Liverpool FC Forum

[devaney]

I have given Downing credit for his improvement on his own thread but I'm certainly not getting carried away. He contributed considerably towards Kenny's demise. And what's all this tosh about Downing's having a good season. Our Stewie didn't even start to do anything remotely useful this season until he was told by BR that he could go in January. His season didn't even start until late December. It's just that type of attitude that resulted in us having an awful start to the season. Yes he has had a reasonable three months but do you seriously believe that their would be a queue to buy him at £20m. Sorry I live in the real world and I'm not going to get massively excited about a player that ponced about like a prima donna for a very long time and couldn't even get an assist to his name. He even had the audacity to signal to the Kop that they should shut up when he eventually had the decency to actually score a goal. He can do a job but I wouldn't be bothered if we moved him on in the summer.

Yes the team was poor last year but you also have to remember that Henderson and Downing represented twenty percent of the outfield players. It is difficult to carry two important players that are finding it difficult to settle especially when one of your key strikers is having trouble scoring. Let's face it they were bought as the supply lines for Andy and they both seriously failed to impress. I can show some sympathy towards Hendo because he is young but the same couldn't be said for Downing. You don't buy players of Downing's age if it is going to take them a season and a half to get off their backsides.

[Thommo's perm]

He didnt play too badly today and was lively up until he was subbed.
Still needs more composure for me though...

[damjan193]

Like others have said, his decision making sucks at times. And although it looks as if he's grown some balls, he still looks frighten sometimes and doesn't know what to do. It's frustrating for me to watch him play at times because I really think he is a good player and I expect a lot from him.

[ycsatbjywtbiastkamb]

he didnt have his best game today but he wasnt alone in that sense.

[ycsatbjywtbiastkamb]

thought he had his best game in a red shirt today.
he was particularly impressive in the build up to the 4th goal where he sprinted 30 yards back to the halfway line to disposess a newcastle player but instead of admiring his good work he immediately turned around and made a great run that gerrard picked out with a ball over the top.

[maguskwt]

All credit to Henderson for working hard all season and coming back to form establishing himself as a starter. But players like him, downing and even probably lucas just lacks something that makes ppl say they are not true international class talents. If we are to improve next season as a team, I'm afraid we will be looking at replacing the likes of Henderson, Downing, Lucas, Skrtle and Johnson with better players. I think the problem with Henderson is that he has the technical ability and the hard work, but he just lacks the vision and the instinct. The lob pass that Gerrard gave to him and he scored, I think that Henderson will not be able to do it because he never sees it or he never sees it in time, and not because he doesn't have the technical ability to execute it. Still, he has alot more potential than Downing and I would be looking at replacing Downing first before I replace Henderson...

[RED BEERGOGGLES]

Only Newcastle's groundsmen covered more ground than Henderson yesterday ,the lad has phenomenal energy levels and is starting to get
forward a lot more ....he was an unsung hero yesterday .

[Kenny Kan]

He's doing well. He had a very good game yesterday.

Still don't think he actually has the actual ability to play behind the striker in the long term *looks at Coutinho* as his game is more about energy. He's a 'typical' MIDfielder IMHO. When he came up against the caliber of Chelsea he struggled big time playing in between the lines and I don't see that as his game. Though his runs going forward yesterday were class.

He's a slight dilemma for Rodgers I reckon.

[RedHands]

I think we are definitely better with Henderson in the side simply because he has incredible stamina and energy. If I was looking to replace one of our starting midfielders, it would be Lucas before Henderson.

[ycsatbjywtbiastkamb]

i actually think if any of our midfielders are under threat of losing their `nailed on starter` status then it`s gerrard.
he`s the best player i`ve ever seen in a red shirt but wether your names billy liddell, kevin keegan, kenny dalglish, john barnes or steven gerrard you cant fight father time.
i`ve no doubt gerrard will still be playing for us in 5 years time but i think the time is fast approaching where he starts playing that role scholes and giggs played later on in their careers (i.e not starting every game, maybe being sub a few times etc)
he`s still got plenty of football in him but i dont think this system suits older players, with only having 3 men in midfield we really need those players to be very mobile and i dont think thats gerrards game anymore.
i remember roy keane (and more recently michael carrick) playing center half for united, i wonder if it`s worth trying gerrard there? it`s not as if he hasnt played in a defensive position before, he was an excellent right back for 2 years when he first broke into the team and he played as a DM for england for most of his international career.
he could be a beckenbauer type ball playing CB imo.

[LFC1990]

Gerrard should play the Pirlo role. Sit in midfield and what ever ball comes in "his area" he just looks to spray balls around. His ball to henderson for sturridges goal was fantastic. As i have said it is what pirlo does and it has helped him keep on top of his game.

I like Henderson in the Attacking midfield role but also like Coutinho in the free role where he can drift around but with Suarez in the team its imnpossible to get the best out of everyone.

Henderson WILL be future Liverpool and England captain everything about him just reminds me of Stevie

[Benny The Noon]

When Allen returns from injury Henderson I can see being returned to the bench

I can still see him being sold. I don't think BR really rates him.

[RED BEERGOGGLES]

Absolutely no fault of his own that he was withdrawn yesterday ,more about a change of tactics . Henderson had a good game and some of his passing was
gerradesque ,I think the lad is starting to show exactly why his purchase was an astute piece of business from Daggerz .

[C-R]

Captained the u21 side that lost tonight, had a steady match, a nice freekick at the end of the match which on another day could have crept in

[ycsatbjywtbiastkamb]

i watched the game myself mate, thought it was dull as dishwater.
then again its hardly surprising watching england (at any level) is like watching paint dry when you have the likes of pearce and hodgson calling the shots.
you`d be hard pressed to find a pair of more uninspiring managers.