Quantcast
View from the Kop

Unfair On Charlie?

|
Image for Unfair On Charlie?

FACT – Liverpool’s final Premiership position last year was poor.

FACT – Liverpool’s main problem was the inability to turn quality possession into goals and was their main undoing in the league.

FACT – their big money signings of last summer massively disappointed.

These three facts bring me on to the subject of Charlie Adam. The Scottish international has received a huge amount of criticism from many Liverpudlians since his arrival from Blackpool. Many have claimed him to be of an insufficient standard to play for our great club.

While he is not in the world class bracket of Steven Gerrard or Graeme Souness, it is my belief that Adam has been very harshly judged by many Reds. True, Adam was purchased with the intention of helping us to score more goals and be more of a threat from set pieces. While neither of these issues can be deemed a success from last season, Adam should be viewed as one of the least culpable members of our squad.

Granted, his return of two league goals is not up to scratch for a midfielder, however this problem was massively symptomatic of the club as a whole. It can be argued that Adam has received much more criticism than Stewart Downing, a man who contributed much less to the cause last season, despite the fact that he cost around three times as much.

In my opinion, this can only be put down to fan expectations. What did we expect from Downing? Despite the fact that he scored 7 goals and weighed in with numerous assists in the season before his arrival, he has never done much to really catch the eye for any team that he has played for before. (Hopefully that will change now considering his start to this season). With Adam, we saw a player excelling for a massive underdog of a club, scoring spectacular goals, taking responsibility and fantastic set pieces, and in the mean time attracting attention from the elite clubs in the league. Alex Ferguson, perhaps mischievously, even suggested that Adam’s set pieces alone were worth £10 million.

For the past seven to ten years Liverpool have generally been labelled as a one man team (occasionally two man – see Torres or Suarez) with Gerrard regularly labelled as our only hope. While such a suggestion is nonsense, it is understandable that others have chosen to describe Liverpool in this way. The man was gargantuan in Rafa’s finals of Istanbul and Cardiff and throughout countless seasons has long been associated with lung bursting runs, improbable tackles, impossible goals and glorious passing.

Of course, we have had the masterful Xabi Alonso in recent times, helping Gerrard out with the sublime from the centre of the park, but generally the outside feeling has been; ‘If you stop Gerrard, then you stop Liverpool.’ Our fans can relate to this to a certain extent as we have long bemoaned the fact that others sometimes look to pass responsibility on to our captain instead of taking it themselves.

I argue that Adam, during his first season at the club, did not shirk responsibility one iota and in fact regularly took it upon himself to take risks and carve out goalscoring opportunities on a regular basis.
[ad_pod id=”unruly-video” align=”center”]
While certain aspects of his game certainly need working on, such as his tackling, (just ask Gareth Bale) and arguably his fitness, Adam displayed moments of genuine quality in a red shirt last season. He certainly started on the right tracks. In his first three games at Anfield, he found the net once (v Bolton), saw two of his set pieces lead directly to headed goals (Suarez v Sunderland, Skrtel v Bolton) and also saw a slightly wayward shot turned into an own goal (Johnson v Wolves). Joleon Lescott also put through his own net in similar fashion a couple of months later. Adam’s shooting may not always be perfect, but if you don’t show the initiative to buy a ticket then you can’t win the lottery.

In November came Chelsea at Stamford Bridge. Glen Johnson’s brilliant last minute goal may understandably be remembered as a fine solo effort, but it would never have happened had Adam not picked him out with a perfect 40 yard cross field pass. This pass may not have been attempted by a less flamboyant or confident player, and was the type of decisive ball we have been lacking in since Alonso’s departure. With Liverpool having lacked pace out wide for many a year, this different style of transition from defence to attack, through Adam’s quarterback style pass, was a joy to see.

Soon after came quality assists against QPR at Anfield and two against Wolves at Molyneux. Two of these assists came from wide positions and showed a quality of delivery that had been distinctly lacking from others.

Adam was less effective in the second half of the season, largely due to a knee injury suffered during the desperate defeat at QPR, which kept him out for the rest of the season. His confidence probably wasn’t at an all time high either, with many fans choosing to blame him (amongst a few others) for poor league results. A poor penalty in the shoot out win against Cardiff didn’t help relations with those that were already on his back, and as he ended the season on the treatment table, few were itching to see his name back on the team sheet. Many fans think that he should be sold already.

I am one who believes that he still has a lot to offer the club. Compared with fees paid for certain other players recently, Adam cannot be considered a big money signing anyway. A quality squad player at the very least, if fans provide him with a bit of leeway and appreciate that he is a player who takes risks with his expansive passing and speculative, yet often accurate shooting, we should have a confident, effective midfielder on our hands.

We have a few central midfielders on our books. Lucas and Jay Spearing are anchormen, and with Gerrard ageing and unable to produce heroic performances every week, we need someone else to step up to the plate and show offensive flair and creativity from the middle of the park. Jonjo Shelvey is another player I see capable of filling this role, with the youngster also never afraid to attempt the unexpected. Sure, such players may concede possession but it should be recognised that at least they are trying to create themselves, rather than pass the buck.

Brendan Rodgers’ preferred style of play promotes patience as top priority, and with the potential signing of Joe Allen, space for the likes of Adam may be limited. However, if and when he gets the chance, expect the Scotsman to take risks and responsibility, hopefully leading to more quality, less woodwork, and a few more goals.
[ad_pod id=’DFP-MPU’ align=’right’]
Live4Liverpool is recruiting columnists. For further info contact the site editor at live4liverpool@snack-media.com

Follow us on Twitter here: @live4Liverpool and ‘Like’ us on Facebook

Share this article

26 comments

  • Martin Badger says:

    How can anyone defend him? The man is utter rubbish.
    Boo him off the field every time he is selected – that way he’ll soon sling his hook.

    • Charlie says:

      I won’t endorse booing any Liverpool player.

      He may be rubbish but you don’t seem to get it…do you know how things work in football???

      Players don’t pick themselves. The manager picks them so if you are not happy then let the manager know, it does not help the team if you boo a player.

  • Charlie says:

    Very very slow, overestimates his own ability and has been the culprit of many a goal conceded last season by giving the ball away cheaply and leaving the team exposed at the back.

  • Chris says:

    He’s fine when he’s not trying 50 yard passes, 20+ yard shots, dribbling, tackling, general positioning… Yeahh, that list

  • CraqueBrito says:

    I believe Adam is much more useful than Henderson. I don’t care he’s 5 years older. You either contribute or you don’t. Henderson won’t, Adam might in his second year. I think that’s clear to Rodgers too. And he’s free from having to play Henderson to prove he was worth the near 20 mil paid. Adam can play with either Lucas or Allen near him, making him a useful squad player. When Lucas was healthy last season playing alongside Adam, we were playing some good football. Later on with Henderson and Spearing…

  • Fras57 says:

    He’ll play Adam ‘cos he’s there and he hasn’t got the money to replace him.

  • Nigel says:

    * positional play is poor . He is 5 yards too slow in his head first. Then is out of position. Then…..
    * fouls. Constantly due to the above. Usually around our area
    * tries to xabi alonso passes but doesnt execute them as well as him
    * set pieces. In a word- pony
    * shooting: not accurate enough
    * too slow
    * ponderous in possession
    * lacks any presence in midfield to make a real difference to a score line

    • AnfieldBred says:

      Agreed – very succint appraisal – my thoughts exactly – he won’t get a game under BR.

  • Aziz says:

    Couldn’t agree with article more. Adam was the one player early on last season who was taking risks and bring the game to the opposition. Ok it didn’t always work out for him but I’d rater that than players who just lay the ball off and pass the buck.

    • sleeps with angels says:

      Yawn! Yawn are you charlie Adams dad? lets face it the lads rubbish no matter what stats you look at,you cant make a silk purse out of a sows ear! he needs to go and quick! and downing and spearing too,they are not quality enough for liverpool fc end of!

  • Effect says:

    Adam is better than Henderson, Downing, Carroll, Spearing. He got the highest assist. Plz don’t blame him. But i love the addition of Joe Allen, he is my perfect match.

  • Andrew says:

    And here we go the marvellous mysteries of the internet part 352 people who believe Charlie Adam is a good Liverpool player. I’d like the Adam defenders to explain, if he’s so good, these points to me
    1 Why before he joined Blackpool he was out of the 1st team picture at Rangers for 18 months, this isn’t Arsenal or even Newcastle it’s Rangers who even then were brutal (and so were/are Celtic). If he was this superstar surely Rangers would have included him in their squad, they didn’t.
    2. Why he consistently gives away needless fouls in and around our own box.
    3. Why his passing in the main contains the’holywood pass’ or the go backwards pass
    4. What exactly he is trying to do at set pieces apart from hit the 1st man
    5. Where his penalty in the Cup final ended, my bet is is Saturn

    And perhaps Mr Power needs to check his figures Downing £18.5 million Adam £8.5 million makes him only just over twice as expensive, not three times as much. And finally could those slating Henderson realise the kid was 21 and often asked by Kenny to play out of his natural position, no doubt somebody will remind us all he played right midfield when Sunderland tonked chavski 3-0 but that was very much a hold them and counter attack performance. If you’re happy for Liverpool to be so lacking in ambition to play that way fine, Charlie Adam is your man but I’m not in that camp and I find it hard to believe Adam is anywhere near good enough for Liverpool.

  • David says:

    He’s a decent sub… Not likely to start many unless Rodgers needs to rest a few or change the style if play.

  • Elias says:

    Adam commits fouls most of the times but he should improve his tackling skills and passing @ the wright place while henderson is not young to my side at 21-22 years players already adapting to good football ..he needs to be loaned out like lukaku. We must get joe cole out together with spearing ..dempsey + £ 10 – 7 million= carrol ,i can do this business and and raise the money to bring g.ramirez instead of getting out one of our best deffenders out .what do u think lfc frendz

    • Andrew says:

      Let’s take this point by point
      1. Charlie Adam is 26, he’ll be 27 in December, my point is how many plays of that age suddenly learn how to tackle? Very few, I don’t blame Adam for trying to hit hollywood passes he got his head filled full of nonsense by that buffoon Holloway comparing him to Xabi Alonso and Kenny not taking him aside and saying you’re not Xabi Alonso son.

      2. Loan out Henderson because he’s like Lukaku, are you mad? Lukaku is just 19 and won’t be 20 until next May, he has a total of 8 games in English football, where as Jordan Henderson is nearly 3 years older has played 148 games in England including 49 for Liverpool, what good would loaning him do? Play him in his proper position, centre midfield, and see if he improves, if he doesn’t sell him if we can.
      3. It’s easy saying get Joe Cole out, who’ll pick up his £90,000 a week wages? O slight problem seeing as he’s not been good for 5 years. It’s fine trying to get rid of Spearing but will he attract much interest? If you think Dempsey is worth £10 million than we disagree hugely and it appears the club agree with me, anymore than £6 million would be a ripoff and personally I would not touch. Furthermoreyou advocate Gaston Ramirez coming in, why? Because he’s a name, have you ever watched him play? He’s not a winger, he’s a playmaker who’s languid style would seem very much at odds with the style of the Premiership.Think about it we have 7 senior central midfield players you could say 8 if you include Cole. He’ll have to play centre midfield under BR’s style so why would we bring in a player who would be a huge risk into an area where we are overstocked already?
      Finally Dan Agger, we’ve made it clear we want him to stay but there is no sign of him signing a new deal yet, one of the sticking points could well be a release clause to a Champions League club (I’m not saying it is but it makes sense). Given this with only 2 years left on his contract Agger can wait it out and wait till January or even next summer by which time his value decreases big time. I want him to stay but at the moment we are only a Europa League team and his ambition is surely to be playing in the Champions League. It’s this simple get him to sign a new contract or if he doesn’t move on.

  • alex says:

    Adam is not that bad as people think.
    His tacklings are horribble and he needs to work on his passing accuraccy.He should be a nice squad player and definitely not a starter!YNWA

  • rodnie says:

    clearly it seems like the writer is scottish. there’s no other way one liverpool fan would be defending a dismal player like adam. The guy was hopless last season, and clearly proved that liverpool was way above his league.

  • Greg says:

    Agreed – he likes a Hollywood pass but just because Alonso’s gone does that mean no one else in a Red shirt should ever attempt it again?

    Liverpool scored a pathetic amount of goals last season (despite dominating most games)but I maintain the opinion that if it wasn’t for Adam there would’ve been even less goals – and less points on the board.

    We don’t have the likes of Alonso, Mascherano, Sissoko any more so we have to deal with what we’ve got and in comparison to most other Liverpool midfielders last season it has to be said that offensively he contributed more than most of them.

    • AnfieldBred says:

      Sissoko – useless couldn’t beat his missus – why did you mention him in the same breath as Mash and Alonso. Couldn’t lace their boots !

  • Andrew says:

    Greg give it up will you please. I’m not advocating not attempting a 50 yard pass if they have the passing range to do it successfully the majority of the time. Sadly Charlie Adam does not have this ability, and do me a favour if Adam hadn’t have been there we wouldn’t have kept on giving stupid fouls in dangerous areas time after time. You also totally underestimate the loss of Lucas had upon us. Final question for you, how come this (so called) great talent has only 14 international caps despite making his debut in 2007?

  • Greg says:

    Sissoko was a brilliant player until his eye injury and would’ve got into most teams never mind just as back up for the outrageous trio of SG, XA and JM.

    As for Adam, I didn’t say he was a great player or talent. Anyway we could disagree about it all day, he probably won’t get many more chances now which a lot of fans will be pleased about which is fair enough its all about opinions. But mine would be that if he only had the one season with Liverpool on his CV then he shouldn’t be viewed as a failure.

  • I am only writing to make you know what a remarkable encounter our princess encountered viewing the blog. She came to find a good number of details, which include what it is like to possess an ideal helping mindset to let the mediocre ones with ease gain knowledge of some very confusing issues. You really exceeded her expectations. Many thanks for producing these powerful, healthy, revealing and easy tips on the topic to Janet.

  • Hey! Someone in my Facebook group shared this website with us so I came to look it over. I’m definitely loving the information. I’m book-marking and will be tweeting this to my followers! Outstanding blog and great style and design.

  • Online Games says:

    Amazing blog! Do you have any recommendations for aspiring writers? I’m hoping to start my own site soon but I’m a little lost on everything. Would you recommend starting with a free platform like WordPress or go for a paid option? There are so many choices out there that I’m completely confused .. Any ideas? Appreciate it!

Comments are closed.