A case for Spearing in the first team

[épieur]

Don't want to go overboard here, but he looked a lot better than he gets credit for by many against stoke. Just does a lot of the things a central midfielder should do so well. Moves about a lot, but when we have the ball and when we don't. Has a good pace to his game, both in regards to his passing and his movement. Works hard defensively and passes the ball well. I was impressed by his passing range today. I've given him credit for his short passing in the past, but he was consistent in the 20 yard passes as well, which really makes a difference.

 

All that adds up to a good squad player, but the main thing for me is the synergy we get with him and Lucas on the pitch. They supplement each other so well and have a great understanding for how to share the workload between them defensively and attackwise. It is an eminently balanced midfield (surprisingly so tbh - on paper you would think it rather dull going forwards) that becomes more than the sum of its parts. I think there is a good case to be made for Spearing starting more games.

[lfc003]

He's a good squad player, No way should he get in ahead of Stevie, Lucas or Adam on a regular basis.

[Cooldude]

He was superb

 

Plus Lucas loves him next to him. He's also a lot better on the ball than most give him credit for.

 

Apart from being a midget, really don't see anything wrong with him. Every top team needs someone like him in midfield. Should start almost every game

[CarraLegend]

Deserves to start v West Brom then we see from there.

[Swipe]

We defo need more energy and aggression in the middle, that I do know. Adam is far too easy to play against at times.

[Epic Swindle]

He's a good squad player, No way should he get in ahead of Stevie, Lucas or Adam on a regular basis.

 

Rubbish, sometimes it's about the sum of parts and Jay and Lucas give us a much stronger base to get the best out of our better players.

Edited October 26, 2011 by Masuka

[Cooldude]

We defo need more energy and aggression in the middle, that I do know. Adam is far too easy to play against at times.

 

He looks great on the ball on occasions but nigh on useless without it. Spearing gives you good stuff with or without it

[Sion]

He's a good squad player, No way should he get in ahead of Stevie, Lucas or Adam on a regular basis.

 

First two, clearly not.

 

But noway does Adam get to be ahead of him just because.

 

At the moment in a big game i'd much rather Gerrard infront of Lucas and Jay

[Epic Swindle]

It's about partnerships and striking the right balance. Great player Stevie but he doesn't have the legs for CM in the modern game IMO, at least consistantly.

Edited October 26, 2011 by Masuka

[Joppo]

Agree with CarraLegend. Spearo deserves a start against West Brom and take it from there. Would definitely prefer to see Lucas and Spearo together than Gerrard and Adam. Tho reckon Kenny will revert to a Adam/Lucas partnership with Gerrard in the 11 as well. Shame if he does.

[épieur]

He's a good squad player, No way should he get in ahead of Stevie, Lucas or Adam on a regular basis.

 

Right now, I would prefer to see Adam and Henderson on the bench in favour of Gerrard and Spearing.

 

This despite the fact that Adam looks to be improving and finding some real form. As a player he looks to be getting better, but it's still not a proper midfield for me between him and Lucas.

 

Could be different with Adam, Gerrard and Lucas as a trio I suppose and I wouldn't mind seeing more of that either.

 

Main thing for me is that Spearing should be ahead of Henderson for a game on current showing. Spearing is showing all the qualities Henderson should be showing.

[Cooldude]

First two, clearly not.

 

But noway does Adam get to be ahead of him just because.

 

At the moment in a big game i'd much rather Gerrard infront of Lucas and Jay

 

To me that's the way to go

 

Henderson had a good cross in for Suarez, but his delivery was still a bit inconsistent. If it was Gerrard allowed to drift right and make those crosses, Carroll would be licking his lips. Plus he can tuck in more centrally defensively and help sure up the midfield even more.

 

Then you have the likes of Downing/Bellamy and Suarez playing off Carroll (which worked really well today), you have a very good balance of defense and attack

 

Before this game, our central midfield's all gung ho. Looks good when we're dominating and creating chances, but in every game where opponents inevitably have a good period of possession and play, we're conceding and getting overrun in midfield. Spearing isn't useless in attack as he's shown, he goes forward and helps out quite well, and he breaks up play well, too, along with Lucas. Would solve a lot of the problems we've having atm

[lfc003]

Spearing is a decent reliable squad player but I don't think he has the quality to consistently produce week in week out.

 

It's about partnerships and striking the right balance. Great player Stevie but he doesn't have the legs for CM in the modern game IMO, at least consistantly.

 

Thats absolute nonsense by the way.

[Epic Swindle]

Spearing is a decent reliable squad player but I don't think he has the quality to consistently produce week in week out.

 

Thats absolute nonsense by the way.

 

As was your first point, lazy cliches because he's deemed unfashionable.

 

Gerrard is more than capable but doesn't have the work rate to play in CM consistantly. He's a power player.

Edited October 26, 2011 by Masuka

[Swipe]

Spearing is a decent reliable squad player but I don't think he has the quality to consistently produce week in week out.

 

 

Not so sure at the moment that Adam is gonna be much more than that either.

[épieur]

Gerrard is more than capable but doesn't have the work rate to play in CM consistantly. He's a power player.

 

yer what?

 

Not so sure at the moment that Adam is gonna be much more than that either.

 

Adam obviously has more ability. The thing is spearing looks like a central midfielder. He does all the things a midfielder should do to make things work in the centre. Adam looks like a talented player you hope will grow into the midfield role (especially given that he has no other position).

 

Tbf to Adam, he does look to be improving. I have hopes for him.

[lfc003]

As was your first point, lazy cliches based in him being small and ugly.

 

Yeah don't really care at his statue so....but i'm just not into kneejerking after one game. Spearing played brilliant tonight and is a reliable squad player but lets see how he plays in the next couple of games before we declare him as the answer to our centre mid 'problems'.

 

I hope he can keep up this form, It will make our squad stronger.

[Swipe]

I think Adam is improving too but I think I'd rather have someone in who has a better engine and is a better shielder even if they can't produce the passes Adam sometimes does.

[Cooldude]

Adam's probably a better footballer but Spearing is far better for the team

[Epic Swindle]

Yeah don't really care at his statue so....but i'm just not into kneejerking after one game. Spearing played brilliant tonight and is a reliable squad player but lets see how he plays in the next couple of games before we declare him as the answer to our centre mid 'problems'.

 

I hope he can keep up this form, It will make our squad stronger.

 

Kneejerk? He was one of our most consistant players last season. There might be better individuals but it's about balance and he and Lucas seem to gel better.

[lfc003]

Not so sure at the moment that Adam is gonna be much more than that either.

 

Probably true but I'd still have him ahead of Spearing.

[Swipe]

Probably true but I'd still have him ahead of Spearing.

 

We aren't looking strong enough in CM right now. Lucas is having to do too much and last week Stevie was far too deep.

 

If he's done as well tonight as everyone says then jay deserved to keep his place. Defo for a tough away on Saturday anyway.

[Joppo]

Yeah don't really care at his statue so....but i'm just not into kneejerking after one game. Spearing played brilliant tonight and is a reliable squad player but lets see how he plays in the next couple of games before we declare him as the answer to our centre mid 'problems'.

 

I hope he can keep up this form, It will make our squad stronger.

 

What happened to you´re only as good as your last game? After his performance from today he should start on Saturday.

[Epic Swindle]

Gives us the one thing we've been lacking at times, tempo.

[Cooldude]

Gives us the one thing we've been lacking at times, tempo.

 

You can't play high tempo without hard running and work rate, Spearing gives you both. His type of play is vital to our setup