Topic: Raheem Sterling

[youll never walk alone it]

only time will tell, but fuk me so many false dawns with our young kids coming through.

[Twelfth Customer]

only time will tell, but fuk me so many false dawns with our young kids coming through.

Looks like the real deal. Hope he gets some time on the pitch with the first team.

[exiledinyorkshire]

Totally agree with Juan loco in many respects. As i said earlier, worst case Lennon best case Robben. Confident he will reach Lennons level, and i would be happy enough with that. But thats the playing style we are looking at, the lennon style.

[Coolie High]

He doesn't really play like Lennon, he is more akin to Routledge at the same age. I never saw Lennon at 17 but i did see  Pennant and Routledge especially quite often, and i wouldn't say Sterling now is far ahead of them at similar ages. Examples like that is why it is so hard to predict how good a young player would be, the aformentioned should have had much better careers than they had given their prodigious talent at young ages, add to that list the likes of Bowditch and Giles Barnes as well, Sterling may well break the mould though.

[yorkykopite]

Thanks Juan for that considered post. You nailed Lennon's basic strength (change of direction without loss of acceleration*) so I'll trust you on Raheem!

*That was Pennant's too when he was here.

[exiledinyorkshire]

He doesn't really play like Lennon, he is more akin to Routledge at the same age. I never saw Lennon at 17 but i did see  Pennant and Routledge especially quite often, and i wouldn't say Sterling now is far ahead of them at similar ages. Examples like that is why it is so hard to predict how good a young player would be, the aformentioned should have had much better careers than they had given their prodigious talent at young ages, add to that list the likes of Bowditch and Giles Barnes as well, Sterling may well break the mould though.

Fucking Giles barnes, saw him turn out for an abject Donny the other week. He was so highly rated at one point wasnt he.

The thing with this lennon comparison though is its very subjective, i look at him and i think hes a bit like lennon. I genuinely want him to look like messi but lennon come to my mind. And like i say if we get a Lennon then fucking happy days, cause it gotta be better than a half arsed Downing.

[poopscoop]

Ibe and Morgan aren't even regular starters for the reserves so you won't be seeing them. I strongly doubt you'll see any other youth team player this season in the first team, Coady is the only other player apart from Sterling who has trained a reasonable amount with the first team.

Yes, agree with that. But its a pretty shallow pool at reserve level. Ngoo and Ecclestone aren't good enough and the three I mentioned are the most developed of the rest. I'd like Coady to make it but I don't think he'll do it at Liverpool.

[Juan Loco]

Thanks Juan for that considered post. You nailed Lennon's basic strength (change of direction without loss of acceleration*) so I'll trust you on Raheem!

*That was Pennant's too when he was here.

Only problem with Pennant was that his turn of direction always took him away from positions he should be causing damage in.

Rarely can so much ability have been coupled with so little idea of how to use it. That lad could've played 90 minutes in the width of a bowling lane.

[Upinsmoke]

Sterling is a modern day wide attacking player. He likes to come inside on his stronger foot but can also run a fullback, with alot of ease to be truthfull. He has composure, he has the ability to score goals, to put the ball in the box, in general create havoc. We dont have enough of these players at all, Suarez and possibly bellamy.

Typically sterling will come inside from the left around the edge of the 18 yard box, he will feint, feint, feint....until a space appears, its the upredictability which gives him the edge, you know what he's trying to do, you just can't judge when, or stop it.

Everyone has seen messi play, no way is sterling as good as messi not even close or ever will be..., but you know when messi comes in on his left foot and you know what he's trying to do, to find the corner, nobody can commit to tackle him though. Thats exactly how it is with raheem. He has the raw attributes already, we have't had somebody like him since mcmanaman or barnes, just blessed with the ability to run with the ball.

[Coolie High]

Fucking Giles barnes, saw him turn out for an abject Donny the other week. He was so highly rated at one point wasnt he.

The thing with this lennon comparison though is its very subjective, i look at him and i think hes a bit like lennon. I genuinely want him to look like messi but lennon come to my mind. And like i say if we get a Lennon then fucking happy days, cause it gotta be better than a half arsed Downing.

When i first saw him i thought he played like Lennon as well, their running styles are uncanny. But playing wise i think he is similar more to a Robinho, and your right if he turns out to be a Lennon i would be very happy as well, when you look at the young wing talents this country has produced in the last 10 years Lennon is actually one of the few sucesss stories, the likes of Routledege, Pennant, Lee Holmes even Wright Phillips to a certain extent never quite fufilled their potential.

[MBL?]

I think it has to be said that his finishing will need to improve and his shots from outside the box aren't very powerful although you would expect them to get stronger as he does.

[cptrios]

I think it has to be said that his finishing will need to improve and his shots from outside the box aren't very powerful although you would expect them to get stronger as he does.

Half of me agrees with you, and the other half remembers that most of Sterlings goals come from excellent shots. So I don't think that the missing pieces of the puzzle are particularly big or hard to find.

[bigbear]

Ryan Giggs is another one who burnt out. It's bound to happen. I mean what happened to him? 

He won't make 1,000 games though !

[Cpt_Reina]

I think it has to be said that his finishing will need to improve and his shots from outside the box aren't very powerful although you would expect them to get stronger as he does.

I think his shots from range are actually quite good.

That one he scored for England in the summer against Rwanda was a peach. Must have been a good 30yards and with his instep he managed to get a fair amount of power behind it.

[bigbear]

I think his shots from range are actually quite good.

That one he scored for England in the summer against Rwanda was a peach. Must have been a good 30yards and with his instep he managed to get a fair amount of power behind it.

It won't be his shooting from range that defines him and sets his ceilng, it will be how clinical he can be when he comes in off his wing. I'm confident he will get there (in shooting position) at Premier League level if he plays with clever players because the timing of his runs is very good already, especially from outside to in.

The only question mark is how good a finisher can he become. If he does that well he will be fantastic because aside from his pace and ability to beat a man and time a run, he is a ballsy little bastard who won't back down and always wants the ball.

[MBL?]

I think his shots from range are actually quite good.

That one he scored for England in the summer against Rwanda was a peach. Must have been a good 30yards and with his instep he managed to get a fair amount of power behind it.

I reckon any senior keeper would have saved that and most would catch it. There's a huge difference between u17 and senior keepers.

[Cpt_Reina]

It won't be his shooting from range that defines him and sets his ceilng, it will be how clinical he can be when he comes in off his wing. I'm confident he will get there (in shooting position) at Premier League level if he plays with clever players because the timing of his runs is very good already, especially from outside to in.

The only question mark is how good a finisher can he become. If he does that well he will be fantastic because aside from his pace and ability to beat a man and time a run, he is a ballsy little bastard who won't back down and always wants the ball.

I agree, was just making the point that I think he's got a bit of power behind him. But he rarely puts his foot through the ball, more often then not he tries to pick out a corner.

His finishing is hit and miss, but he's scored enough goals to suggest that it just needs to be refined. Those goals against Southend were incredibly clinical. And there were a few different types of finishes there.

Once he learns that Henry finish across the 'keeper he'll be off and away. Once he gets that down pat there'll be no stopping him. He gets himself in to that position so often.

[Hij]

but give the lad some outings

Well he did play in the last match lol

[bigbear]

I agree, was just making the point that I think he's got a bit of power behind him. But he rarely puts his foot through the ball, more often then not he tries to pick out a corner.

His finishing is hit and miss, but he's scored enough goals to suggest that it just needs to be refined. Those goals against Southend were incredibly clinical. And there were a few different types of finishes there.

Once he learns that Henry finish across the 'keeper he'll be off and away. Once he gets that down pat there'll be no stopping him. He gets himself in to that position so often.

Agreed. I'm sure that 's an area he will be working on a lot. He tried it against Spurs didn't he (the Henry finish) and the keeper made a great save. He is so quick he just needs to vary it a bit because he will always get there.

I know I should wash my mouth out for saying it but.....Michael Owen and his range of finishing would be something for Raheem to study. Owen always had the side footed low finish but he learnt the lifted curler and the dink and his heading improved as he developed.

[AK20]

I reckon any senior keeper would have saved that and most would catch it. There's a huge difference between u17 and senior keepers.

Maybe, but it was still a great shot!..

[MBL?]

I liked the one against Arsenal a couple of weeks ago. Make enough space then hit it without fannying about.

I'd like to see him and the other young players practice hitting the ball early without braking stride. Always catches keepers off guard that does.

[Cpt_Reina]

Agreed. I'm sure that 's an area he will be working on a lot. He tried it against Spurs didn't he (the Henry finish) and the keeper made a great save. He is so quick he just needs to vary it a bit because he will always get there.

I know I should wash my mouth out for saying it but.....Michael Owen and his range of finishing would be something for Raheem to study. Owen always had the side footed low finish but he learnt the lifted curler and the dink and his heading improved as he developed.

Yeah, Owen was incredible if we're being honest. His body shape when taking on a shot was so good, everything seemed to follow from that. Raheem rarely looks as 'settled' when taking on a shot if you get what I mean.

I think Sterling's got that curler in his locker though, that shot that hit the crossbar vs the Bitters the other week was sublime, as was that goal I mentioned against Rwanda.

[exiledinyorkshire]

he is good though, best thing about this season so far for me is him getting a game. Apart from the Cup of course. Last 15 mins of that though he would have torn Cardiff a new one to be fair.

[bigbear]

Yeah, Owen was incredible if we're being honest. His body shape when taking on a shot was so good, everything seemed to follow from that. Raheem rarely looks as 'settled' when taking on a shot if you get what I mean.

I think Sterling's got that curler in his locker though, that shot that hit the crossbar vs the Bitters the other week was sublime, as was that goal I mentioned against Rwanda.

I think the thing with Owen was that you could see his range of finishes increase as he got older. Raheem needs to work similarly hard.

[exiledinyorkshire]

I liked the one against Arsenal a couple of weeks ago. Make enough space then hit it without fannying about.

I'd like to see him and the other young players practice hitting the ball early without braking stride. Always catches keepers off guard that does.

Yep. i think thats his natural confident style of taking chances. Early doors this season it all went a little bit curley for him, think it was the step up and perhaps a few off field distractions, but lately he's looking as good as he did in the Youth cup games last year. Hes definitely back in amongst the goals anyway. Love the little fella.

[Il Capitano]

Still better than anything we have on the wings.

I'd take Downing or Kuyt anyday, Lennon has no football intelligence whatsoever to speak of. The best you can say about this wave of pace merchants in English football is that they stretch defences for other players, sheerly because their ability to run dictates the defenders keeping a close watch on their position. What they can actually bring to the team in terms of creating and finishing chances is another matter. They are either obscenely inconsistent, a la Walcott, or brainless to the point of irrelevance.

Playing football purely based on physical attributes can only take you so far, and is a strategy which is reliant upon the contribution of individual players. Pace, strength, height - remove the players that can bring these attributes to the team, and you weaken the team. Having a group of players with excellent technical ability who can be rotated and interchange positions in matches, and you focus less on the individual and more on the whole performance of the team at large.

[rowan_d]

Sorry, but Lennon is better than Kuyt or Downing

[lfcmaster]

Sorry, but Lennon is better than Kuyt or Downing

i would take lennon to replace dirk

[john_mac]

level of expectation amongst some is far too high, ironically those shouting for his inclusion the most will be the same gobshites screaming for his head when he hits a tricky patch.

[lfcmaster]

level of expectation amongst some is far too high, ironically those shouting for his inclusion the most will be the same gobshites screaming for his head when he hits a tricky patch.

i think one of the big advantages raheem has is pace and trickery

our team lacks players with pace so i can see a regular slot for raheem in the future

maybe next season we will see him in the carling cup and europa league

[exiledinyorkshire]

level of expectation amongst some is far too high, ironically those shouting for his inclusion the most will be the same gobshites screaming for his head when he hits a tricky patch.

Thats not true though is it.

[jimmyjr86]

Sterling has developed immensely under rodolfo for the past year in the reserves. In the u18's all he needed to do was kick it and run round the defender. He had more to his game at the time but if its effective then no reason not to use it.

Now in the reserves his movement is superb. He knows when to attack when to pass and regroup. He's a very mature (intelligent) footballer for his age. He is much more of a goal threat than your average winger. The robben conparisons are very apt. His finishing may not be as clinical as a striker but his movement creates numerous chances for himself and others.

He may not be the quickest over 100m but he is so quick over that first 10-15m and thats all that matters on a football pitch. He uses this well as he can go either side of the defender. His left foot is getting better all the time as well. see the cross on the stretch vs Wigan.

For the first ten games or so with the seniors defenders will struggle with his raw pace and agility/skill and he will leave many for dead (see figuroa) but once they realise the threat he carries they will drop deeper to nullify this. Which is were the movement he's developing will kick in/game intelligence which is something our coaches are drilling into in.

Who knows what his ceiling ability is, but at this stage of his career he is developing nicely.

Im fucking glad he's ours

[Il Capitano]

Sorry, but Lennon is better than Kuyt or Downing

He's blatantly not.

[john_mac]

Thats not true though is it.

Its exactly the case in my experience, those that shout loudest for the incusion of players not uin the team are the first to turn on them, especially in this fucking gaff.

[rowan_d]

He's blatantly not.

He is though. I'm off to work, so I'll argue with you tomorrow

[exiledinyorkshire]

Its exactly the case in my experience, those that shout loudest for the incusion of players not uin the team are the first to turn on them, especially in this fucking gaff.

What so in your experience people who are bothering to follow our youth and reserve teams, and who are basically saying the lad or a lad should be given a go, are the very first people to then call them shit. It doesnt make any logical sense.

[exiledinyorkshire]

And we all know that lennon would walk in to our first team and improve considerably, doesnt make him a world class player but he would.

[Il Capitano]

He is though. I'm off to work, so I'll argue with you tomorrow

If you like. 

[stevedo]

What so in your experience people who are bothering to follow our youth and reserve teams, and who are basically saying the lad or a lad should be given a go, are the very first people to then call them shit. It doesnt make any logical sense.

To be fair to John_Mac , its not just those that've been following the reserves saying Sterling should play (start even!).
Tempering that enthusiasm and optimism, expectation level is the challenge for some.

[Mr Dilkington]

Been thinking about Sterling and where he'll end up playing a few years down the line.

We've mostly seen him playing from the left and at times from wide right (pretty sure he made his debut from wide right against Everton). Thing is, despite how great he looks playing wide left, I reckon he might do what the likes of Messi, Ronaldo, Rooney, and Sanchez have done. All those players played a lot of games from wide in their teenage years (Rooney mostly top accommodate Tevez and Ronaldo). Still, Sanchez was a pure winger up until his last season with Udinese when they used him off Di Natale. Messi went from a 10 goal a season right winger to a 50 goal a season false 9. I think there's a chance we might see the same with Sterling. When he starts to add a bit more goals to his game, and when he becomes one of our most important players, you might see him moved through the middle as a false 9. Lets face it, Messi's talent was obvious, but I don't think anyone could've predicted just how deadly he's become in front of goal.

His movement, as has been noted is very mature for someone that's just 17 years of age. The way he times his runs from out to in is really impressive, so I think it's quite conceivable that he could do it from centrally too. If he starts scoring 10+ goals from wide left in 3 or 4 years, then there's probably a good chance he'll score a lot more the closer to goal he gets.

Thing is, the false 9 is the fashion right now because of Messi. Who knows what'll be the 'in' thing when Raheem is Messi's age.