Markovic

[Woland]

This just I'm from my Benfica correspondent.

'Markovic is probably the best young talent we ever had at Benfica and it's criminal that he's being wasted. Reminder that we saw Di Maria, Coentrão, Matic, Luiz, Garcia and many other pass through, Markovic stands out from that crowd.'

So where are we going wrong?

 

[white-sox]

Your correspondent is thick?

 

[dmishra]

Playing him on the right-wing.

From what I've seen of him, he's a CAM who likes to make powerful runs from deep. He's struggling with the physicality of the PL at the moment, but he isn't the first player to be shunted out wide because of a lack of physique to play centrally.

That's a wrong strategy IMO. He'll be a much better player through the centre, even if it does take him a while to adapt to the physicality of the league. The rest depends on how strong his work ethic is; but there's clearly a lot of talent in him.

 

[ILD]

He is playing within himself. Not sure if it's a lack of confidence on his part but it was frustrating watching him control the ball immaculately only to give it straight back to where it came from. He didn't attempt anything positive or try to impact games in any way. It reminded me a bit like Henderson when he first arrived, although they are different type of player, Henderson kept his head down and crept through games as a passenger. I'm a bit surprised Lazar has played so within himself. I thought he would walk into Melwood and fuck shit up immediately.

We saw some of his running power against Madrid. I'm happy to give him time to come out of his shell because when he does we'll have the Serbian Kaka*.

*Dramatization may have occurred here.

 

[Judge Jules]

Playing him on the right-wing.

From what I've seen of him, he's a CAM who likes to make powerful runs from deep. He's struggling with the physicality of the PL at the moment, but he isn't the first player to be shunted out wide because of a lack of physique to play centrally.

That's a wrong strategy IMO. He'll be a much better player through the centre, even if it does take him a while to adapt to the physicality of the league. The rest depends on how strong his work ethic is; but there's clearly a lot of talent in him.

Good post and I largely agree, but what if he can't adapt to the pace and power of the Prem sufficiently to play down the middle? Much of what you say applied to Vlad Smicer and he never managed that.

 

[dmishra]

Good post and I largely agree, but what if he can't adapt to the pace and power of the Prem sufficiently to play down the middle? Much of what you say applied to Vlad Smicer and he never managed that.

It's certainly possible. However Smicer was never very quick. Markovic is rapid at full burst. He hasn't shown his pace much because he isn't very quick off the bat or over short distances (which is what you need to be when playing on the wing). He's the sort who gains pace with momentum. Running from deep would therefore suit his game much more.

Also Smicer joined us when he was about 26 - at his physical prime. Markovic is only 20, and should have plenty of time to add more muscle to his frame.

 

[superchimp]

His touch seems heavy and generally seems like when the balls at his feet - clueless.

The early signs are not good at all...

 

[dmishra]

He is playing within himself. Not sure if it's a lack of confidence on his part but it was frustrating watching him control the ball immaculately only to give it straight back to where it came from. He didn't attempt anything positive or try to impact games in any way. It reminded me a bit like Henderson when he first arrived, although they are different type of player, Henderson kept his head down and crept through games as a passenger. I'm a bit surprised Lazar has played so within himself. I thought he would walk into Melwood and fuck shit up immediately.

We saw some of his running power against Madrid. I'm happy to give him time to come out of his shell because when he does we'll have the Serbian Kaka*.

*Dramatization may have occurred here.

As far as playing styles go, I think Nedved is a better comparison.

Nedved started off really as a CAM/LAM known for his powerful running; but evolved over the years into quite a fine playmaker as well.

I think that's the sort of player we should try and mould Markovic into.

 

[tony]

This just I'm from my Benfica correspondent.

'Markovic is probably the best young talent we ever had at Benfica and it's criminal that he's being wasted. Reminder that we saw Di Maria, Coentrão, Matic, Luiz, Garcia and many other pass through, Markovic stands out from that crowd.'

So where are we going wrong?

The Benfica fans I spoke to recently when I was in Lisbon unaminously said 20m euros was a fantastic deal for their club and none were upset to see him go

 

[Modo]

He's 20, barely speaks the language, hasn't adapted to the style yet.
Give him time.

 

[Modo]

btw.

Liverpool have sacked three of their scouts, with the club looking to overhaul their scouting system as part of the rebuilding process following a terrible start to the season.


According to the Guardian, scouts Alan Harper, Mel Johnson and Mike McGlynn have been released by the club.
The Reds’ summer signings have struggled almost universally, and the team’s poor start to the season hasn’t been helped by their poor recruitment policy.
Mario Balotelli has yet to score in the league after arriving for £16m from AC Milan, Alberto Moreno has been directly at fault for two goals already, Lazar Markovic and Adam Lallana have been overwhelmingly mediocre. Dejan Lovren has been a disaster at the back and Emre Can has barely played.

Well done.

 

[jexykrodic]

btw.

Liverpool have sacked three of their scouts, with the club looking to overhaul their scouting system as part of the rebuilding process following a terrible start to the season.


According to the Guardian, scouts Alan Harper, Mel Johnson and Mike McGlynn have been released by the club.
The Reds’ summer signings have struggled almost universally, and the team’s poor start to the season hasn’t been helped by their poor recruitment policy.
Mario Balotelli has yet to score in the league after arriving for £16m from AC Milan, Alberto Moreno has been directly at fault for two goals already, Lazar Markovic and Adam Lallana have been overwhelmingly mediocre. Dejan Lovren has been a disaster at the back and Emre Can has barely played.

Well done.

Yes those 10 games since they arrived has given us all plenty of time to decide their worth.

 

[mom]

I'll reserve judgement until he's kicked a ball for at least a fucking hour for us. Yes, it's hyperbole, so please don't some gimp go all pedantic on me.
Give the guy a chance.

 

[Modo]

Yes those 10 games since they arrived has given us all plenty of time to decide their worth.

Well it depends on what you expected from this season.
Did you expect us to carry on the league hunt from last season or did you expect what we've achieved so far?
Like I said before I'm not overly impressed by anyone we signed this summer.
I think board expected instant improvement after spending over £100 mill, not gradual, over the course of 3 years.

 

[keniget]

I think board expected instant improvement after spending over £100 mill, not gradual, over the course of 3 years.

It's worth bearing in mind that we spent over 50M on players in the 19-22 age bracket and then another 16M on a known risk in Balotelli, so there can't have been any illusions over what we were getting.

I reckon they gambled on us being able to maintain a good enough level with the core from last year complemented by Lovren and Lallana. The problem is that so far we look to be losing that gamble as Sturridge is broken and Lovren and Lallana have not provided the step up in quality that was hoped for.

 

[jexykrodic]

Well it depends on what you expected from this season.
Did you expect us to carry on the league hunt from last season or did you expect what we've achieved so far?
Like I said before I'm not overly impressed by anyone we signed this summer.
I think board expected instant improvement after spending over £100 mill, not gradual, over the course of 3 years.

I thought we might not be quite as good this season without Suarez.

I didn't know anything about Markovic, Manquillo or Moreno so I had no real idea what they might be like.

I thought that Lallana and Lovren would improve our squad. I thought Balotelli was a roll of the dice and worthy of a punt given the money.

I still think all of the above will get better as they settle. I wouldn't be looking 3 years out though, I thought decisions about their places are best made after a full season.

 

[tombrown]

Markovic will be our star player in 2 years time. Book mark this post & set a reminder to quote it in November 2016

 

[tony]

Markovic will be our star player in 2 years time. Book mark this post & set a reminder to quote it in November 2016

maybe or on loan at Bolton!
Of course its unrealistic to expect the young fellow to tear up the league while he is adjusting and settling in. however by now you would expect to have seen something, a clever pass, a nice turn, a good bit of close control, even a little glimmer, to justify the hype.

 

[ILD]

Markovic will be our star player in 2 years time. Book mark this post & set a reminder to quote it in November 2016

@gene hughes posted something aaaages ago and asked us as a forum to remind him on a specific date. I think @Woland offered to remind him. Does this ring any bells?

 

[Woland]

I can barely remember what I did yesterday.

 

[Farkmaster]

We'll know what he can do when he starts trying to do things more routinely.

 

[ILD]

I can barely remember what I did yesterday.

Ah we'll just wait til the calendar in your phone reminds your or something.

 

[Modo]

I thought we might not be quite as good this season without Suarez.

I didn't know anything about Markovic, Manquillo or Moreno so I had no real idea what they might be like.

I thought that Lallana and Lovren would improve our squad. I thought Balotelli was a roll of the dice and worthy of a punt given the money.

I still think all of the above will get better as they settle. I wouldn't be looking 3 years out though, I thought decisions about their places are best made after a full season.

Basically we expected that Lallana and Balotelli would replace Suarez or lessen the blow.

 

[jexykrodic]

Basically we expected that Lallana and Balotelli would replace Suarez or lessen the blow.

I didn't.

I hoped we might be able to sign Sanchez who might have lessened the blow. I thought Lallana would improve the squad (I still think he will) and I didn't expect us to sign Balotelli at all.

 

[Hansern]

He's a 20 year old kid. New country, league, language, culture, teammates etc etc.
He's a great talent that some mongs have written off already. It says a lot about our attitude and patience with youngsters.

He'll come good but might need 9-12 months.

 

[Squiggles]

We have to be patient with Markovic, but, given the fee paid, I would have expected him to have given the fan some moments where his potential is evident, and disappointing to not have anything to go from.

The coaching staff need to work on his confidence to the point he feels he can express himself more freely on the football pitch. Until that happns, we will never know what the player is capable of.

 

[Hansern]

Its not easy adapting with a team playing so shite either.

 

[jexykrodic]

Its not easy adapting with a team playing so shite either.

Could be that 10 games hasn't yet been enough time for the team to gel, especially with injury disruption as well. Experiences like those in mid week may make some of the squad feel more involved and foster team spirit. You know what it's like in a new job situation, those first few months are always a steep learning curve.

 

[Lippy]

Needs time to settle and those who say he has a clumsy first touch are clearly clueless. He's technically very good but is lacking some confidence currently plus the whole team is playing shite

 

[Modo]

I didn't.

I hoped we might be able to sign Sanchez who might have lessened the blow. I thought Lallana would improve the squad (I still think he will) and I didn't expect us to sign Balotelli at all.

My thoughts exactly.