TODAY:

11.12.99

When Dave Thompson and Steve Gerrard were thrust firmly into the spot light following their brilliant displays against a hapless Sheffield Wednesday, the hoo-hah surrounding their feats was enough to convince you that they were the only young players in the side.

At this point, it is easy to forget that Thompson and Gerrard are only the latest graduates of the acdemy to break into the side, AND make and impact. Steve McManaman and Robbie Fowler led the way, then came Dominic Matteo and Jamie Carragher. And for the uninitiated, a certain Michael Owen became the youngest player to play for England this century one year ago. Suddenly, the Kop Kids are emerging more regularly, which is a good sign (duh).

The increasingly frequent emergeance of young players from the academy is a healthy situation. With more academy graduates being blooded into the first team, the current situation parellels a similar one at Manchester United a few years back. It is an unfavourable comparison of course, but it is inevitable nonetheless. And I am of course, tempted to compare our "Kop Kids" with "Fergie's Fledglings" of Man United.

Maybe this comparison isn't fair. Mr Victoria Adams is an England regular and a candidate for World Player of the Year while Thommo just made his first decent headline. Becks shot to fame with a "wonder" goal from the middle of the park. Thommo made more heads turn when he was sent to train at the acedemy after arguing with Gerard Houllier. But things like this make the comparison even more interesting.

Everyone fusses about the "divine talent" of David Beckham, but seriously, take away the set pieces and the crossing which are basically the same thing, and what's left is a worryingly incomplete player. Thompson on the other hand, works harder than his very "illustrious" counterpart and can take on defenders. Without being bias, or rather, without being TOO bias, Thompson is a far more complete player who also happens to know how to win the ball back.

Both of them share a tendancy to collect bookings, but it is comforting to know that Thompson is a competitive player. At least, he has none of the arrogance that has seen Beckham get into trouble for deliberately stamping on people.

VERDICT: Thommo may never be able to cross like Beckham but he is equally competent at making incisive passes. He only needs time to get more games under his belt.

BEFORE YOU COMPLAIN THAT GARY NEVILLE IS REALLY A RIGHT BACK, I remind you, before you forget, that Jamie Carragher is more comfortable in MIDFIELD. That just about evens things out, sort of. Just for the sake of making some sort of comparison....

Any way, it is a reasonable one. Neville has played in the middle before and Carragher has played as centre-back more than he has in midfield. So that gives neither of them any advantage. Conflicts aside...take the time to ask yourself: What makes a good captain?

The captaincy issue is a big thing. Because many believe that Gary Neville will make a brilliant England captain while Jamie is the captain of the England Under-23 side. To be fair the Neville, albeit the fact that he still plays for the most annoying club side in the world, the player does possess qualities the be a great defender and captain. Neville reads the game well and is calm in most situations. The Manc is also a rather solid defender although he is still a bit slow.

This takes nothing away from Carragher's ability. In spite of his relative inexperience, he is surprisingly mature and composed. He may have scored a number of own goals, including a couple for the Scum, but it takes a lot of confidence to come back after setbacks like that. Also, before Hyypia and Henchoz arrived, he was given the job of tightening up the Reds' back line at a time when it was infamous for leaking soft goals. He did a decent job, at least enough to convince Gerard Houllier that he was better than Phil Babb or Bjorn Kvarme. His training as a midfielder also gives him the advantage of being more able in attacking than Neville. Carragher is also a strong player who is suited to the English game.

VERDICT: Carragher loses out in the sense that he is not as composed as Gary Neville. Composure is a big part of Neville's game, but technically, Liverpool's Carragher has got the basics in place. Carragher has proven to be an able captain and while he may not match up to Neville as yet, some may argue that confidence comes with experience. Another plus point in Carragher's case is his versatility. At the end of the day, Neville is more of an out and out defender.

Of course, if Carragher plays as often in defence, I will have to reassess the situation...

Coming up in Part 2....

Send mail and queries to: neuclearz@oocities.com

Liverpool REDS created 1999 © Nuke