FLANAGAN is an old Irish name.
The Gaelic name is derived from the word ‘Flann’, which means ‘Red’. And there can be no doubt that Jon Flanagan is red through and through.
After suffering from injuries last season and being way down the pecking order, Flanno has had a new lease of life. After coming into the side due to injuries and the indifferent form of Aly Cissokho, Jon has had rave reviews from all and sundry.
Steven Gerrard was gushing in his praise after Flanno’s buccaneering performance in the Derby. The skipper was somewhat over the top with his praise, but the sentiment and intention, to give the boy more confidence, was well received by the youngster.
After further solid performances, and few laying blame his way for the insipid team performance against Hull, more good form in further Liverpool wins earned ever more plaudits.
Then in an excellent performance in the 5-0 demolition of Tottenham, arguably the stand out team performance of any team this season, Flanagan got his first goal, an instinctive half-volley that crashed in off the crossbar. A finish even Luis Suarez would have been proud of. Unsurprisingly the plaudits got even bigger.
When Flanagan was substituted against Cardiff with the team dominating the game and 3-0 up, Liverpool ended up conceding soon after. With Cardiff’s goal came a period of uncertainty in the team where the dominance faded before Liverpool eventually reasserted control over the game. Some media commentators put our drop in control of the game primarily down to the protective substitution of the young left-back. Not that conceding a goal led to nervousness in our play, or that Malky Mackay’s attacking substitutions were bearing fruit.
And when I read some people writing (or should I say dreaming) that Jon could be Liverpool’s Philipp Lahm, a player I consider to be the best fullback in World football (although he does often play defensive midfield for Pep Guardiola’s Bayern Munich), then I know things have gone too far.
All this talk is too dangerous.
Brendan Rodgers is a very positive Manager. He often eulogises over his players, even when there is little to be positive about, and in the most part this positivity goes some way towards him having good relationships with the team. Winning helps of course. But I hope he realises that at some point young players can benefit from rationing praise. If they are praised too often, they can begin to think they are much better than they are, just ask Anthony Le Tallec.
Le Tallec played just 17 games in his short Liverpool career, but it felt so much longer as he was talked about so often by Gerard Houllier and the media while he was in the reserves. Jon Flanagan has now played 19 league games for Liverpool. Fortunately there are next to no similarities between the two players, not only in the type of players that they are, but the type of personalities they are.
While Le Tallec was always complaining that he was not playing more and was better than those around him, Jon has kept his head down and worked hard in training to get his chance. And taken it when it was given.
After his goal and performance in the Spurs win, Flanno celebrated in typical Flanno style. He had a night in front of the TV with a Domino’s Pizza. It’s that kind of attitude that should hopefully mean he is not overly affected by the plethora of praise being thrown his way, but to make it easier for him, I think it’s time now that both the players and the management leave the boy out of the incessant commentary. When it comes to young players especially, the media are just building them up to knock them down at the first available opportunity.
The boy should be allowed to go about doing his job and improving on his weaknesses. And yes, he does have weaknesses. His left foot that he eschews from using. His crossing. Positional play when facing an overlapping run from an opposition fullback. Technique, particularly around close control. A young player who will only turn 21 on 1st January 2014, is bound to have areas for improvement.
The boy’s done good. But he’s had enough praise for the time being, now let’s just let him be.
You can catch more from me on my own blog: http://taintlessred.blogspot.co.uk/
Flanagan has a good head on his shoulders , a 100% level headed lad . There is absolutely NO chance of praise affecting him.
Brendan has worked in youth football for decades. The ego it takes to think you know better than him must be astonishingly over bloated.
a big test coming up for the lad and the rest against real players and we will see were flanno and liverpool are at after that
You what?
And the what about the Spurs Players? Made of plastic were they, you joker!
Br should purchase a new leftback sell kelly as he doesn’t rate him and let Flano and Johnson compete 4 the rightback position.
next season sell Kelly for 5 mil hopefully recall robinson , have Johnson and glannogan for right back and Enrique and robinson for left back , Flanogan I don’t think is the long term right back we need , someone oike McLaughlin seems a better fit to lfc
Flanagan is the product of continuous good works (the youth system) by Rafa, KK and BR. Let’s give our young player a chance to play in top flight football. Flanagan is better than Cissokho anytime and the loan of Cissokho should not be made permanent.
Yana yana the Manc troll shut the fook up
See who is trolling now?
Yanna or what I have told u to always shut up that u ‘re not an lfc fan ok,Why do u say give him a chance when he’s loving it right now.U always talk like someone who’s head is broken.If u don’t have meaningful idea to contribute then just go home and wash plates 4 u’re mom ok.LAZY BOY
See who is ruining the site now?
Well said!
Yana you never cease to amaze me wit your stupidty. Carry on clown of the year. Greet your fellow trolls Aaron & Trollhunter. Clowns
don’t ruin the site if you have nothing to share
See who’s ruining the site
Yes shut up yana u annoying moron
please ignore this troll unless he has meaningful things to say
Top at Christmas, who’d have thought that at the start of this season? Just don’t let us get spanked by City, not worried about Chelsea they look kinda pedestrian and their strikers are in bad form.
Also hope BR can shake off his (labelled by some, although not so recently) Championship manager at best, un educated, tactically clueless badge pinned to him, during our ‘easy start’. Especially as we are half way, virtually, swatting most teams aside. Regardless of the outcome during next two fixtures, in Rodgers (although not getting carried away, just daring to dream, a little) I trust. YNWA.
What a boring troll. Ian /aaron continues to troll using many different names.
Idiot
please ignore this troll unless he has meaningful things to say
Please ignore the troll yana as he never has anything meaningful to say . Ha . Your a joke kid.
please ignore this troll unless he has meaningful things to say
Guys , I see people are getting annoyed with yanna and his childish comments , this is understandable , but really you should all ignore this troll not reply to him.
Just like any immature child he is seeking attention with his comments , as long as people give him attention he will continue .
Please stay on topic. We are a talking about Flanagan!
You retard. you have made 8 comments – ONLY 1 mentioned Flanagan . Fkin troll.
How about you? Cyber hooligan? Shut up if you have nothing to contribute in this site. I will continue to comment in this site until the end of the world. What you bigot fool are going to do?
9 comments . 1 about football. All you contribute is being a ignorant troll . Keep commenting , just don’t be surprised when everyone points out what a retard you are . Ha ha troll.
Lol . Plastic yana is probably a man city fan now after yesterday .
Great performance BTW , unlucky.