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Piece of the Jigsaw

Tom Ince – A not so costly error?

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A RETURN to LFC for Tom Ince would represent a watershed moment for the club and the player.

For the club it would mark the end of Liverpool’s most wasteful transfer period in their history. The nadir of which would be signing a talented young player that they had previously let go for a minimal fee for a multi-million pound deal and no doubt a bigger contract

For Ince Jr., it would be a huge personal vindication.

He felt he should be getting games at Liverpool and with the hierarchy not willing to make any guarantees, Ince was determined to move to pastures new and forge himself a football career. Making a triumphant return to Merseyside would be a huge return for the price of following his instinct.

For many, the prospect of a return to LFC for Tom Ince is not one greeted with welcoming arms.

There are certainly justifiable reasons for this. The argument could easily be made that he is a selfish man who only wants to look out for himself and his own interests. He can also be viewed as someone who is dispassionate for Liverpool Football Club too. How many fans would walk away from any sort of career with LFC? On top of this, he is a reminder of the deep rooted problems that have engulfed LFC over the past few years.

But that is not the way that Ince should be viewed. Like any young player, he wanted to play games and he should not be criticised for taking what was a very brave move to Blackpool. Being a young player at LFC can be demanding and comforting at the same time. While there is increased pressure on fledgling footballers at top clubs, there is also the safety net of knowing that you get reasonably paid and you get to wear the badge of a team that is known worldwide.

Stepping out of this box to get games and play football is an admirable trait. After all, this is Ince’s profession. Anyone who takes a downward step in any occupation with a view to moving up further in the future is bold in my books. Taking such a risk is a daring decision to make but the rewards can be great.

Should Ince return to Liverpool, he will be guaranteed regular games. And while he would almost certainly be playing games for Liverpool under Brendan Rodgers had he have stayed, he would not quite be considered in the same light and he may not even be the same player.
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The Championship is a tough league and a season’s experience in which he averaged a goal every 5 games is a great education for a young player. This season with 13 goals in 20 games so far, he has matured into a more ruthless player and has proved his ability to succeed as a first team professional.

Yet for Liverpool, this deal is not one that should be seen in the context of waste. Instead, he should be viewed as an exciting young talent who is capable of scoring goals. Furthermore, Blackpool offered Ince the opportunity he would never have been afforded at Liverpool.

Last season being behind the likes of Bellamy, Kuyt and Maxi, there is no doubt that the most he could have hoped for would have been a handful of games and even then I don’t believe he would have had that many. At Blackpool he got experience and confidence. He tested his talent and proved his worth and even though LFC have to pay a reasonable fee to get him back, the cost could prove worthwhile.

Shelvey’s loan spell at Blackpool worked great for all parties involved. He was a great force in the Championship, built up his confidence and provided Blackpool with an exciting talent for a short period. Returning to Liverpool, Shelvey was afforded games in the first team and looks like he could go on to be a very good player for Liverpool in the future.

Ince went a different route, he went alone and it has paid dividends. He has earned a return to the Premier League and if it happens to be back with Liverpool then I will not be disappointed. I will be pleased. I always thought that Ince looked like a talent in the youth team and I was sad to see him leave LFC in what appeared to be semi-acrimonious circumstances. However, if he does return to play in red then we will never have to speak of ‘the one that got away’ he will simply be the one that took the chance.
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21 comments

  • bob.. says:

    For me this fsg model would get us nowhere..have been against this signing..but people call me names on other sites..that am not a true fan..this guy should be a squad player at best..but we need players who would make an instant impact with goals and assist..and I don’t think he falls in that category..do you think if sterling,suso,and borini were in the championship they won’t flourish.. We don’t need more of the same type of players

  • bill says:

    i think the lad has shown a lot of ambition and positive attitude in the way he wanted games not just more money, shows he wants to be the best player he can be not just concerned with pay packet

  • Teasle says:

    I thought Ince was making high wage demands which led to him being transfered. But to let him go for 250,000 wass crazy when Blackpool demanded almost 10 million for Charlie Adam.

  • TaintlessRed says:

    The problem with Tom is his meddling father. Tom wanted to stay, in an interview when his Liverpool contract was winding down Paul Ince said that the boy loved being at LFC but the club weren’t giving the assurances regarding being part of the 1st team squad and playing for the 1st team that Paul felt his son deserved. His move has worked out well for Tom, but if his father had patience then Tom would almost certainly have played for our 1st team this season (given BR’s promotion of youngsters and the fact we don’t have enough options in the wide attacking positions that Ince can play).
    At Blackpool Ince plays behind the striker, if he rejoined us he’d play as a winger. To be honest I’m having my fingers crossed that we can get Alexis Sanchez. I really hope the media speculation about him is true.

  • njYNWA says:

    ———————–reina————————
    johnson——-sktel————-aggger——-enrique
    ———————–lucas————————
    ——–gerrard———————allen———–
    sterling—————suarez——————-ince

  • CStars says:

    Great article and I’m glad to read a bit of sense. Many fans would be delighted if we bought a 20 year-old from the Championship playing exactly like Ince has been playing. We’d be chuckling that while 20 year-old Zaha is going for £10-15 million, we’re buying a player who’s had a better season for much much less.

    I don’t understand the doom and gloom about Ince and Sturridge. £6 million for Ince (35% off means we pay £3.9 million) and £10-£12 million for Sturridge.

    Two young players who can help us for ££14-16 million. Sturridge for the first team and Ince for the squad. Sturridge scored From Feb to Dec 2011
    Daniel Sturridge scored a combined 17 league goals in 27 matches for two EPL sides in two positions ( lone central forward and right inside forward) under Coyle and AVB who trusted him. Two positions that we need quality numbers in who can score goals. Sturridge covers both.

    Granted Sturridge has had a poor 2012 (3 league goals in total), where his form tailed off and saw fewer minutes but he only turned 23 in September. I think there’s more to come from him.

    • Wadada says:

      Ince and Sturridge are perfect for LFC.

      • stevieG says:

        we should be setting our standards a lot lot lot higher

        • Scoobsie23 says:

          We should? Why? What right have we, a cub which was almost bankrupt 2 years ago, to expect that we should be aiming higher? The club were run into the ground by successive bad management groups and some really poor spending decisions last year. The current crew are adamant that the club will be run prudently. This means that whilst Chelsea and City are spending megabucks and inflating the prices of players onto the EPL, we won’t be competing for those signings. We need to nurture youth and develop our own world class talent (as opposed to go and buy it).

          I support that!

  • ooladele1 says:

    Sturridge is a self centred player just like Nani,I dont see him fitting into BR pattern.There must be a reason he is not getting play time in chelsea that even has no pattern of play.

  • harry86 says:

    Sturridge is a idiot and not very good , And Rodgers has let himself down already by signing lower class players like Allen and Assaidi

  • andy says:

    Ince went because he realised Dalglish was never going to give the kids a chance. We had no choice in the matter his contract was up. If he is the right man then buy him back. Not certain about Sturridge but we have to be realistic chaps I can’t see the like of Cavani etc signing until we get into CL.Small steps.

  • Luke says:

    New manager more urgent than new players . We need to attract top players and we wont with BR in charge

  • Ozred says:

    Far too much money has been wasted on Players that have proven little to nothing in the pl.

    Carroll 35m – half a season in pl
    Adam 7.5 – one season
    Coates 7m – 0 seasons
    Allen 15m – 1 season
    Borini 12m – 0 seasons
    Henderson 16m unproven in pl.

    I’ve got no issues with bringing these types in but having a policy of paying 3 – 4 times.their real worth is insane. No to ince. Yes to sturridge. For the people whinging about sturridge being selfish, that’s exactly what I want in my striker. Single minded focus on scoring goals.

    I’ve got no problem grabbing unproven players

    • fotheringham says:

      Problem with Sturridge is himself not his ability , He is a complete w@nker . Probably not good for the dressing room , and not the type to show loyalty .
      Do we want another El hadji Diouf ? i would say no

  • Jack The Lad says:

    Shelvey is an average player at the very best. He would not make the Swansea, West Ham or Spurs team.

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