Liverpool FC Forum

[Kharhaz]

1+1=2

Or is it 11?

[Igor Zidane]

There is a lot of hype. Flanagan is a neat little player, but has already shown a lot of weaknesses. There is a difference between having a nice young player who can develop and playing them week in week out. We need the squad to help develop the players into what they can become.

That's spot on that daws. I think that's what happened with Insua last year , he played far to many first team games and wasn't given a rest or a chance to get his confidence up. Ruined him that did .

[kawaton]

Beckham had a dozen games for united before he was loaned out to PNE.
What a stupid idea that was

[crazyhorse]

Loaning Spearing and Shelvey out again will not helpo their development at this stage.. they are already established first team players here, and sending them out to a different club with different styles of play would be counter productive.

[SouthCoastShankly]

JONJO SHELVEY is aiming to mount a case for his defence next season – and Steven Gerrard is the inspiration he will turn to.

A £1.7m signing from Charlton a little over 12 months ago, Shelvey played some part in each of Liverpool’s last six matches of the season, adding to a debut season total of 15 appearances for the Reds.

But Shelvey admits that defensively he had little idea of what he was doing when he first broke into Kenny Dalglish’s senior side.

“The defensive side of the game was very new to me when I first came here,” he admitted.

“The staff here organise you very well defensively, and it’s helped me as a person on and off the pitch.

“I’m not so attack-minded any more, I’m getting to know what my job is in the team.”

The example Shelvey constantly turns to in his bid for self improvement is captain Steven Gerrard.

“I think he’s the benchmark for young midfielders – he is for me,” explained Shelvey, whose early performances for Liverpool actually saw him ambitiously compared to his idol in some quarters.

Those comparisons haven’t fazed the 19-year-old.

“Everyone has someone they look up to but he’s the one for me,” he added. “Hopefully I can achieve half of what he’s achieved.

“It's not a burden for me, it’s nice to be compared to people like that. If something’s not going well, you can tell yourself, ‘Come on, you’re supposed to be the next whoever.’ It’s a bit of inspiration.

“It's nice to be labelled, but you can’t rest on what you’ve done. You have to be your own player, train day in and day out and try to become the best player you can.”

Shelvey has undoubtedly become a more rounded player since becoming Charlton Athletic’s youngest ever player – at a tender 16 years and 59 days old – three years ago.

A regular for England at Under 16 and Under 17 level in previous years, Shelvey had the honour of captaining England’s Under 19s in the first half of last season as he helped Noel Blake’s side through the First Qualifying Round of the European Championship.

“It's always an joy to play for England and I've been fortunate enough to have done it since the U16s and it's something that I enjoy,” he said.

“To captain them is something special and after playing for the U16s, U17s and U19s, the next step is the Under-21s so that's where I have to be aiming now.”

But his primary focus is undoubtedly establishing himself in the Reds senior squad.

“I enjoy it here and hopefully I can get more starts and be a Liverpool player for a long time,” he added.

“The highlight is just coming into training every day. It's a pleasure to get up in the morning knowing you're coming into work at Liverpool Football Club. It's an honour.

“I speak to my brother and he hates getting up in the morning. He gets up at 7am to get a train up to London and he can't stand it. It's just an honour for me to get up and do what I love doing.

“I knew the club was a hard working and family orientated club as soon as I joined. Everyone loves coming to work here. I don't think you could find a better place to work. Everyone is friendly, everyone gets on with everyone.”

Liverpool Echo - (LINK)

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I think he will come on leaps and bounds this season. I especially agree with the comparisons to a young Gerrard. There were moments earlier in the season where his ball control and passing reminded me of Gerrard. It took Gerrard seasons to develop into a world class player, i won't be judging Shelvey too much too early. He is still a teenager and is still learning.

[aCe']

Not good enough to even make the bench if we're serious about challenging for a CL spot... A spell on loan to a smaller side or even a championship side would probably be best for him..

[Rush Job]

There is a lot of hype. Flanagan is a neat little player, but has already shown a lot of weaknesses. There is a difference between having a nice young player who can develop and playing them week in week out. We need the squad to help develop the players into what they can become.

Thats exactly right.
These young lads are not players that should be playing week in week out at this stage but get them on the pitch as often as you can in games when you can and allow them to gain experience.

Yes mate, that why I wanted to get into europa, well that and theres more games to watch. Another season out of europe would be a disaster imo so we have to be going all out for top 4.

[Zidane]

Not good enough to even make the bench if we're serious about challenging for a CL spot... A spell on loan to a smaller side or even a championship side would probably be best for him..

I agree, the same can be said about all of the kids that were forced into the lineup last season besides Kelly/Spearing.  Jay is good enough to make the bench here and there, not regularly though.  Hope people realize that Robinson and Flanagan will see VERY little playing time next year barring injuries.

[aCe']

Not good enough to even make the bench if we're serious about challenging for a CL spot... A spell on loan to a smaller side or even a championship side would probably be best for him..

I agree, the same can be said about all of the kids that were forced into the lineup last season besides Kelly/Spearing.  Jay is good enough to make the bench here and there, not regularly though.  Hope people realize that Robinson and Flanagan will see VERY little playing time next year barring injuries.

I think fullback positions are probably the least important in modern day football... You could get away with having one average fullback in most games... I actually quite like Robinson and think him and Kelly should slowly be integrated to the squad this season...

Flanagan did okay overall I would say but I personally think the other two have better chances of becoming regular starters over time.

On Shelvey, I'd love to see him get some regular football for any other side. Hes decent in some departments but severely lacks in others. Perhaps a Championship side with some stability and a decent manager could do him good...

[Zidane]

Shelvey has a lot of work to do, I wonder about the lad.  He knows Kenny has a lot of faith in him and he's very confident but he has so much improving to do I wonder if he even realizes it.  He can be very good but if he doesn't work hard at this crucial stage he can end up just like Pacheco.  Robinson is only 17 I'd rather see him loaned to a championship side along with Shelvey.  I wonder if Shelvey could get playing time in a Prem side though, that would be a wake up call for sure, maybe spur him on to work harder.  I have no proof that he doesn't work hard it's just a vibe I get from him.

[jacdaniel]

I noticed a lot of people have been very critical of him lately.  He is still only 19 years old though and its a lot of pressure being expected to play in CM for such a huge club.

Think going on loan would be the best thing for all parties.

[SouthCoastShankly]

I think Shelvey's issue is lack of experience. He looks for a dream pass instead of considering how play is developing and play the percentage pass.

That said he has, in my opinion, got raw talent that once developed will be quality. His build alone at such a young age will hold him in good stead for a CM role.

A loan deal could very well be the right move, but I would say to a premiership club. Newly promoted for example.

[parchpea]

Shelvey just is not good enough for Liverpool simple as that. People often talk about giving these lads time but at the end of the day they are coming into a side at the top of the football tree and you have to make an instant impression or face the axe. Its a very uncompromising game at this level. Flanno, Robinson and Kelly showed us something, they all looked the part and did a decent job when introduced but Shelvey has fluffed his lines on every single occasion hes had his shot. You can see his frustration, and its down to the fact hes nether the ability or mental strength t cut the mustard at Anfield. He tried, we gave him a go, but hes failed the test and will be moved on.

[jimmy brighton]

Shelvey just is not good enough for Liverpool simple as that. People often talk about giving these lads time but at the end of the day they are coming into a side at the top of the football tree and you have to make an instant impression or face the axe. Its a very uncompromising game at this level. Flanno, Robinson and Kelly showed us something, they all looked the part and did a decent job when introduced but Shelvey has fluffed his lines on every single occasion hes had his shot. You can see his frustration, and its down to the fact hes nether the ability or mental strength t cut the mustard at Anfield. He tried, we gave him a go, but hes failed the test and will be moved on.

I think that's rather too harsh. He's 19 and inexperienced. That says it all. Plus, he has the build of a fighter although after last night's showing, I think he should stick to Queensbury rules 

[jacdaniel]

This is a little piece from wiki on Gerrard when he was around 18/19.  Just keep this in mind as an example:

Gerrard made his Liverpool first-team debut on 29 November 1998 in a match against Blackburn Rovers as a last minute substitute for Vegard Heggem. He made thirteen appearances in his debut season, filling in the midfield position for injured captain Jamie Redknapp and playing on the right wing, but he scarcely contributed in the short on-pitch time he received, due to nervousness affecting his play. Gerrard recalled in a November 2008 interview with The Guardian, "I was out of position and out of my depth." The Liverpool hierarchy nonetheless remained convinced that he would improve. Gerrard saw himself as a defensive player primarily, looking to make key tackles rather than push the team forward.