youth players.We have some serious talent available to us. Unfortunately they will not develope any further without Prem/top league game time. Robo against Arsenal was mentioned above. Someone said "look how he did on loan". EXACTLY. instead of building on his momentum and developing him next to Agger and with a world class Captain in Gerrard, we dropped him then loaned him to a lower league! Maybe he would not have made it, but we will never know because we mis-managed him. The biggest crime BR can commit this window will be if he let's Lucas go and does not use Rossiter! Yes he is a kid and will make a few mistakes (Gerrard has made more than a few this season), BUT he is ready NOW! Our loans of IBE and TEXEIRA were useless. They will not really develop at the clubs they were sent too. They need to return to us asap and get first team games. They too are ready IMO. The constant mis-management of our youth system and the tired old excuses (management and fans) used to justify NOT playing youth, are p*ssing me off. If BR the self proclaimed messiah of youth football doesn't change then he needs to take a walk and allow us to bring in someone who is am ore experienced and all rounded coach, and will work with youth. Rant over

So we should play every single youth player in the first team at some point is what you're saying?

09 Jan 2015 07:11:12
"Marquee" signings - i'm not a fan - main reason is that i believe that once a person achieves top status/success you lose your hunger and drive (its a natural thing) its interesting that if we look at Torres, Suarez and Sturridge - they all had huge potential and still plenty to prove to the world - hunger made them what they became here. I am not sure our answer is signing a "marquee" player

Replacing Gerrard - need a young, aggressive, player with clear potential and hunger ;-)

I think to find that player will cost as at the very least 30-40 Mil.

Where we find someone with his authority and composure I'm not sure.

Question to ends: Who would you buy if you were not limited in anyway to replace the Gerrard effect in the team?

{Ed001's Note - I would give the players we have a chance to step up and instead but a top class keeper. Build from the back.}

Ed001 how about Ter Stegan reports are saying were in for him, he's a top quality young keeper i mentioned this the other day.

{Ed001's Note - Barca have a transfer ban, they are unlikely to be willing to consider losing him mate. Not this window anyway.}

BigD, i very much doubt Ter Stegen would take such a big step backwards from challenging for la liga to fighting for a top 6 finish in the premier league. He will have better options if Barca do let him go.

I'd say top class keeper, top class defensive midfielder and a top class striker. I think the defenders we have can be top class, but they have been constantly exposed by weak midfield and having a poor keeper behind them doesn't help.

Even if "top class" keepers or defenders are signed I think we'll still be in the same situation with Rodgers as manager.

Yes, your right, ....nonsense deleted due to ignorant so called "fan" giving abusive names to Liverpool players - the levels of disrespect are truly astonishing....

09 Jan 2015 12:33:35
Indian, Ter Stegen is not challenging for La Liga, he is sitting on the bench of a team that is challenging for La Liga, big difference. That said I doubt we would get him due to the transfer ban, but would still love it!

Just to reply to big Q from Big A, who would you buy to replace Stevie G, well I have said it before, we already have that player, Emre Jackie Can, what a player this lad will turn out to be, as long as our current manager doesn't mess with his playing time,
this 3/4/3 formation works for me, now we have to play our best players in their best positions,
this plus Sturridge scoring lots of goals, will take us up the league, how far, not sure, as lots of teams are as hot and cold as we are .

Ter Steggen is aweful and I would not touch him at all as he has shown he cannot hack it at a big club. There are good keepers out there especially in Ligue 1 like Costil (rennes), Ruffier(Saint Etienne), Mandanda (Marseilles) as well as in Germany like Leno and Zeiller. The scouting dept is not doing it`s job because if I can name these keepers because I`ve seen them play a lot especially in the French league so WTF are they doing. GET TO WORK!

{Ed002's Note - That is not how it works. They are scouting players who may be of interest and available and you are playing fantasy football.}

Maybe, Ed! Still feels good tho. lol!

I'll be glad to be rid of the 'Gerrard effect', as you call it.

Yet you seem to value this 'Gerrard effect' at £40m to replace!

This is an example of the media messing with people's heads.

Gerrard is a legend and a celebrity, but in reality, we are losing a poor DM player - and saving a fortune in wages.

Just play Lucas at DM- where he should have been playing all along - and we'll have a better side. Or give others a chance - I wholeheartedly agree with ed001's comment on this.

The other players would struggle to do any worse at DM tbh!

08 Jan 2015 21:54:36
HI eds your doing a great job as per usual

Are we in for anyone or is the finance the exits free up going to determine who we bring in.
I think we are in between a rock and a hard place TBH,
what we got to sell/loan and what we need,

{Ed001's Note - it is sell to buy, mostly, right now.}

09 Jan 2015 00:09:23
Assaidi to Dubai in next few weeks £3million

09 Jan 2015 20:07:16
Must be a private jet, because even first class wouldn't cost more than a few grand

09 Jan 2015 00:57:28
Have you noticed that no matter what combination of centre backs we have we still end up conceding game after game? Does this not tell you something? The reason our centre backs are always under pressure is down to having poor central midfielders who don't provide adequate defensive cover and who don't know how to recycle possession effectively.

No matter how you put it Gerrard isn't physically capable to provide adequate cover for our defence, likewise he isn't physically capable to carry the ball forward or create space for himself. He is often forced into long ball passes which as we know is frustrating and isn't very effective.

Allen is too lightweight (as we know). He isn't comfortable on the ball and he doesn't have the physicality to help protect the defence. Over two years at the club and no improvement (even when he has had a run of games he hasn't taken his chance).

Henderson does the defensive stuff well. He closes players down and gets in front of the opposing attackers to help protect the defence, however he is not the best passer of the ball and doesn't have the intelligence/vision to play the central midfield role. For me his best position is right midfield (behind Lallana in the pecking order)

Lucas is the best defensive midfielder we have, however that doesn't mean he is at the level we need. He does his job of protecting the defence well, and it is always great to have a player like him on the bench for games where you are struggling, but in my opinion you need a defensive midfielder with a bit more in his locker.

For me, a good pair would be Nainggolan and Pjanic both of Roma. They could be our new Mascherano and Alonso as it is those types of players we need to be investing in if we are going to sort out our defence and midfield.

Red Rum

Nothing to do with BR forcing the 'play it out from the back'. Instant pressure on defense

The paiing for Roma is Naiggolan and Keita. Pjanic is an attacking midfielder BUT I see your point.

09 Jan 2015 05:16:13
Pjanic is one of the best in his position and ATM a move to either Spurs or Liverpool would be a step down.
Roma is in an excellent fight with Juve for the title.
We should try to get Hamsik instead.

09 Jan 2015 08:01:29
Sorry but Hendo's best position is right midfield? What are you on mate, he's your classic box to box central midfielder. Further proved by the fact that in his first season he was played out right and we almost sold him, he had 2 seasons in the centre and did so well he's been given the vice captaincy and now he's been moved out right again, people are questioning his performance. As soon as he gets moved into the centre again (e.g. vs Swansea) we look better and he runs games again. Hendo is a CM. Plain and simple

Well said hijkle. It's weird how a player with such a severe lack of vision is only behind Fabregas, Sigurdsson and Tadic in terms of assists this season.

Hendo is a class central midfielder, as you say, plain and simple.

I would rather save the money Red Rum and partner Hendo and Can together going forward.

09 Jan 2015 09:22:47
Have to disagree about Henderson, think you are under-rating his passing and vision tbf. He may not be Steven Gerrard but has a good range of passing and perfectly capable of hitting cross field balls when necessary but tries more to play the ball shorter/quicker (which i prefer).

As for vision correct me if i'm wrong but doesn't he have the most assist in our whole team? Which considering he doesn't take set pieces is quite impressive

I probably didn't make myself clear. I agree that Henderson is a box to box player as I have said in a previous post but I wouldn't have him sat infront of my defence trying to dictate play. I'm not arsed about our central midfielders getting assists, i'm more concerned about how they dictate the flow of the game. For me, Henderson has always played his best football on the right hand side. Not as a winger but as a box to box player. He plays much better when he has the freedom to attack and defend when necessary, not shackled to a central midfield role. The only reason I say behind Lallana is because Lallana is the player in form at the moment. Both players will keep eachother on their toes, there's no doubting that.

Red Rum