I've done a more complete post on this subject if you to want to have a read Christian Poulsen: Why Liverpool fans have got him all wrong In this post I have stated my beleief that far from being the useless player that most Liverpool fans believe him to be, Poulsen is actually a useful team member that has a positive effect on the team when he plays. Liverpool's record w/Poulsen: P19 W 9 D 7 L3 F23 A13. Liverpool's record w/o Poulsen: P16 W6 D 2 L 8 F22 A 24. When Poulsen's played Liverpool have managed 11 clean sheets compared to the three without him. Individually, Poulsen has a pass completion percentage of 83.26%, higher than Lucas (only just though), Gerrard and Meireles. What are your thoughts?
Are you giving him credit for the clean sheets we had when he came on as a late substitute (while we were ahead) and barely player 30 minutes? I think that might skew the figured a bit.
I think most people acknowledge that Poulsen has improved since Kenny took over. During the Hodgson matches, Poulsen was poor. Whether it was the system that didn't suit him or he was still adapting to the English game or what I don't know. Reading your blog you compare defensive midfield stats and compare Gerrard. Come on now, Stevie G. is not a defensive midfielder! I tihnk the better question is what has Kenny done to bring the best out of him?
Had we bought the guy a few years ago he may have become a solid player for us or had we got him in transfer window were we didnt have to sell to buy fans would of been more accepting of his value but we wasted £4.5m on a player who's 30, had a poor time in Italy on the basis that he played well for Hodgson at Copenhagen 10 years ago. All credit to the man though he gives it his best and has played OK at times this season rather than bolt out the door at the earliest opportunity when the going gets tough.
Just curious- using your system, is there anyone who you judge to be better than Poulsen on the team?
2 Glen Johnson 4 Raul Meireles 5 Daniel Agger 6 Fabio Aurelio 7 Luis Suarez 8 Steven Gerrard 9 Andrew Carroll 10 Joe Cole 12 Daniel Pacheco 14 Milan Jovanovic 16 Sotirios Kyrgiakos 17 Rodriguez Maxi 18 Dirk Kuyt 21 Leiva Lucas 22 Danny Wilson 23 Jamie Carragher 24 David Ngog 25 Jose Reina 26 Jay Spearing 33 Jonjo Shelvey 34 Martin Kelly 36 Steven Irwin 37 Martin Skrtel
I think Kenny can make something out of him for the rest of the season, but to your premise, in a word, no. He's poor, a passenger, and just not good enough for us. He will be let go come summer
He's not first XI material, which is what most Liverpool fans were saying from the start, and even now he's picked up his performances, I'll still stand confidently by that prediction. So in answer to the thread question. No.
He has improved since the beginning of the season. We knew he wouldn't be a world beater when we signed him. But, as a 2nd option to Lucas, he is still very much a passable player. Especially as we have no other player who is a holding player.
He has improved since the beginning of the season. We knew he wouldn't be a world beater when we signed him. But, as a 2nd option to Lucas, he is still very much a passable player. Especially as we have no other player who is a holding player.
He's a good bench player for a top club. That's the role he plays for us, and that's as good as it gets for him at this point in his career.
Is my three legged whippet faster running on three legs as opposed to the first half of the year when I tied him to a should be retired donkey?
Poulsen's improved but the prevailing consensus that he's not a very good player is largely accurate. He's a second option to Lucas which should tell you everything about his quality.
Harsh on Lucas. Guess you haven't been watching much this year. Kenny is getting the best out of Poulsen but he'll be a 80 min sub to help hold a lead. He's handled the difficultly of this season with some class and always puts forth full effort. For that he deserves respect.
Ouch. Bit off the mark there regarding Lucas, who just dominated Anelka/Lampard/Essien without too much help. Been the most consistent player at the club in the past year and done a great job. I have faith in Poulsen coming off the bench late in the game to help clog things up in the middle when we're winning. He's had a great 2011 when called upon.
Where Poulson is most improved under Kenny in his passing. Fewer hospital balls and more decisive distribution. Still all in all, he's still a bencher and a good one to have when we're ahead with 10 minutes to play.
Your analysis is too simplistic. Win rates cannot be directly attributable to one single player, because the opposition is different, plus the rest of the team is also likely to have different players in different games - LFC have not been fielding the exact same lineup but some games with Poulsen and some without. For example this season, we've played matches with and without Agger, Carra, Johnson and Kelly in defense. Essentially there has been too much variation in team lineups to split the results as being with or without Poulsen. Also LFC have this season had 2 managers - there has been massive differences in performances and tactical setup between Kenny and Roy. These have more of a sway on winning than whether or not Poulsen plays or not. Poulsen is best suited for one particular scenario, coming on a sub to protect a lead - like at Chelsea. All Poulsen needs to do to win over the LFC fans is to play well and help us get some positive results. It has worked for Raul and also (over a longer timeframe) for Lucas. Konchesky did not put in good performances and so is not liked. J Cole has still to win over the crowd, but if he puts in some performances, he also will be hailed.
Well fair enough, it maybe was a bit harsh on Lucas as I will concede he has definitely improved this season, but I disagree his Chelsea performance was "without much help." His game this season has been influenced positively by the emergence of Raul Meireles who has taken pressure of Lucas, allowing him to improve his passing. However, while Lucas is definitely having a better year I have my doubts he would start on any other team in the Prem. Poulsen definitely wouldn't start.
Are you sure you mean in the Prem or did you mean 'competing for the Prem'? Hell Poulsen would start for a few of the lesser teams in the Prem and lucas would start for at least 10 other prem teams.
I think it has been quoted on here somewhere, but 40 out of 45 passes completed successfully against Chelsea courtesy of opstats ... remarkably good numbers against a "top 4" team. I would say he starts in 17 out of 20 premiership teams. And it isn't just a recent revival, he was MOTM in the first match against Chelsea too.
Insane how some on here really do not rate Lucas. He has been immense in the CM position this year. Excellent tackling ability without fouling, better more progressive passing, and rarely gives up free kicks these days.