Jordan Henderson

[LeTallecWiz]

I think he's going to take another massive jump this year ...

It seemed he was out early last year, but he kept his head down, worked his socks off and eventually ended with a respectable goal haul and an ever constant in our side.

Can he improve on that? He's got the right mentality, a good motor, good shot and seems to really want it. I hope he becomes the player Kennoli thought he was when we splashed 16 mill on him ...

 

[Ryan]

He's good, he's got a little better, and he'll continue to improve. But he's not great, and we need great. We need world class talents all over the park, and Jordan Henderson is never going to be that.

 

[doctor_mac]

Does any team need world class talents all over the park though? In the immortal words of Shanks, "A football team is like a piano. You need eight men to carry it and three who can play the damn thing". Man Utd won loads of titles with the likes of Nicky Butt and John O'Shea playing a significant role for them. As long as we have *some* world class players, we can make do with some less talented players, so long as they give absolutely everything to fulfil their role for the team. Henderson seems as honest and hard working as they come. I still have hopes for him. He does have an eye for goal, and he has got a lot better at gambling on runs that support the attacking players. He could be part of a successful side IMHO.

 

[Glen C]

He's good, he's got a little better, and he'll continue to improve. But he's not great, and we need great. We need world class talents all over the park, and Jordan Henderson is never going to be that.

Manure don't have world class talent all over the park and it's never held them back. Hendo is alright but I agree we need better. Irrelevant anyway as we all know that allen will be starting ahead of him this season.

 

[The Slugmonster]

He's such a hungry player that you can only love his drive and determination, even if he is used from the bench behind Allen he'll certainly keep Joe Joe the eskimo on his toes.

 

[doctor_mac]

He actually looks to have decent pace too. That was a really strong run he made to work the goal against Olympiakos.

 

[Modo]

It was a nice finish from Henderson, but overall I don't think he had a good game.
The biggest difference between Allen and Henderson for me is that Allen is more tenacious and makes more runs into the penalty area. Allen > Henderson at the moment.

 

[mark1975]

It was a nice finish from Henderson, but overall I don't think he had a good game.
The biggest difference between Allen and Henderson for me is that Allen is more tenacious and makes more runs into the penalty area. Allen > Henderson at the moment.

Based on a friendly? Henderson was making runs into the box for most of last season and bagged a few goals as a result, Allen struggled for most of last season and didn't look capable of much at all. I agree he's got alot of raw ability and probably should be higher up the pitch, but we've seen that a couple of times at best, certainly not enough to make such a resounding assessment. Henderson has looked impressive over the last few months and is one of only a few players who genuinely looks like he really gives a fuck about playing for us, cf his celebration yesterday.

 

[Modo]

Based on a friendly? Henderson was making runs into the box for most of last season and bagged a few goals as a result, Allen struggled for most of last season and didn't look capable of much at all. I agree he's got alot of raw ability and probably should be higher up the pitch, but we've seen that a couple of times at best.

I'm not saying that he doesn't make runs into the penalty box, I'm saying that Allen makes more runs. I'd also like to add that Allen seems to be more involved in our attack than Henderson is.
Like I said Allen is more tenacious, more mobile. Henderson sometimes has a knack of making a pass, admiring it and then jog along. Allen is almost always looking for one-two's.
I'm not basing it on one performance either, the last game just reminded me of what Allen offers to our side. Makes me believe once again that he can become a top class midfielder.

I'm in no way saying that Henderson is shit.

 

[Mystic]

Henderson is great, as I've always said, and he's the perfect person to be pushing the first teamers for a place. I think he'll get better again this season too.

 

[Dahuge]

Allen is too conservative a passer, he doesn't have the guile to play as an advanced midfielder. I would rather see coutinho in that role with another wide man purchased who is the finished article.

Henderson, for me is better than allen at present he just brings more to the game with his energy and all round game. Allen is still to pedestrian and sideways.

 

[Modo]

Allen is too conservative a passer, he doesn't have the guile to play as an advanced midfielder. I would rather see coutinho in that role with another wide man purchased who is the finished article.

Henderson, for me is better than allen at present he just brings more to the game with his energy and all round game. Allen is still to pedestrian and sideways.

We need balance in midfield. Coutinho will get games in the middle but for certain games I'd rather have Allen/Henderson in midfield.
Also I think it's quite the opposite, Allen is the one with the energy.

 

[gkmacca]

We need balance in midfield. Coutinho will get games in the middle but for certain games I'd rather have Allen/Henderson in midfield.
Also I think it's quite the opposite, Allen is the one with the energy.

*Waits for you to become Hendo's number one fan*

 

[Modo]

*Waits for you to become Hendo's number one fan*

I've had my doubts about him, but he was never in the same bracket as Downing, Adam and Carroll.

 

[dantes]

Rodgers doesn't seem the type to give a fuck about effort or desire. No matter what Henderson does on that front, it's not going to be enough to get him in ahead of the more intelligent Allen.

Unless he does it in training, and inadvertently breaks the technician Allen's shoulder into half.

 

[Modo]

Rodgers doesn't seem the type to give a fuck about effort or desire. No matter what Henderson does on that front, it's not going to be enough to get him in ahead of the more intelligent Allen.

Unless he does it in training, and inadvertently breaks the technician Allen's shoulder into half.

It's normal, managers often prefer their own purchases. Allen seemed to be his go to guy at Swansea so it doesn't surprise me.

 

[superchimp]

Henderson for me is the perfect squad player.

 

[hmmmmm1]

If he wasn't on a silly wages, think BR would have got rid of him this summer.

 

[keniget]

I don't think Rodgers values him that much but I think he's a good enough player to keep around.

Allen will have to improve a lot this year to keep his place in my view.

 

[Glen C]

I don't think Rodgers values him that much but I think he's a good enough player to keep around.

Allen will have to improve a lot this year to keep his place in my view.

Not really. Even when allen was pretty much awful he still kept his place ahead of hendo. Rodgers rates allen and doesn't really rate hendo. I think both are pretty average and need to be replaced.

 

[My_Blood_Bleeds_Red]

Allen, Henderson and the lot - they all fall into the Danny Murphy category.

Good but not great.

 

[dantes]

Murphy is as far beyond Henderson and Allen, as Xabi Alonso was beyond him.

 

[white-sox]

Let's not bring Murphy into this. Racist prick... marginalising the French, never forgive him..

 

[Buddha]

I'd say Henderson/Allen are both comfortably better players than old Danny was at that age (and I saw a fair bit of him back then).

Problem is, its a bit of an either/or situation for Allen/Hendo. Both young, bright prospects with experience/talent enough to play a big part in our team - but just can't imagine Rodgers picking them both at the same time. One of them will likely stagnate this season.