1.) 07 Feb 2018
07 Feb 2018 19:16:54
Henderson moves a bit funny but that does not take away the fact that he will bleed for his team.

If he was not as injury prone the we very well might have seen the next Xabi.

2.) 07 Feb 2018
07 Feb 2018 19:46:52
Next Xabi? Seriously? Hendo could only wish that he could pass a ball like Xabi. I like Henderson, a lot but let's not go overboard.

3.) 07 Feb 2018
07 Feb 2018 19:49:24
What a absolute fantastic read Adam brilliant mate. I love Hendo alway's did.

4.) 07 Feb 2018
07 Feb 2018 19:55:26
To be fair max, i don't think we'll ever see another midfielder like Alonso. He was the best midfielder on the planet in a generation which included Pirlo, Xavi, Iniesta, Lampard, Scholes, Gerrard, Ballack and Schweinsteiger.

Xabi was special. Henderson is a top player in my opinion, but Alonso was truly world class whatever your definition of that term is.

5.) 07 Feb 2018
07 Feb 2018 19:57:07
Thanks Barry, glad you liked it. I wrote it on request. I think it was Welsh Red? Hope whoever requested it enjoys it either way!

Sorry it took a while. It's the longest one I've ever written 😂.

6.) 07 Feb 2018
07 Feb 2018 20:45:40
Alonso better than Scholes?

7.) 07 Feb 2018
07 Feb 2018 21:00:53
Alonso won a world cup and was the main man in the best international midfield in history (Iniesta, Alonso, Xavi)

Scholes couldn't get into England's midfield ahead of Gerrard and Lampard. Case closed.

Scholes was class, but Alonso was just as good at passing, but far better at tackling and reading the game.

8.) 07 Feb 2018
07 Feb 2018 21:02:36
Absolutely brilliant that MK, thank you mate.

9.) 07 Feb 2018
07 Feb 2018 21:05:02
Fantastic read that MK. I don’t comment much mainly as I prefer to read through but I am definitely in the fan base to support hendo. I have to defend him enough in work to explain this but you are spot on in the sense of playing the carrick role. Utd with him were like lions. Without they were kittens and they still miss him now. I am all for hendo and really hope with keita coming in. He is intelligent and hopefully he will match hendo on the field to become another engine in the works.

Keep it up and look forward to the next one. Can I pop in a request and you do one for firmino, magic feet.

10.) 07 Feb 2018
07 Feb 2018 21:07:43
Iniesta and Xavi are both better than Alonso MK.

11.) 07 Feb 2018
07 Feb 2018 21:14:48
Alonso made the game look too easy. When a player does not need speed to look good, you know they have that perfect read where they always seem to be in the right position.

12.) 07 Feb 2018
07 Feb 2018 21:19:38
Scholes was class truly class but Alonso was exceptional, just a fantastic elegant player who stood out in all the teams he played for. Only player I see in a similar mold is Julian Weigl of Dortmund but not to say he is at his level now or ever will be but the boy is special.

13.) 07 Feb 2018
07 Feb 2018 21:25:37
I think Iniesta is definitely a worthy debate Cobra. He was just as special. Xavi though? Not in Alonso's league for me. Awesome player, but Alonso and Iniesta were genius. I'd definitely entertain a debate that Iniesta is better. He could dribble way better than Alonso ever could, but Alonso read the game better and had a much better shot on him.

Agreed Taurus. Alonso was unreal.

Thank you Salah and SI09. I'll add a review of Firmino to the list but i haven't followed his career as closely as Henderson's so it won't be this detailed. I have no knowledge of Firmino prior to his last season playing for Hoffenheim!

14.) 07 Feb 2018
07 Feb 2018 21:30:23
The main man ahead of Iniesta. Now I'm lost. But then again, "case closed" on a subjective matter.

15.) 07 Feb 2018
07 Feb 2018 21:31:51
Good read that MK, I'm a fan of Henderson also and think we miss him when he doesn't play . I also think having pacey players in front suits his passing range, I've noticed he loves playing a half volley dipping ball into the attacking third which Salah and Manè thrive from .

16.) 07 Feb 2018
07 Feb 2018 21:41:54
Yeah that'd be a good read if you could do one from what you know of Firmino mate, looking forward to that, keep em coming :)

17.) 07 Feb 2018
07 Feb 2018 22:00:44
Scholes was a brilliant at passing, fantastic, but he was always close to a sending off cos he was so bad at tackling, if anything, the fact that he was playing for united saved him so many times .
Alonso for me, any day of the week .

18.) 07 Feb 2018
07 Feb 2018 22:06:03
nice article MK mainly agree with all that you mentioned I’m not convinced he should be captain, though alternatives are limited and mainly due to injuries I can see him being replaced or upgraded in the next few windows.

19.) 07 Feb 2018
07 Feb 2018 22:08:50
How is it subjective that Scholes couldn't get into the England midfield? Scholes retired because he couldn't get into England's midfield. For the record, i actually think he was a better central midfielder than Gerrard and Lampard, who were both better behind a striker.

However, Alonso kept Busquets, Fabregas and David Silva out of the Spain team. He was also top scorer for the national side during the Del Bosque era at one stage, mostly from set pieces. He played bang in the middle of the team. Xavi and Iniesta played either side of Alonso, and Alonso pulled all the strings. He was unreal. None of England's best midfielders in recent football history would have even got into that Spain team, and Alonso was the main man in it!

I'm not saying you're not allowed to prefer Scholes, or that you're wrong in saying he was better. All I'm saying is Alonso bossed a world cup winning team and he also won the Champions league with 3 separate teams, including a bang average Liverpool team. Scholes played in a totally domestically dominant team and never really lived up to expectation on the big European stage, or internationally. He folded when he didn't have his own comfort zone of being able to get away with shocking tackles because refs were scared of Fergie, and playing against teams too scared to attack him because of the United dominance. I still think he was a true great of modern football, just not as good as Alonso because he couldn't do it on the biggest stage for his country and had a rash side to his game that Alonso didn't have. Alonso was always in control. Scholes was a nutter who could play a 90 yard diagonal with his eyes closed.

20.) 07 Feb 2018
07 Feb 2018 22:10:08
Thanks liddelland. I agree, Henderson is better when he has runners ahead of him.

21.) 07 Feb 2018
07 Feb 2018 22:14:33
I think you are spot on Happy to be a Red. Alonso for me too, fir the reasons you said.

Cheers Squizza. If injuries persist, i agree with you about phasing him out. Hopefully he is over them for good though. He's well in course to make 40 appearances for the first time in 3 years so fingers crossed!

22.) 07 Feb 2018
07 Feb 2018 22:20:26
MK, funny you brought this article in. I was just watching our games vs Arsenal and City in that brilliant 13/ 14 season and how much I would kill to get that Hendo back. He was simply amazing. Having runners like SASAS (Suarez, Studge and Sterling with Cou alongside him) was a joy to watch cos as you say, he is great with runners ahead of him. I know that player is still there somewhere BUT his injuries have slowed him down.

I always knew the guy had the temperament to play for a big club when he told BR to do one when he tried to fget shot of him to Fulham in favor of his "son" Allen who is a third of the player Hendo is. People say he passes sideways as if that is some kind of indictment. It is only an indictment to those who according to Ed01, "lack the footballing intelligence to discuss the Hendo topic" if that is his only flaw. Also, comparing him to SG is another dishonest argument which should always be ignored when discussing Hendo. I love the guy and we miss him way more in midfield when he is not there for the most part.

23.) 08 Feb 2018
07 Feb 2018 23:55:38
Yes that would've been me MK I asked for it haha, I have to say an absolutely fantastic read from start to finish, brilliant facts and absolutely spot on about Henderson, from start of his career to finish. You were right about him being criminally underrated as well, our title challenge really faltered in '14 without him, his quick passing could have been a major help against the Chelsea bus. Be careful Adam about being too good, you may find your time is continually being taken up writing articles ala ed1!

24.) 08 Feb 2018
08 Feb 2018 02:11:06
Hendo will receive more praise if we actually compare him to midfielders playing now.

Prem wise.

Xhaka, kante, fernandino, dier/ wanyama, matic, gueye. Now where does he rank?

25.) 08 Feb 2018
08 Feb 2018 02:52:05
Loved it MK. I am a big fan of Hendo. I think every team needs a solid consistent unspectacular midfielder. Hendo is ours and we're lucky to have him.

26.) 08 Feb 2018
08 Feb 2018 04:35:51
That was long, thorough, and a good read MK.

If I'm not mistaken, I watched him once with Sunderland. He was very young but shouted non-stop to his teammates. I think he was the captain in that game. During that, I thought this is a very young arrogant player who thought he was better than any other players in that match. I didn't like him during that.

Now, he is my and my missus' favourite current LFC player.

27.) 08 Feb 2018
08 Feb 2018 06:51:27
Agreed BRover. He should never be judged against Stevie. They are different players and different styles of leader to boot.

I thought it was you Welshred! Thank you mate. That's brilliant feedback to hear! I'm glad you in particular enjoyed it seeing as it was your request. Cheers mate!

Cheers Preso. I agree mate. There is always a player who gets overlooked and underrated. Petit, Carrick, Lucas etc. Hendo is that man in our current squad and that shouldn't let people think he's any less important!

Haizan, cheers mate! Appreciate that. Sounds to me like your memory is correct and that was Henderson! He was easily the strongest leader at Sunderland by 20 years old. That's probably partly why Fergie and Dalglish wanted him!

28.) 09 Feb 2018
09 Feb 2018 11:10:00
He to is under rated. I know stats can be missed leading but his stats put him in the european top 20 midfielders. That's world class right? World class stats at least.