I wouldn't call him the midfield general. He's a water carrier, someone to run around and do the running and keep things moving. If you're expecting him to be making the play then sure, we'll only win the big ones using italian style tactics as he isn't a modric or a pirlo or an alonso
I don't think he is useless end product wise. I have spent several seasons watching Shane Long. If Shane could score the "tap-ins" Sterling does, he'd be playing for City. I dislike scapegoating anyway - Henderson, Sterling, Alli, Young, Kane (who no one seems to criticise anyway), they all played their parts in getting us to a World Cup semi final. I was 29 last time that happened, I'm twice that age now. No regrets.
Except he is the midfield general, because we have no one else who even comes close to turning a game upside down with a single, visionary, pass.
I have to say I really do like Lovren... "It's something special for me," Lovren told beIN Sports. "From my point of view, people said I had a difficult season but I don't agree. "I took Liverpool to the final of the Champions League. Now with my national team we are in the final. "I think people should recognise that I am also one of the best defenders in the world and not just talk nonsense." The guy is ****ing barking mad.
that's more on Southgate than because Henderson is our best technical player. Henderson can play the long balls and switch play. He's not modric though who is cool under pressure, is aware of space and can turn into it under pressure. Our Modric should really be Alli who has that skill of carrying and keeping hold of the ball
Alli is more of a deep striker though, surely? Not a playmaker anyway, his job is to link up sure, but also get in the box. If you want someone who can run from depth with the ball at his feet, that's Oxtail Chamberpot. But what we really need is a midfielder with a Scholes, Lampard, or Beckham range of passing. And Henderson, though limited, is the closest we have to that; close but no cigar.
He's a billy big bollox who needs to understand that all the talent in the world doesn't matter unless you put a shift in.
Alli plays that role at spurs. Pretty sure he was shoved CM and did okay too on the few occasions they were struggling for players. Alli has that range of passing and can drive with it though is my point. Just because he's not playing that role week in week out for the spuds (who are a fluid outfit anyway), doesn't mean he's not the best guy for that job in this england side.
Maybe you're both right. I would describe him as "mercurial". Not the sort of character you'd build a side around, and little point expecting him to be something he is not. But an asset and a constant threat. In danger of becoming another scapegoat, but undeservedly imo. **** scapegoating anyway, it's a team game and this team should be proud of what they have achieved, take the lessons, and move on.
England looked the most threatening the few times Pickford just punted the Allardyce ball upfield, no point dicking around at the back when you don't have creative midfielders
Perhaps, but his control, distribution and finishing are really very, very poor. That's why he doesn't scare decent opposition at all, because they know he's incapable of doing anything with the ball once he gets it and can defend against him with ease.
