Liam Lawrence - Prem Quality or Not?

[sweetandinnocent]

prem quality? ......... yes

[boothenboy75]

Mar 25, 2009 17:20:32 GMT spartanstokie said:

he is a poor mans beckham in my opinion

but when real played becks in centre midfield how did he do ???

100% agree. Good engine, tracks back, delivers a great dead ball but lacks the pace to be an out and out winger. Provided we stay up, it depends how TP wants to go next season. If he wants to keep it tight and working aaaaaard, then Lawrence fits the bill. If however he wants to move forward and try to step up then for me right midfield is one area we need more quality.

[suttontiger]

He's never convinced me, never really cut it at Sunderland. He's a real mincer too, one of those players who's always got right on my tits

[mermaidsal]

Before the 'dog' incident, tbh I'd have said not quite. But his last few performances have changed my mind, he's back to his best, not out of his depth and seems to have got the nerve he lacked at the start of the season.

[padders01]

I don't get this pace arugument. Beckham is/was one of the best right sided midfielders in the world and he no pace whatsoever.

Liam is defintely Prem quality if he continues to play like he has in the last three games. He was awful before his injury but his free kicks are class and his workrate is second to none.

One of the first names on the teamsheet for me.

Keep it up Liam

[Danstoke82]

Liam is essential to us, the fact that we have a player with his qualities is a credit to us. Prem quality or not (which he firmly believe he is), Liam is a MUST in our first eleven.

[henry]

there's better and worse players than liam in the prem, more than happy to see him in the starting XI

[euan ouzami]

I think he's getting better with every game at the moment.

Set piece delivery is really important. Hull's keeper would never have kicked the ball out for a corner if Liam had been taking them. Corners were a waste without him

[Akinbadbuy]

Is he Prem quality?

That is a good question. I suppose it depends on the overall quality on offer. Considering this is supposed to be the so called "best league" in the world (IMO another thing that has been overhyped by the press) I have seen some very average sides this year and I have been to most games home and away.
On the basis of what ive seen then yes he is good enough.
I like Lawrences attitude. He gives 110% for this club (ala Mama) and is always willing to get stuck in when we need him to.
However, as roro put in an earlier post he has a real problem beating players which for a winger I think is poor. In fact I could probably count on one hand how many times ive seen him beat a man.
I have read posts raving about his set pieces, well im not convinced. Ive seen him take many corners which have struggled to get above waist height and have easily been cleared by the man on the front post's boot. I personally think Glenn Whelan is the best set piece taker at the club.
Taking everything into account I like Lawrence and until our ambitions move up a notch then he almost certainly has a role to play.

[th05]

Excellent since he returned, his work rate is fantastic.

[monkhousestokie]

Makes goals and scores goals. Deffo prem quality.

Gooaaarrnn super Liam!!!

[lancer]

He's not the fastest on the ball, but he's strong and takes a lot of shifting off it. He is as good as many Prem players I have seen so far this season, and I don't feel he's 100% fit yet.
Prem quality, without doubt.

[nantwichstokie]

His corners on Saturday were cracking and in the right areas as well.

[stokie01]

got to be Scott Carson

[Deleted]

just look at the run and cross for james against middlesbrough, just shows what he can do.

[boothenpaddock86]

who is saying he isnt ???

[Irish Stokie]

Think he has been excellent the last month or so. His run against Boro shows he has the ability to beat players, which some people doubted. I think he is a must on the right and his set pieces are superb and were sorely missed for the last few months. He will have a huge say on our survival as a goal or 2 wouldnt go astray!

[Deleted]

He hasn't Prem pace for a winger type outside mid, but enough skill and movement to play in this league in a 4-4-2 as long as there's pace elsewhere. With Etherington on the other side and being an out and out pacey winger, as long as Liam tucks in and works back then he fits in. Ideally we'd have plenty of overlapping from right back to give width in a 4-4-2 to dovetail. In a 4-5-1 I think he could work the inside right very well with some pace on either wing and from the one striker. He's good enough.

[Staying up for Grandadstokey]

There are a lot worse players in the Prem. than Liam , he does lack pace but his work rate , set piece play and awareness are first class.

[sbstoke66]

He was prem quality last year!!

Been unfortunate with injuries this year but getting back to his best.

[Paul Spencer]

Mar 26, 2009 18:09:51 GMT @fletchthestokie said:

He hasn't Prem pace for a winger type outside mid, but enough skill and movement to play in this league in a 4-4-2 as long as there's pace elsewhere. With Etherington on the other side and being an out and out pacey winger, as long as Liam tucks in and works back then he fits in. Ideally we'd have plenty of overlapping from right back to give width in a 4-4-2 to dovetail. In a 4-5-1 I think he could work the inside right very well with some pace on either wing and from the one striker. He's good enough.

Really good post there fletch.

If Lenny is going to hold down his place in the team next season, then I think it is ESSENTIAL that we try to bring in a quality overlapping full back with genuine pace to play behind him.

[dozintheseventees]

Sutton:

Liam was one of Sunderlands star players during their promotion year but he fell out with Keene as he has an ego every bit as big as Keenes. There was only ever going to be one winner there. He was, in most supporters eyes, our star player in our promotion season and injury has ruined most of this season for him. That is why the question arrises 'Is he premiership quality'. He simply hasn't really ever had tha chance to prove that. However, based on what I have seen this season in other premiership teams, I would say a resounding YES he certainly is premiership quality. He needs a good run in the side and he is getting better with every game. He cost us £500,000 and was an absolute bargain.

[okeydokeystokie2]

I think Liam is Prem quality. Here's my reasons.

His attribures are great work rate, attitude and commitment. Sees a pass and has the ability to deliver. Excellent deadball delivery. Scores goals and is a winner.

Tony is never going to play with 2 out and out wingers. If Matty is part of the next couple of seasons, I think Liam's a good fit into our midfield. He can't do what TP wants a centre mid to do defensively, but he gets up and down and covers his full back on the right of the midfield 4.

Finally, relistically who would replace him? No-one from the top 6 obviously, so its an emerging Champ player, or a Prem old stager.

No thanks, Liam for me every time. He's been so much a part of our recent success. I think he's right for us, his only negative is lack of pace, and I'd play him right mid every week.

[edouardlapaglie]

For the doubters with short memories, well, not so much doubters, but folk who say 'i've never been a fan to be honest' and some such shite

If you remember last season, and indeed the season before, then you obviously watched the games with your heads up your botty bottoms

If you didn't, then i'd advise you to watch the season review dvd of said years, and then tell folk that he 'never convinced you'

As for the bland suttontiger, did you watch his performances last season? He was the championship player of the season don't you know

[suttontiger]

Mar 26, 2009 22:17:10 GMT @edouardlapaglie said:

For the doubters with short memories, well, not so much doubters, but folk who say 'i've never been a fan to be honest' and some such shite

If you remember last season, and indeed the season before, then you obviously watched the games with your heads up your botty bottoms

If you didn't, then i'd advise you to watch the season review dvd of said years, and then tell folk that he 'never convinced you'

As for the bland suttontiger, did you watch his performances last season? He was the championship player of the season don't you know

Whats that got to do with anything? The question is whether he's prem quality, and the fact is he's done nothing in the top division with 2 different clubs

[dozintheseventees]

Sutton:

It really isn't fair comment mate. He didn't get the opportunity with Sunderland and he certainly hasn't 'done nothing' for us. He has been out injured for most of the season and he is now beginning to look the part. He is STILL one of our best players and I, and many others, think he is a more than capable Premier League player.

[edouardlapaglie]

I wouldn't say he's done nothing, he's not had the ideal season this year with regards to his injuries and such like, i respect your point with regards to this thread, i'm just personally i little dumbfounded by Stoke fan(s) who have 'not been impressed with im' generally, of which there are a few.

I just get too uptight about Lawrence as i personally was very impessed with him when he came to us back in 2007 and feel he can still be an integral part of our survival and Stoke in the future.

[suttontiger]

Mar 26, 2009 23:10:16 GMT dozintheseventees said:

Sutton:

It really isn't fair comment mate. He didn't get the opportunity with Sunderland and he certainly hasn't 'done nothing' for us. He has been out injured for most of the season and he is now beginning to look the part. He is STILL one of our best players and I, and many others, think he is a more than capable Premier League player.

Yet to be proved mate, you can't deny that

[dozintheseventees]

That IS fair comment.

[clippo]

i think his delivery has been bang on, i think in time him and ethers will compliment eachother perfectly