Jordan Henderson (signed for Brentford)

[Chewit]

Obviously the standard was poor but he looked exactly the same as he's been pretty much his whole career.

He was sitting deep just in front of the centre halfs being marked by the Andorra centre forward

He showed for the ball, received it with an excellent first touch and looked to play the ball forward at least 75% of the time. He found his man pretty much every time, a couple of long range passes and it was only one hopeful cross that didn't find his own player.

At one stage Dan Burn (probably England's worse player) passed the ball straight to Andorra and they broke 2 on 2. Henderson looked OK pace wise as he ran back and pinched the ball off the player to snuff out the danger.

All in all he looked exactly what you'd want for a 34 year old player. Keeping the game ticking over, showing for the ball, keeping possession and using his experience to keep shape and set up attacks. It's exactly what we would need from him next season.

Exactly what Evans was doing for us at a lower level until his injury

The best non-Sunderland example was when Cloughie signed Dave Mackay at Derby (halted his plans to become the new Hearts manager) and persuaded him to play a sweeper role. He surrounded him with young energetic defenders and Mackay won the FWA player of the year. Clough made Mackay play in a sweeping role and used his influence on the team to encourage them to turn defence into attack through a passing game. He was 33 years of age.

And he looked physically liked he enjoyed the odd pie

 

[Northumberland Rocks]

Serious question, a “threat” to what m8?

By default JH is a big Character snd exactly what we need imho.

My view was that Speakman and RLB may not welcome such a big character. As Ale Tester pointed out hopefully they are bigger than that and see the benefit of bringing JH home to really push the club on.

 

[Ale taster]

Aye hope so.

I have been critical of Speakman in the past but look where we are so it shows what I know.

Hopefully Speakman and RLB see the overall benefits and we get JH back home asap

You were right (as I was) to be critical at the time but he's played a brilliant long game.
We now enter new territory though and let's not fool ourselves, it will take way more than youthful endeavour and enthusiasm to stay up this season and the fan base deserves a serious attempt at establishing ourselves in the PL. That must start with experience at that level. Let's see which way Speakman goes....

 

[Ron Swanson]

Likely will be sorted after the break, everything is pointing to his return imo. Would bring valuable leadership and experience in that sitting role for us

Agreed. Saudi stuff aside you can imagine he’d have a positive impact on the young lads in regards to bringing their game on, Neil, Rigg, Jones, Aleksic would learn a lot from him I’m sure.

 

[Hot Since 82]

Yes read a lot about Clough, the man was a legend in every sense of the word. Just a shame we couldn’t get him here in his prime.

As I have said, more than a few times, Henderson would be a magnificent signing. He would set standards throughout the club and would be a massive help to the young lads. Would likely encourage the little bit of real quality we need to sign too.

My only fear is Speakman and RLB see him as a threat. My view is he would help everyone at the club and set the standards.

I think RLB will be very happy to have a player with his experience in the side. Surely makes his own task a little easier. Someone else on the pitch who can really help deliver the specific game plan. I'm just guessing that Henderson will be 100% focused on doing his own job, doubt he will be anywhere near stepping on Speakmans toes. If there's been some friction in the past maybe that was down to the economics of the situation at that time. Again just guessing or wishful thinking from me as I'd like to see it happen.

 

[roppa]

By default JH is a big Character snd exactly what we need imho.

My view was that Speakman and RLB may not welcome such a big character. As Ale Tester pointed out hopefully they are bigger than that and see the benefit of bringing JH home to really push the club on.

Get that, suppose he’ll be going some to be as big a character in that dressing room as 09 is at present, but get ur point, let’s hope not, I think he’s exactly what we need first season back. I remember bould coming, and they said his influence on the squad was immense, I think jh could do the same.

 

[hls]

Neil, Rigg, Jones, Aleksic would learn a lot from him I’m sure.

Allahu akbar

 

[Gateshead8]

It's mentioned in nearly all biographies and autobiographies on the great pair including the best but hard to find 'With Clough by Taylor'.
By their own declaration, Mackay was the most important signing they ever made bar none. It precipitated everything that followed for them; not just Derby winning the title but the methods then adopted at Forest.
In this context, Henderson is worth serious consideration for where this club now finds itself.

They signed Frank Clark from the mags when he was 31 on a free. Got promoted , won the league, etc. clough liked a bit of a mix of experience , hardness and flair .

 

[Northumberland Rocks]

I think RLB will be very happy to have a player with his experience in the side. Surely makes his own task a little easier. Someone else on the pitch who can really help deliver the specific game plan. I'm just guessing that Henderson will be 100% focused on doing his own job, doubt he will be anywhere near stepping on Speakmans toes. If there's been some friction in the past maybe that was down to the economics of the situation at that time. Again just guessing or wishful thinking from me as I'd like to see it happen.

Aye hopefully right mate. Can’t see any negatives at all in bringing JH home. It will be great for the profile of the city too bringing an icon back.

 

[wilkostacticsboard]

Number of premier league games played by Jordan Henderson = 430

Number of premier league games played by the rest of our squad added together = 20, 14 of which are Ian Poveda.

Unless we recruit some players with premier league experience we are stuffed.

That is a mad stat! I'm guessing the other 6 were all Patrick Roberts too

 

[Northumberland Rocks]

Get that, suppose he’ll be going some to be as big a character in that dressing room as 09 is at present, but get ur point, let’s hope not, I think he’s exactly what we need first season back. I remember bould coming, and they said his influence on the squad was immense, I think jh could do the same.

Agree and if Bould had stayed fit for the season we would have qualified for Europe.

Mind I’m not saying that for next season, il take 17th now

 

[Tom]

Agreed. Saudi stuff aside you can imagine he’d have a positive impact on the young lads in regards to bringing their game on, Neil, Rigg, Jones, Aleksic would learn a lot from him I’m sure.

Saudi stuff aside? How exactly do you think his stint in Saudi will affect things?

 

[fyl2u]

He was still better than than many in that team for a time. But I accept it’s marginal, in which case he would fall into his legs had gone… which means lack of due diligence.

I think they were trying to excuse the lack of legs on the basis of the experience he was bringing to the table.

And that's exactly one of my worries with Henderson. Nobody could honestly argue that the guy isn't incredibly experienced or didn't have an awesome career, but the questions I have are:

- have his legs gone? If so, would his skills and experience as a player outweigh the lack of legs?
- would bringing him into the team block a route into the team for our young players who are aspiring to play in his position, or would the benefit he brings to the squad outweigh this negative?
- would his wage demands prevent us from signing or keeping one or more other players that might bring more of a benefit in the long term?

I don't know what the answer to these questions are. And that's why I'm cautious about the idea of having him back.

If the powers that be at the club have the answers to these questions and they think he's worth signing then I'll support him and hope that he does well and that the signing pays off.

If they decide not to sign him, I'm totally happy with that too.

 

[Ron Swanson]

Saudi stuff aside? How exactly do you think his stint in Saudi will affect things?

Well given the varying opinions on this board and our relationship with our neighbours up the road and their regime I’d imagine that’s how it may affect things.

But you seem to be a reasonable poster so you know that already.

 

[Tom]

Well given the varying opinions on this board and our relationship with our neighbours up the road and their regime I’d imagine that’s how it may affect things.

But you seem to be a reasonable poster so you know that already.

I can’t imagine that would have any bearing at all. None of the players or staff will give 2 hoots about that.

 

[hls]

Saudi stuff aside? How exactly do you think his stint in Saudi will affect things?

HE could play for free.

 

[Chewit]

I think they were trying to excuse the lack of legs on the basis of the experience he was bringing to the table.

And that's exactly one of my worries with Henderson. Nobody could honestly argue that the guy isn't incredibly experienced or didn't have an awesome career, but the questions I have are:

- have his legs gone? If so, would his skills and experience as a player outweigh the lack of legs?
- would bringing him into the team block a route into the team for our young players who are aspiring to play in his position, or would the benefit he brings to the squad outweigh this negative?
- would his wage demands prevent us from signing or keeping one or more other players that might bring more of a benefit in the long term?

I don't know what the answer to these questions are. And that's why I'm cautious about the idea of having him back.

If the powers that be at the club have the answers to these questions and they think he's worth signing then I'll support him and hope that he does well and that the signing pays off.

If they decide not to sign him, I'm totally happy with that too.

Iam with you on the legs, but not qualified to comment. The problem is they go quickly when they go.

As for the other stuff, we have to have a blend of experience and potential in the team. The experience does not come any more gold plated than Henderson

 

[Northumberland Rocks]

Some debut that mind. Walked back across the town after it couldn’t believe how good he was. Got injured shortly after. Maybe even next game v City??? Then the debut got better and better as the years went on.

In fairness to Varga he nearly lost his leg due to that injury in the City game, which was the next game.

Perhaps he was never going to be the same player but his performance in the Arsenal game was immense.

Back to thread, a bit of quality experience in Bould helped us immensely in 1999. JH can be our Steve Bould snd then some this year.

Get that, suppose he’ll be going some to be as big a character in that dressing room as 09 is at present, but get ur point, let’s hope not, I think he’s exactly what we need first season back. I remember bould coming, and they said his influence on the squad was immense, I think jh could do the same.

I could imagine Luke and JH would get on very well.

Both completely driven and live their football.

 

[Chewit]

Get that, suppose he’ll be going some to be as big a character in that dressing room as 09 is at present, but get ur point, let’s hope not, I think he’s exactly what we need first season back. I remember bould coming, and they said his influence on the squad was immense, I think jh could do the same.

Has JHs character and leadership ever been a negative to Liverpool or England.

Given the answer is no, why would anyone think that he could do anything other than help us cope better at a higher level.
Remember everything about us has to over night be at Premiership level. A level not one player has played at and our manager has not worked at.

We need to stop looking for issues and start praying it happens

 

[viccarlton]

Has anyone considered why first Liverpool let him go, he joined a pub league, went to Ajax and they’re now releasing him on a free?
Just curious like.