Saint-Armstrong Posted 24 July, 2013 Posted 24 July, 2013 Adam Lallana, he does a lot without doing much. Not a reactionary thread, but today's game further reinforced an opinion I've had since our promotion. In the sense of, he does a lot of skill in areas where it's not dangerous, or in a way that doesn't actually benefit the side. For all the kickings that people love to dish out on Gaston, he's scored more, assisted more and generally contributed more to our side. I'm aware Adam suffered with injury last season, I just find myself increasingly feeling that outside of the Football League he has been a real disappointment. I find myself frustrated with Lallana insisting on slowing the play, doing the feints and drag backs and not actually getting us anywhere with them. His set pieces are equally frustrating, and why on earth Nigel Adkins made him the captain I have no idea. I'm hoping he's just enduring a sustained rough patch and will bounce back to ram these words back down my throat, but at current I am unconvinced. He needs to earn his place as much as anyone and seems to escape a lot of the kickings people like to dish out to Guly and Gaston, why is that? Academy boy syndrome? Come on Adam, step it up.
Pastor Patrón Posted 24 July, 2013 Posted 24 July, 2013 He's the worst of our first team midfielders off the top of my head.
Baldbarbarian Posted 24 July, 2013 Posted 24 July, 2013 Agree, also feel he offers very little defensive cover down the left hand side.
Lighthouse Posted 24 July, 2013 Posted 24 July, 2013 I said similar things towards the end of last season. Whilst most of our players seemed to improve with experience last year, I felt Adam did relatively little and seemed to ghost through the season, always being there but making minimal impact. He needs a big step up next year. He has gone from being one of out strongest players in the lower divisions to being one of the weaker players in our current starting 11.
Glasgow_Saint Posted 24 July, 2013 Posted 24 July, 2013 Needs better players around him imho. Some of our players are not good enough to read his passes.
Ed Rooney Posted 24 July, 2013 Posted 24 July, 2013 Good technically and like him as a player but on quite a few occasions, he does slow our tempo down when he gets it
JonnyLove Posted 24 July, 2013 Posted 24 July, 2013 In the suns dream team last season punch scored more points than lallana, and to the op, I have been feeling the exact same things.
ant Posted 24 July, 2013 Posted 24 July, 2013 Agree, also feel he offers very little defensive cover down the left hand side. Though there's many valid points in the OP, that's nonsense. It was true some time back, but since our nPC season Adam has tracked back consistently and competently to offer support. Before his injury issues last year he was amongst our best in terms of tackle and interception totals/ratios. Still, I don't see an awful lot of point mulling this over now as pre-season's not the right sort of time to make bold judgements.
Pastor Patrón Posted 24 July, 2013 Posted 24 July, 2013 In the suns dream team last season punch scored more points than lallana, and to the op, I have been feeling the exact same things. Puncheon had a solid season, thought he was our best attacking midfielder by some distance.
mulletsaint Posted 24 July, 2013 Posted 24 July, 2013 Needs better players around him imho. Some of our players are not good enough to read his passes. I see what you did there.
Saint Garrett Posted 24 July, 2013 Posted 24 July, 2013 I agree he struggled last season, I'm hoping he can start a fresh this year and now he's got a years experience, it will make him a more effective player.
Baldbarbarian Posted 24 July, 2013 Posted 24 July, 2013 Dont agree, leaves the left back horribly exposed at times whether that be Danny Fox or Luke Shaw. Slows the tempo of our attacks & also too fancy dan with his endless drag backs & turns. Weak link in our midfield I think
SuperMikey Posted 24 July, 2013 Posted 24 July, 2013 Young Football League player struggles to make the step-up to the Premier League immediately. World in shock. He'll come good, and to say he's our worst midfielder is astounding.
shirleysfc Posted 24 July, 2013 Posted 24 July, 2013 Apparently Fabrice Fernandes was his favourite Saints player as a kid...
Pastor Patrón Posted 24 July, 2013 Posted 24 July, 2013 Young Football League player struggles to make the step-up to the Premier League immediately. World in shock. He'll come good, and to say he's our worst midfielder is astounding. Who would you say was worse?
Saint_clark Posted 24 July, 2013 Posted 24 July, 2013 I was unsure about him as captain as well, but by all accounts he is seen as the heart of the team by a lot of the players - one of them referred to him as "Mr Southampton" at one point last season - and as such I am more than happy for him to continue.
itchen_dan Posted 24 July, 2013 Posted 24 July, 2013 Young Football League player struggles to make the step-up to the Premier League immediately. World in shock. He'll come good, and to say he's our worst midfielder is astounding. He's 25. Not exactly young anymore with time to "come good". He's coming to the age where he needs to start producing or start looking for another club. IMO, he should be no where near the starting XI on last seasons evidence and his "floaty" performance tonight. Clyne, Shaw, Puncheon, Ramirez, Schneiderlin, Cork, Lambert, Rodriguez all had better seasons than him last year. Needs to step it up big time. Especially with Isgrove now on the fringes and looking very promising.
Latheal Posted 24 July, 2013 Posted 24 July, 2013 Big fan of his but admit last season wasn't his greatest and needs to step it up this year. Never a captain and think he could do without the added responsibility. Still believe he's our most technically gifted player but this year is a big year for him. Puncheon was more of a goal threat last season. Hope he's worked on his shooting as to me, with the chances he creates for himself and gets on the end of, he should be well into double figures for a midfielder. Has to earn his right to be first choice now, it's not (in my opinion) as obvious as it was.
SNSUN Posted 24 July, 2013 Posted 24 July, 2013 Great in League One, Good in the Championship, average in the Premier League. I love Lallana, I think he's a talented player, still fairly young and can get better, and he's done a lot for us in the lower leagues, but he's not shown much in the Prem so far to suggest he's a first choice creative midfielder. He's a great choice to have in the squad though - perhaps getting rid of the captaincy would help him.
itchen_dan Posted 24 July, 2013 Posted 24 July, 2013 Big fan of his but admit last season wasn't his greatest and needs to step it up this year. Never a captain and think he could do without the added responsibility. Still believe he's our most technically gifted player but this year is a big year for him. Puncheon was more of a goal threat last season. Hope he's worked on his shooting as to me, with the chances he creates for himself and gets on the end of, he should be well into double figures for a midfielder. Has to earn his right to be first choice now, it's not (in my opinion) as obvious as it was. Lallana more technically gifted than Ramirez? Wow. Big statement.
Latheal Posted 24 July, 2013 Posted 24 July, 2013 Lallana more technically gifted than Ramirez? Wow. Big statement. Just an opinion based on what I saw last season. To be fair, that's all I've seen of Ramirez. I've seen a lot more of Lallana. Ramirez obviously has a load of quality. Not bashing him at all. Hope they both come good this season.
SuperMikey Posted 24 July, 2013 Posted 24 July, 2013 Who would you say was worse? Ward-Prowse, although he's 18 so bit harsh. Punch, Davis and Ramirez too imo. Lallana has the potential to be a game-changer but he's struggled to adapt. The number of times i've seen people calling for Ramirez to be given more time to adapt is huge, yet Lallana seems to get a lot of stick. He's been one of our best players over the last 3/4 years but one under-par season and suddenly he's sh!t. Staggering really.
Pastor Patrón Posted 24 July, 2013 Posted 24 July, 2013 Ward-Prowse, although he's 18 so bit harsh. Punch, Davis and Ramirez too imo. Lallana has the potential to be a game-changer but he's struggled to adapt. The number of times i've seen people calling for Ramirez to be given more time to adapt is huge, yet Lallana seems to get a lot of stick. He's been one of our best players over the last 3/4 years but one under-par season and suddenly he's sh!t. Staggering really. Yeah I wasn't counting him as a first teamer, I think Ward-Prowse is quality though, future captain potential. Puncheon, Davis and Ramirez have all proven themselves at a higher level then Lallana. I haven't been calling for Ramirez to be given more time, pretty much the opposite, if you're consistently ineffective you shouldn't be playing, it's that simple imo.
OldNick Posted 24 July, 2013 Posted 24 July, 2013 I like his loyalty and want him to do well. I mentioned when he first came into the team that he needed to learn to strike the ball with power. He still cannot shoot with any power and that is a major disadvantage in the PL
Turkish Posted 24 July, 2013 Posted 24 July, 2013 New Year's Day. And some of you say I talk rubbish and want me banned. http://www.saintsweb.co.uk/showthread.php?42098-Are-we-a-better-side-without-Lallana
farawaysaint Posted 24 July, 2013 Posted 24 July, 2013 I like Ad and am fully behind having him in the team. He deserves at least another season and a half and he wasn't exactly poor last season either.
JoeShmoe Posted 24 July, 2013 Posted 24 July, 2013 He's 25. Not exactly young anymore with time to "come good". He's coming to the age where he needs to start producing or start looking for another club. IMO, he should be no where near the starting XI on last seasons evidence and his "floaty" performance tonight. Clyne, Shaw, Puncheon, Ramirez, Schneiderlin, Cork, Lambert, Rodriguez all had better seasons than him last year. Needs to step it up big time. Especially with Isgrove now on the fringes and looking very promising. This
supersonic Posted 24 July, 2013 Posted 24 July, 2013 I said last year that Puncheon would have a better season and be a more important player for us than Lallana and a lot of people called me stupid. Turns out I was right.
Glasgow_Saint Posted 24 July, 2013 Posted 24 July, 2013 I said last year that Puncheon would have a better season and be a more important player for us than Lallana and a lot of people called me stupid. Turns out I was right. Find your post or it never happened
pap Posted 24 July, 2013 Posted 24 July, 2013 I love Ads, but damn, he was frustrating last year, perhaps the biggest reason I spent the season fantasising about having someone who can whack 'em in from distance, a la MLT or more recently, Lampard. Lallana isn't alone in not coming up with an end product, but he does seem to be especially visible when he does it. One touch too many, a bit of indecision and needs both practice and confidence at shots from distance. As I said, I'm a big fan of Lallana. My preference would be to see a more effective version of the same player tearing it up in the Premier League. If he hasn't progressed by the end of the coming season, I wouldn't blame the club for seeking other options. Not sure of him as captain either. While I appreciate that authority comes from different sources and not all of it is about being a gobby get, I also chime with a quote about leadership I read recently, which said that most of it was about being first to act, and there's the problem. I no longer see Lallana as a player who sets the tempo.
teacher Posted 24 July, 2013 Posted 24 July, 2013 Adam is nothing more than Powderpuff. He gets knocked off the ball easily, when he doesn't he beats his man but surprises himself so much he tries to do it again and looses the ball. His finishing is woeful and set pieces are not much better.If he is to become a real threat in the Premier League he needs to step up this year and improve otherwise he is going to end up being nothing more than a second rate Midfielder.
Nigel=God-Poyet=Sod Posted 24 July, 2013 Posted 24 July, 2013 I thought he had a poor season last year. Doesn't play like a captain should and it may be affecting his performance. I have no doubt he has great ability but he may just need time to adjust to the higher level and added expectation an scrutiny.
DuncanRG Posted 24 July, 2013 Posted 24 July, 2013 Give him time to bed in. He was good but not great last season.
Ziggy Posted 24 July, 2013 Posted 24 July, 2013 Can't believe some of the comments on this thread. Yes he had a relatively poor season but you can't doubt his talent or workrate. His judgement is his greatest fault and often chooses the wrong option. If he can sort this out he will become the finished article.
ottery st mary Posted 24 July, 2013 Posted 24 July, 2013 wHATEVER WE SAY ABOUT lALLANA......He is a top class player.. I trust in MP to sort this out and find the best position/team set up... Every Manager/coach select Adam....the class is there.. Frustrating at times...yes.. But I believe in Lallana and the coach to get things rolling ...AS WITH RAMIREZ.......Very talented footballers.
Roger Posted 24 July, 2013 Posted 24 July, 2013 wHATEVER WE SAY ABOUT lALLANA......He is a top class player.. I trust in MP to sort this out and find the best position/team set up... Every Manager/coach select Adam....the class is there.. Frustrating at times...yes.. But I believe in Lallana and the coach to get things rolling ...AS WITH RAMIREZ.......Very talented footballers. No he's not a top class player.
ottery st mary Posted 24 July, 2013 Posted 24 July, 2013 No he's not a top class player. Sorry Dear Roger........That is my opinion.
Glasgow_Saint Posted 24 July, 2013 Posted 24 July, 2013 Adam got an ENGLAND call up last season, then he got injured and didnt really get going again. Give him a chance and i think he will impress this coming season
Turkish Posted 24 July, 2013 Posted 24 July, 2013 Adam got an ENGLAND call up last season, then he got injured and didnt really get going again. Give him a chance and i think he will impress this coming season This means nothing. So did Stuart downing, Nathan cleverly and Danny Welbeck and they are terrible!!
Glasgow_Saint Posted 24 July, 2013 Posted 24 July, 2013 This means nothing. So did Stuart downing, Nathan cleverly and Danny Welbeck and they are terrible!! All 3 cdajfu imho
Ziggy Posted 24 July, 2013 Posted 24 July, 2013 Sorry Dear Roger........That is my opinion. I'm with you Ottery.
ottery st mary Posted 24 July, 2013 Posted 24 July, 2013 I'm with you Ottery. You put your arm around Adam....I will put my arm around Gaston;) We will show these boyz the luv we feel for these talented players... Destined to star in many games this season...... at the same time too..... Class will out:)
Olallana Posted 24 July, 2013 Posted 24 July, 2013 I dont think anyone questions the talent and ability. But it also has to be shown more consistent on this level. He can get a bit too one-dimensional at times and sometimes slows the play down instead of using the movement that is there. A bit of make it or break it season for him this year IMO.
Smirking_Saint Posted 24 July, 2013 Posted 24 July, 2013 His decision making is and always was poor, as was his final ball, I think that its just shown up more at the top level. I think he is better than he has shown so far though, Ill give him a season to step up
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