Studge

[LeTallecWiz]

I know he's not been 100% this season - but can he lead the line? Can he handle the pressure of being the #1 striker on a team where he's who the opposition wants to shut down?

Last year, a team had to pick their posion - Suarez or Studge, with Sterling and Coutinho buzzing behind them.
This year, Studge has regularly played as the lone striker - which has left him little time or room to do some of the brilliant stuff he did last year ...

Today highlighted it - lost the ball a ton, struggled to get his efforts on target ...

He's a great talent - and I think he has a bright future, but can he do it if he has to lead the line next year (assuming we don't splash our cash on a Firminho or Vietto)?

 

[hmmmmm1]

He was good in the first half, the back heel to hendo was great.

Shite in the second half

 

[ibromurph]

We need to splash the cash. Firmino would be my choice.

His link up play isn't good enough (aside from that 1 backheel) and his ability to lead the line is suspect. I think Suarez took so much attention away from him, he was often left in 1v1 situations. Or sometimes in acre of space by himself. Now, obviously, that's not the situation anymore and injuries-aside, he looks to be struggling with the increased attention/expectation on him.

 

[beejay]

I don't think he can ever be the striker we can rely on, he is good enough in terms of natural ability but his fitness and desire hold him back.

He needs someone to take the pressure off him, when he is relaxed and confident he is top class but we have to add goals to the side from other areas.

 

[gkmacca]

He mops up well.

 

[Mamma Mia]

There's a lot of this talk lately about how much he benefited from Suarez, and of course he did, but let's not forget that he also scored in almost every game Luis missed through suspension. When fit and in form, he's more than capable. The question is how to get him there and keep him there.

That said, we need a couple of top drawer forwards regardless.

 

[LeTallecWiz]

There's a lot of this talk lately about how much he benefited from Suarez, and of course he did, but let's not forget that he also scored in almost every game Luis missed through suspension. When fit and in form, he's more than capable. The question is how to get him there and keep him there.

That said, we need a couple of top drawer forwards regardless.

Was that the norm? I remember that stretch - a few tight 1-0 wins where we got goals from him (Manure? Stoke? Villa?) ... Is that the norm? I hope so, but I concur with your conclusion.

 

[Sheik Yerbouti]

Came out wide too much especially second half and too many unnecessary fancy flicks which just gave away possession. But let's be fair, he's been out most of the season.

 

[FoxForceFive]

He's trying to hard but is so far from any real match fitness I'm prepared to write off this season completely.

What's clear is we need to get a doctor in sharpish who can tailor his training to minimise injury risk.

I get annoyed with him when I watch him, but saying a player should be performing at full tilt after a run of 6 games after being out is unrealistic.

Fingers crossed we see that player next season.

 

[tony]

It looked to me like he apologised to Rodgers when he came off, he clearly looks frustrated with his form.

 

[Judge Jules]

When the Studge first came back and began to figure in the line-up again, we looked a better balanced side before things petered out again. It's also true that, as others have said, he kept the goals flowing last season even when Suarez wasn't up there with him. Both he and the team as a whole need to do more to reintegrate properly (as do the powers-that-be off the field to make the right signings, which would also help), but I'm still hopeful.

 

[Judge Jules]

It looked to me like he apologised to Rodgers when he came off, he clearly looks frustrated with his form.

Good sign. With that underlying attitude, he'll maximise his chances of getting back to what we know he can be.

 

[Ryan]

Injury or not, I don't think he works anywhere near hard enough, especially in a side that plays one recognised striker and prides itself on (according to our manager) our high pressing game and the desire to win the ball back quickly.

 

[Judge Jules]

Not for a side with one up top, no, and he'll never be a Rushie equivalent when it comes to defending from the front, but it's the balance of the side as a whole that's crucial. The Studge fitted into that very well last season, and IMO the signs are that he does have the right attitude to play his part in doing so again if the overall set-up is right.

 

[Mors]

I think we need another star striker, in the Suarez/Costa grafter mould. Sturridge is not reliable enough as he's always broken, and he seems to look better when playing in a top 2. With our preferred style of play we need someone up top that is going to harass the shit out of defenders, Suarez was perfect for this, Sturridge isn't.

 

[Mystic]

When I saw this thread I half expected it to be about how we're selling him to City.