I remember the days, and not that long ago, when about 80% of Reds fans slagged him off. Hand on heart, I can say I never did, and I'm very pleased about that <smugtwat>
I didn't slag him off either. I must admit though, at first I thought he just looked out of his depth in the Prem. But I'm always ready to give time to those who make the effort, and he got his head down and worked hard. It's only those who can't be arsed that I've no time for. With the money they earn they have no right to give anything other than their best.
He was though mate, hence the reason your fans were on his back. He's viewed in a totally different light now, as he's made the DM role his own & makes a massive difference to your side imo, but back then playing CM he was largely jarg.
Wrong (again). A lot of Reds had a go at Rafa for playing him "out of position" rather than the player himself. Saying 80% is yet again just a mysterious figure you've plucked out of thin air that's like me saying 80% of bitters wanted Moyes out when you were playing ****. It seemed that way on the City phone in but I bet if I'd been to Woodison the proportion of fans willing to support him would be much higher. Keep trying though Toby lad.
Try reading the the thread before wading in with a smart arse remark, would be my advice Billy lad. As I didn't pluck 80% out the air - see post #41 please log in to view this image p.s. A lot of reds just had a pop as they thought he was ****, so they didn't just blame Benitez that's nads mate.
Humble apologies bollox but obviously I don't read anything RHC says can't imagine why I'd be accusing you of making up total ****e though eh. Obviously I wasn't saying he wasn't playing jarg but as you know with some of the bollox you've had to endure over the years the educated amongst us look further than just "he's playing like a cross between Stevie Wonder and Heather Mills". Certainly with our own players we look for reasons such as he's young, he's in a foreign country and needs time to settle, he's playing out of position. All these applied to Lucas and there were plenty of people who knew it whatever you say. Some of us (like me) felt he needed to be developed and given time to settle before playing so many first team games. The same should have applied to Henderson last year IMO. Not the players fault and it doesn't make them **** either. Where did you get the pic of my missus favourite parking place?
Your bumchum's already said that I'm sure he's grateful for you fighting his battles for him but he can look after himself
haha, nice one I agree with you, I remember some defending him, as they could see something in him, but they were out shouted by the boo boys. I don't agree re: Henderson though, as I remember hearing about him when he first appeared at Sunderland & he was being linked to United amongst others. So I made a point of looking out for him & watched him closely in a couple of televised games to see if I could understand what the fuss was about. He did nothing to impress me & I was surprised when you went in for him. Nothing I saw from him last season made me alter that opinion. He's still young, so he could improve & make me eat my words, but I just don't see anything in him that makes me think that'll happen.
The quote below the one of yours explains the reasoning. He was originally an attacking midfielder so was playing completely out of position, as Allen is at the moment. We will see Allan and Gerrard in a different light once Lucas returns.
I originally used the figure of 80% and that included people in the crowd at Anfield. You can't aim that one at the BS
Gerrard yes I agree, Allen no, imo. The Allen you're watching now, is the player that he is. Keeps the ball well, keeps it moving, not very creative, bit of a crab Lucas will improve your side on his return to match fitness though, without a doubt.
Necessity? He couldn't claim a place in CM & was played wide right wasn't he? Even in CM I'm just not having him.
Mate I work with a couple of Blues who were slagging Fellaini after 3 or 4 games. Its mad that some people judge players so quickly. Hendersons got qualities but he's at a crossroads as to where he can take it. Some players take time to adjust to the top level, some never make it whether they just never recover confidence. I've always had my doubts about him but he seems like an honest lad who works bloody hard on his game and we can't ask any more than that as fans really. If we buy players and they are good enough but they don't try then we blame the lazy arse ****ers. If we buy players and they aren't good enough then personally I blame those who brought them in (especially those who pay WELL over the odds). Same goes if we play players when they aren't ready. For me the same applies for Henderson as it did with Lucas. Both moved at a young age, both played out of position, both with low confidence, both played too much in the first team when they needed time in the reserves, both try really hard and get unfairly scapegoated when things go badly. Obviously I have to mention you watching Hendo when he was linked with the manks...every bitters second team eh
Well I guess it depends who you sit next to in the crowd every week. Some fans are fickle, some more patient. Granted I missed the 80% quote RHC had I seen you'd have written it I'd have called you a twat rather than the bitters
