Young Fullbacks and the Need to Deliver Now

By: Ed | August 18th, 2011

flanagan

In the past five seasons, Liverpool have had only three fullbacks reach the thirty match mark—Steve Finnan and John Arne Riise played in 33 league matches apiece in the 2006-2007 season, and Emiliano Insua made 31 appearances after being forced into regular duty in the 2009-2010 season. Álvaro Arbeloa came close a few times, as has Glen Johnson since arriving, but it’s been a tough marker to reach for a Liverpool fullback.

There’s not necessarily any conventional wisdom that demands a high number of appearances in these positions in order for a club to be successful, but we’ve seen enough inconsistency in performance and personnel over the past few years to create a bit of panic when it comes to filling the void that’s been created.

Insua’s the most obvious casualty of that panic—pushed into a starting role because of injuries to the more experienced Fabio Aurelio, Insua shone early and faded late during the 2009-2010 campaign, clearly showing the wear and tear of a player that wasn’t ready for consistent first-team action at the age of 20. There was little room for acknowledging that fact, though, and the young Argentine was roundly criticized for the struggles he experienced in a role he shouldn’t have had to fill in the first place.

He played sparingly after being loaned to Galatasaray last season and has failed to re-establish himself in the first team, featuring only with the reserves as the season gets underway. The signing of José Enrique will likely serve to push Insua further out of the picture, with Aurelio hovering in fitness purgatory and Jack Robinson waiting in the wings. On available evidence it’s justified, but you also can’t avoid the idea that Insua, as Jon Flanagan got a taste of this weekend, was a longer-term victim of the “NEXT!” mentality that’s plagued Liverpool at the back in recent years.

The lack of patience is somewhat justified considering the problems with both form and fitness of those who we’ve seen the most over the past few seasons. Finnan and Riise featured regularly but had their share of vulnerabilities, Arbeloa was energetic but susceptible to the odd dip in form, and both Glen Johnson and Fabio Aurelio have had problems staying fit for a full season. Martin Kelly came on strong but succumbed to injury in the latter half of last season, along most of the squad’s defense, leaving only Jon Flanagan and, for a brief spell, Jack Robinson.

Both overachieved, turning in performances largely beyond their years and creating a buzz about finally having fullbacks that, while probably not ready for regular action right now, could be the answer for years to come. A full offseason of training with the first team followed, with both getting regular action in Liverpool’s friendlies and heading into the season in the discussion for senior squad action at some point. Plenty of promise.

Then, with Glen Johnson out injured, Flanagan was named in the eleven against Sunderland ahead of Martin Kelly, all youth and vigor and being the future and all that.

It would follow, then, that he has his worst display with the first team to date, exacerbated by the lack of cover from an inexperienced and out-of-position Jordan Henderson. And all of a sudden Jon Flanagan is the right-footed, thirty-pounds lighter version of Emiliano Inusa.

(bitter and vengeful sarcasm to follow) Questionable decision from Kenny Dalglish to start him ahead of Kelly before the match, and after the match it was unconscionable. Flanagan doesn’t add anything going forward, is too naive in the challenge, doesn’t really square a man up, was only good last season because Liverpool were that bad. Too inexperienced to be with the first team and a real liability. Should have been Kelly all along. (end of bitter and vengeful sarcasm)

And so the cycle continues, with the blame for Liverpool’s inability to recruit and retain consistent quality at the fullback position falling squarely at the feet of teenagers asked to fill in. Aside from José Enrique’s recruitment, only Glen Johnson and Paul Konchesky have been added in the past few seasons, even with the knowledge that Fabio Aurelio averages 19 minutes per season and Jamie Carragher was the best Liverpool could offer as a second-choice right-back until Kelly emerged. Even now, ignoring Flanagan and Robinson (who featured yesterday in the NextGen Series), there’s only the promise of Kelly and the newly-acquired Spaniard fit for Saturday.

The performances can and should be critiqued—Flanagan himself acknowledged the need to improve earlier this week, and Robinson had his own share of struggles during the U19s’ loss to Sporting yesterday. Their relative success down the stretch last season gave them a share of the spotlight, and any time they don’t live up to that, it’s going to be noted, just as it would with any other senior squad member.

But what shouldn’t happen is a condemnation of their future or their ability based on one, or even a handful, of shaky performances before they hit their twenties, especially after we collectively celebrated their promise at the end of last season. Because they’re asked to deliver by a club still recovering from a disastrous front-office reign doesn’t mean they necessarily will, and that’s fine—if there’s no cover for them to develop, we’re going to witness the growing pains firsthand.

So whether or not we see Flanagan, Robinson, or any of the youngsters in action this Saturday and the rest of the season, we need to take both their successes and failures with a grain of salt. At least as long as they stop messing everything up.

**And lastly, on a much more important note, take time out of your day to go and sign the petition seeking “full government disclosure and publication of all documents, discussions and reports relating to the 1989 Hillsborough disater.” Makes all of this stuff irrelevant. Go now.**

**Thanks to CSD for pointing out that the Hillsborough Justice Campaign has asked that only UK Citizens and Residents sign, as it risks invalidation of the signatures otherwise.**

Some Related Liverpool Posts:

Category: Miscellaneous

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Nic

Day late reading this, so hopefully i'll miss out on criticism of any of my sarcasm! :)

Great article Ed.

I know everyone's saying Kelly should have played but i'm not sure if Kenny really had much choice, when you look at the squad available, particularly at CB.

I've heard a fair few fans saying that Kelly is a future CB and as such i think Kenny kept him on the bench in case Carra, as he's getting on a bit, had an injury or the glass ankle, knees, shins [add appropriate body part] of Agger got a knock.

I know Kelly could just have shifted across had this happened but if we're saying Flanno is a future RB, give him the time to play at RB and if we're saying Kelly is a future CB why play him at RB!?

Let's be honest we all expected to beat Sunderland at home and never did we expect a player to score from that kind of volley.

Anyway roll on Arsenal who have bigger worries than us, which makes for a nice change!
Tropics Red

Peter Gulacsi
The Hungarian goalkeeper has joined Championship side Hull City for the season, and has started both their league games so far- a 1-0 win over Ipswich and a 1-0 defeat to Blackpool. He missed their League Cup match with Macclesfield last week.
Stephen Darby
The Reds’ right-back is on loan to League One Rochdale. He has featured in all 3 of their fixtures so far, a win, draw and defeat. He was booked in the 2-2 draw with Huddersfield on Saturday.
Martin Hansen
Another young keeper, Hansen is at League Two Bradford City. He has started both their games so far, a 1-1 draw with Aldershot and a 2-1 defeat to Aldershot. He, like Gulacsi, missed their midweek Yorkshire derby with Leeds last week.
Tropics Red

Interesting comparison of our current set up to that of the 89 cup final with Everton:

http://www.holdingmidfield.com...
Tropics Red

Aurelio has a year left on his contract and with his injury struggles and the purchase of Enrique he's not going to get an extention again.

That means we have to use him well this year to get the best out of him, and his replacement - Enrique.

Whilst doing this, you also have to give Insua and Robinson opportunitities to develop, without having them blamed for us dropping points.

I like the Spanish system where the youngsters play in the 2nd division ie Real Madrid Castilla where they get to learn to play against experienced men before stepping up into the fist team.
Ed

Do you think Insua is going to have a chance to develop, though? I've resigned myself to his exit, and after the way he's looked during the preseason, that might not be a terrible thing.
Tropics Red

Doesn't look like it does it. If the Holding Midfield article is correct, Kenny will be playing a lop sided 442 and in that one of the FB's is less likely to get forward. If he'd had a better time in Turkey, I'd be more disappointed that he seems not to be part of the future but hes one of 3 players I thought we should never have released - Alou Diarra, Mikel San Jose being the other 2. I think the decision to let Ayala go may also look foolish in the future. Pacheco may also join that list.
Antonio

Flanagan, in my opinion did a decent job, all the while. He like to make passes instead of hoofing forward. He will improve and become a better player.
Henderson, Adam did not provide the defensive job in the midfield area, they should improve themselve. Lucas was not at his own self, Sunderland strikers seem to have too much room while controlling the ball.
I always has a feeling that Liverpool players struggle to hold the ball comfortably, probably the lacking of off the ball running among midfielders and strikers make passing very difficult. That is the different btw a good team and excellent team
JPR

Most Likely will be Kelly starting this week. But, if it is Flanno, I wish him all the best. Certainly will be easier for him if Kuyt is providing cover and Kuyt and Lucas are providing the out ball in front of him.
Ryan

Indeed indeed. Lucas and Kuyt can make anyone (besides Joe Cole) look good.
TheTurnAroundKing

Good article Ed. One minute it’s all 'Yeah Kenny's great, he gives the young lads a chance!' A couple of below par performances on Saturday and it’s 'What's Kenny doing playing inexperienced kids!' Symptomatic of the fickle nature of football fans these days i suppose. Not to say i'm not gutted that we didn't win on Saturday, or i wouldn't have picked a different team, but sometimes people want to have their cake and eat it. Anyway, let’s hope we do the business on Saturday, we’ll have few better chances to win at the Emirates.
judgestevep

The comments are a well over the top about John Flanagan. I was surprised about him keeping Martin Kelly out of the team but I don't think he was as bad as you make out. He was at fault for the goal, but what a goal!

Apart from that, he is a young man playing and learning the game still. You say he was playing in a bad team, but looked good because of this? He played in a Liverpool team for seven games, that beat teams such as Man City, and looked awesome. I don't remember seeing us beat them and Fulham looking like a bad team?

He will learn from his mistakes and get better. I for one am glad he is playing for Lfc and not the opposition, as I personally wouldn't want to be tackled by him.

I hope he doesn't read this article, and tbh I am surprised that there isn't any more anger towards this article?
JPR

It's going to be OK Judge. I have heard from reliable sources that young Jon Flanagan can not yet read.
Ed

Like I mentioned in an earlier comment, and others have noted, it was intended as sarcasm and failed miserably. Had hoped the other nine paragraphs that contradicted it would make that clear, but as usual, I'm an idiot.
JPR

Nice touch Ed! Adding the italicized bracketed comments. And Mr. Flanagan appreciates it, also!!
redtrev73

You're getting a nice old critiquing here Ed! Must try harder!
redtrev73

Mate, eh...read it again. Think tongue was firmly in cheek. Y'know...taking the piss out of the reactionaries??

Spot on piece Ed. Pretty much sums up our travails regarding that increasingly key position in modern footy.
JPR

The sarcasm part is pretty well indiscernible. But, let's all agree that it is!
Ed

Christ on a bike people, post's been updated for ease of reading experience.

No more jokes.
Ryan

Ah! the font is bigger now too! much easier to read! Or did I just hit a weird button...
JPR

Yea. That's the end of those GOD DAMN JOKES!!!!!!!! No cursing neither!
Sam

It's not especially clear but that part was certainly parody.
Geza

Completely unrelated (sorry), but good (breaking)news nonetheless:

http://www.lequipe.fr/Football...

Adios Nabil!
Dan Agger

thank god he's gone

El Zhar was the Bendtner of Liverpool
Matty

Thanks for this. It's good to see some more of the dead weight getting moved on. I'm a little disappointed that we're letting him go for free, though. I mean, from what I've seen, he's not a player that brings the squad down when he's on the pitch a la Poulsen & The Konch. He just didn't offer enough when he was playing. Oh well, he only had a year left and it's becoming more and more apparent that our club's more concerned with minimizing the wage bill then holding out for the best possible transfer fees.
Gryffin

Here is a list of some postcodes if you are not from the UK and want to sign the petition:
Postcode
Address

L3 5UL

L14 3LB

L3 5UF

L2 6RE

L3 4DE

L4 4EL

L3 5TF

L1 9DA

L3 5QB

L1 1JT

L2 2DH

L4 0TH

L16 9JD

L24 1YD

L1 1JD

L3 5PS

L3 1QZ

L3 9BD

L7 8XP

L19 5NE

L3 4BB

L3 5RE
CSD

The Hillsborough Justice Campaign has asked that people not enter fake addresses as it gives the gov't ammunition.
Ed

Thanks for the heads up.

Gryffin--appreciate the sentiment, but deleted the comment to try to deter folks from outside the UK from signing. We can be supportive, but don't want to undermine the efforts.
Avinash Joshi

Oh then please delete my comment on the previous post. I was also asking someone to use my email id.
CSD

Frustrating for those of us outside of the UK, all we can do is try to keep the message going.
ReadLiverpoolFC

Not that this has much to do with your points, but I miss Arbeloa.
Ravenilli

"Flanagan doesn’t add anything going forward, is too naive in the
challenge, doesn’t really square a man up, was only good last season
because Liverpool were that bad. Too inexperienced to be with the first
team and a real liability."

"But what shouldn’t happen is a condemnation of their future or their
ability based on one, or even a handful, of shaky performances before
they hit their twenties, especially after we collectively celebrated
their promise at the end of last season."

Bit of a contradiction there Ed. I can see you're point about young players not given the time to develop without being thrown into the first team straight away but what you wrote about the lad in the first copied paragraph is a bit over the top in my opinion. Maybe you were being sarcastic towards some of the comments that were left about Flanno after the game.
Ed

Yeah, that first paragraph was complete sarcasm.
Ravenilli

Ah well that's not so bad then I won't have to seek you out and beat you up. Now that's sarcasm.
McrRed

OT:
I don't get it...is it sarcasm? In which case you ARE going to beat Ed up...or it isn't in which case why say it is? I'm lost... [now THAT'S sarcasm!]

Great to see the petition has gone from 1,000 yesterday to 40,000 just now! YNWA

On topic:
It's funny how CBs (& goalies) are acknowledged to take time to develop experience and awareness that comes with performing at the highest levels as our players are expected to do...
Yet, full-backs are thrown into the ring and invariably slated because they hit up against huge learning curves. Not every ingenue RB looks as asured and becomes the midfield maestro like Steven Gerrard...

Flanno and Robinson are like a small glass of pale ale at the moment but who knows maybe they will become the fine wine we spoke of if allowed to mature.

okay, enough blather, back to Big Brother...