I just wanted to point out that Liverpool are doing English football a great deal of help this year. In the premier league Liverpool have selected 6 English players most regularly in a given position than a foreign player. Those players being, Gerrard, Henderson, Johnson, Flanagan, Sterling and Sturridge.
I think it's really good to see a team competing for the title to have such a high domestic player bias. Hopefully next year we will see Wisdom staking a claim again and Kelly as well. (On a side note - does anyone know what the issue is with Kelly? Is he just out of favour or is he injured?)
Another player I'm looking forward to seeing is Ibe. I hope Rodgers can give him a chance next season.
Having said that the current starting 11 is so strong at the moment it is hard to sacrifice a player to give another a chance, but it would be good to see.
I think overall as a league there isn't enough 'risks' being taken on clubs own youth players. Managers prefer to purchase an established foreign player than to give a young Englishman a chance in his team. When you see a player given a chance to establish themselves legends can be made. Gerrard - what if the manager didn't fancy the risk when he was starting to come through? I think many Englishmen have been overlooked in the past.
A few seasons back Southampton made a bid for Buttner, but he chose Man Utd instead. Had Southampton succeeded in signing Buttner Luke Shaw may not have flourished like he has.
We have seen first hand this season that a player like Flanagan - given time and faith and chances can prove that he can play in big games for a big team consistently. It's all about patience, faith and nurture. Ross Barkley is another player that has suddenly become a driving force for Everton.
There is so much talent out there in England, clubs just need to be brave and promote their own youth products rather than paying out for a foreign player that was given a chance at his boyhood club.
English Representation.
posted on 20/3/14
You'd be nowhere without a certain Uruguayan.
posted on 20/3/14
You'd be nowhere without a certain Uruguayan.
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But we do have him. Silly comment.
Anyway - Rodgers champions youth, likes to educate them he says, and given our quality at youth level (where I predict 4 more youth players will be drafted in to the first team squad next season - can you guess them?) I think Righteous has got it about right.
I think we'll supplement our transfers with youth. I also think this is why BR has failed to even attempt to buy a DM as I reckon he feels we have one waiting in the wings. I'd agree.
posted on 20/3/14
comment by Bale's left boot (U17605)
posted 8 minutes ago
You'd be nowhere without a certain Uruguayan.
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I don't think we've missed Coates too much this season
What I'm trying to say is that have class foreign players in the team isn't a problem - its the having mediocre foreign players in the team over English players that aren't even given a chance to excel.
posted on 20/3/14
Rossiter, Wilson will be two Robbing.
Not sure on your other two?
Erm, McLaughlin & Brannagan?
posted on 20/3/14
I'm going for Rossiter, Ibe, Tex and Brannagan to all get 5 starts each.
Wilson may get a bench but I think he needs to fill out yet and may need another season of ressie football.
Saying that he has played International football already.
posted on 20/3/14
branagan is so intelligent
posted on 20/3/14
Ok, I was already counting Tex and Ibe as being kind of first team squad members, as in made a debut and regularly training with them
I reckon Wilson will move up to U21's next season and will knock on the first team squad door if he does well.
Brannagan has a bit of Joe Allen about him IMO. Good feet, good passer and runs all day.
posted on 20/3/14
Brannagan has a bit of Joe Allen about him IMO. Good feet, good passer and runs all day.
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Completely agree with that. Him and Jordan work well together.
With regards to Tex and Ibe yes they have made their debut but I would not count them as 1st team squad members. I do wonder whether Suso will come back.
posted on 20/3/14
"Joe is a really intelligent footballer; he understands the ball, he protects the ball really well for the team, and his work-rate and intensity is incredible."
Yeah, both so smart.
posted on 20/3/14
Suso will come back