he probably was at his age but he was also sold on more than just about anyone i can think of bar robbie keane so..... both frustrating
I think Crouch was sold on because he affected the team. When he first gets in a team he is very effective but over time the other players trust his ball control so much they start pumping longs balls to him to relieve pressure and it slowly becomes the game plan.
True. But I think another reason is because he realised he would never displace Torres as our main striker.
I was talking about him leaving us, I was meaning in general. No doubt that Torres' brilliance with us helped Crouch make his mind up. Of course, us getting £11m helped too
I actually do rate him, but not based on his first team appearances - he's been shocking in them. But when you look at him in the youth teams for both LFC and England, he's different class and is head and shoulders above everyone. Plays with maturity, confidence, arrogance and composure - and it's all combined with fantastic technical ability. Whether these performances can be translated to the bigger stage i.e. Premier League remains to be seen but I think it's worth waiting to find out. He will miss sitters but in his defence, he's in the right position at the right time. However, if we were to get £7m for him, I think we could bring in a better, more experienced player.
He did well in pre-season and the EL games earlier in the season too. I'd prefer him to be sent on loan to a Premier League club.
I think Shelvey is more talented than Henderson, however, he currently lacks the temperament to make it as a top draw pro imo. However, he's still very young & so he's got time on his side. I reckon Allardyce could see him as the 'new' Nolan.
I actually agree - I think Shelvey has more potential to be a fantastic football technically but Henderson has a more solid foundation i.e. tactical knowledge and discipline.
And Blackpool Good shout Within reason, I'd take work ethic over ability most of the time. Having one or two that have fantastic ability is fair enough but it is a team game. You need players that are willing to work hard for themselves, their teammates, the manager and the fans. A Berbatov type is great to watch but there is a reason he wasn't played as much as the likes of Hernandez, Welbeck and Rooney at Man Utd! Edit: I don't think Shelvey is a skillful as Henderson.
I'm not sure about that. Henderson's skills cover the full circle better. By this I mean passing, moving, running, positioning, forward runs, crossing, shooting, tracking back, marking, intercepting and tackling. Henderson is not a master of all of those but he has all those bases covered to a level that is at least comfortable. Shelvey cannot defend and every tackle seems to be a red card risk.
I haven't been impressed by Shelvey's performances. Maybe I am being unfair but the first thing that comes to mind is "side net" and the second is "red card". With Henderson, I think energy and commitment and actually finishing clinically when he does get a rare chance on goal.
I wouldn't argue with that bit, but I think that's more to do with temperament & positional awareness than actual skill. Coaching & time could see that change tbf. I've made no secret of my opinion of Henderson, as I just don't rate the lad, so from my standpoint, Shelvey hasn't got much to beat.
I agree with the comment 'my first thoughts when I think of Shelvey are side netting and red card'. Early in the season Shelvey was doing so well. But he has gradually just declined and dropped out of the team. Maybe instead of comparing Shelvey to Henderson we should compare Shelvey to Allen as Henderson is established and doing well. The debate is still very strong on both Allen and Shelvey.
well being fair or trying to be in my mind would be to say shelvey has shown rodgers something in terms of trying to improve. I think he is only 21 and we forget that maybe. Howevr o nthe other hand the points made about his temprament etc are right too. I think there are two choices here for rodgers. 1. sell him for 7mil if you can... or swap for begovic = ideal 2. loan him as a big run of games is what he needs to really become a matured player. in the end LFC hoover up a lot of talent, this guy cost <2mil at the time, he's gone and done ok and has improved to be a big profit if we take it.... its the same as ince and such I will not grind me teeth if we do sell and he improves further cos he deserves his chance. We must choose allen and henderson and coutinho ove rhim no?
