08 Feb 2018 09:59:23
MK, I just read your article about Hendo and bro, take a bow. That was an unbelievable piece of work, right there. I totally loved it. Not just cos of the way it was written.

It was filled with nuance, context, intelligence, and very clear-eyed. Your full description of Hendo both past and present, is one I fully agree with esp. with the part where when Hendo is taking it slow and controlling possession, the haters say he's sideways passing whereas the likes of Xavi, Iniesta and Pep himself, did made a career out of doing that in Barcelona BUT for them, they say they are controlling the tempo. This is why anyone screaming at Hendo to stop sideways passing, needs to take a day off and learn the game of football. All in all, great read my friend. Keep them coming. YNWA!

1.) 08 Feb 2018
08 Feb 2018 10:13:42
Well said BRover, I agree it was a fantastic piece. Looking forward to the Firmino one.

2.) 08 Feb 2018
08 Feb 2018 10:34:24
Cheers lads. Glad you enjoyed the read.

Just to be clear, i have no problem with people
A) thinking Henderson is a bad player
B) thinking Henderson is a bad captain
C) thinking Henderson should be replaced by a better/ fitter player.

However the sideways passing argument needs to stop, frankly. It is total nonsense that makes people look silly. This is a player who in his 5 seasons before switching to a defensive role, matched the likes of Ozil, Silva and De Bruyne in terms of goals he was creating.

Just look at some of his more memorable assists. A 50 yard through ball for Sterling vs Southampton, a 40 yard through ball for Salah vs Spurs, a back heel nut meg assist for Lallana etc. This is not a player who can only play short sideways passes, and when he does do that, he is doing it to change the tempo or switch play.

I will happily listen to arguments about Henderson not being good enough because of his finishing, set pieces, tackling etc. Even his aerial prowess isn't great for a 6ft bloke. He definitely has weaknesses that percent him from being world class.

Passing his not one of his weaknesses though and people are still jumping on the Alan Shearer/ Joe Allen bandwagon with regards to that particular sideways point. When there is an opening for a forward pass to a player who has the time and space to safely receive the ball, Henderson will play a forward pass, and he has done this time and time again. However, he will not try and force a pass that isn't there, or play a team mate into trouble. I don't expect opposition fans to realise this, but the guys who watch him every week should be I'm partial enough to judge him for themselves and see that his weaknesses lie elsewhere.

3.) 08 Feb 2018
08 Feb 2018 10:53:49
Prevent*
Impartial*

Auto correct is a nightmare on a windows phone!

Just remember though lads, everyone is entitled to an opinion if they can back it up with an explanation, and there are some perfectly reasonable arguments as to why some people don't rate Henderson. The sideways point may be mute, but i still cringe watching his corners!

Either way, massively under rated player in general, for me. I'll do a draft on Firmino and see if i think it's worth writing properly. Like Henderson, he is hugely under rated for some reason.

4.) 08 Feb 2018
08 Feb 2018 11:11:15
MK, I don't mind people saying Hendo is a bad player either BUT if your reasons are the same low hanging fruit nonsense of "sideways [passing", "he does not take a game over" (who does that from the #6 position), or that "he lacks the influence of SG" then to me, you are talking porkies and your reasons become irrelevant to me as they lack context and perspective. Every player is flawed and needs to work on their weak points BUT using a "special" bar to rate Hendo knowing fully well, he is not that type of player, is what I find disingenuous and dishonest.

5.) 08 Feb 2018
08 Feb 2018 11:23:49
Great Article MK, a find myself constantly defending Henderson's contribution to the team.

He really is "the engine that could" as you put it. To come back time and time again from injuries like that and slot into the team like he never left. He epitomises the term "True professional" for me.

If any of you get time, take a look at his highlight reel on youtube, I don't say this to try and sway peoples opinions on him but just as point that he has one of the best goal reels I have seen from a player.

6.) 08 Feb 2018
08 Feb 2018 11:36:11
I'll check it out, Nosh.

7.) 08 Feb 2018
08 Feb 2018 12:07:32
The hendo article was brilliant mate, am just looking forward to the Firmino one now MK haha!

8.) 08 Feb 2018
08 Feb 2018 12:14:50
Agreed BRover. Different players and different personalities, playing in different teams.

Thank you for the feedback Noshbag. Have to be honest, i don't think I've seen a Henderson goals compilation. I've seen a YouTube video on him. I may even have shared it on here. But to be honest, i can remember some of his goals clearly.

The one he put in the top corner against Man City at Anfield is my favourite. I was in the stadium that day. £80 well spent, because Coutinho put a cracker in at the other end after half time!

9.) 08 Feb 2018
08 Feb 2018 12:25:38
Cheers Welsh. I started a very similar piece on Craig Bellamy months ago, which i forgot about. Should be completed over the next week or so. May interest you as a Welshman.

Firmino one will take some time as I'll have to research his earlier years. The Henderson stuff almost all came from memory. This is the reason why my brain doesn't have room to remember to Mrs birthday. 30th of February i think?

10.) 08 Feb 2018
08 Feb 2018 12:28:00
Hendo isn't the only midfielder to be maligned with false accusations.

During his time at Bayern, Toni Kroos was known as "Sideways Toni".

The lack of appreciation was one of the reasons he moved on.

11.) 08 Feb 2018
08 Feb 2018 12:28:52
Agree MK - slightly misty eyed but agreed with you post in its entirety, I remember the moment Hendo got that red and I thought ‘oh here we go’ as he was so integral to the momentum we had in midfield in 13/ 14. We looked toothless without him and SG was badly exposed defensively. Even now his game against Citeh showed exactly how his passing from midfield is critical compared to the likes of Gini, Milner or Can (all decent players) .

As for passing and creating chances, I’ve always thought his long passing is vastly under-rated and I would back him 9 times out of 10 to ply a dangerous long ball in behind/ through a defense or out wide above anyone in the squad. He’s also scored his fair share of long range shots (like that vs. Chelsea) and his whipped crosses from midfield to the back post have been the making for more than a few chances. Less so perhaps now stuck at no.6 but he’s more creative and dangerous than any of Milner, Gini or Can.

The only problem I have with him now are (100% agree with you here) is if he’s exposed in midfield with a 1-1 or 2-1 running at him, he doesn’t have the defensive nous of a Kante or similar true defensive mid to break down play. He needs midfielders ahead of him doing their jobs right so he can press before the player has time to turn and run at him. He’s not the best tackler in the world once the player has turned.

Likewise his injuries are a real problem for the squad for consistency, hopefully he can shake the bad run he’s had and his and Keita can form a solid partnership together next season.

12.) 08 Feb 2018
08 Feb 2018 12:41:20
I did not know that travellingmike! Shocking really. Kroos was fantastic even at Bayern. Thank you for that interesting insight though mate. Says it all about the false accusations!

Very good post SGred. Agree with it all. I'm glad I'm not the only one to pick up on Henderson's weakness when people run at him. That is why i personally would've liked a destroyer alongside him. It would also give Henderson the freedom to play 10-20 yards further forward when we are in possession.

I highly doubt Klopp will change his system though so as you say, we just need to get better players ahead of him than Milner, Can and Wijnaldum so that his weakness isn't exposed and he can focus on what he is good at. I think he could be great with Keita too. Keita is very clever with regards to tactical fouls, which should in theory stop opposition players getting a free run at Henderson on a regular basis. Fingers crossed.

13.) 08 Feb 2018
08 Feb 2018 12:51:58
Great read on Hendo MK, glad I wasn’t on the beers tonight and could stay focused enough to get through it!

14.) 08 Feb 2018
08 Feb 2018 13:49:00
Cheers Swish 😂.

15.) 08 Feb 2018
08 Feb 2018 14:43:30
MK, thought that Hendo s best ever goal was the long range shot V Chelsea away, went into the top right hand, goalie had no chance . brilliant goal .

16.) 08 Feb 2018
08 Feb 2018 18:40:42
No-one's mentioned the Everton legend, Vinny Samways.

17.) 08 Feb 2018
08 Feb 2018 22:39:57
Did I just read someone compare Iniesta with Jordan Henderson? Give me a break. That little bald headed Spaniard is nowhere near as good as our captain 🙄 😂.

18.) 09 Feb 2018
09 Feb 2018 11:19:56
The faster we get rid of hendo the better. Forget his 'controlling the game, slow tempo, sideways passing' he adds nothing to our team from a captain's point of view. He doesn't have the ability to influence a game or our players when we need it most. I could handle his lethargic looking running and sideways passing but I can't stand to see him wearing that captain's armband when he is clearly not captain material.

19.) 09 Feb 2018
09 Feb 2018 11:40:57
Yeah well said mk. I know stats can be mis leading but hendo's stats put him in the top 15 cms on Europe. If he is not a world class cm he is mot far off it.