I feel like when he is on as well he doesn't move very quick at all. He seems to have gained a bit of strength over the summer which is good but I think it has slowed him down quite a bit, need to balance that out as well. I'm a bit split on shelvey, one moment has plays like he did against young boys then another he is woeful and can't connect anything.
He does seem quite inconsistent but I believe his best displays have come when Gerrard doesn't start. Perhaps he feels star struck, intimidated?
or plays in his best role ( for me) AM. Don't think he can cut being a CM, doesn't have the engine, discipline yet.
One thing he does provide is a body in the box! He gets into great positions which is more than what can be said for others. Shame his finishing is very hit and miss.
Possibly add barely hit in there! Two absolutely golden chances for him yesterday ( 3 if you count the one at the very end that he just barely skimmed)
He's only 20 years old. Lucas was 22 and still being slagged off. Kuyt had no first touch but was our top goalscorer. So if we get rid of Shelvey that's another hold in the squad to fill. Whoop di doo, more Fulham pensioners to miss out on through cheapness.
There are question marks but he is still young and is showing promise and at least getting in the right positions. Got to give him a few more years yet mate!
Thou shalt not criticise Spearing! Anyway, Shelvey is at least getting into the positions to score. His finishing can be worked on, his natural ability to be in the right place at the right time cannot. He'll turn out to be a good player for us
Shelvey is a better attacking midfielder and I do agree he and Gerrard can't play in the same side. If it were me, I would move Sahin back alongside Joe Allen and push Shelvey forward, his link up play with Suarez by times is excellent.
I sort of see what you're saying. For me, I'd have Suso interchanging with Sahin, Shelvey with Gerrard, and Henderson with Allen (when Lucas is fit I'd push Allen further a bit further forward). This is in general, mind. Obviously, they can be mixed up a bit. We Have a decent amount of midfielders. It's the forward players where we are lacking.
I didn't notice anyone saying get rid in fairness. Oh and maybe sacking Rodgers will give FSG the chance to add a Fulham pensioner in at LFC. You should be careful what you wish for. As for Shelveys need to develop and improve, of course he does and of course he has time to. The problem we have as a squad at the moment is that the youngsters are HAVING to improve in the first team rather than being brought through gradually. Shelvey is undoubtedly talented. He is also undoubtedly raw as younger players so often are. Personally I'd prefer it if he could be dropped back out of the squad for a month and worked on using his left peg and his aim but at the moment its a luxury we don't have.
Agree with Billy. What we need to avoid is another 'Insua' scenario - he was brilliant when he rotated with Aurelio. But put him in at the deep end and he struggled and a lot of the fans turned against him. Same with Lucas. Shelvey is a big talent and has the potential to be the next Gerrard IMO. He has made mistakes and will continue to do so but as Billy says, he has time to improve and I'm sure he will.
With all the challenges we currently facing I am staggered that we are even having this conversation. I, for one, was pleased to see Shelvey come onto the pitch and create some drive and energy around the play. He's 20, FFS... give him a break. I think some of the comments on here are unhelpful - God help him he were ever to read some of this stuff! GKRK
Why? Young lads are as open to criticism as any other player when they get into the first team. Shelveys made it clear he thinks he's good enough for our first team so if he's starting games he should be at a stage he's ready for it. I doubt there are many people who expect miracles from him I know I certainly don't but any player playing first team football for LFC has to be ready to face top top players every week. Is Shelvey good enough at the moment to be facing the Yaya Toures of this world week in week out? I'm not sure he is (yet). Will he be in the future if he keeps developing? Yes I absolutely think he will. I've always been of the opinion that young lads development is a tricky balance. Of course they need first team experience but they also need to do a certain amount of development away from the first team. As I said we haven't got that luxury at the moment which is a shame but we have to live with it for now.
shelvey... "probably" can only get better... read stephen ireland for why i say probably. is he much good now? nope. is he the next steven gerrard? absolutely no chance. engine is supsect, thinks tackling means kicking peopel and can't figure out where he's supposed to be playing.
Still not convinced by people saying Jonjo can't tackle. He was a little reckless in one challenge, in one match, and was shown a red -- undeservedly, IMO. In another game that tackle merits a yellow, if at all! With respect to his all round game, I agree he needs to improve -- all young players should look to improve, after all. But I've seen enough, in various games for us, to know that he undoubtedly has the talent to be a great player for us. He's scored decent goals, made really good tackles (one bad one!), set up goals with great through balls, and has, at times, tricked his way through heavy traffic without losing the ball. He has the skill-kit to do very well but, as everyone says, he needs to improve and become a little more consistent. I have great hopes for both Shelvey and, incidently, Henderson.
Shelvey's tackling is the spitting image of Gerrard's tackling at the same age; lunging reckless type challenges in an attempt to win a ball that he has no right of getting. The main difference is the change in rules, Gerrard never really got into a lot of trouble back then but Shelvey will now if he does the same type. the fans love to see the thirty yard chase down followed by that lunging tackle, I'm no different, but the rules are different nowadays. Shelvey is a similar player to Gerrard IMO but will never be as good, lets face it, who will be?
Fair points. We'll not see Gerrard's like again! With respect to the tackling, if Shelvey (or another player) tracks back he could still slide-in to tackle providing he tackles with the top of his foot, rather than the studs. I remember Gerrard doing this quite a few times in previous games, to nick the ball off a midfielder's toe. Tackles can still be made it's just the players need to adjust their techniques to adhere to the newer conventions. Shelvey does a lot of things similar to Stevie. If he can be half the player Gerrard was/is, then we'll still have a gem.
To be fair to Shelvey, on this point, Gerrard made quite a few wild challenges in his youth too. I think Shelvey has great potential, but I agree that predictions about him being the next Gerrard seem optimistic. It was clear from the beginning that Stevie was something special.
