I have to smile, how the universal appraisal of Henderson is "will come good, eventually" And yet, none of the other flops get such encouragement. Personally I see Hendo's biological inability to enter the oppositions penalty box, is just as equal a failing as Downing's inability to ping a pacey cross along the 6 yard box, or Carroll's inability to get in a meet crosses, or Adam's inability to do anything right. Now I'm not slagging the lad off, I'm just amused that he gets treated better on here, than the others, is it his youthful clean face? For me, Adam aside, all the English flops stand an equal chance of failing and getting sold, or coming good and becoming a legend. I don't see anything more from Hendo than the others. And it's not that much harder to think Adam can turn it around.
I think we all recognise that Henderson is one for the future. So too is Carroll, but the difference between the two is that Henderson has showed more signs of potential (good passing, vision etc) and showed a lot more effort. Carroll showed nothing (at the time) and looked uninterested.
He's young, inexperienced and played out of position. Added to that the fact he tries hard. Downing on the other hand is at his peak, is very experienced and in his very best position and he's yet to show any real promise
Dont complain that we support Henderson. Complain that people dont support other players who struggle. Henderson has looked good at times, is very dedicated, mature, and is captain of the under 21's.
Henderson show's commitment and never gives up - that's why I like him. During an interview with Steve Clarke he said that Hendo was the one player that always wanted to stay behind and train longer, that's the type of attitude we need. For his age he's very mature, just lacks that little bit of confidence at the moment and the big occasions get to him at times. This will improve - you can see on his face the disappointment when he's had a bad game. But I do agree he needs to be getting in the box more as there's no doubt he has the energy to be a box to box midfielder. I'm sure this will be the case when he starts believing in himself more.
I for one was amazed that JH walked into the starting 11 at the beginning of the season and I'm still surprised he gets in as a right midfielder ahead of anyone. I like the lad and do think he has potential to be regular centre midfielder for us over the next decade (as long as he keeps working hard and improving). His attitude and passion are first rate so I would never criticise the lad but I'm still a bit bemused as to why the management team think he's earned an automatic starting place already.
Many players work hard and stay long at training but it doesn't take away from the fact that at this present moment Henderson offers absolutely nothing to this team. Kuyt must wondering what he's done to be dropped for such an underperformer. Like all players he's got potential but for the love of god he shouldn't start any games from now on. If we are serious about getting into the champions league and challenging for the PL then KK needs to acknowledge that his strategy of using British players is not gonna work, they are just not good enough. Henderson at his peak will be another carsick, nothing more.
For me, the big difference is the effort put into games, Henderson is visibly trying hard, he keeps running and working hard for the team much like Kuyt and Lucas when they were the culprits of all that is wrong with the world! Carroll has started to put more effort in but still lets players run past him with the ball when they are just five yards away, I don't care if no one else is near you and they will just pass it around you, put the effort in anyway! Adam is just generally bad. His passing, tackling, shooting, crossing and set-pieces have all been poor. On top of that he is slow and has low energy levels (I don't think he is but he could be lazy?)
did he also play the 2 passes that created our first 2 goals? one for kelly to shoot then went out to gerrard, and the other for suarezs run. Otherwise, i agree with most of whats already been said, especially attitude and experience
I thought he had a poor game yesterday - I know he played a part in the build up to 2 of the goals but he gave the ball away too much and generally looked a little but nervous. I have time for him because he puts in a lot of effort and isn't being played in a position that suits his style of play at all. But I do agree that people should really give some players a break, can be very hard to adapt to a new club and new style of play etc.
I don't see what Henderson adds to the team in all honesty. He's not a right winger and shouldn't be played there meaning he has to be in the middle. Is he better than Gerrard? No. Lucas? No. Spearing? Probably not either given current form. Even when he plays in the middle, he doesn't push forward as much as a Gerrard would and doesn't sit back as a Lucas type would...seems just to float around the middle making him great in a midfield 3, but useless in a midfield 2. I just don't see what he brings to the team yet..
Sunderland fan here. If you are expecting him to be a midfielder and to be another Gerard, sorry, it's not going to happen. Most of us would sum him up this way. To be a good midfielder you need to be able to:- a) Pass the ball well. b) Have energy to play "box to box" c) Have quick feet. d) Be able to tackle. e) Have ability to win headers now and again. f) Be able to shoot for goal. Henderson can do the first three well but d), e) and f) are beyond him. As one who has watched his development for some years, it is my opinion that he will never be able to overcome the last three weaknesses. He was noted at Sunderland for his enthusiasm and willing ness to work at his game but that will never be enough to be outstanding at the top level. I don't think he will "come good" with age as a previous poster has hinted, sorry. This is in no way a WUM post, just an honest appraisal.
I'm not sure that we need him to be able to tackle and head the ball TBH, Steven Gerrard is a hard act to follow as he really is the complete midfielder, there aren't many like him in the world. As for not being able to shoot, He's had some fantastic attempts so far all of which were on target or pinged off posts, unlike Adam...
Carroll- until recently, he might as well have still have the black and white stripes on because he looked disinterested in anything Liverpool. Adam- Without Lucas he gets exposed, add to that the amount of times he loses the ball, it just speaks for it. Set pieces worth 10 mil eh Fergie? Hendo- Young, captain of 21's, works hard, stays after practice to work on his game, and if you see all of the videos, he has technique, he just needs to mature and bring it out more. He might not be Gerrard but if he can add strength and stability to our midfield then perfect.
Zingy. Do you want to come on this piss up when it's finally arranged? Or, is it out of the question because of 'er indoors?
Interesting thoughts about Henderson. I like him and believe that he will develop further. Another Gerrard - no. Perhaps his biggest failing in the box is that he worries too much. As our inability to put the ball in the net (until last night) has continued, you can almost see him thinking "who can I give it to? I don't want to cock-it-up!". Add to that, as the Sunderland fan intimated, he's not a natural goalscorer. How far he will develop I believe will depend upon where we actually play him. To my mind, he's far better in the centre of midfield than he is out on the right.
