Coutinho

[Glen C]

He's had a slow start but he's really starting to get into some form in the last few games. Seems to be enjoying his new role and if he can keep doing more of this then fulham will get dispatched with ease.

 

[hmmmmm1]

Pissed all overs England's heir to the number 10 role, wiltshire

 

[Mystic]

The Everton game was the rocket up his arse. I don't think he worked hard enough in that position before hand for it to work for him. I remember saying as much before the Everton game, and saying he'd need to work his arse off for it to work. Clearly Rodgers has said the same, because he's worked his arse off since then and really made that position his, funnily enough, when you work really hard defensively as he has been, all that attacking brilliance he shows becomes even easier for him to show. If he keeps playing like this he'll be one of the best in the league on that position and a solid shout for Young Player of the Year.

 

[Dreambeliever]

He got injured at the wrong time.

He's pure class

 

[Lippy]

I like the new Coutinho is likes to get his foot in and win the ball as well. He's playing well at the moment. Some of his vision is superb as well.

 

[gkmacca]

He seems to take about half an hour to really get into a game at the moment, but he is fascinating to watch and pure class.

 

[Woland]

I'm not used to us having players with boss technique and flair but I reckon they come in and out of form a lot more starkly than plodders. Coutinho was on fire when Sterling was off form last year, then they swapped, now they both look effing boss. Ace innit.

 

[LeTallecWiz]

If he keeps playing like this he'll be one of the best in the league on that position and a solid shout for Young Player of the Year.

Sturridge will win it.

 

[My_Blood_Bleeds_Red]

I think he's due a goal or two. He's been pretty unfortunate lately and came close many times. He deserves it.

Yup, Fulham it is then.

 

[Y1]

He will score. Henderson just blast the football. Henderson needs more shooting practices.

 

[Mystic]

Sturridge will win it.

He's a good shout (Hazard will get it), although I don't think he should be in the running, he's 24 and in his 4th premier league season. It should be for under 21s, or under 23s in their first or second season.

Would be boss if we got Young Player and Player of the Season though.

 

[LeTallecWiz]

He's a good shout (Hazard will get it), although I don't think he should be in the running, he's 24 and in his 4th premier league season. It should be for under 21s, or under 23s in their first or second season.

Would be boss if we got Young Player and Player of the Season though.

He was 23 when the 'time range' started. While I agree with you, I hope he wins. Good for him and youngsters who are debating between CHavs and us.

 

[Dirkus_Circus]

This midfield role seems to suit him well. When he was further forward he seemed to be pressing to make the killer pass every single time he got a touch. Not to mention his finishing was woeful.

This deeper role has almost relaxed him a bit it seems and who would've ever thought he would be this effective at pressing and winning the ball? He is not on Sterling's level but he is much stronger than people give him credit for despite how small he is.

 

[Judge Jules]

Interesting summary, but I suspect it's a move into the centre from the wing which has achieved those results, rather than a move to a deeper position as such. Flair players like Coutinho often get stuck out on the wing in English football when it's not necessarily their best position. In fairness to Rodgers, my guess is he always had this move in mind for Coutinho at some point.

 

[Glen C]

Interesting summary, but I suspect it's a move into the centre from the wing which has achieved those results, rather than a move to a deeper position as such. Flair players like Coutinho often get stuck out on the wing in English football when it's not necessarily their best position. In fairness to Rodgers, my guess is he always had this move in mind for Coutinho at some point.

Well he said as such last season that he eventually wanted to move coutinho into the middle but needs someone to replace him in that wide position.

 

[dantes]

Well he said as such last season that he eventually wanted to move coutinho into the middle but needs someone to replace him in that wide position.

Well then he should have given Ian Ayre more than one solitary year of notice. No foresight at all.

 

[hamstrung_pigeon]

The Everton game was the rocket up his arse. I don't think he worked hard enough in that position before hand for it to work for him. I remember saying as much before the Everton game, and saying he'd need to work his arse off for it to work. Clearly Rodgers has said the same, because he's worked his arse off since then and really made that position his, funnily enough, when you work really hard defensively as he has been, all that attacking brilliance he shows becomes even easier for him to show. If he keeps playing like this he'll be one of the best in the league on that position and a solid shout for Young Player of the Year.

To be fair, he showed brilliant workrate against Spurs, and I think the same against West Ham the week before, or the game against Cardiff the following week. He then fell off and picked it up again in the derby.

Maybe it's got to do with his physical ability to keep this up game after game. In the games when he's up for it, he's scrapping like a mad dog, and that's something I'm not sure he's done much last season, or ever done his whole career till now. Not everyone's a Suarez, Henderson or Sterling - these guys are so fit and turn up with boundless energy game after game. Perhaps what Coutinho needs is time for his body to adjust to the rigours and demands.