Liverpool F.c.

[Devil]

I think he will shut a number of doubters up when he plays for LFC.

Already outstanding against bigger sides last season for Blackpool. I can only imagine he will get even better under our set up - fitness, coaching, manager and International team mates.

I have said it before his range of passing is excellent and I cant help but see glimpses of Alonso style passing (at times) Alonso had his doubters when he first joined also...

Anyway below is an Interesting read from a Blackpool fans Blog/website on Charlie Adam.

http://tangerinedrea...nest-appraisal/

Charlie Adam – An Honest Appraisal

Posted on June 13, 2011 by tangerinedreaming Charlie Adam will move on from Blackpool this summer and he will begin the new season at a new club. His time at Blackpool was a tremendous success for him and the club and he will be remembered as one of the finest players to grace the pitch at Bloomfield Road.

This article will openly and honestly assess his ability and hopefully give fans of his prospective new club an idea of the player away from limited highlights that may have been packaged up by your regular media outlets.

Information:

Charlie Adam - Blackpool's Number 26

Full name: Charles Graham Adam

Date of birth: 10th December 1985

Height: 6 ft 1 in (1.85 m)

Place of birth: Dundee, Scotland

Current club: Blackpool Football Club

Previous clubs: Rangers, Ross County (loan), St Mirren (loan)

Made to measure

To start here's a quick look at his key statistics from the season.

Those may be the stats that give a feel for what Charlie Adam is all about, however, that is within the context of Blackpool's team structure and the season they had and it is important to keep them in that context. What cannot be detailed here is where this places Adam in the context of his Premier League peers as that data isn't readily available for the purposes of this article.

However, here are some observations that will add depth to the understanding of the player and what he will bring to his new club.

Passing

He is equally adept at finding both corners of the pitch with long penetrating passes either lofted or drilled low and flat, although the pass from left to right is his most natural play. He can execute them through a normal passing technique or via a higher risk volley pass which can be very potent when executed accurately. His first time passing (without looking up) can be sublime and well disguised, however, these carry a high tariff and don't always work. If intercepted early enough then he can compromise his own team's shape in the defensive phase. His passing over a short range is excellent and very reliable. His passing is equally excellent regardless of pitch location, edge of the box passing can be as good as passing from the deep. Near the edge of the box he will attempt a diagonal ball cut between and behind defenders getting them to turn.

He does however, need time on the ball in order to pick his pass and if a team puts him under pressure, he can be caught in possession by an astute opponent. If his awareness allows him to sense danger he will surge forward to create space to release the pass. However, his accuracy can suffer in these situations as his focus tends to be disturbed.

Below you can see how his pass completion fluctuated throughout the season from a high of 81% to a low of 45%.

Note: Where the line is thicker it means the number of successful passes was higher.

Pace

He has pace, a common misconception is that he isn't quick. He's certainly not a hundred metre runner, however, his pace over the first few metres is enough to take him away from most opponents especially given his upper body strength and ability to fend off tacklers (he has a take on success rate of 49%). However, this pace cannot be sustained over distance and will look to a drag of the ball or a nutmeg to beat his man rather than engage in a foot race.

Strength & Stamina

Physically he looks strongly built, if anything he may be carrying too much body fat which would improve given the right circumstances as Blackpool's approach to fitness conditioning isn't comparable to an established Premier League team. However, his stamina doesn't appear to be an issue. He is strong in head to heads, tough in the tackle, a decent leap is met with a good sense of timing and a strong neck gives him above average aerial power which he utilises more in his own box rather than the attacking one, more due to his positioning and role within the Blackpool team. He doesn't appear to be overly susceptible to injury, tends to pick up very occasional knocks as opposed to serious injuries either by overuse or accident.

Shooting & set pieces

He is excellent at delivering set pieces. Wide free kicks are better delivered from wide on the right hand side and generally hits them just above head height swinging inwards. His free kick delivery from wide left have a tendency to be hit low towards feet and behind the defensive line, swinging away from goal. He generally takes the majority of his corners from the right side, in-swinging, although has a tendency to over hit the ball. His striking of the corner can be inconsistent with a scuffed low and running corner being the key fault. His goal against West Ham was scored in this fashion, but it wasn't deliberate as his celebration would confirm.

His direct free kicks are especially dangerous, he is able to force a powerful strike hard and low or hard and at wall height or float and curl in to the corners. He is at his most dangerous when the kick is right of centre with the strike curling to the top right corner. His penalties used to show a tendency to be struck low to the right corner, however, recently his penalties have shown his variation, with occasional strikes to the left making him hard to read. His placement shows reliability and will often strike them with power to evade the 'keepers dive.

Mentality

He is a team player and selfless with it, he has filled in when the team are short of cover and has played centre forward, centre back and left back in games albeit for short periods. He leads his team by example, interacts with the crowd as well as appearing to be very vocal towards his team mates. He appears equally spirited between his own team and the opposition and plays hard, but fair. He appears to take time to recover from mistakes and possibly has highly critical self talk that might impinge on him delivering over a course of a match when a mistake has occurred. For example, an early misplaced pass or the own goal at home to Blackburn or being caught in possession prior to Birmingham's second goal at St Andrews.

His disciplinary record is marked by his persistent collecting of yellow cards (11 this season), however, it is rare that he loses his temper, even though he was sent off on his Blackpool for a stamp on an opponent. He does appear to have moments of passion where his focus is lost and can lead him in to the occasional rash challenge.

Technical ability

He has good close control, the ball rarely escapes him. He is strong at taking the ball down with the chest and will shield the ball well. He is however, very left footed, passing and shooting accuracy suffer when he uses his right foot. An opponent who can make him turn on to his right side will enjoy an advantage.

Positional play

Within Blackpool's 4-2-3-1 formation, he forms a part of the deeper two midfielders, but is more progressive than his partner and acts as a link from holding midfielder to the man at the tip of the midfield triangle. When Blackpool play their flatter 4-3-3 he will normally gravitate towards the centre left of the midfield three.

He can set up plays from the middle and left of the pitch (1 & 2), but is given license to support the attack in the final third (4) and can easily play in that more advanced role. He tracks back well to close out space in the defence and will support his left back when under attack, covering runs in behind. He can hold the deeper position (3), although it tends to be against his natural attacking instinct. He made some of his early appearances for Rangers wide left (5), although his lack of pace means he wouldn't necessarily penetrate the opposition back line, but his delivery from out wide could be utilised more often as well as his link up passing to bring others in to the game.

As revealed in the programme notes for the game at home against Manchester United it is interesting to note that he believes his best position to be at centre half (6) and this hints at the possibility of him covering as a sweeper in some schemes. He is adept at dropping deep between the centre backs when then spread to cover full back raiding forward. From this position he will comfortably hit long diagonal passes (left to right is the most common) or revert to short passes.

Should he be employed in a 4-4-2 then he can be exposed against the opposition central midfield pair, should they work hard to pressurise him and to cut off the link from his midfield partner. It would be unwise to utilise him in this formation given his propensity for needing more time on the ball. A midfield three gives him support and passing options as well as cover for when he breaks forward.

Awareness and vision

He has an excellent understanding of the pitch in front of him and where the space is in front of him in which to pass the ball. He can often see the plays that his Blackpool team mates cannot which can lead to misplaced passes. Should he be surrounded with players of a greater understanding, anticipation and pace his passes may link up more often. However, his vision tends to be limited and doesn't possess a good awareness of a full 360 degrees which often means he is unaware of what is going on behind him, which not only reduces his passing options, but leaves him susceptible to a timely intervention by an opponent from behind.

Conclusion

Adam is a good central midfielder, with excellent passing range, good technical ability but at times tries to repeat the extravagant pass a little too often. He has great value to his set piece delivery and is tough and good spirited. Physically strong, but requires a better base fitness which might improve his speed and stamina. His vision needs improvement as do his reactions to working in tighter spaces. What is possible is that his drive, desire, ambition and determination to learn and develop suggests that he will improve given the right conditions.

[bkkjames]

Devil just bullet point that mess would....

Adam has physical

It's determined he is indeed fat

Liverpool pay an extra 3 million for him because they can

Sounds about right.

[Abrak]

Devil just bullet point that mess would....

Adam has physical

It's determined he is indeed fat

Liverpool pay an extra 3 million for him because they can

Sounds about right.

Well I will give you my less analytical version quickly.

1) Blackpool were relegated but they showed they were a good attacking side. They scored 55 goals which was exactly the same as Spurs who finished 5th

2) Adam ranked 9th in the whole league in terms of chances created of all players

3) To the extent that his performance has suffered because he is 'indeed fat' he can obviously lose weight.

4) There really is no evidence that he was available to Liverpool or any other club 3m quid cheaper at 6m (ManU said his set plays were worth 10m alone). In reality virtually every transfer could have been done at a lower price but I havent seen many that are obviously cheap. Given it took Liverpool 6 months to buy him it is pretty obvious that he wasnt for sale at a lower price. In fact I believe they offered 10m at the end of the January window and were turned down.

[Abrak]

After 168 years in print it has been announced that next weeks copy of the 'News of the World' will be the last and that it will cease production.

This is proof that at the end the world it is a wonderful place and that fruitless garbage cannot survive for ever despite being regular fodder for the ignorant, stupid, gullible and facile. Personally I think they should declare it a day of national holiday although as the NOTW would say 'dont we always get Sunday's off'.

Many people would argue that it disproves the theory of evolution which in no way implies we evolve in a positive manner. I would however claim that there is hope for humanity when the NOTW can go out of business and we can rejoice that the few people who can still actually read in the UK at least have less proof that learning to read was a waste of time and effort in the first place.

[smokie36]

After 168 years in print it has been announced that next weeks copy of the 'News of the World' will be the last and that it will cease production.

This is proof that at the end the world it is a wonderful place and that fruitless garbage cannot survive for ever despite being regular fodder for the ignorant, stupid, gullible and facile. Personally I think they should declare it a day of national holiday although as the NOTW would say 'dont we always get Sunday's off'.

Many people would argue that it disproves the theory of evolution which in no way implies we evolve in a positive manner. I would however claim that there is hope for humanity when the NOTW can go out of business and we can rejoice that the few people who can still actually read in the UK at least have less proof that learning to read was a waste of time and effort in the first place.

Sadly its a financial decision and an expansion of the paper I won't mention here is likely as a result.

In addition 200 people lose their jobs.

[Abrak]

Sadly its a financial decision and an expansion of the paper I won't mention here is likely as a result.

In addition 200 people lose their jobs.

Sadly closures of failing businesses are always a financial decision.

In 1962, NOTW first started auditing the circulation of its newspaper. It sold 6.62m copies per month. Last month it sold 2.6m copies (+/-1% discrepancy). It can gladly go down in history as 50 years of unmitigated failure. Maybe we should be more pleasant and say that human kind has progressed.

If you want to look at garbage the TV has plenty of it for you. You dont even have to be able to read. Trashy newsprint will find its most value in the local fish and chip shop soon.

[smokie36]

Sadly its a financial decision and an expansion of the paper I won't mention here is likely as a result.

In addition 200 people lose their jobs.

Sadly closures of failing businesses are always a financial decision.

In 1962, NOTW first started auditing the circulation of its newspaper. It sold 6.62m copies per month. Last month it sold 2.6m copies (+/-1% discrepancy). It can gladly go down in history as 50 years of unmitigated failure. Maybe we should be more pleasant and say that human kind has progressed.

If you want to look at garbage the TV has plenty of it for you. You dont even have to be able to read. Trashy newsprint will find its most value in the local fish and chip shop soon.

Its my opinion that those who took the decisions should be jailed. Anyway...moving on....

[sharecropper]

I always liked reading NOTW, but their greedy internet policy has perhaps also done for them (you had to subscribe to read it), so I bet their internet readership numbers have fallen off a cliff.

Re Devil's post:

I think he will shut a number of doubters up when he plays for LFC. I can only imagine he will get even better under our set up - fitness, coaching, manager and International team mates.

Nah, say what you like Aquilani's still rubbish. Oh sorry, you meant Adam.

He must feel very insulted, going to a team that insanely spent 35 million on that great galoot and accident waiting to happen, Carroll, totally skewering the transfer markets for years, and well overpaid for Jordan Henderson, to be haggling over a couple of million quid for his services seems like poor form.

[StevieH]

i wouldn't object to being this 'fat'

[carmine]

i wouldn't object to being this 'fat'

which one are you talking about?

[StevieH]

the younger, non-legendary scotsman in that photo.

though in fairness kenny isn't in bad shape for a 60 year old who comes from a land where babies are breast-fed on deep-fried milk.

[Penkoprod]

The last Liverpool player i can recall that was "carrying a bit of timber" was this guy:

And that "missing footage" goal?

Not bad for a "fat'un" huh?

Penkoprod

Edited July 8, 2011 by Penkoprod

[JacknDanny]

After 168 years in print it has been announced that next weeks copy of the 'News of the World' will be the last and that it will cease production.

This is proof that at the end the world it is a wonderful place and that fruitless garbage cannot survive for ever despite being regular fodder for the ignorant, stupid, gullible and facile. Personally I think they should declare it a day of national holiday although as the NOTW would say 'dont we always get Sunday's off'.

Many people would argue that it disproves the theory of evolution which in no way implies we evolve in a positive manner. I would however claim that there is hope for humanity when the NOTW can go out of business and we can rejoice that the few people who can still actually read in the UK at least have less proof that learning to read was a waste of time and effort in the first place.

Any chance you can do the same?

Either that or set up your own Sabremetrics weekly, for those insomniacs out there

[Jimjim]

Adams is just not good enough even for you lot.

yes that's why the man in your profile pic said his dead balls alone were worth 10 million quid. Looks like we got a deal then!

[Abrak]

Looks like Downing is about to sign for 20m which seems pretty rich for a 26 year old. Unlike Young though whose wages were 130k a week Downings are a much more reasonable 80k a week. He better be good.

Just for anyone who is confused his underlying strategy is to buy high and sell low...

We can’t always take advantage of a particular period. But in an uncertain world, perhaps the investment philosophy that makes the most sense, if you study the implications carefully, is trend following. Trend following consists of buying high and selling low. For 19 years we have consistently bought high and sold low. If trends were not the underlying nature of markets, our type of trading would have very quickly put us out of business. It wouldn’t take 19 years or even 19 months of buying high and selling low ALL of the time to bankrupt you. But trends are an integral, underlying reality in life. How can someone buy high and sell low and be successful for two decades unless the underlying nature of markets is to trend?JWHenry

Edited July 12, 2011 by Abrak

[MrRed]

Adams is just not good enough even for you lot.

yes that's why the man in your profile pic said his dead balls alone were worth 10 million quid. Looks like we got a deal then!

I think you will find if he said that it was tounge firmly in cheek Glasgee wit an all.

[SantiSuk]

......

Just for anyone who is confused his underlying strategy is to buy high and sell low...

We can't always take advantage of a particular period. But in an uncertain world, perhaps the investment philosophy that makes the most sense, if you study the implications carefully, is trend following. Trend following consists of buying high and selling low. For 19 years we have consistently bought high and sold low. If trends were not the underlying nature of markets, our type of trading would have very quickly put us out of business. It wouldn't take 19 years or even 19 months of buying high and selling low ALL of the time to bankrupt you. But trends are an integral, underlying reality in life. How can someone buy high and sell low and be successful for two decades unless the underlying nature of markets is to trend?JWHenry

Sage of Omaha he is most definitely not! I can understand perfectly what Buffet says

[sharecropper]

Looks like Downing is about to sign for 20m which seems pretty rich for a 26 year old. Unlike Young though whose wages were 130k a week Downings are a much more reasonable 80k a week. He better be good.

Just for anyone who is confused his underlying strategy is to buy high and sell low...

We can’t always take advantage of a particular period. But in an uncertain world, perhaps the investment philosophy that makes the most sense, if you study the implications carefully, is trend following. Trend following consists of buying high and selling low. For 19 years we have consistently bought high and sold low. If trends were not the underlying nature of markets, our type of trading would have very quickly put us out of business. It wouldn’t take 19 years or even 19 months of buying high and selling low ALL of the time to bankrupt you. But trends are an integral, underlying reality in life. How can someone buy high and sell low and be successful for two decades unless the underlying nature of markets is to trend?JWHenry

Is that for real? It's nonsense.

And he contradicts himself:

It wouldn’t take 19 years or even 19 months of buying high and selling low ALL of the time to bankrupt you.

So he seems to be saying he won't ALWAYS buy high and sell low, but then:

How can someone buy high and sell low and be successful for two decades unless the underlying nature of markets is to trend?

Suggesting he is and that is the trend, which he has employed successfully.

Or am I missing something?

Yanks OUT!

(Oh sorry, wrong Yanks - so far)

[Abrak]

Is that for real? It's nonsense.

Perhaps you ought to read it again it is a very famous quote.

He talks about'consistently' buying high and selling low because no investor can predict future share prices so occasionally he might at the bottom and sell at the top. Still his point his that his strategy of buy high sell low can only exist if markets trend which rational expectation theort deniea. Of course he was the nerd who worked out how they trend.

He doesnt believe dc will find the most undervalued player because it would also take the most stupid club to sell him. So he doesnt work under that heroic assumptions.

[carmine]

Is that for real? It's nonsense.

Perhaps you ought to read it again it is a very famous quote.

He talks about'consistently' buying high and selling low because no investor can predict future share prices so occasionally he might at the bottom and sell at the top. Still his point his that his strategy of buy high sell low can only exist if markets trend which rational expectation theort deniea. Of course he was the nerd who worked out how they trend.

He doesnt believe dc will find the most undervalued player because it would also take the most stupid club to sell him. So he doesnt work under that heroic assumptions.

Perhaps Mr Henry should have appointed George Soros or Warren Buffet rather than that twit Comolli then.

[StevieH]

Is that for real? It's nonsense.

Perhaps you ought to read it again it is a very famous quote.

He talks about'consistently' buying high and selling low because no investor can predict future share prices so occasionally he might at the bottom and sell at the top. Still his point his that his strategy of buy high sell low can only exist if markets trend which rational expectation theort deniea. Of course he was the nerd who worked out how they trend.

He doesnt believe dc will find the most undervalued player because it would also take the most stupid club to sell him. So he doesnt work under that heroic assumptions.

Perhaps Mr Henry should have appointed George Soros or Warren Buffet rather than that twit Comolli then.

i'm reasonably happy with commoli so far. and if he gets leicester to give us 1.5m for that yard dog konchesky he's a genius.

[carmine]

Is that for real? It's nonsense.

Perhaps you ought to read it again it is a very famous quote.

He talks about'consistently' buying high and selling low because no investor can predict future share prices so occasionally he might at the bottom and sell at the top. Still his point his that his strategy of buy high sell low can only exist if markets trend which rational expectation theort deniea. Of course he was the nerd who worked out how they trend.

He doesnt believe dc will find the most undervalued player because it would also take the most stupid club to sell him. So he doesnt work under that heroic assumptions.

Perhaps Mr Henry should have appointed George Soros or Warren Buffet rather than that twit Comolli then.

i'm reasonably happy with commoli so far. and if he gets leicester to give us 1.5m for that yard dog konchesky he's a genius.

Not even i would question that.

[StevieH]

we're still light a leftback and a centreback before the season starts. and if i'm being greedy another striker wouldn't go amiss, assuming that we still plan to ship ngog out.

downing is as good as done and will be a really good addition, would be happy with cissokho from lyon for the leftback spot. really do want a new sami hyypia at the back too but i'm buggered if i know who it is.

[sharecropper]

we're still light a leftback and a centreback before the season starts. and if i'm being greedy another striker wouldn't go amiss, assuming that we still plan to ship ngog out.

downing is as good as done and will be a really good addition, would be happy with cissokho from lyon for the leftback spot. really do want a new sami hyypia at the back too but i'm buggered if i know who it is.

Baines and Bridge are talked about for left back.

I have to say much as I hate that idiot Carroll, I do think Suarez was an inspired purchase, and if they combine together you might have a devastating partnership.

And just to cheer you all up, have a read of this (I agree not having European distractions might be the making of you this season). Maybe Europa league again next year?

From Permiership Talk

http://www.premiershiptalk.com/2011/07/12/five-reasons-why-this-could-be-liverpools-year/

[StevieH]

we're still light a leftback and a centreback before the season starts. and if i'm being greedy another striker wouldn't go amiss, assuming that we still plan to ship ngog out.

downing is as good as done and will be a really good addition, would be happy with cissokho from lyon for the leftback spot. really do want a new sami hyypia at the back too but i'm buggered if i know who it is.

Baines and Bridge are talked about for left back.

I have to say much as I hate that idiot Carroll, I do think Suarez was an inspired purchase, and if they combine together you might have a devastating partnership.

And just to cheer you all up, have a read of this (I agree not having European distractions might be the making of you this season). Maybe Europa league again next year?

From Permiership Talk

http://www.premiersh...iverpools-year/

it's always liverpool's bloody year. i can't stand articles like that. one game at a time, let's see how we go given that we've got no european football to distract etc.

i like carroll and think he's going to be a real hit, particularly if we've gerrard, downing, johnson etc supplying him and suarez and kuyt buzzing off him. a fully fit carroll and a fully fit gerrard are going to make a big difference.

don't want bridge as i think he's past what he ever had, baines would be nice though - good player that lad. would still quite like enrique from newcastle. but we have to get a senior LB in. can't be starting the season with just young robinson there or johnson played on the wrong side.

[Abrak]

Perhaps Mr Henry should have appointed George Soros or Warren Buffet rather than that twit Comolli then.

I think Warren Buffet would just laugh at the idea that say Modric was 'undervalued' at 27m or Henderson was 'overvalued' at 18m as all you are really arguing over is price not value in any meaningful sense of the word.

Anyway Henry isnt a value investor in that sense. For instance Comolli might think that his job is to find the most undervalued players. Henry doesnt believe in that concept - if you think about it there are 10,000 scouts looking for undervalued players. If Comolli found the most undervalued player it would make him the smartest scout and the club that sold the player the most stupid club in the world. A rather heroic assumption to make.

[Abrak]

I do think it is interesting that all 3 players we have bought (assuming Downing) were ranked in the top 15 in terms of 'chances created.'

It would seem to make a lot of sense. Last year we lost more points against the bottom 6 than the top 4 clubs put together. I seem to remember with a lot of those matches we simply didnt create the goal scoring opportunities.

[StevieH]

I do think it is interesting that all 3 players we have bought (assuming Downing) were ranked in the top 15 in terms of 'chances created.'

It would seem to make a lot of sense. Last year we lost more points against the bottom 6 than the top 4 clubs put together. I seem to remember with a lot of those matches we simply didnt create the goal scoring opportunities.

yes, i think there's a lot of truth in this. kenny dalglish teams have always been very attacking and they do seem signings of that ilk.

[SantiSuk]

we're still light a leftback and a centreback before the season starts. and if i'm being greedy another striker wouldn't go amiss, assuming that we still plan to ship ngog out.

downing is as good as done and will be a really good addition, would be happy with cissokho from lyon for the leftback spot. really do want a new sami hyypia at the back too but i'm buggered if i know who it is.

Fancy Bendtner as your second string target man? I don't rate him in the Arsenal set-up, but our set-up doesn't favour sending balls to a target man whereas you guys will get lots of practice with Carroll as your no1 target man.

Might sound odd but I have a feeling someone's going to make a bargain out of him and he has apparently never been on a losing Arsenal side when he's scored.

[Abrak]

Downing's done - on the website. No price.