Liverpool FC Team Talk/Gossip/Rumours Thread 11/12-Jan 2012 onwards

Johnson would not provide the same threat from RM at all.

he doesn't have the trickery.

the fact he can make runs from deep, i.e. the RB position, is far more suited to him.

i think he can play RM, but he would not be the success many seem to convince themselves that he would be.

Morzadec wrote: »

Just to clarify Spearing is 23, Kess was saying that he was turning 25. He's not, he'll be 24 in November.

Players are bound to improve playing competitive high level matches. Spearing is doing that. He's no kid but I believe he will get even better, as I feel his position is one in which you learn a lot and develop from playing at the highest level - positionally, tactically, time on the ball etc... How much has Lucas improved in the last year (Lucas is a year and a bit older than Spearing)? Spearing's development has not finished imo. I think he definitely has the ability to be a useful squad player/option for a top 4 side.

I wrote him off prior to Kenny's arrival too by the way, but I think it's unfair, based on his performances at the end of last season and deputising for Lucas so far, to say he's not good enough to be a backup/option for us if we have top 4 aspirations.

It will be interesting to see if I'm proved right anyway, because I expect him to be one of the first names on the team sheet for the remainder of the season, so we'll get to see lots of what he offers and if he continues to develop as he has been.

I got his age wrong then. He is turning 24 this year.

One of the posts last night said that Spearing is better on the ball than Mascherano. Mascherano at 23 going on 24 was one of our best players, one of the best in the world in his role, and pretty good on the ball as well despite what many now like to say about him.

Including his time out on loan to Leicester in the Championship, Spearing has a whole 24 league games worth of experience since the start of the 2008 season. He has a further 19 cup games in that period. Says a lot about his ability that even with Lucas out that Spearing was not put in the side as a regular when not suspended.

I really don't see the big potential that some seem to see in the guy.

Hard working? Yes very much so.

Honest type player on the pitch? I would say so.

Not the type to hide on the pitch? He is no hider.

Has his level of play/ability seen decent jumps in quality over the last three years? I don't think so. He still seems pretty much at the same level as he did a few years back. Capable of the odd shift now and then, but that's about it.

Any comparisons to Lucas or Mascherano at the same age are a joke imho as last season Lucas was the age Spearing is now, and Lucas was as good last season for Liverpool as he was this season.

I think if Spearing was at another club and he got linked to Liverpool as a potential transfer target that the idea would be scoffed at. Very limited player who is a very hard worker with a very good attitude, and one who woulod not get a sniff at the first team if the squad had even semi decent cover for the DM role. If he had the talent to match his attitude and workrate he would be a Messi level player imho.

Crazy Horse 6 wrote: »

Just hearing John Terry's trial suspended until after the euros. How brave. You couldnt write this sh1t.:mad:

Crazy Horse 6 wrote: »

Double standards. Stinks to high heaven.

There are no double standards here, just different standards. There was no criminal case against Suarez, so it allowed space for the invention of an FA case conducted by their kangaroo court procedures.

In Terry's case, there are criminal proceedings, and such procedures are lengthy and thorough. It takes time. Additionally, because there is a criminal case, the FA's hands are tied.

So, because Suarez didn't behave as recklessly he left himself more open to being savagely victimised. Is that fair? No. But such is life.

Kess73 wrote: »

Ever since Carragher has been dropped, Skrtel has really impressed with Agger beside him.

I have been very critical of Skrtel in the past and at times I thought he was a level or so below current Carragher and that he was causing more problems in defence than Carragher, but man was I wrong on that.

Carragher out seems to have been the making of Skrtel, and Agger's leadership/organisation at the back really seems to suit Skrtel's personality. Agger seems to be very quick to give a thumbs up or a slap on the back anytime Skrtel does well, and Skrtel seems to have gained confidence and is putting in some damn impressive shifts at times. Sure he still makes a few mistakes from time to time, but nowhere near as often as he used to.

His change in form this season is amazing, he look slow, nervous and error prone for the opening third of the season, then Carragher got injured and then dropped and suddenly Skrtel is as close to that cliche of being like a new signing as I have ever seen.

And how great has it been to have Agger in the team more often than not. If he could stay like that it will be a great foundation to start building the team on

amiable wrote: »

A £2,500 fine is the maximum punishment he can face AFAIK.

Does that mean he can't receive another fine from the FA if he is found guilty?

I think if he is found guilty the FA are going to charge him.
They can fine him, ban him or both hopefully.

everdead.ie wrote: »

On tonight the spurs next gen team has been weakened a bit by loan moves for some of our players and Lancaster making his debut last night.

Hoping for a good performance though we have some promising players coming through.

Lancaster hasn't featured in the Nextgen series apart from one game as a sub for 20 minutes. I don't think anyone from the Nextgen team went on loan ?

Anyways it is suppose to be a cracking Spurs youth side. Really looking forward to it as well.

Opr