Charlie.

[Oncy]

I just wanted to mention that whilst Suarez has been getting the headlines and Carroll a lot of the praise, Charlie Adam for the last 3 or 4 games has been very good.
He's looked like a Liverpool player and a leader recently.
Mucho respecto.
He isnt making headlines and thats probably for the best, but him and Lucas are looking like a good base. Lots of games unbeaten and less goals conceeded. The results are coming, the play is getting there and Charlie has been part of that.

 

[Hansern]

Agreed. We didnt seem to get "overrun" in midfield by West Brom, and that was very positive. Charlie was playing in a midfield 3 at Blackpool and have probably taken a few games to get used to a midfield 2.
I also think having Skrtel and Agger at the back allowed us to have a higher line of defence, that will also have helped a lot.

The signs are very good. 2 goals and 4 assists in 10 games is good.

 

[FoxForceFive]

I was convinced he'd do well & he's starting to prove it.

I doubt whether he & Lucas can convince together all the time, but he's certainly improving game by game. My ideal CM (Gerrard excluded) would be:

Hendo
Lucas Adam

But that leads to obvious issues regards Suarez/Carroll & making the most of the two of them.

For me Adam gives you everything Spearing/Lucas does in terms of breaking up play (making tackles to destroy moves whilst rarely actually holding possession following that), but also offers a shitload more going forwards.

As discussed elsewhere, his endurance in a game is questionable (no matter what the stats say), but I think whoever mentioned the theory about players being beasted in training to improve second hlaf of season stamina at some cost to fitness now (Molbystwin?) was spot on, so I expect to see that fitness improve as the season wears on. Also worth bearing in mind that he did some serious training for a few weeks to shed some weight & get his fitness up during the summer, that doesn't improve his longevity as quickly, so it's clear that will have effected things in that respect too.

 

[LeTallecWiz]

doc_mac likes this

 

[Athens]

I like him, think he's been playing well. Generally he is quite positive in his play, he is always looking to go forward (from what I've seen of him anyway). I like that.

 

[doctor_mac]

[quote author=LeTallecWiz link=topic=47370.msg1420260#msg1420260 date=1320141572]
doc_mac likes this
[/quote]

I do, I do. I think loads of people decided before he came that he wasn't LFC quality, and they're going to take a long time to be won over. Everyone knows I'm a fan, and it is possible that I overlook deficiencies. I just think he's a classy customer once you get over the fact that he looks like a bum. Someone said during the game the other day that they haven't seen us have set-pieces like that since Gary Mac was playing for us. That hits the nail on the head for me. I think he also has Gary Mac's coolness of mind on the ball, and is a leader. I'm delighted we have him.

 

[Bernowatson]

What has impressed me in recent weeks is our style of play we are trying to produce, nice quick passing and movement. Not a real surprise with Kenny at the helm, but it certainly looks like the beginnings of what could be some of the best football we have played for maybe 15 years!....

I for one am really impressed with Adam, not only his passing and general play, but I have been surprisingly impressed with his pace with the ball at his feet.... his ability to run with the ball also is very good... as is his ability to run and shoot. I reckon he will score a few this season.

Henderson is looking better, even Carroll is showing some good improvements here and there over the last few weeks... Downing so far needs to step up, but I have no worries that eventually he will settle and be a big asset for us. Playing for a team like Liverpool is different to Villa etc... Teams treat you differently and probably up their game more against you, so you have to improve further.

The one big surprise for me is Enrique, I'd never really watched him playing for Newcastle but I really am glad we have him at LB. The guy is a monster and could be one of the buys of the season for me.

I am excited to see what we can pick up in January, and I wouldnt be surprised once the team gels more and more through the season if we didnt win a trophy somewhere....

 

[mark1975]

Good posts Berno & Doc Mac. The Gary Mac comparison IS bang on. I remember a few people being overly critical of his ability from open play back in the day too.

 

[dmishra]

I thought he'd be a decent signing when he signed.

Changed my opinion completely after the first 4-5 games where I thought he was poor and just not Liverpool quality.

He has however redeemed himself quite a bit in his last few outings. I'm not fully convinced but yeah, more of the same please.

 

[Hansern]

[quote author=mark1975 link=topic=47370.msg1420272#msg1420272 date=1320142796]
Good posts Berno & Doc Mac. The Gary Mac comparison IS bang on. I remember a few people being overly critical of his ability from open play back in the day too.
[/quote]

What has surprised me the most though is the decent pace and drive he has when he runs forward with the ball.
Has a helluva shot on him aswell.

 

[the_khl]

After having read Doc's review of Adam and having watched him play for Blackpool in a few games against us United and Chavs I was convinced he'd be a great addition to our squad.

He's having to settle in of course like anyone else, new team, new teammates etc. But he's going from strength to strength and he's actually surprised me in one particular part of his game.

He's not that slow. At least not when on the ball.

He made one run against WBA that was very much brilliant and rather quick as well. A surging run on the ball from his own half creating space and gave us an advantage in numbers in attack.

I really like him and think we've done a good bit of business swapping him with Raul. Whom despite his five or six very good games for us failed to impressed me.

 

[Mystic]

Adam is a weird one for me, He's growing on me, and I'd play him every game, the thing I always find amazing though is EVERY time he runs with the ball he looks clumsy, sluggish and it looks like he'll get tackled with ease. However he never is, he always gets past players and gets in very good positions, it's fantastic. My only worry at the moment is that he's shining in the games against lower competition. A couple of good games against City and Chelsea and I'll be completely sold.

On a side note, PLEASE play him Henderson and Lucas in a midfield three.

 

[spider-Neil]

I would say adam reminds me of murphy rather than gary macca. i.e. someone with a lot of ability especially at set peices but lacks mobility. okay, I guess macca fits under than label as well.

 

[Sunny]

I think he's improving but still needs to improve further. As someone has pointed out he still needs to settle in but overall contribution has been positive.

 

[the_khl]

[quote author=Bernowatson link=topic=47370.msg1420269#msg1420269 date=1320142379]
What has impressed me in recent weeks is our style of play we are trying to produce, nice quick passing and movement. Not a real surprise with Kenny at the helm, but it certainly looks like the beginnings of what could be some of the best football we have played for maybe 15 years!....

I for one am really impressed with Adam, not only his passing and general play, but I have been surprisingly impressed with his pace with the ball at his feet.... his ability to run with the ball also is very good... as is his ability to run and shoot. I reckon he will score a few this season.

Henderson is looking better, even Carroll is showing some good improvements here and there over the last few weeks... Downing so far needs to step up, but I have no worries that eventually he will settle and be a big asset for us. Playing for a team like Liverpool is different to Villa etc... Teams treat you differently and probably up their game more against you, so you have to improve further.

The one big surprise for me is Enrique, I'd never really watched him playing for Newcastle but I really am glad we have him at LB. The guy is a monster and could be one of the buys of the season for me.

I am excited to see what we can pick up in January, and I wouldnt be surprised once the team gels more and more through the season if we didnt win a trophy somewhere....
[/quote]
Very good post mate. Agree completely.

 

[Spionkop69]

[quote author=Hansern link=topic=47370.msg1420244#msg1420244 date=1320140150]
Agreed. We didnt seem to get "overrun" in midfield by West Brom, and that was very positive.
[/quote]

You see I have a problem with this. This is not a positive, this should be a given!

 

[Vlads Quiff]

[quote author=FoxForceFive link=topic=47370.msg1420247#msg1420247 date=1320140370]
I was convinced he'd do well & he's starting to prove it.

I doubt whether he & Lucas can convince together all the time, but he's certainly improving game by game. My ideal CM (Gerrard excluded) would be:

Hendo
Lucas Adam

But that leads to obvious issues regards Suarez/Carroll & making the most of the two of them.

For me Adam gives you everything Spearing/Lucas does in terms of breaking up play (making tackles to destroy moves whilst rarely actually holding possession following that), but also offers a shitload more going forwards.

As discussed elsewhere, his endurance in a game is questionable (no matter what the stats say), but I think whoever mentioned the theory about players being beasted in training to improve second hlaf of season stamina at some cost to fitness now (Molbystwin?) was spot on, so I expect to see that fitness improve as the season wears on. Also worth bearing in mind that he did some serious training for a few weeks to shed some weight & get his fitness up during the summer, that doesn't improve his longevity as quickly, so it's clear that will have effected things in that respect too.
[/quote]

I think the stats are fair enough, people will use them to cane him so why not. Like the stat that he covered more of the pitch than anyone else at Brom 11.4km? Fairly unequivocal. Not bad for big tub of unfit lard eh? ...........oh wait.
I agree with you over his worth JF. I said when we got him, I don't think Kenny sees a central midfielder as defensive or offensive I think he expects them to do everything, unless that midfielder is spectacularly good at being specialised , like Mascher, it is not sensible to have someone who is just a holding midfielder when you can have someone that can do that and be creative. Maybe that is why Aquilani got shipped out.
Keep playing Adam and keep playing Carroll and it will work.

regards

 

[Woland]

A midfielder who can pass and shoot? Whatever next?

 

[Modo]

To be honest I think fitness was the big issue, regarding Adam. He seems more energetic lately and his allround game has improved. He deserves some praise.
Even though this is a Adam wank-off thread, I'd have to say that Suarez is currently carrying us.

 

[FoxForceFive]

I don't think he's unfit Vlad, simply that usually his endurance over the course to a match lets him down, that one games stat doesn't effect that in my eyes, though it is a good sign.

I am happy he's winning people over though, I think he's a good fit, & even when we're performing better & are in the champions league next year he'll be at the least a squad player, if not a good solid regular.

 

[Gary25]

Adam's a good player. I'm just surprised many people were of the opinion he was/is shit.
Could be because he's from Dundee, has a boring name and is a so-called Rangers reject - who knows.

He's obviously not without faults - he can hit hollywood balls that end up in row z, get caught out of position etc but lets not forget...at Blackpool, everything revolved around Adam.
At Liverpool, he's having to track back and put in a defensive shift which he's getting better at week by week.

He's had a positive impact in most of our games since he arrived. I just think all round he's a real good player with super technique, vision and class. Don't think he'll ever be world class or anything, but i hope he's a valuable member of our team/squad for a fair few years.

 

[Jürgen4PM]

I like Charlie, he looks a good solid signing.

 

[Fabio]

He is good and I really like him, but he needs to have a creative playmaker or a mobile playmaker in front of him. He looks better when Suarez is a little deeper

 

[grjt]

Needs to do more.

For a new joiner he's done okay, but he's no youngster and has moved clubs plenty of times before, so he needs to keep improving. Arguably he's got a limited window to prove that he's a starting XI player - when/if Gerrard is fit, he isnt going to get another run in the side to settle down.

 

[Squiggles]

He's a decent CM for a side who wish to finish around fifth or sixth in the league.

I'm not convinced he's Liverpool class in the long run.

 

[spider-Neil]

[quote author=Squiggles link=topic=47370.msg1420819#msg1420819 date=1320244314]
He's a decent CM for a side who wish to finish around fifth or sixth in the league.


[/quote]

so he's perfect for us...

 

[PaulGorst]

Without wanting to turn this into a Lucas thread, it's a refreshing change having Adam in midfield, who isn't pedestrian or tentative about making forward passes.
Adam has enjoyed a solid start to his career at us, two goals (and if you count the one against Wolves which was pretty much his, then three.) and however many assists he has, I think he's settled really well.
Thought he was excellent against United in particular, and at a time when young British talent is at a premium, (and we have seemingly become the biggest victims to this) we've done really well to get this lad for £6m.
Now jib all these 'fat' shouts.

 

[Frogfish]

[quote author=FoxForceFive link=topic=47370.msg1420489#msg1420489 date=1320176294]
I don't think he's unfit Vlad, simply that usually his endurance over the course to a match lets him down, that one games stat doesn't effect that in my eyes, though it is a good sign.

I am happy he's winning people over though, I think he's a good fit, & even when we're performing better & are in the champions league next year he'll be at the least a squad player, if not a good solid regular.
[/quote]

Well if he has that stamina in one game then it should be a given that he can do it week in week out. Early doors I don't think he was fit and that is why the improvement now is so noticeable. I posted in the WBA match thread that we completely over-ran WBA by having the four players that covered the most ground, Adam covered far away the most (11.5kms) 800m more than the second man, Lucas.

I always wanted Adam and thought he would be a great addition to our squad. Mystic - he doesn't need to prove he can play against the major teams - he did that last season for Blackpool, he buried United, now he needs to replicate that form for us. I just wish however that he'd cut out the stupid tackles, cut back on the hollywood passes ... and score more goals !

 

[mark1975]

People just need to learn to be patient and remember the fee involved, for what he's offered so far it's a steal. People need to show some perspective. They moan we didn't buy better players, then moan that we overspend on average players, and then when we buy someone for a more than reasonable fee and they come in and offer something in terms of end product, they seem too intent on sticking to their original assessments and comparing him in their heads to the likes of Xabi (FFS!), he's doing a similar job. If we had a quick, attacking wide player we'd be looking a whole lot better and most of the additions we've made would be helping to build up a strong competitive squad capable of pushing on into the top four.

We needed a basis and we've got it, Rome wasn't built in a day and all that. Vlad has banged on that people will expect too much. Show some perspective. United has been built over years and years of stability. Chelsea have been backed for years and despite their ageing squad they have a good foundation and plenty of experience, while Man City's few years of heavy investment is beginning to bear fruit as the squad gels (and not after 10 games but after a good season or so of the same players spluttering from one week to the next). It takes time but we're getting there.

 

[King Binny]

Liverpool midfielder Charlie Adam continued his fine form on Wednesday night -- although this latest victory came at Wolverhampton race track.

Adam claimed the first win of his racing 'career' when his horse Desert Icon romped home at 40/1; although, he'd probably earn the £1,704 winner's prize with a couple of hours' work in the day job.