not having a go, as he is without doubt our most talented player. But I think his season can be broken into 3 periods- first 1/3 of the season was playing ok but scoring goals.2/3 struggling with injuries . 3/3 playing probably playing his best football of his career- but not scoring many. my concern is that on the wing he can get isolated abit-but it is his best position at the mo. should he play more of a central role if we go up as our midfield lack goals. several people have suggested he should play in the hole where i think he would have more of a goal threat. or should we just clone him and be done with it
Not all players have to be goalscorers. Maybe we've come to expect this from Adam but his trickery and skill means he can tear full backs apart and he's got a fair few assists. We need a player who has the feet to get around players, and if that means he doesn't score 20 goals a season, I'm not complaining. He's doing a brilliant job where he is.
And there was me thinking he had his best part of the season before he became injured. He doing fine again now, but he's about 95% of what he was before that peak, IMO. I'd love to see his prozone stats.
disagree. I think he was even more effective in the first third of the season. recently some full backs have worked him out. a class talent though.
He was outstanding against Pompey. Created most of our chances and could have scored a couple with a little more luck.
He hit a couple of quality volleys v Pompey, 1 shaved the post, the other forced a great save. On the other hand, he was one on one with the keeper and strangely decided to take it round the keeper rather than shoot and as a result resorted to diving. He needs to be more confident when in front of goal, other than that an outstanding player who surely is only going to get better.
I think that Guly and Lallana have been off their best because our midfield have not been giving them enough supply into their feet. The link up has struggled and you want these two on the ball as they can open up even the best of defences. Also I think both of them like to cut inside which is an issue when the middle of the park is already congested.
His finishing is the only part of his game this season that's been less than the brilliance you expect, I feel.
As he is in my opinion our best play on the ball, I can't help but think that his play making ability is not fully utilised out on the wing.
Agree with some others, he needs to work on his finishing or be less selfish in front of goal, he wastes so many chances (admittedly most of which he creates himself), but without doubt a class act and will continue to improve.
I don't fully agree OddRiverOakWizards; apart from the odd game, we always try to get the ball into Adam's feet. His touch is sublime and his tricks can cause mayhem. I agree with the comment about them cutting inside. I think that when he had that little niggle around Nov/Dec time, he was over trying to cress something and that he should have simplified his game while not fit, or not been played. There is no doubting his ability on the ball and if he can deliver in the Prem, then the world is his oyster. I have been really impressed by his work rate in recent weeks too.
Just to add: If he stays with us, I'll be licking my lips at the prospect of him playing in a kore central role when he's 30-32 and his legs are gone a bit. Can you imagine him later in his career in a Teddy Sheringham type role? He'd be amazing.
Yes! And at last someone on here has used the words "this season" instead of just saying his finshng is crap. His finishing is excellent, hence 20 and 14/15 goals in previous seasons. It is just that in the last 4/5 months his finishing has waned. It was great in August and September.
Great fan of Lallana; had a great start to the season, tailed off in the middle third and has improved since. Is he playing as well as he was at the beginning of the season? - I would say not quite. He had alot of assists and some goals at the beginning, but these have fallen away. IMO Morgan has been out-shining him of late - I think both will do well in the Premiership but I feel there is possibly more to come from Morgan than from Adam...
I think Lallana's main problem is he is trying too hard. However he will get a shade more time in the premier which may aid his type of trickery. At the moment he draws at least two defenders when ever he has got the ball the same as Lambert and more lately Sharp. Which should leave a midfielder free somewhere on the right. "But we ain't got one" we so badly need someone that can take players on, on that side of the field. We would like De Ridder to do it but he just doesn't have the finished product. Chaplow is probably our best bet out there at the mo when he is on song that is.
Adam has wonderful skills and when on form is a pleasure to watch, definately one of the best players at this level. At the beginning of the season he was superb, but IMO there are some areas he needs to improve on to be classed a top, top player. People have mentioned his finishing and it's true he doesn't always put away the chances, but I think that is a confidence thing and he is as good as most when his confidence is high. More of a concern to me especially recently is his final pass or choice of pass. Neither have been as good as you would expect from someone of his undoubted quality. Secondly, his stamina seems to ebb and flow where he drifts in and out of games. This may be related to his health issues as a youngster, but a player with his ability needs to be involved much more than he is.
i think that one of the reasons his goal scoring has dropped off is that he is tracking back more and his work rate has improved no end- against pompey he ran his socks off. that and he has been unlucky,also sometimes his shots look like a 5 year old girl has kicked it as he goes for placement not power
