Jordan Henderson appreciation thread

[Guest LFD]

The thing is, and I don't know how this happened, he's somehow sorted that out.  I've seen Henderson do things this season that I literally wouldn't have believed him capable of.  Taking on defenders, playing through balls even if there's a high chance it'll be cut out, even taking on shots from half-chances. 

 

He was doing those things in the first season, just not as often.

 

I posted a video at the time of the highlights of his first season, showing why I thought he'd come good as he showed in glimpses of all the quality he is showing now.

 

Here is that video all from his first season, now it is great he is doing it consistently.

 

[stringvest]

Have to hold my hand up and say I was wrong about him.

 

His first couple of years here he suffered from a seeming revulsion to the act of providing the final ball, of taking the responsibility for the ultimate success of the move, and I didn't think it was curable.  He would constantly, CONSTANTLY get the ball in a promising position and then, rather than taking on a player or having a shot, retreat into a shell, cover the ball, turn his back to goal, and play a sideways/backwards pass.

 

That kind of mentality is a problem, but not necessarily a crippling one, for a defensive midfielder, but for someone who plays further up the pitch it was a dealbreaker as far as I was concerned.  

 

The thing is, and I don't know how this happened, he's somehow sorted that out.  I've seen Henderson do things this season that I literally wouldn't have believed him capable of.  Taking on defenders, playing through balls even if there's a high chance it'll be cut out, even taking on shots from half-chances.  I don't know whether to credit Rodgers, Henderson himself, Steve Peters, or some mixture thereof, but somehow Henderson grew a pair of bollocks over the summer.

 

As for me, I thought it was the much-discussed "purple patch" at first, but he's now done it for long enough that I have to hold my hand up and say "I was wrong."  

 

Henderson is now not only a suitable squad option, he's worked himself into a position where he's borderline essential to our squad, and he deserves a lot of praise for doing so.  Long may it continue.

 

You weren't wrong about him, because he did display (and still does imo) those traits you ascribe to him.  You were just being objective.  He was poor and now he's improved. He was bound to improve, and I believe and hope that there's plenty more to come in that regard.  The improvements in mentality I am not yet convinced of, as in every game there are signs that he hasn't conquered it yet, but if he does he'll be a decent player.

[Fugitive]

A quick word for the lad. He just holds everything together so well and in very understated way but he is vital to the way we play. Rodgers has been the making of him.

[J-V]

Excellent player and athlete.  He never stops.

[MLB]

He is the glue that holds the team together.

[Paco]

with all the undoubtable progress he has made, he still needs to add goals to his game.

 

that's the next challenge for him.

 

but yeah he appears to nearly have it all.

[stringvest]

Had a good game again today. Still have reservations over him in front of goal. Looked to be a bit bottle again today, but did a lot of running and got his foot in on a number of occasions. Not sure about him being the glue, but he is an important contributor.

[MLB]

What I mean is, his incredible work-rate, pressing and ability to knit together the defense and attack is what holds the team together.

[Jarvinja Ilnow]

with all the undoubtable progress he has made, he still needs to add goals to his game.

 

that's the next challenge for him.

 

but yeah he appears to nearly have it all.

I know - if he can improve his finishing, he'll be our new Terry McDermot

[stringvest]

He's got a huge amount to do to stand comparison with terry mac.

[Caramac]

Media person shows her appreciation

 

[Dr Nowt]

Media person shows her appreciation

 

 

Spirit Of Savile.

[TheHowieLama]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6hLLe7j_tKA

[mni]

Unsung hero of the season so far, along with Skrtel.

 

 

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[celeryBADboy]

Brilliant player become key for me now. I think he has what it takes to fill stevies boot we just have to get some goals into him.

[Fugitive]

Brilliant player become key for me now. I think he has what it takes to fill stevies boot we just have to get some goals into him.

It's not about filling Gerrard's boots. They are completely different players. He has a different role in a different system but he does it brilliantly.

[Nightcat]

I always liked him and defended him. He is a top Midfielder and a Great signing by the Great Kenny Dalglish.

[celeryBADboy]

It's not about filling Gerrard's boots. They are completely different players. He has a different role in a different system but he does it brilliantly.

He has all the atributes except the Goals to be a Gerrard. I  think its very likely preseason well try to exploit them.

[moof]

I might have to start supporting England if our lads keep playing the way they do. Gerrard, Sterling, Sturridge, Hendo, Flanagan should all be in the team for the World Cup

[smilezzz]

if any of our youngsters played for the London or Manchester clubs there'd be a media frenzy on how great they are, what they eat for lunch, etc. as it stands, i personally think Henderson is a better team player than Wilshere, an has shown a lot more than him in the past two seasons (and the stats back me up on this), as for cleverly... i hope he goes on to have a long career at the scum, he's THAT "good".

[RedKnight]

Iron Man.

[INTORRESTING]

He has been great but needs to sort his shooting out

 

 

 

[Guest LFD]

Anyone notice that when ever Rodgers wants to change something he calls Henderson over to do it?  Not the captain or Suarez or any senior player - Henderson.

 

He's turning into a bit of a leader and I'm sure he'll captain us in the future.

 

Another thing is we always go on about his energy, which is superb.  But his position is very good.

 

Should be starting for England in the summer.  Then again so should Sterling, Sturridge and Gerrard.

[Elite]

He'll never get the plaudits but he's the oil that keeps the engine ticking over and he's most certainly Castrol.

[Babb'sBurstNad]

He'll never get the plaudits but he's the oil that keeps the engine ticking over and he's most certainly Castrol.

 

People always praise his Mobil-ity