Maddison and Barnes

[Guest Mickyblueeyes]

Out of form Maddison v England’s superstar midfielder. 

[majaco]

7 hours ago, StriderHiryu said:

Both had poor starts to the season and were rightly dropped. But in recent games both have been much closer to their best. Maddison was definitely at his best today!

 

We have tried so many tactics this season and last, and got some decent results with the 3412. But our best attacking performances always come with the 4231, and always when Maddison and Barnes are in it. It means Vardy gets more of the ball, and both the full backs support the attack much better too. The entire team works much better because we can play higher up the pitch and the interchange between the front 4 and fullbacks can carve any team open. Lookman I thought was better than Barnes today, and having both him and Barnes on the pitch is so effective, teams get dragged out on either side and Maddison can drift between the lines, meaning Vardy gets more space too. This was without having Tielemans and Ricardo playing which makes that system work even better than it did today.

 

If these two can kick on now and have good seasons then they can rescue or season too. For both their is the added incentive to try and play your way into Gareth Southgate's plans for the England team for next year's world Cup (albeit in the Winter).

 

The thing both of them lack is consistency. On their day they are unplayable, but when they are off it they are poor. They need to make it so that their worst performances are still 7/10's and their best the 9's that we know both can produce. When they are on it, they walk into our team no question about it.

I agree with most of this.

 

I nearly added a point about wanting Lookman to press on to make it 3 of them in this position.  I like the look of Lookman at times.  However, I still think we need to strengthen our wing options.  Currently, we have players taking up squad places who Rodgers doesn't seem to trust:. Benkovic, Choudhury, Vestergaard and Bertrand (the latter two bring into question some recruitment decisions).

 

Even when Maddison and Barnes have poor games, the opposition still fear them which helps to keep us further up the pitch.   They will both have 5 or 6 out of 10 games.   In this, the role of Rodgers and the coaches is vital.   Both seem to need to be in the team consistently;. rotation does not seem to sit comfortably with either.

 

We need their attacking threat as it gives our shaky defence less to deal with and reduced opportunity for costly individual errors.

[funkyrobot]

Barnsey is rapid and scares the opposition but he’s not back to his old levels yet despite a great assist today. He still struggles to track back and rigidly holds his position wide on the left even if that means he doesn’t get any ball. Lookman on the other side offered more movement and was happy to move more centrally. Barnes doesn’t do that and that coupled with his lack of interest in the defensive side of the game means he sees less of the ball. Presumably his rigidity in position is tactical rather than his choice tbf. One area he could improve is heading the ball, he goes through the motions when challenging but clearly doesn’t like that aspect of the game.

[twister]

Maddison always strikes me as somebody who was given a gift at something he doesn't truly love in football, he likes a social life and maybe a music gig more.

 

Its why he is frustrating as he is so inconsistent, and I get on at him because he has so much natural ability, look at the free kick against arsenal technically it was brilliant , obviously the save was brilliant by ramsdale but maddison has that wand of a foot when he wants to use it. I just get the sense he will end up 35 and with a few regrets that he never fulfilled his potential. 

 

Barnes if he could finish in the final third better he'd be a hell of a player.

 

the team really are worse off in general when both these lads are not playing at top speed, its why they get so much ear its that simple.

 

 

[BenTheFox]

Just now, twister said:

Maddison always strikes me as somebody who was given a gift at something he doesn't truly love in football, he likes a social life and maybe a music gig more.

 

Its why he is frustrating as he is so inconsistent, and I get on at him because he has so much natural ability, look at the free kick against arsenal technically it was brilliant , obviously the save was brilliant by ramsdale but maddison has that wand of a foot when he wants to use it. I just get the sense he will end up 35 and with a few regrets that he never fulfilled his potential. 

 

Barnes if he could finish in the final third better he'd be a hell of a player.

 

the team really are worse off in general when both these lads are not playing at top speed, its why they get so much ear its that simple.

 

 

I really don't buy that. I become an irrational bitter old man when I see him dressing like he does but I have absolutely no doubt that he loves playing football. 

[Number 6]

I know his attitude has been questioned at times but in interviews I see nothing but a good attitude from Maddison. It's great to see him looking back close to his best.

[Aus Fox]

15 minutes ago, twister said:

Maddison always strikes me as somebody who was given a gift at something he doesn't truly love in football, he likes a social life and maybe a music gig more.

 

Its why he is frustrating as he is so inconsistent, and I get on at him because he has so much natural ability, look at the free kick against arsenal technically it was brilliant , obviously the save was brilliant by ramsdale but maddison has that wand of a foot when he wants to use it. I just get the sense he will end up 35 and with a few regrets that he never fulfilled his potential. 

 

Barnes if he could finish in the final third better he'd be a hell of a player.

 

the team really are worse off in general when both these lads are not playing at top speed, its why they get so much ear its that simple.

 

 

I’d say if you’ve come to that conclusion you’ve never listened to Madders speak. It’s clear to see he loves his football and is very knowledgeable about the game. 
His inconsistencies have more come because of injuries. He is also a massive confidence player, if we ever got the whole ground singing his name, you would see him go up to another level.

[Fox92]

Both are hit and miss.

 

Maddison, in form and in space, has the quality there is no doubt about it but just needs to do it more consistently.

 

Barnes has the pace but his decision making is questionable.

[FLAN]

7 hours ago, Cadno'r Cymoedd said:

Perhaps we should only play him in August to October and then May, just to be safe? 😉

When has he been unplayable this season?

[Pliskin]

Barnes needs momentum in the play to be at his best. When we are at it, he is unplayable. He’s not the type of player to just make something out of nothing, and if there is no pace in the game you’ve got no chance of getting the best out of him. Put him in Liverpool’s side he would be destroying defenders. He has improved as our performances have improved. 
 

Madders has bags of ability, but I think he harbours doubts about his physical fitness, when he doesn’t play well, it is as if something is on his mind and he isn’t focused on the game, again, when he plays well we are a threat.

 

We are a very sensitive side, when things aren’t going well it seems to hamper us, when they are going well we’re as good as anyone in the league. 

[Cadno'r Cymoedd]

14 minutes ago, FLAN said:

When has he been unplayable this season?

It was a joke.... Obviously a crap one though.. 😂

[Finnegan]

1 hour ago, twister said:

Maddison always strikes me as somebody who was given a gift at something he doesn't truly love in football,

 

This is honestly an insane opinion. I can't believe this at all. 

 

He's the absolute opposite, guy lives and breathes the sport. Anyone that's heard him talk for even a moment has got to know that. 

 

He sounds like a kid absolutely raised on Soccer AM, Soccer Saturday, FIFA, Super Sunday, MNF. I'm pretty sure his parents injected sky sports directly in to his veins growing up. 

[orangecity23]

If Maddison hasn't been on form recently, it's probably had more to do with his hip and back injuries, which more than anything are caused by the amount of times he gets booted or taken out by opponents. Happens all the time, so when you are trying to get over that, it probably doesn't help when you make a comeback then immediately start getting clattered again. Maybe it just took some time to be fully healed, to have the confidence that everything is fully healed up and get the match fitness back.

 

Compared to Grealish, he gets way more rough treatment from defenders and a lot less protection from referees - Grealish gets a free kick everytime anyone breathes within 3 foot of him, and is already down on the ground before there's any contact, whereas Maddison actually gets hit and half the time refs aren't interested.

[coolhandfox]

1 hour ago, twister said:

Maddison always strikes me as somebody who was given a gift at something he doesn't truly love in football, he likes a social life and maybe a music gig more.

 

Its why he is frustrating as he is so inconsistent, and I get on at him because he has so much natural ability, look at the free kick against arsenal technically it was brilliant , obviously the save was brilliant by ramsdale but maddison has that wand of a foot when he wants to use it. I just get the sense he will end up 35 and with a few regrets that he never fulfilled his potential. 

 

Barnes if he could finish in the final third better he'd be a hell of a player.

 

the team really are worse off in general when both these lads are not playing at top speed, its why they get so much ear its that simple.

 

 

Because everyone who doesn't love football has there own pitch in the garden, think you are barking up the wrong tree. 

 

 

 

 

 

Edited 29 November 2021 by coolhandfox

[StanSP]

1 hour ago, twister said:

Maddison always strikes me as somebody who was given a gift at something he doesn't truly love in football, he likes a social life and maybe a music gig more.

Absolute rubbish, sorry. 

 

Footballers are allowed personalities. Footballers are allowed interests in other things aside from football. 

 

I think people need to get over the fact that Maddison had a bit of a wobble several months ago. He got over it. So did Rodgers. So did the club. If they all can, then we should as well. 

 

As others have said, he clearly has a love and passion to achieve and certainly is well aware he hasn't played consistently to do so, but also knows what he has to do to get there. 

 

The focus on what he wears or what he buys is just ridiculous. Footballers are allowed a private life and a choice in what they buy or wear. Turns up to training with a see-through backpack? Who cares? Wears trainers in a post-match interview? Who cares? Why care?! 

 

He's just had a decent game, bagged a goal and 2 assists. Yet some still want to bring him down a level - this goes for everyone else too. Someone has a good game and the immediate response for some is the pessimistic negative slant. 

Edited 29 November 2021 by StanSP

[twister]

5 minutes ago, StanSP said:

Absolute rubbish, sorry. 

 

Footballers are allowed personalities. Footballers are allowed interests in other things aside from football. 

 

I think people need to get over the fact that Maddison had a bit of a wobble several months ago. He got over it. So did Rodgers. So did the club. If they all can, then we should as well. 

 

As others have said, he clearly has a love and passion to achieve and certainly is well aware he hasn't played consistently to do so, but also knows what he has to do to get there. 

 

The focus on what he wears or what he buys is just ridiculous. Footballers are allowed a private life and a choice in what they buy or wear. Turns up to training with a see-through backpack? Who cares? Wears trainers in a post-match interview? Who cares? Why care?! 

 

He's just had a decent game, bagged a goal and 2 assists. Yet some still want to bring him down a level - this goes for everyone else too. Someone has a good game and the immediate response for some is the pessimistic negative slant. To

I still back my view, maybe he did grow up adoring the game, I just don't see it outside his obvious huge ability.

 

He seems a nice lad,gives good interviews, I just am honest, lets give a example, I wouldn't go and play golf when my team was playing a football game. I wouldnt go to the casino after leaving a squard not feeling well.

 

I think people I letting there heart rule there head here.

 

He is a brilliant football player but thats the reason people expect so much.

 

 

Edited 29 November 2021 by twister

[CrazyKopCorner]

5 minutes ago, StanSP said:

Absolute rubbish, sorry. 

 

Footballers are allowed personalities. Footballers are allowed interests in other things aside from football. 

 

I think people need to get over the fact that Maddison had a bit of a wobble several months ago. He got over it. So did Rodgers. So did the club. If they all can, then we should as well. 

 

As others have said, he clearly has a love and passion to achieve and certainly is well aware he hasn't played consistently to do so, but also knows what he has to do to get there. 

 

The focus on what he wears or what he buys is just ridiculous. Footballers are allowed a private life and a choice in what they buy or wear. Turns up to training with a see-through backpack? Who cares? Wears trainers in a post-match interview? Who cares? Why care?! 

 

He's just had a decent game, bagged a goal and 2 assists. Yet some still want to bring him down a level - this goes for everyone else too. Someone has a good game and the immediate response for some is the pessimistic negative slant. 

I really don't get the vitriol toward Maddison - He may be a bit flash and his performances have dipped but he seems a cracking lad to me and a game changer. 

[moore_94]

17 minutes ago, twister said:

I still back my view, maybe he did grow up adoring the game, I just don't see it outside his obvious huge ability.

 

He seems a nice lad,gives good interviews, I just am honest, lets give a example, I wouldn't go and play golf when my team was playing a football game. I wouldnt go to the casino after leaving a squard not feeling well.

 

I think people I letting there heart rule there head here.

 

He is a brilliant football player but thats the reason people expect so much.

 

 

Pretty sure it was proven he wasn’t actually playing golf during the match.

 

He was also sent home by the England medical team (it wasn’t his choice) but felt fine after visiting ours and getting some meds.

[lcfcsnow]

21 minutes ago, CrazyKopCorner said:

I really don't get the vitriol toward Maddison - He may be a bit flash and his performances have dipped but he seems a cracking lad to me and a game changer. 

Walking as slow as possible to corners even when we're losing, if opposition players did it we'd be going mad. Refs need to start dishing out a yellow for it as he's getting slower.

[HighPeakFox]

28 minutes ago, twister said:

I still back my view, maybe he did grow up adoring the game, I just don't see it outside his obvious huge ability.

 

He seems a nice lad,gives good interviews, I just am honest, lets give a example, I wouldn't go and play golf when my team was playing a football game. I wouldnt go to the casino after leaving a squard not feeling well.

 

I think people I letting there heart rule there head here.

 

He is a brilliant football player but thats the reason people expect so much.

 

 

Personally, if I were him (and you) I wouldn't read the effing tabloids.

[coolhandfox]

27 minutes ago, twister said:

I still back my view, maybe he did grow up adoring the game, I just don't see it outside his obvious huge ability.

 

He seems a nice lad,gives good interviews, I just am honest, lets give a example, I wouldn't go and play golf when my team was playing a football game. I wouldnt go to the casino after leaving a squard not feeling well.

 

I think people I letting there heart rule there head here.

 

He is a brilliant football player but thats the reason people expect so much.

 

 

Maybe he was feeling down on both occasions and needed some company. He's not a machine. 

 

People deal with life's ups and down differently. 
 

 

[Finnegan]

42 minutes ago, twister said:

I wouldnt go to the casino after leaving a squard not feeling well

 

He was literally watching the game on the TV in Grosvenor while playing a few rounds of poker with a soft drink ffs. 

 

I have friends who were there at the time. 

Edited 29 November 2021 by Finnegan

[lcfc sheff]

Tbf easy to forget that it seemed at one point he wasn’t allowed on free kicks or corners due to his injuries which makes you wonder why he was playing in the first place 

[Aus Fox]

47 minutes ago, twister said:

I still back my view, maybe he did grow up adoring the game, I just don't see it outside his obvious huge ability.

 

He seems a nice lad,gives good interviews, I just am honest, lets give a example, I wouldn't go and play golf when my team was playing a football game. I wouldnt go to the casino after leaving a squard not feeling well.

 

I think people I letting there heart rule there head here.

 

He is a brilliant football player but thats the reason people expect so much.

 

 

I think you need to stop reading The Sun and realise neither of the event you have mentioned actually happened in the way they were reported. He was at the golf club the morning of our game, not during the game.

I think with this opinion you’ve had an absolute nightmare. 

 

[twister]

11 minutes ago, Aus Fox said:

I think you need to stop reading The Sun and realise neither of the event you have mentioned actually happened in the way they were reported. He was at the golf club the morning of our game, not during the game.

I think with this opinion you’ve had an absolute nightmare. 

 

nightmare what the **** was he doing at the gold club the morning of the game anyway

 

your the one with the nightmare, do you think ronaldo or messi would waddle off for a game of a golf the morning of there teams football match