#7 | Raheem Sterling - 2020/21 Performances

[Tugay One Cup]

I also think that in big games Foden can be a bit hit and miss sometimes

Really? I thought Foden was the one likely to show up in a big game. He's torn Liverpool to shreds a few times now, has stood out against Arsenal and Chelsea, got us a point against West Ham, was a standout in the Champions League against Real Madrid and got man of the match in the League Cup final. Some of those weren't big teams but we've struggled against all of them at certain points and he's lifted us when we've needed it. He also did more against Wan Bissaka in 5 minutes than Sterling has in the last few years.

When I've been disappointed in him it's been against the likes of Olympiakos in the group stage or Leeds earlier in the season.

Sterling, on the other hand, rarely steps up in big games and often drops a clanger at some point. I was alright with him starting yesterday but I think hindsight has now shown who would have been the better choice on the left.

 

[samarasra]

Criticism and abuse aren’t the same thing at all.

Not the "same" thing but excess criticism and how it is expressed can lead to abusive speech and behavior.
Harley Therapy: " Criticism can be useful if presented in a fair way, "Constructive criticism, however, is more useful. It is when someone makes sure they understand all sides of the situation before offering an informed opinion."
"The difference here is that a person who verbally abuses another has no intention of seeing the positive side, considering the other’s viewpoint, or helping them improve." Verbal abuse tends to criticise you as a person, not just what you did and the consequences of the action."

 

[samarasra]

It’s despairing to see idiots online posting racist abuse about any footballers. It’s telling that they can’t articulate their disappointment or frustrations in a more constructive way. If I’m honest I doubt any of them are actual football fans - just cretins out to jump on a band waggon as a means to spout their bile.

I can’t believe that any of them are reading these player threads and using what they read as fuel though - I think that’s a stretch.

I think the vast majority of what’s posted on here are fair opinions - some articulated well, others not so.

I would urge some people to consider their language - not from a swearing stand point - but from the stance that; if the player concerned read these posts, would they recognise it as constructive criticism or MIGHT they read it as abuse? Even if it’s not intended as such.

Everyone is entitled to an opinion but sometimes our emotional investment in the club blunts our thoughts down to sweeping statements. Comments like “fucking shite” might reflect our feelings and sum up a performance. They might resonate with other posters, but they don’t offer anything past that - the valuable nugget of “here’s why” is lost.

I’ve been guilty of it, and although it might make us sound like armchair pundits, posting a paragraph of text, at least it’ll have some constructive value and not seem like abuse.

Thank you for brightening Monday morning with an excellent and uplifting post. A positive antidote to some of the delirious comments here and on other threads since our club's first defeat in 22 games.

 

[balotelli's back pocket]

Nope,id be more than happy to bring back a far more consistent,reliable,and purposeful,Jack Harrison as a replacement.

Are you having a fucking laugh?

I know you have a deep-rooted problem with him, you've been waging a one man war against him in this thread all season, but if you genuinely believe that Jack fucking Harrison is any of those things compared to Raheem Sterling, you need help.

 

[Grealish’s Shinpads]

Really? I thought Foden was the one likely to show up in a big game. He's torn Liverpool to shreds a few times now, has stood out against Arsenal and Chelsea, got us a point against West Ham, was a standout in the Champions League against Real Madrid and got man of the match in the League Cup final. Some of those weren't big teams but we've struggled against all of them at certain points and he's lifted us when we've needed it. He also did more against Wan Bissaka in 5 minutes than Sterling has in the last few years.

When I've been disappointed in him it's been against the likes of Olympiakos in the group stage or Leeds earlier in the season.

Sterling, on the other hand, rarely steps up in big games and often drops a clanger at some point. I was alright with him starting yesterday but I think hindsight has now shown who would have been the better choice on the left.

I wasn’t clear enough in my original post and you raise a good point. I agree that he has stepped up when it has mattered (Spurs at home being another example).

What I was getting at was more the fact that in games where we have to work in tight spaces in midfield and really have to control possession, he might not be the best option as I don’t think that he is quite as good at that as some of the more experienced lads in the team.

 

[Tugay One Cup]

I wasn’t clear enough in my original post and you raise a good point. I agree that he has stepped up when it has mattered (Spurs at home being another example).

What I was getting at was more the fact that in games where we have to work in tight spaces in midfield and really have to control possession, he might not be the best option as I don’t think that he is quite as good at that as some of the more experienced lads in the team.

That's a fair point. Still, as I said on Phil's thread yesterday, I think we missed some of his directness in the offensive third. He took the game to Wan Bissaka immediately after coming on and it would have been nice to see some of that in the first half. Still, maybe the fresh legs helped him in that regard.

 

[FantasyIreland]

Are you having a fucking laugh?

I know you have a deep-rooted problem with him, you've been waging a one man war against him in this thread all season, but if you genuinely believe that Jack fucking Harrison is any of those things compared to Raheem Sterling, you need help.

Straight to the insults......

Fuck off.

 

[ChicagoCityzen]

It's not hunger or bite that are missing, it's ability.

Personally I think it’s both that’s missing from Raz. We saw what happened with Mahrez after a string of games on the bench, he responded well and has arguably been our best player the past month. This was after a very poor run of games from him and people claiming he’s not good enough for us.
I think Raz has been too comfortable in this team, starting games he shouldn’t have, and needs a wake up call and reality check. At this point, it may be the only option.

 

[Tugay One Cup]

Straight to the insults......

Fuck off.

There's no insult in that post.

 

[FantasyIreland]

There's no insult in that post.

Such intolerance only leads the thread down the same one way street,if you aren't prepared to debate without abuse or aggression then don't bother.

He got the reply his contribution warranted.