12 Dec 2016 19:09:04
Hendo vs Stevie.

One for Eds and reds both, but I would love to hear Ed001's view on this.

Does Hendo have the potential to be in the same class of a player as Stevie?

Stevie, for all of his flaws, was Roy of the Rovers, and was almost singlehandedly responsible for me keeping the faith that we would win major trophies for over 10 years. I have been a massive Stevie fanboy. You just felt, when he got hold of the ball, something would happen.

I'm ignoring the off field stuff, and concentrating on the 90-120 minutes at a time that I saw him play.

For a long time it looked as though Henod would pale in comparison, but I see a confidence in him now that is bordering on Stevie.

They play different roles - Stevie at his pomp was all about attack, Hendo has been asked to sit back and protect - but I see similarities in being able to thread a pass, and the odd worldie goal (like it should have been on Sunday, and was against Chelsea) .

Should we not be comparing them, or can we have two consecutive captain fantastics?

From my personal view, as fantastic as I think Hendo is, he's not *quite* there, doesn't *quite* have the aura.

What are other views?

{Ed001's Note - no, I love Hendo, but he is never going to reach the level of Gerrard in his prime.}

1.) 12 Dec 2016
12 Dec 2016 19:17:04
Thanks Ed001, is there a current player who could reach that Stevie level? Pipco, Bobby? Woodburn (long shot, but you could see the kernels of stardom pretty early on in Stevie's career, and Ben has at least got a first team goal under his belt early doors! )

{Ed001's Note - Firmino and possibly one of the kids could. TAA depending on where he plays, possibly Woodburn, quite a few of the kids have the potential, it is the drive that is the issue. Gerrard was not the best at younger ages, he became the best by hard work.}

2.) 12 Dec 2016
12 Dec 2016 19:19:28
The coach or the team made a mistake in dropping into a deeper position and buying Wijnaldum. He should be dictating the game high up the pitch all you needed was a top holding player by his side. There was a time when he was the best B2B midfielder in the league and thanks to someone he will probably end up as another Dier.
I am not happy watching him playing deep.

3.) 12 Dec 2016
12 Dec 2016 19:23:55
SG will always be better than Hendo as his talent and natural ability was immense. Hendo is a different type of player, a CM who is quite versatile and has the tactical awareness, positional sense and defensive nous SG lacked. Hendo would have been great under a coach like Rafa who believed in tactical structure more than the more swash-buckling style SG was known for. Look what he did with Xabi, who was talented yes wnen he arrived, but became a monster under Rafa. To me, they should be judged based on what each brings to the team as one has what the other lacks and vice- versa.

4.) 12 Dec 2016
12 Dec 2016 19:30:43
Good point, HR. They dovetailed together beautifully in 2013/ 14, ironically with Hendo as the further forward one, typically.

Ed001, what other positions can TAA play? Is it across the defence, or into midfield?

Always remember Stevie started life as a RB!

{Ed001's Note - TAA was a midfielder who was shifted to RB. He can pretty much play anywhere to be honest. As for Gerrard, he just got a few appearances in defence due to gaps in the squad, rather than ever being a defender. In those younger days he would play anywhere for the club, but he was always seen as a midfielder.}

5.) 12 Dec 2016
12 Dec 2016 19:45:03
Thanks Ed001, my point about Stevie was facetious given he got his debut at RB in place of Heggem! I think he's played in every single outfield position at one point or another in his career, if I'm not mistaken?

Does he fancy being Karius's understudy in goal?! Joke!

6.) 12 Dec 2016
12 Dec 2016 21:47:21
Ed, you think the lack of drive in youngsters comes from them thinking they've 'made it' before they really have due to high wages so early in their career?

Thank you for all your hard work!

{Ed001's Note - yes, that is why the club want to put a cap on wages for youngsters.}

7.) 12 Dec 2016
12 Dec 2016 21:47:27
Stevie was/ is a one off.

In his prime he could have signed for any club in Europe.

I wonder what goes through his head sitting in the stands at Anfield.

I also like the way he has handled himself mediawise since his return from the states.

He often said if he wasn't a player he'd be a fan like the rest.

He's as good as his word.

8.) 12 Dec 2016
12 Dec 2016 21:56:17
Ed, for a wage cap on youngsters to be successful surely all clubs would have to sign up to it? Or else we risk agents getting in the ears of youngsters to try and find a better deal elsewhere.

{Ed001's Note - yes, that is what is being worked towards.}

9.) 12 Dec 2016
12 Dec 2016 22:04:08
Toon, I was so pleased to see the article about the club capping wages. We're not the only club to do so either. The youngsters need to be hungry for further success, not making a fortune in their teens. Money will come later, but they need to prove themselves.