Neil, Nick, Andy and Jim are up St Johns Beacon this week as they chat about the potential arrival of Coutinho and the trip round to Boundary Park.
Music this week from Voo and Krafty Kuts
Direct link to CITYTALK: OLDHAM LOOP LINE
[smart_track_player url=”http://traffic.libsyn.com/theanfieldwrap/CITYTALK_-_THE_OLDHAM_LOOP_LINE.m4a” title=”CITYTALK: THE OLDHAM LOOP LINE” artist=”TAW Player” color=”ffffff” background=”default” ]
who stayed on your bedroom wall longest even when they left mine was Shankly
Respect to Jim Boardman. Always talks sense but he’s absolutely right. We shouldn’t be slating players in the ground. Do it in the pub with your mates but not in the ground. At the end of the day we want our players to do well. Why make it harder for them, especially when we haven’t even given them time. Jordan Henderson springs to mind more than most. It just sums up how horrible Liverpool fans have become. Constantly moaning. Andy Heaton also springs to mind.
people are way too quick to label a guy crap or label him the next Pele. It’s all this or all that. sometimes a young player has to make mistakes and learn his craft.
Lucas is a prime example, he wasn’t always crap and he wasn’t always great. he was younger, he had some tough games, he improved. That’s what happens. but people are too black and white.
Derrick, thats why I refussed to slate Henderson last season and call for him to go. I always thought that given the time and the right possition he’d do well and look at him now, he’s starting to improve massively. Based on what happened with Lucas (being slated to being loved), I was willing to give Henderson his time.
The only problem with Henderson was management. We overpaid, Same as Carroll. Especially when you consider Santi Cazorla went to Malaga for less money and no Champions League football and he’s Spanish International. And only later to go to Arsenal. I’m not even the biggest Henderson fan but i’m willing to give him some time.
Regarding left backs: i gotta wonder if there may not be a better bargain or two coming in the summer. I’m looking at teams like Madrid. If as expected Jose leaves there could be some shaking up and there’s still rumors that Coentrao is not that happy behind Marcello. Rumors too Higuain, Di Maria could be on the move.
And Coentrao may fit the mold of supposed to be great but not getting the time at a new club. And you can play him just like Enrique, pushed forward or at left back. Like a Coutinhno. Regardless, i’d be reticent if funds are limited to blow my wad in January when there could be good deals to have in summer. Regardless, i can dream.
With the signing of Sturridge and the potential signing of Coutinho, it looks like that Liverpool are looking for talented young players that aren’t quite getting the opportunities elsewhere. Sturridge has the pace, technical and goalscoring ability, intelligence to do well if he continues to focus and apply himself. Coutinho is in a similar situation but is 3 years younger. He will bring flair, dribbling ability, technique that is typically associated with Brazilian midfielders and forwards.
I think the experience of being at a big club has helped Sturridge and will help Coutinho (though he’ll have natural language and cultural adaptability issues). Henderson is one of the youngest players to reach 100 Premier League games but playing for Sunderland cannot compare to playing for Liverpool. Playing for Chelsea and Internazionale is comparable in terms of stature, prestige and pressure.
This approach has been mentioned before, signing talented young players who are desperate for a stage to express their talents for reasonable fees. Looking to the summer, there’ll be a significant reduction in wages with contracts expiring and fees from player sales in Doni, Downing, Carroll, Spearing and possibly Carragher and Reina. Liverpool could make a more expensive signing then but Sturridge and Coutinho for the fees reported looks to be pretty good business for January. Maybe a couple of defensive additions to follow?
On whether a player looks good and getting praise too soon, sometimes players look good from the start and continue to be. Sometimes it’s clear when a player looks like he’s “got” it and it’s just a matter of application and consistency for that form to continue. Obviously, that’s not a firm rule, especially with younger players who may need time to develop their game and improve confidence with game time. Interestingly, Downing had a bright start at the club in his first few games but was found out mentally. He’s improved and is doing a job. Hopefully he’ll continue to improve his form and output to contribute to Liverpool football club and fetch a reasonable fee when he moves on.
Why not do a sound test before the show so I’m not having to increase/decrease the sound everytime their is a change between each of you talk. I love the show but it’s a lottery about eh quality every week. Letting you down.
I have a similar problem with the sound. Every week I am struggling to hear people talking and it is only really the host who I can hear on a consistent basis.
It is nearly impossible to listen to the podcast when walking through town or on a bus, which makes it quite hard to find time to listen to some of the really good stuff that gets discussed.