Liverpool FC Forum

by **Ola Mr Benitez** » Tue Nov 01, 2011 7:34 am

Why do people on here only ever look at our players weaknesses rather than what they do well. Adam is always looking to get the ball forward and turn the play around quickly. His passing, free kicks and corner are probably the best in the league. Kenny wanted him as did Spurs and Man U but they all obviously know nothing. If only they had come on here and ask the "experts" then you lot could have put them them right

by **Thommo's perm** » Tue Nov 01, 2011 10:27 am

Ola Mr Benitez wrote:Why do people on here only ever look at our players weaknesses rather than what they do well. Adam is always looking to get the ball forward and turn the play around quickly. His passing, free kicks and corner are probably the best in the league. Kenny wanted him as did Spurs and Man U but they all obviously know nothing. If only they had come on here and ask the "experts" then you lot could have put them them right

I think its just human nature mate
People love to moan and football fans are notoriously fickle. It keeps the debate going.
It wouldnt be interesting if we all agreed would it?
:eyebrow

by **aCe'** » Sat Nov 05, 2011 6:25 pm

Its incredible that he continues to operate in the CM role despite all our problems down the middle . The thing is, many people see the 4 or 5 moments of top class passing and delivery that he provides during the game and believe they compensate for whatever other deficiencies he has playing the role.

This season, for me the biggest disappointment has been losing Meireles and replacing him with Adam. We fail to create chances through the middle and defensively, we are very open through the middle. With Gerrard out, I think we desperately need to get someone like Spearing starting in the middle of the park to support Lucas defensively and to allow the side to press the ball better down the middle. It not only helps the defensive side of our game, it also gives our fullbacks and wide players more freedom to operate in their natural positions rather than worry about covering the middle of the park.

by **Zidane** » Sat Nov 05, 2011 6:36 pm

Yeah, been worried about it from the get go and it just keeps coming back again and again. Early in the game I saw someone just ghost by him as he slowly jogged back into our third of the pitch, as soon as I saw that I knew that it was going to be a bad game for us defensively. There were holes all over the pitch and a lot of it has to do with Adam. Lucas gets worn out covering both sides of the pitch repeatedly and as the game goes on you can tell that he just can't cover as much ground as effectively as he was earlier in the game. Adam tires as the game goes on as well and it does my head in cause it never seems like he's working all that hard. I don't understand why Kenny persist with him cause he just is not doing enough for us, his passing was off all game long add to that his defensive mistakes and we basically were a one man midfield. It irritates me.

by **maguskwt** » Sun Nov 06, 2011 3:12 pm

I agree with ace and Zidane. The midfield pairing of Adam and Lucas is just dire. It is our most important weakness because If we have strong CM's who can control the middle of the park our wingers and forwards will automatically become better. At this point in time, I would drop Adam and try out Henderson in the middle. Or bring back shelvey. I would actually like to drop both Lucas and Adam but don't know if we can afford to do that...

PS he also tackles like Paul Scholes

by **Kenny Kan** » Wed Nov 23, 2011 3:16 am

Well, he impressed me against Chelsea. I thought him and Lucas were solid together as a partnership. Yes, he lost Malouda for their goal who cracked a shot and ended up a pass but Enrique or Skertel shouldn't have let Sturridge ghost in at the back post like he did, it was poor defending. But let's also remember he also had an important helping hand in our goal by pressing high and forcing Mikel into a mistake.

Adam contributed to a midfield that grind-ed it's way against Chelsea, his work rate was good and his tackling not to Xabi either. If he continues like this I maybe eating humble pie sooner rather than later.

Yet, him and Lucas need to work on complimenting each other -especially against the 'lesser' sides. I think Adam needs to push forward and press like he did against Chelsea and play the ball around further up than he has been. There is no point in either Lucas and Adam taking up the 'deep' position against the Swansea's of this world, when we're in possession he needs to gamble a tad and push up with the ball to have more influence in the final third.

by **aCe'** » Wed Nov 23, 2011 7:07 am

He did well against Chelsea... Personally, i thought it was one of his better games down both ends of the pitch and the introduction of Henderson to support the Lucas-Adam partnership helped us control the middle of the pitch for large periods... Long may it continue...

by **Octsky** » Wed Nov 23, 2011 7:35 am

aCe' wrote:Its incredible that he continues to operate in the CM role despite all our problems down the middle . The thing is, many people see the 4 or 5 moments of top class passing and delivery that he provides during the game and believe they compensate for whatever other deficiencies he has playing the role.

This season, for me the biggest disappointment has been losing Meireles and replacing him with Adam. We fail to create chances through the middle and defensively, we are very open through the middle. With Gerrard out, I think we desperately need to get someone like Spearing starting in the middle of the park to support Lucas defensively and to allow the side to press the ball better down the middle. It not only helps the defensive side of our game, it also gives our fullbacks and wide players more freedom to operate in their natural positions rather than worry about covering the middle of the park.

u really really surprise me.
when u speak like tat, i am beginning to suspect whether
you have footballing brain.
maybe you have a personal vendetta against Adam.

fans complained about the home draws against lesser team
and you still want to play 2 defensive mids ?

Lucas improve a lot over the year but you cant give him attacking responsibilities. in my memory he scored one goal for us (fa cup against a lower div team that we won 4-2).

i am just glad that without Gerrard we have got Adam as backup.

by **JC_81** » Wed Nov 23, 2011 10:02 pm

I thought Adam was excellent against Chelsea. He did the ugly side of the game well alongside Lucas. The two of them broke up play and used the ball intelligently. Their best game together. Adam's crossfield pass for Johnson for the winner was top class though, that's why we signed him.

Yeah he did get caught sleeping a bit for their goal with Malouda running in behind him, but the whole team had fallen asleep for that 10 minute period, and truth be told Chelsea could have got another goal during that period and killed us off, so singling out Adam is a bit harsh.

by **7_Kewell** » Wed Nov 23, 2011 11:09 pm

Adam is starting to fit in and has improved a lot over the last few games. Can't wait to see him play with Gerrard more

by **Scottbot** » Fri Nov 25, 2011 12:16 am

aCe' wrote:Its incredible that he continues to operate in the CM role despite all our problems down the middle . The thing is, many people see the 4 or 5 moments of top class passing and delivery that he provides during the game and believe they compensate for whatever other deficiencies he has playing the role.

This season, for me the biggest disappointment has been losing Meireles and replacing him with Adam. We fail to create chances through the middle and defensively, we are very open through the middle. With Gerrard out, I think we desperately need to get someone like Spearing starting in the middle of the park to support Lucas defensively and to allow the side to press the ball better down the middle. It not only helps the defensive side of our game, it also gives our fullbacks and wide players more freedom to operate in their natural positions rather than worry about covering the middle of the park.

I read we've got the joint best defensive record in the league along with City this morning so Adam's defensive deficiencies (although I agree he has some) do not appear to be effecting us so badly so far this season. My feelings on the lad haven't changed that much. I think he's a decent player, he's played very well on a few ocasions, had a couple of real stinkers and a few solid games an all. It's been a bit of a mixed bag (much like our season) but (on the whole) he's done pretty well so far. He's certainly outperformed the likes of Carroll, Hendo and Downing amongst the new signings since Kenny came in.

I'd also add it's very difficult to boss games and control the midfield for the full 90 minutes if your a 4-4-2 side (which is what we've been for most of the season) playing against a side that plays a central 3. And it doesn't matter if you're Charlie Adam or Steven Gerrard.

by **Ola Mr Benitez** » Fri Nov 25, 2011 11:38 am

Scottbot wrote:
aCe' wrote:Its incredible that he continues to operate in the CM role despite all our problems down the middle . The thing is, many people see the 4 or 5 moments of top class passing and delivery that he provides during the game and believe they compensate for whatever other deficiencies he has playing the role.

This season, for me the biggest disappointment has been losing Meireles and replacing him with Adam. We fail to create chances through the middle and defensively, we are very open through the middle. With Gerrard out, I think we desperately need to get someone like Spearing starting in the middle of the park to support Lucas defensively and to allow the side to press the ball better down the middle. It not only helps the defensive side of our game, it also gives our fullbacks and wide players more freedom to operate in their natural positions rather than worry about covering the middle of the park.

I read we've got the joint best defensive record in the league along with City this morning so Adam's defensive deficiencies (although I agree he has some) do not appear to be effecting us so badly so far this season. My feelings on the lad haven't changed that much. I think he's a decent player, he's played very well on a few ocasions, had a couple of real stinkers and a few solid games an all. It's been a bit of a mixed bag (much like our season) but (on the whole) he's done pretty well so far. He's certainly outperformed the likes of Carroll, Hendo and Downing amongst the new signings since Kenny came in.

I'd also add it's very difficult to boss games and control the midfield for the full 90 minutes if your a 4-4-2 side (which is what we've been for most of the season) playing against a side that plays a central 3. And it doesn't matter if you're Charlie Adam or Steven Gerrard.

Great post..

I dont know if I am watching a different Charlie Adam to a lot of posters on here but I think he has been really good for us this year.

OK I agree defensively he hasnt been really strong but it does not appear to have damaged us too much as pointed out as our goals against this season has been really good.

In fact, think of it like this, Suarez, who we all love and would never critisize has one of the worst shots on target records of the Premiership and we all agree that if we had scored more goals this term we would be higher up the league, so in theory Suarez has caused us more problems than Charlie Adams "dreadful" defensvie capabilities.

Now I have only used this as an example of how people can overreact to a situation. I like most people love Suarez and wouldnt swop him for the world.

by **stmichael** » Fri Nov 25, 2011 2:48 pm

Both him and Lucas were outstanding against Chelsea. People may think they both lack mobility but compared to the likes of Mikel and Lampard they look like world class athletes. Collectively their pressing was top class. Despite his perceived lack of mobility he actually has a good ability to go past a man aswell.

The biggest test will obviously come at the weekend with Silva dropping into those pockets of space between the midfield and the back four. He literally ran riot against United at Old Trafford. Both Adam and Lucas are better players than Carrick, Anderson and Fletcher imo so I think we'll be ok in there. None of those United players are anywhere near as creative as Adam in terms of getting the ball to the front players early.

Hope he keeps his recent form up.

by **aCe'** » Sun Nov 27, 2011 2:35 am

Scottbot wrote:
aCe' wrote:Its incredible that he continues to operate in the CM role despite all our problems down the middle . The thing is, many people see the 4 or 5 moments of top class passing and delivery that he provides during the game and believe they compensate for whatever other deficiencies he has playing the role.

This season, for me the biggest disappointment has been losing Meireles and replacing him with Adam. We fail to create chances through the middle and defensively, we are very open through the middle. With Gerrard out, I think we desperately need to get someone like Spearing starting in the middle of the park to support Lucas defensively and to allow the side to press the ball better down the middle. It not only helps the defensive side of our game, it also gives our fullbacks and wide players more freedom to operate in their natural positions rather than worry about covering the middle of the park.

I read we've got the joint best defensive record in the league along with City this morning so Adam's defensive deficiencies (although I agree he has some) do not appear to be effecting us so badly so far this season. My feelings on the lad haven't changed that much. I think he's a decent player, he's played very well on a few ocasions, had a couple of real stinkers and a few solid games an all. It's been a bit of a mixed bag (much like our season) but (on the whole) he's done pretty well so far. He's certainly outperformed the likes of Carroll, Hendo and Downing amongst the new signings since Kenny came in.

I'd also add it's very difficult to boss games and control the midfield for the full 90 minutes if your a 4-4-2 side (which is what we've been for most of the season) playing against a side that plays a central 3. And it doesn't matter if you're Charlie Adam or Steven Gerrard.

Good reply there Scott..
Ill start by saying yet again that he had a good game against Chelsea. Ill also put my head on the line and say this, I still think we have major problems down the middle of the pitch and the sooner we get them sorted out the better.

Ill start with Adam. For me, he's one of the most creative players playing CM in the league atm (Modric is on a league of his own imo). However, he lacks the tackling and positioning sense to consistently perform well in the role. As you mentioned, us playing 4-4-2 is probably one of the factors leading to the highlight being pointed at Adam and his performances. Theres a lot being asked for him and overall, I'll agree that he has been decent. I dont buy into the whole best defensive record thing. I can recall 2 games where Adam's contribution either directly or indirectly led to us losing points, and thats not to mention his mistake against Chelsea which he more than made-up for with that diagonal pass.
1st: The game against Norwich. Needlessly gets caught out of position and we subsequently lose 2 points.
2nd: Game against Tottenham. Stupidly gets sent off and eliminates any chance we had of getting a result.
You could even argue that he played a significant part in allowing ManUtd to score by losing his man Welbeck in the near post and then failing to even challenge the cross when it came in. Obviously another mistake was made tracking Chicarito in the box so Adam cant be held responsible as much for that one.

Regardless, if he continues to play the way he did against Chelsea then I have no problems with him in the middle as part of a midfield duo. The problem however is that he most likely wont. To compensate for what he lacks defensively he needs to really go out and make an impact down the other end (which he did is a few occasions this season). The nature of the league is such that small details (like losing your man defending a setpiece or losing possession high up the pitch and leaving your back4 exposed) ultimately determine your results and final position.

What I'll agree with you on is that he's had more of an impact than most of our other buys so far. That said, we're yet imo to see the strongest 11 out there on the pitch playing together. I dont think the 4-4-2 is something we can persist with and rely on to get results regularly (surely not with Adam played in the CM position), and I think Gerrard's return will see us gradually go back to a 4-5-1 or a 4-3-3 with Adam's role being slightly modified to allow him to do what he does best without jeopardizing the defensive side of things.

by **Kukilon** » Sun Nov 27, 2011 7:08 pm

Had a descent game today. Getting better.

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