Be Patient With Hendo

Last updated : 15 January 2004 By Thomas Rooney

I find it ridiculous how many sections of Carrow Road have began getting on Henderson's back in the last few weeks. He is only 18 years old and still has a lot to learn. He has the potential to be very good and we don't want Henderson to go through the same as Chris Llewellyn did a few years back. The stick fans gave him eventually shattered his confidence and he was driven out of the club.

Worthington believes Henderson has many good years ahead of him at Carrow Road and is pleading with fans to give the player a chance. Henderson has netted 5 times in 15 appearances this season.

"Ian is a young player and has come in and done a very good job for us," said Worthington

"Ian works very, very hard for the team and is Norwich City through and through," added Worthington. "We need to give him the help, support and encouragement that he deserves as players like him are the future of the club. The key thing is to be patient.

"Like a lot of young players Ian may now be at that point where he needs a little break, he's had a couple of indifferent games but on the whole he has come in and done a difficult job very, very well.

"Ian is still only 18 and has a lot of growing to do both on and off the pitch and it might not be until he's 26 or 27 that he reaches his peak. He is still learning his trade and in terms of his career he's still only on the first rung."


Worthington has compared the way he will be treating Henderson to the way Wayne Rooney and Cristiano Ronaldo are treated at Everton and Man United respectively.

Worthington declared: "The Ronaldo situation sums it up perfectly there's arguably the best manager in the world at one of the biggest club's in the world and Alex Ferguson realises that players have to be rested, especially at a young age, to avoid burn out.

"The same can be said of Rooney who has figured more from the bench this season and has come on and performed well.

"Ian is no different at Norwich City and he will continue to work hard in training and continue to learn his trade."

So the message is clear City fans, 'Get off his back’. Nothing positive is to come from booing or jeering Hendo. He will have bad games, everyone does. People also tend to forget that Henderson is actually playing out of position; he is a natural striker and has done a very good job on the right wing. So please get behind Hendo and stop the negative attitude.

On the ball..........

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