You can see this guy has class in his game and he really impressed me today especially his little flick, he is only 19 and I think he will turn into a star. He has plenty of time to work on his finishing and after todays performance I can see him featuring in the Wigan game too. He was unlucky when Adam and Saurez were a bit selfish with their shots, a little roll into Shelvey's path and he would have scored. Maybe Kenny is having second thoughts whether to send him back out on loan when Spearing and Gerrard return?
Yeah, thought he had a good game today, although I do wonder how that midfield would cope against a good team. Villa had a lot of possession in front of our back four today,
It was visible in the last 20 mins of the QPR game as well, right down the centre of midfield. We are lucky we were playing QPR and Villa who have pretty much no decent strikers available. Heskey is absolutely dire, his performances against us and Utd were laughable. Can't argue with 2 clean sheets though since Lucas' injury, should have been 3 if it wasn't for Spearo's red card. I think we have what it takes to shut out some of the better teams, you also never know what Kenny will do in Jan either. What I like about Shelvey is his intelligence to pick out a clever pass and get into goal scoring positions, I noticed this in the EL last season also.
I was impressed with him whenver he played last season. I wasn't expecting much from him last season but I saw bits here and there that showed to me that he has talent and could become a class player
I think the main thing he learned at Blackpool was a sense of purpose on the pitch. Last year he'd be running around like a headless chicken and making silly shots, but since his loan he's learned where the ball needs to go, where he needs to go, and all that's left is to train harder and develop into a star player.
I believe that he's going to be a big, big player for us. To think that he's only 19 is incredible - a ready made replacement for SG imo. Today, he was always available for the ball, often in loads of space. Hat's off to the lad.
Yeah I echo all of the above! What an asset he could turn out to be, should be very much a part of the first team squad now and get a lot more chances. He looked much more mature and assured yesterday. Would also agree that at times we did tend to leave ourselves exposed in front of the back four, not sure the solution to this one. We could play the system we played at the end of last season with three centre-backs or put Agger in there for the really tough games(ala City) but not sure if this would actually create more problems in unbalancing the defence again or putting too much stress on Agger's glass frame, not to mention Carra's lack of form this season! I know Spearing is back for the City game but I am not sure if he is the answer especially against the top sides.
We've leaked only one goal since the loss of Lucas and that was when we were down to 10 men! However, I agree that top quality teams will make more of the space in front of the back 4 - Kenny and Clark were on the sidelines discussing it yesterday....I think we'll buy in January, imo, it's the priority purchase atm.
No I fully agree but for me since Lucas injury we have looked a bit exposed in that area, even the Fulham game we were caught a few times allowing Dempsey and Dembele heaps of room to operate. Also for me as evidenced yesterday we were on occasions struggling to find a pass out of defence, this is something Lucas always gives as he comes deeper to take the pass, small details but the kind of details that might make the difference between top four and top six! Were you sat on the bench yesterday? Are you Kevin Keen by any chance?
Good player , got tonnes of energy, lots of ability, future England player, no probs. But NOT another Gerrard, not quite in that class
I swear only a couple of weeks ago before his loan started lots of people were saying he wouldn't make the cut (not necessarily you guys), which i found odd given how little we've seen of him. The thing that has always made me think Shelvey is a talent is that he gets involved in goals. He always either gets in a shooting position or is picking that pass for the goal. Yes he needs more discipline off the ball and could maybe work a bit harder, but it's a lot easier to round a player who can create than turn add creativity to a a hard-working player. I can also can see the Gerrard comparisons given the above and that rangy gait he has. The guy will be an absolute weapon at some point and there's no way we can predict whether or not he will become anything like 'The New Gerrard', but i'd rank him in the same potential bracket as Sterling, Robinson and Coady (who i think will be part of a Liverpool team playing Champions League football in 5/6 years time) as opposed to Flanagan or Spearing (who may well be good members of the squad but not starters).
To be honest, I rate him as probably the best prospect on our books. Looks very composed on the ball, good passing and gets into good positions. Looking forward to seeing more of him in the near future.
1. kenny identifed villas woeful midfield as an area we could propser. 2. villa missed bent and agbonlahor, if nothing else for running and chasing. 3. we played 5 min the middle and villa never even close us down as we knocked it about at the back. 4 shelvey did ok, some good contributions for sure. 5. the team as a whole played boths halfs in 30min spells and let villa have it for the rest.
You can't train for the intelligence and vision he clearly has. Once he becomes tidier and starts providing real end product we'll know he's made it.
I'd just like to make one point on shelvey... in his support here... lets not get too carried away when he plays well AND on the other hand when he doens't play all that well lets not beat him up. Simply put we must expect and accept some inconsistency from young lads... henderson gets too much stick at 20 IMO... shelvey admitted himself at blackpool one or two games he played were not good so I expect him to have an off day if he gets a run with us. Its only natural. I and we need to be mindful of bashing a young player.... when they clealry have talent... on the other hand when a player si muck on a stick like David N'gog clealry was I think calling a spade a spade in in order. Shelvey has a few good assets in his locker, he's not the quickest but he can make a contribution and gain a lot of experience i nthe next 6 months once we are patient
The boy looked decent, not going over board but should he continue to improve on his alround game, he could turn out to be some player! Slight OT, but did our only “scare” at the back come when Jamie was on the pitch, don’t get me wrong, he’s a legend and love what he’s done for us but surely, that 10min cameo is a sign that apart from the odd FA Cup game and maybe one of the Carling Cup semis, he’s not going to be a regular starter from now, barring drastic loss of form, injuries or suspensions to the likes of Agger and Skrtel
all i can say is bellamy delivered a great corner this weekend.... we've so many options for set pieces i would really epact the delivery to be riased in standard now not lowered. I agree on carrgher, don't want to see him back inthe side again unless no option. he's just gone. get into a coaching role and be done with it as far as i am concerned... great servent but this is what happens to them all in the end. If he retires at the end of the year gets a coaching role and then lets kelly cover CB that'd be good but Hodgson gave him years so he'll be bench warming then too....
