12 Mar 2013

Redknapp blasts: £15m star is not good enough to be a 'top-four player'. Agree...?

Former Liverpool midfielder Jamie Redknapp has laid into Everton star Maroune Fellaini, accusing the Belgian of having a 'poor' attitude'

In his column for the Daily Mail over the weekend, Redknapp scathed:

"Since the January transfer window closed, Marouane Fellaini’s performances have dipped.

"I’m not convinced Fellaini is a top-four player and if he wants to be, he has to play better than he did against Wigan.

"His attitude, as well as his output, was poor when his team needed him"


According to The Telegraph, Fellaini was 'involved in verbal altercations during and after' the recent loss to Wigan, and this led to him cancelling an autograph signing session with Everton supporters on Monday night.

It looks like the writing is on the wall for the Belgian - who cost Everton £15m - and it's clear he wants to leave. Last month, he told ESPN:

"Am I interested in Chelsea? It's normal, right? I've never played in the Champions League. I'm happy here, I know everyone, I get along with my team-mates. It's my home. On the other hand, I also want to take the next step. Fate will decide"

With 12 goals and 6 assists for Everton this season, it seems a little unfair of Redknapp to blame the Wigan loss on Fellaini; after all, there were 10 other players on the pitch that day. It'll probably never happen, but I wouldn't mind seeing the midfielder in a Liverpool shirt, and I'm sure he'd do well.

Redknapp also slammed Liverpool's defending during the 3-2 win over Spurs on Sunday, and singled out Glen Johnson for specific criticism. He barked:

"It was a horror show for the full backs at Anfield yesterday. If you wonder why so many goals are conceded, I often think it’s because full backs forget they are there to defend and are frustrated wingers. For Kyle Walker, Benoit Assou-Ekotto and Glen Johnson it was a game to forget".

As I've argued repeatedly over the last four years, Johnson is a defensive liability. This season, however, he's improved slightly in that he's made fewer glaring errors than previous seasons.

Perhaps this is a turning point; perhaps next season, Johnson will improve and grow towards being more defensively solid. I wouldn't count on it, but for Liverpool's sake, let's hope it's a possibility.



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70 comments:

  1. Jaime, write somethign about Liverpool will you?

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  2. redknapp is turning into a old git,think hes bitter because hes watching football instead of playing,no offence to him he was a decent player but to listen to him you would think he was the best in the world

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  3. He didn't play that much even then. Spent most of his time on the treatment bench.

    Always flattered to decieve for me.

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  4. I think he is Spot on Johnson is a liability when it comes to defending 

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  5. Microphone head is being slaughtered by Everton fans, do Liverpool fans need an excuse to slaughter him....? He has no chance of going to Chelsea

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  6. In Johnson's defence he came to Liverpool right at the start of the Sh*t storm that has been hovering over Anfield over the last 4 years. He has been poor on many occasions and I don't know what happened him for the second goal at the weekend, but I do think he's a quality attacker and if he could just cut out the mistakes during the set pieces he would be a huge asset for us! Plus he has conducted himself very well since joining the club. He seems like a nice guy.

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  7. Jamie Redknapp: the guy who said Bale is "up there with the Messis and the Ronaldos".  The Spice Boy should stick to poncing about on the beach for Thomas Cook cos his punditry's awful.

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  8. I really hate it when pundits refer to players plurally (Your Wayne Rooneys and your Steven Gerrards, etc) There is no need to do this. 

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  9. Jaime, I think your point about Glen Johnson is wide off the mark, and if you call him a liability, then what would you call Pepe Reina, Martin Skrtel, Daniel Agger and Jamie Carragher when looking at the high profile mistakes each of them have made this year? Besides being a defender, Glen has also chipped in with a few goals and assists over the last few years, which is more than I can say for some of our attacking players. In terms of him being a liability, I think you are wide off the mark.

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  10. He does seem to be a bit of a moody player, but he is quality, and could quite easily play for a 'top 4' team.

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  11. Agreed and I think what people fail to see is that Rodgers' style is aiming at using Johnson and Enrique as wing-backs, not traditional Full-backs.  Ideally, they can push forward more and they're both fairly effective as attacking wing-backs, with Lucas dropping back to support the centre-backs.

    And yes, the whole back five (inc Reina) have had their share of howlers this season.  Whilst the overall effect of what Rodgers is trying to achieve is positive, much work is still required in defense.  Also, why does everyone seem to want to get rid of our defenders?  They haven't suddenly lost their ability.  There's obviously a coaching/tactics issue.  Fix what we've got before spending yet more money.,

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  12. Nonsense re Johnson. One of his errors has led directly to a goal this year. Compare this to Kyle Walker's 5. He played well at the weekend and bar a slip did well defensively too. Anyone can slip. If we're going to play expanisve football you are going to be out of position if we give the ball away and johnson is in an advanced position.

    Wouldn;t swap Johnson for any other RB. Only time he struggles is when returning from injury. See West Brom game when he and Enrique both back from injury had shocking games!

    Re Fellaini. Would I want him - no. Good player but not suited to our style of footy. Everton's hoof ball from left back to right midfield for Fellaini to win knock downs suits Fellaini. Not our possession footy. Fellaini has just replaced kevin kilbane in their system.

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  13. Thier are a couple of Everton player's i wouldn't mind at Liverpool. Baine's is one and Fellani is the other. He is a quality player but unfortunately it's his attitude i don't like from time to time.

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  14. Fellaini would walk into the Liverpool side, and you lot know it,but considering you're nearly 90 million in the red, you couldn't afford him.

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  15. 'Everton's hoof ball from left back' ????  If there is one left back in the premier league or indeed Europe who doesn't hoof it then I think it is Baines. You need to watch him to be able to see what the rest of the football world already knows about this talented little scouser. I suggest you look at his completed pass %, his assists, goals and goal scoring chances created before you start spouting crap like that my little 'possession football' tinted friend ?

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  16. Just gob up Redknapp you hasbeen . Pundits ?= hangers on . To many so called experts talking out thier proverbial .At times Fellaini is unplayable .And Glen Johnson is a quality player prone to the odd mistake but so is Baines .  

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  17. Totally agree with this.

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  18. Might walk into our team, but wouldn't want the dirty so and so in my team.  Takes being dirty to a new height.

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  19. looksw like were starting the summer transfer campaign early according to some sources itturra from malaga as agreed to join in the summer,if true a good signimg on a free contract

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  20. literally as hes 6 4

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  21.  he did wear that white suit well at wembley though

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  22. liverpool4life5655:34 pm, March 12, 2013

    Jaimie, have you heard the reports we've signed malaga "manuel iturra" on a pre contract?

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  23. i agree i like both johnson and enrique and cant think of many id like to replace them...i think they would both play better is they had 2 commanding centre backs at the side of them ..nothing fancy just 2 big fuc*ers who can win headers and defend

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  24. Jamie, you writing anything on Manuel Iturra or is that all codswallup?

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  25. Jason Carr said that already.

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  26. It's the post just above yours.

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  27. i think your jaimie kanwars and your jaimie redknaps comments on ON YOUR GLEN JOHNSONS ARE WIDE OF THE MARK

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  28.  No we donr need an excuse to slaughter him we just like it

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  29.  Allen is a liability when it comes to football

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  30. liverpool4life5655:41 pm, March 12, 2013

    I don't go through everyone's comments,just post my own, so didn't see their comments.... :)

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  31. he did that and his misses is not that bad either

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  32. Neither do I, but it's the one above yours, for Pete's sake.  Anyway, no offence intended.

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  33. liverpool4life5655:53 pm, March 12, 2013

    He wouldn't because let's be honest we play on the floor, fellani like andy Carroll don't look good with our style of play, keep him, also your a fine one to talk about affording things, your cash strapped. We put in 50 million in the last two windows. Difference

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  34. hes carrying an injury maybe we have been to harsh on him i,am sure when he gets knew legs fitted he will improve;-)

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  35. it must be or jaimie would have broke the news ;-)

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  36. Exactly! I think where we are at the moment there is no real need to worry about them. Teams are going to concede goals and a lot of the time full backs will be responsible. I believe with time and as you say good commanding centre backs the system should work out these small bugs!

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  37. Oh dear god!! Too many Jamies in that post for my liking :P

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  38. BS if you ask me. There's no source that confirms it, just paper talk. I would probably post something along the lines of 'LFC are interested', but I wouldn't post 'LFC agree a deal' like Talksport have.

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  39. I wouldn't mind seeing felani in our team,class player needs the same around him. His views on Johnson are harsh left or right he is a treat

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  40. I think that Johnson is struggling for fitness over the past few games. He hasn't been awful, but he was brilliant for the first half of the season and lately has been much less mobile, less influential.

    Johnson wasn't that bad on Sunday. The first goal was more a case of the ref letting Bale stroll back on to the pitch in the middle of play and the second (which wasn't a free kick) was just poor by the whole defence (and a very good Vertonghen finish).

    I think he has steadily improved his defending since Dalglish took over and is now the best right-back in the league. He can still be susceptible defensively, but in the modern game, how many rock solid right-backs are there? I think on balance, between defence and attack, Johnson fares well.

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  41. mine is not to reason why mine is but to do or die ps keep up the good work:-)

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  42. you can never have to much of a good thing ;-)

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  43. agree m8 times are changing full backs have to be a lot more attacking these days and imo we have two great fullbacks and a couple of wonderful prospects,mistakes will happen but thats life

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  44. ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha...............

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  45. stop it now my sides killing me.......

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  46. go well with beaver boy then.....

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  47. and your style of football is over the top for bunnyboy to chase.. 1 man team

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  48. Get Honda on a free also and that would be two good signings already :D

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  49. After reading some of the comments I really dont understand some people,Im glad Im not the only one who thinks Johnson is a liability in defense,Ive always said he should be played higher up the pitch because going forward he is a very good option but his defending can be found wanting at times.

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  50. HOWTHEONCEMIGHTYHAVEFALLEN10:14 pm, March 12, 2013

    Can't quite understand why anyone might be asking whether or not they would have him in Liverpool team. Isn't he meant to be holding out for a move to a top 4 team. That certainly won't be LFC any time soon. Especially if the cannibal leaves.

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  51. On what basis of FACT would Liverpool 'be interested' just because a newspaper linked us with a player?

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  52. By now, I think everyone is pissed of with him moaning about life, just because he doesn't play football anymore. I think I speak for every scouse fan by saying that glen Johnson is a lack luster defender but he tries to mend his errors but if he wasn't there, that attacking threat of the reds would not be so feared

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  53. I think Johnson lacks desire and concentration sometimes, when hes good hes one of the best in his position in Europe. inconsistent.
    fellaini gets away with murder at times and is a nasty piece of work at his worst surprised he hasn't put someone in hospital.
    blues fans are quick enough to jump on the anti suarez bandwagon but they are blind to there player with elbows and studs in tackles.
    I think redknapp is partly right about fellaini, he has the ability but a poor attitude.
    i personally think Kelly is a better all round right back, really agile for a big lad. we all say it, why is Johnson not tried out as a winger??

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  54. Johnson is an outstanding player. Quality on the ball and an ability to help break a team down. It's a decent percentage of his job to attack. He runs more than anyone on the team. Could he be better defensively? Yes but I would not give him up for the world. He will continue to improve defensively. He's a very important member of the team.

    Thank you for listening.

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  55. I agree about the fitness, He seems to be a step off as of late.

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  56. Why is johnson not tried out as a winder?? ive asked that question myself so many times ive just given up lol

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  57. @ac950d34398924e942fb19989a3191b8:disqus
    JK I dont see what qualities you see in Fellaini that he would improve liverpool - infact i dont think he would suit rodgers style at all. It would be a carrol of perhaps small proportions!
     
    With regards to Johnson; agreed he does make defensive lapses - but what you have to remember is that fullbacks have massive offensive roles to play nowadays. Hence concentration does tend to lapse. if we want defensive certainty then we go to the KK style last year - but we were so tight in the middle of the mark we hardly scored any goals!

    If Reina can keep his good form next season I honestly think 3 players would make us title contenders, 2 if Skirtle is staying. An attacking midfielder like Sissoko of Newcastle or Diame of West Ham and maybe a more accomplished striker like Huntelaar. I still think Sturridge is a bit hit and miss - against spurs his first touch was atrocious!

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  58. GJ is a good player. he has his off days too. 

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  59. Even when he was playing football he spent most of his time watching it...

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  60. Come on lads, Jamie is just doing what he is paid to do as a pundit and guys making crude comments about him when he was a player should remember him as our captain and was destined for England captaincy until he suffered an injury which he never recovered from. Its either a joke that you call yourself Liverpool fan or you were in diapers during those times that you have no knowledge of our history.

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  61. lol he was in training for the commentary job

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  62. we need europa league at least to tempt these players imo lets see what the rest of the season brings,honda would be a great signing on a free contract if it dose not work out we can always sell at a good profit,its not as if hes another joke cole

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  63. i do remember him thats the problem people who don,t must think he was messi the way he talks ,sorry m8 but hes so far up his own a$$ ,you would have thought he was the greatest player ever to pull on a red shirt,like i said decent but he would not get no were near my greatest lfc team of all time

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  64. Jamie Redknapp was and always will be remembered a an average player at best. His ego, along with the fact his dad is Harry and his Cousin is Frank, makes him think he is great. His pundetry is appauling, he never lets anyone speak, he talks as if everyone is below him and he sucks up to Man u, Chelsea, Spurs, Man City and of course the Redsh*te. I remember him in the studio doing a Derby match and had the legend Tim Cahill next to him. Remember Spurs v Everton at Goodison Park when Twatknapp 2 footed Tim in the knee, got away with it and Tim had to come off injured. well obviously there was still bad blood. So Jamie giving it large about the Redsh*te and said to Tim "What do you think?" and the legend that is Tim Cahill replied, to my astonishment and amuzement was "I don't care I'm a BLUE!!!!!!" Twatknapp's face was a picture. Same as well with Old boy Matey from Man City giving him crap, Twatknapp couldn't handle it. Fact is he is a poor presenter, compare him to Gary Neville. There you go point proved. At last I have had the freedom to express my dislike for a man who ended up marrying a woman I thought was one of the best looking in the world. AARRRGGGGGHHHHHHHHHHH the world isn't right at times!!!!!!!

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  65. So Fellaini he doesn't consider to be a 'top four' player. But he'd like to see him in Liverpool shirt? Excellent work Jamie! Speaks volumes.

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  66. In fairness when I read again Redknapp didn't say the second bit lol

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  67. Yeah you're right but Im quietly confident we can get a European place,CL could be too little too late but if we can beat Chelsea and the blue S*ite I genuinely think we've got a fair chance

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  68. its how we perform at the weekend away to southampton what worries me

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  69. I think we'll get a 0-1 or 0-2 win

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  70. hope so but i could see a draw

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