I think Henderson will spend the season mainly on the bench. I reckon the season after is when Henderson will become our right winger. Whoever plays it looks such a better outfit than last season
Gerrard - Hard to say Meireles - Not bad Downing - Average Adam - big step up, problems lasting the pace aswell Aqulilani - god awful Kuyt - average Lucas - Good Henderson - hard to call Cole - one of the leagues worst players right now Spearing - potential. Its not the best nor the worst group of players. Still think alot will depend on Gerrard which is still a major problem for you guys. I also think a 352 would get slaughtered big time.
I don't know why everyone is trying to fit every midfielder into the team. The whole point of these signings is that we have a squad to use now! People's teams don't leave room for Suarez and Carroll, who I think will start most games together. Then if you add Gerrard and Kuyt to that, who won't be left out of the team and possibly Lucas if not Adam, but he will have to work hard to force Lucas out of the team. I don't see why then Downing would be chosen ahead of the likes of Meireles and even Maxi who both were crucial to our team, but that's the point, it's many more choices and we can use our best lineups to match and beat specific teams.
Why is Gerrard a major problem? We done amazingly well when he wasn't fit, so surely he will only strengthen the team when fit.
Because imo the reliance on Gerrard has hampered you over the years as everything has been about him.
Fair point. Although when you have a player that has been so excellent then i guess that's what happens. It looks like finally we have a good enough squad to move on without him, when need be. Although, i still expect he'll be the first name on the team sheet for 2-3 years yet
Yep, its as much a hindrance as it is a help. Top class player but over reliance on him hampers both the player and the team. Maybe this season players will take the load off him and he will be used correctly and allowed to rest. He will need it if he plans on playing for Liverpool for 3 or 4 more years.
The only thing I agree with in that is Lucas. Meireles = Good Gerrard = Excellent Downing = Very Good (check his crosses + the fact he's the 5th biggest chance creator behind Lampard, Gerrard, Fabregas and Giggs) Adam = Don't know yet Henderson = Not sure yet Cole = Poor by his own standards. Spearing = Above Average. Kuyt = Not even a midfielder Aquilani = Good, even better when he gets a game. Shelvey = Average. Maxi = Average.
Strongly disagree about Downing. Creates yes but as a player he is awful imo. You payed £15million to much. Adam on last is a bragain though. Gerrard can be excellent but hes getting on a bit and he doesnt have the same superman like aura about him anymore. Of course next season could be different. Even Cole ( the worst player in the world last season ) could step up.
How is he awful though? If he creates lots of chances, he scores ~10 goals a season and sends in the most crosses in the premier league then what else must be do to be classed as half decent?
Come on man, I bet like many of us you have looked upon Stuart Downings career and laughed.....alot. hes just one of those players isnt he.
UIR. You're entitled to your opinion. Here's mine on United players. Gibson...****. Anderson.****. Carrick.****. Fletcher.****. Nani.Erratic. Valencia.Average. Giggs.Over the hill. Berbatov.Useless. Rooney.Over-rated,over-hyped,over-weight granny shagging thug. Hernandez.One dimensional.
Was bored and ended up watching these back to back last night. I thought neither player set the game alight but both were looking to move the ball on, the main difference i saw was that whoever Henderson was trying to pass to bricked it whenever they got it. Also bear in mind Henderson was being played out of position as a deep lying play-maker. Funny, watching those 2 highlight reels i couldn't tell that the gap between them was as great as people say, and why Henderson got so royally panned for his performance. Note Henderson's attempts at one-twos, the fact he always has his head up to spot a pass when he gets the ball, and that he is clearly very mobile (always on the go is a good attribute to have around the other players we've got). Ok Mata's touch is noticeably better and he makes a few better decisions, but you would expect that with an extra 2 1/2 years playing for Valencia and Spain. [video=youtube;TkFshpjG2GI]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TkFshpjG2GI[/video] [video=youtube;DL39QcZj3Qw]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DL39QcZj3Qw&feature=related[/video] I'd love to pick Kenny's brains on how he's going to use him though, as many have suggested he could be a right winger. Has a bit of the David Beckham about him from what i've seen so maybe he will be given some kind of wide role.