Jordan Henderson - does Kenny intend to play him on the right all the time?

[Iver]

Competing with Lucas, Adam, Gerrard, and probably one of either Meireles or Aquilani (assuming one will be sold), it is difficult to see Henderson getting much of a look in in his favoured position this season.

 

I was really hoping he would have a blinder today, as he is already coming under scrutiny due to the large fee we paid for him, after an indifferent European U-21 championship campaign, and pre season.

 

What are peoples thoughts on him - does the King view him as his first choice for right midfield?

 

Ideally I would like us to have another option apart from Kuyt, Henderson, and Maxi for that right side.

 

If N'gog leaves, and we are bringing in a fourth striker, it would be ideal if that player could also play wide right, and have a bit of pace.

 

I hope Kenny sticks with Henderson for next weekend, and gives him a chance to find his feet and get a bit of confidence.

[Ethan]

He's a kid - making his debut for a massive club - its going to take time

[Maldini]

Just because it's his favoured position doesn't mean it's his best position ie: Gerrard. I think people need to get off his back and let him settle into a new club and a new style of play.

[Epic Swindle]

he is already coming under scrutiny due to the large fee we paid for him

 

Only be bellends though. He'll be fine.

Edited August 13, 2011 by Epic Swindle

[Iver]

Just because it's his favoured position doesn't mean it's his best position ie: Gerrard. I think people need to get off his back and let him settle into a new club and a new style of play.

 

Totally agree and I did not intend for the purpose of this thread to be to slag the lad off - quite the opposite in fact.

[Maldini]

Totally agree and I did not intend for the purpose of this thread to be to slag the lad off - quite the opposite in fact.

 

I know, wasn't having a go.

[Florist Cinema Pond Goal]

To me it looks like he was bought for the right to provide balance with Downing on the right a la Barnes/Houghton. Worth bearing in mind his short spell on the right wing for Sunderland atthe end of last season brought more goals and assists than a more sustained run in centre mid.

[Clay Davis]

Not slagging him off here, and i'm definitely going to give him the benefit of the doubt, support the lad and won't get into any slagging him off as thats premature and totally counterproductive. BUT (hehe) if you asked me now whether I think he's going to be a good signing, my answer would be no. I just can't see it, like I can't see it with Shelvey. I hope i'm wrong. He's a really likeable lad and he is a model professional off the field - so if he doesn't succeed it won't be through want of trying - but I don't think the necessary talent is there. That's just me though, and i've been wrong plenty of times before, so i'm fully prepared and hoping to be wrong again.

[eth]

I think he might struggle given his lack of goals. It seems now like half our first team are known for their crossing ability- off the top of my head, Downing, Adam, Enrique, Kelly, Johnson and Henderson- but we will need someone other than Carroll and Suarez to actually stand in the middle and divert those crosses into the net. That's why I'd much rather have Kuyt on the right. Henderson, not being defensively minded, is then competing with Gerrard, Adam and Meireles for the non DM central midfield role that Adam was occupying today. And that will mean that unless he plays extremely well he will only play sporadically, and find himself under a lot of pressure.

[JonShar]

Henderson is going to grow into a fantastic player for us over the next few years.

[Swipe]

Henderson is going to grow into a fantastic player for us over the next few years.

 

I agree.

[lawrie]

Two kids with massive price tags this summer - Henderson and Jones who both have massive futures. Jones wont start today though will he.

[RedHarvest]

Henderson was fine if unspectacular in the 1st half. 2nd half the collective collapse of confident response to robust oppo from Sunderland exposed him and Flanno particularly. This will happen again, with other players involved in the scapegoating by impatient/frustrated fans.

We should talk about the collective first and bring individuals into that debate. Not fair on Henderson to have his debut singled out like this.

 

ps: not having a go at the original poster, just think the analysis of Hendersons game yesterday belongs in the match thread(s)

Edited August 14, 2011 by RedHarvest

[alias75]

In hindsight it was a mistake to play Henderson and Flannagan down the right, our left side is looking as good as anyone with 3 great left footers in Adam, Enrique and Downing giving us great balance but there wasn't the same threat down the right. Flannagan probably could have done with a more experienced player in front of him like Kuyt or if you're going to start Henderson we should have picked Kelly who is a bit more experienced and wouldn't need as much looking after as Flannagan did especially after the mistake when his head dropped.

 

Think Henderson looked a bit nervous and he kept things simple but im sure as he gets more comfortable he'll be a good player for us.

[Clay Davis]

I don't like him right hand side. He drifts in like Murphy did (used to drive me insane) and it also leaves the full back exposed.

[Rimbeux]

I don't like him right hand side. He drifts in like Murphy did (used to drive me insane) and it also leaves the full back exposed.

 

Is that not by instruction? Tuck in and allow the full back space to overlap. I've not seen the game at all, but I know that kind of thing is often deliberate, the danger being when you lose possession, but the danger in every system is at that time.

[Epic Swindle]

Is that not by instruction? Tuck in and allow the full back space to overlap. I've not seen the game at all, but I know that kind of thing is often deliberate, the danger being when you lose possession, but the danger in every system is at that time.

 

Indeed. People hear right side and instantly think winger.

[JonShar]

I don't like him right hand side. He drifts in like Murphy did (used to drive me insane) and it also leaves the full back exposed.

 

 

Is that not by instruction? Tuck in and allow the full back space to overlap. I've not seen the game at all, but I know that kind of thing is often deliberate, the danger being when you lose possession, but the danger in every system is at that time.

 

It's definitely by instruction, much like Houghton did for us in the late 80s.

[growler]

I see him more like Beckham to giggs. Henderson downing could provide the same quality and combination.

[Rory Fitzgerald]

I didnt think he'd start the game ahead of Meireles if Kelly was RB and was shocked he did so over Kuyt as well with Flanagan at RB. I still think Henderson will see much of his game time from the bench this season. His energy from the bench may be a bit more noticeable and effective in the final 20mins.

 

When the following are fully fit, its hard to see Henderson holding down a spot;

Downing, Adam, Lucas, Gerrard, Meireles, Kuyt, Suarez, Carroll.

 

Though if we are to go into the new season with just Suarez, Carroll and Ngog as strikers then Kuyt could see some bench time as our 'back-up' striker.

[honourablegeorge]

Not slagging him off here, and i'm definitely going to give him the benefit of the doubt, support the lad and won't get into any slagging him off as thats premature and totally counterproductive. BUT (hehe) if you asked me now whether I think he's going to be a good signing, my answer would be no. I just can't see it, like I can't see it with Shelvey. I hope i'm wrong. He's a really likeable lad and he is a model professional off the field - so if he doesn't succeed it won't be through want of trying - but I don't think the necessary talent is there. That's just me though, and i've been wrong plenty of times before, so i'm fully prepared and hoping to be wrong again.

 

 

M biggest worry about him is that he wasn't the right signing for us. That £16M could and should have gone on more urgent gaps in the squad. He may be a great player in time.

[Rory Fitzgerald]

M biggest worry about him is that he wasn't the right signing for us. That £16M could and should have gone on more urgent gaps in the squad. He may be a great player in time.

 

In my eyes, he's one for the future. We'll see what the King has in store for him - my thoughts are in the post above.

[Hassony]

Not slagging him off here, and i'm definitely going to give him the benefit of the doubt, support the lad and won't get into any slagging him off as thats premature and totally counterproductive. BUT (hehe) if you asked me now whether I think he's going to be a good signing, my answer would be no. I just can't see it, like I can't see it with Shelvey. I hope i'm wrong. He's a really likeable lad and he is a model professional off the field - so if he doesn't succeed it won't be through want of trying - but I don't think the necessary talent is there. That's just me though, and i've been wrong plenty of times before, so i'm fully prepared and hoping to be wrong again.

 

have the same feeling about him (disagree about shelvey though)

 

not sure what are his main strengths to be honest

 

 

 

[honourablegeorge]

In my eyes, he's one for the future. We'll see what the King has in store for him - my thoughts are in the post above.

 

 

No doubt he's one for the future. Just don't think we should have eyes on the future, when we need to get back into the CL as a first priority. If we miss out on that, then we have another summer where we're struggling to get the top players in, and where Suarez is probably looking for a move.

 

Obviously we're got to plan from the future, and I applaud the fact that we're doing that, finally. But those plans look very different when you have one foot in the CL, and I think another forward or a centre half would do more to get us there.

[Frosty Jack]

I like henderson, looks healthy, free of communicable disease.