07 Jul 2017 23:18:06
Hey Ed01 if you are about

I just wanted to get your opinion on Jamie Carragher? I always loved the fact he wasn't the best in ability or speed but made up with it in character which in my opinion goes a long way.

What is your view of him both off and on the field?

Thanks in advance

Jon.

{Ed001's Note - on the field I think he was better technically than given credit for, it was just that he didn't really play in teams that allowed him to take the ball down and pick out a pass. Positionally solid but had a tendency to get bullied by the strongest of attackers. Though, even when he was getting knocked around the park by the likes of Drogba, he would still keep going and trying to get his body in the way of shots etc. When he knew he was outmatched in the air, he would just concentrate on making it as difficult for his opponent as possible to get a clean header.

Off the pitch he was always a nice lad, very likeable. It must be said though, his decision to take Sky's money is something that disappoints me. Carra has more money than he needs anyway, so why take dirty money like that? Also, I never liked the way he and Gerrard ran the club when they were both playing. I don't blame either player, it was just another symptom of the amateurish nature of the club in recent times. They had far too much power and involvement in things, such as player recruitment, that they should have had absolutely no say in. However that is the club's fault not theirs.}

1.) 08 Jul 2017
08 Jul 2017 06:17:51
Not Liverpool related, but what was your assessment of Drogba as a player, Ed?
Personally, I thought he was absolutely world class.

{Ed001's Note - at his peak and up until his late 30s, he was outstanding, up until then though he was a very average forward. It was only the season or two before he joined Chelsea that he was able to show what he could do. Agree though, fantastic player. Strong, powerful, quick, skilful and awesome in the air. He gave most defenders nightmares.}

2.) 08 Jul 2017
08 Jul 2017 06:35:39
What I don't get is when carragher was playing it was always talked about him going into management or coaching. Do you think he will ever do that ed or do you think he will stay in tv?

{Ed001's Note - he took the easy way out in the end. All his talk and hours spent watching and learning, then he was offered an easier route than actually managing. Personally I do not blame him for not going into management. You only have to look at Mourinho's mug these days to see it is a job that takes a toll on you and those around you. The stresses and strains are too much. Plus he would have had to move his family, probably regularly move them as well, which was never going to be something they would be happy with.

For him, he took the right choice, imo.}

3.) 08 Jul 2017
08 Jul 2017 06:58:55
Fair enough, family comes 1st always. Like you said it's a shame he went to sky, he should of known better.

{Ed001's Note - he would probably say there were no other options to get into TV punditry available. Which I can understand to a degree. I just think sometimes you have to choose a different career path, if the one you want has distasteful parts like that involved. Especially when you don't need to work. The whole point of earning the big money is so you don't have to suffer the pressure of doing a job you hate or working for vile bosses, unlike most of us.}

4.) 08 Jul 2017
08 Jul 2017 07:21:58
I remember watching him scoring two own goals in one match against Man Utd and being utterly convinced he should have been moved on early on in his career! Time as always made a fool of me, and was made up to see the player he became.

5.) 08 Jul 2017
08 Jul 2017 07:34:57
Spot on, Ed regarding Drogba. I was studying in France at the time when DD got noticed. He is your prototypical late-bloomer. DD had to go through hell and high water to get to where he got to in football as no academy would take him due to the several flaws in his game. It was not until he got a trial at Le Mans (French Ligue 2) that he got signed. Then, he got signed at Guimgamp (playing alongside a certain Florent Malouda) where he gave the whole league L'OM a torrid time and had a very good season. Season after, he signed with L'OM, rejecting Lyon (Malouda went to Lyon) as he was (and still is) a huge L'OM fan. He scored 27 goals and led 'OM to the Euefa Cup final where they would lose to Rafa's Valencia. After one season, he was off to Chelsea.

Regardless of this improbable rise, DD was very raw, cumbersome, clumsy on the ball, lacked ball skills and technique. However, he was a supreme hardworker. He knew his limits but most of all, he knew his strengths (supreme aerial ability, shooting ability, mental strength, bravery, and brute strength) . And with time, he improved massively and became the DD we would come to know and (at least some of us) love.

6.) 08 Jul 2017
08 Jul 2017 07:46:42
Carry was like Puyol. Not the greatest defender but made up everything by hard work and commitment.
Drogba was a beast but I don't think there is any striker who would come anywhere near 10 km's of Henry ( vest PL striker hands down )

7.) 08 Jul 2017
08 Jul 2017 08:53:49
We should have tried to get him in the academy to help out some of the youngsters. I feel he could really offer them some good advise. Real defenders seem hard to come by these days.

8.) 08 Jul 2017
08 Jul 2017 14:00:01
Thanks ed01.

{Ed001's Note - welcome.}