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Sterling's first senior 90 minutes

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doctor_mac

doctor_mac

My cowboy name is Garland Justice
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Instead of bellyaching about Shelvey, Adam, Carra and whoever, in good sixcrazyminutes fashion, lets discuss the evening's highlight, Raheem Sterling. Most of our attacking opportunities came through his twinkle-toes, and he served Borini up what should have been a goal on a plate. He *always* takes his man on, which is so exciting to see. I'm not sure if he'll get away with his trademark cutting in on the 18 yard line and flashing a shot in as often in the PL, particularly as defenders look out for him, but by God, this looks like it is going to happen. Sterling is ready! Or is he?
 
He's not ready to be playing week in, week out ... He's definitely ready to be an impact sub and a regular starter in all our cup games (fa, league & europa).
 
Great to see a positive thread. Sterling played ok last night but looked a little lost for the first 25 minutes which is completely understandable. After all he is only 17. He's ready to be introduced to the first team in cameo roles and Carling Cup games I think but he's not ready or a regular spot yet
 
Is like to see him on at 70 minutes in every league game for a start.

I still think he might well have a future as a centre forward.
 
He was excellent last night, the most positive thing was that he'd got the confidence early that he had the beating of their fullback, it wasn't predictable with him cutting in all the time, he turned him inside out and took him on the outside aswell. Great performance, hopefully he can build on this and do it in the Premiership.

As for Downing, I thought he gave us a bit more balance when he came on and Sterling started attacking more again after being doubled up on for most of the second half. There were a couple of frustating moments where he could have put Sterling in early, but by and large he kept it well, took the game forward and was positive.

I'm guessing we've got big concerns over Enrique if Robbo and then Downing got a shot there. Kelly's ability to play two games on the bounce isn't great, so I'd imagine this was with a view to 'if needs be'..
 
Yeah, I think Downing being introduced did give impetus to Sterling. It was a clever switch by BR. And perhaps it could be the future for Downing....
 
I don't buy the not sure if he is ready line OK it was not hard to be our best player last night and Sunny is right, it took 25 mins to settle down
I think he looks as ready as anyone I have seen this season

regards
 
I think also you have to be wary of the physical impact playing regularly may have on a 17 year old. On a positive note, once he had settled down he put the other, more experienced, young players to shame.
 
Has to be introduced to the first team - we could do worse than give him a few selective starts - and we need to know whether he has the mentality for big games.
 
He was very impressive last night.

A few points:

1. I thought we'd have to sub him off after about 30 mins because he looked shagged, but fair play to him he kept on going.
2. I loved the fact that when he got crunched a couple of times he simply bounced right back up with no fuss and got on with the game.
3. Boy does he fucking love to cut in, but also used his pace to go on the outside a few times.
4. He just seems to have that little bit of magic about him.
 
I was greatly encouraged by his performance.

He showed desire and ability.

He is still very young and I'd like him to be given first team opportunities here and there, but monitor his appearances and progress/development.

Surely the last thing any of us want is to burn the lad out ?
 
2 things:

1. I don't think he has the sort of blistering pace that'll see him skin PL full backs with ease. In a way, this is a good thing, as he'll have to rely on his skill to beat players, and he does seem to have a fair bit of that.
2. He needs to bulk up a fair bit. He looks really tiny, and susceptible to being shrugged off the ball very very easily. Given that he's not going to be over-reliant on his pace, the loss of any as a result of bulking up shouldn't really be a hindrance either.

Excited about him. Think he'll contribute more than we expect of him this season. I reckon something like 25 appearances with something like 5 goals + 5 assists could be on the cards.
 
he was great, although he did look a little tired around the 70th minute mark, he was bombing up and down the pitch constantly though
 
themn said:
I was greatly encouraged by his performance.

He showed desire and ability.

He is still very young and I'd like him to be given first team opportunities here and there, but monitor his appearances and progress/development.

Surely the last thing any of us want is to burn the lad out ?
Click to expand...

Exackery.
 
Jack D Rips said:
I was surprised at how strong he actually looked on the ball.
Click to expand...

For his size he did look very strong, credit to him, like a lot of slight players have in the past, he's learned to use what little strength his has as well as he can, think David Silva.
 
dmishra said:
2 things:

1. I don't think he has the sort of blistering pace that'll see him skin PL full backs with ease. In a way, this is a good thing, as he'll have to rely on his skill to beat players, and he does seem to have a fair bit of that.
2. He needs to bulk up a fair bit. He looks really tiny, and susceptible to being shrugged off the ball very very easily. Given that he's not going to be over-reliant on his pace, the loss of any as a result of bulking up shouldn't really be a hindrance either.

Excited about him. Think he'll contribute more than we expect of him this season. I reckon something like 25 appearances with something like 5 goals + 5 assists could be on the cards.
Click to expand...


Silva, Iniesta, Nasri etc. etc. Tiny guys with beautiful balance that makes them hard to knock off the ball. He doesn't need to bulk up.
 
Sunny said:
I think also you have to be wary of the physical impact playing regularly may have on a 17 year old. On a positive note, once he had settled down he put the other, more experienced, young players to shame.
Click to expand...

That's what I came into say.

There is no such thing as 'ready'. He already has the talent to be starting or among a Premier League squad so there's no problems there. What we have to be careful of is his physical condition. We all know what has happened to the hamstrings of young, quick forwards who start playing regularly from 17. We have to keep a close eye on his warm up and his cool down. We have to limit the his minutes over the next few years and ensure we're not reliant upon him for opening up defenses. We have to think just as much about his career ten years from now as much as the present day.

He's been a great pick up by the club.
 
It was good that Rodgers kept him on. A well-timed wake-up call for him, as he'll be absolutely shattered this morning but he'll also be keener than ever to experience something like it again soon. I thought he did really well, considering the service wasn't good.
 
doctor_mac said:
Silva, Iniesta, Nasri etc. etc. Tiny guys with beautiful balance that makes them hard to knock off the ball. He doesn't need to bulk up.
Click to expand...
I'm not one to knock a player because of his stature, but I defo think he does. I've noticed several times already that he seems to with his feet flying when there's strong physical contact. That tells me he needs to work on his lower body strength which will help his balance and learn to use his arse and limited upper body strength to fend off players like the players you allude to. Also, Silva, Iniesta, Nasri are all a good deal more skilful on the ball than our Sterling. If he can develop his skill to that level, we'd have some player on our hands.
 
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