Should we be playing Gerrard in the Holding Midfield position?

[Guest LFD]

He was immense in that role yesterday, especially defensively.  

[Guest Numero Veinticinco]

He was immense in that role yesterday, especially defensively.

With both Allen and Henso on the pitch, there's plenty of work going on in front of him. Allows him to do his thing.

[Torvald Utne]

He was not exposed yesterday.

 

The point about him being up for it is a good one, a fully cranked up Gerrard can do anything

[Guest LFD]

With both Allen and Henso on the pitch, there's plenty of work going on in front of him. Allows him to do his thing.

 

I agree.

 

If we get Champs League football next season, then we need a few more players who can play the role Henderson and Allen did.  I can't see them being able to play with that intensity every three days.  Those roles need a lot of energy and players need to be fresh.

[Major Tom]

I agree.

 

If we get Champs League football next season, then we need a few more players...

 

....fullstop.

 

Our squad is thin, we wouldn't be able compete on four fronts, with two particularly taxing ones.

 

FSG to open the chequebook widely, please.

[Guest Numero Veinticinco]

I agree.

 

If we get Champs League football next season, then we need a few more players who can play the role Henderson and Allen did.  I can't see them being able to play with that intensity every three days.  Those roles need a lot of energy and players need to be fresh.

Spot on. I think the manager and the club will recognise the need for a deeper squad with more quality. I'm loving this season so much, it's the first time in ages I'm not already fully looking at next season already. A lot of that is down to Gerrard's brilliant ball delivery and cool head from pens, as well as other stuff.

[Dr Nowt]

Penalties or not, 10 league goals from the skipper now this term.

[Guest Numero Veinticinco]

Penalties or not, 10 league goals from the skipper now this term.

Just to be sure, I didn't mean that as a way to slag the contribution. Fuck me, he has been as cool as ice when taking them. Turns out that it's a bit part of how well we're doing. Those pens are bloody important.

[markcd]

Just to be sure, I didn't mean that as a way to slag the contribution. Fuck me, he has been as cool as ice when taking them. Turns out that it's a bit part of how well we're doing. Those pens are bloody important.

 

In The Times today they quoted that we had been awarded 10 penalties (scored 8) this season in the league, which is twice as many as any other team. I guess this is down to the number of players we have running into the box - but a decent penalty taker like Stevie is vital if you are going to capitalise on those chances. 

[Torvald Utne]

They talked about it after the match, apparently Rodgers said it's no surprise as Swansea had 16 penalties in 2 seasons, the same as us since he took over and it's down to the way he coaches players to run in behind

[Guest Numero Veinticinco]

In The Times today they quoted that we had been awarded 10 penalties (scored 8) this season in the league, which is twice as many as any other team. I guess this is down to the number of players we have running into the box - but a decent penalty taker like Stevie is vital if you are going to capitalise on those chances.

Absolutely. Rodgers commented on it after the game, saying the same was true at Swansea, and it's because of the aggressive running in the box. Having Stevie is a major weapon. Same is true from freekicks with Luis just outside the box, or Stevie from wide areas.

[MLB]

He has definitely grown into the role. I wasn't sure it would work at the outset but amazingly it appears that Brendan Rodgers knows more about footie than me.

[spider-neil]

If Stevie picks up a booking;

v Sunderland he misses
Spurs (H)
West ham (A)

V Spurs he misses
West Ham (A)
Man City (H)

V West Ham he misses
Man City (H)
Norwich (A)

After City the deadline for the 2 game ban passes.

[John McClane]

Thanks for posting that, I commented on another thread moments ago.

Is the unthinkable, dropping/ resting him, thinkable?

[Babb'sBurstNad]

He needs to either tread carefully or kick Cattermole, as we'll definitely need him for the City game.

[Guest Numero Veinticinco]

I'd rest him. Bring in Lucas. He looked tired and leggy today, and wasn't very good.

[liverpoolsno9]

He needs to either tread carefully or kick Cattermole, as we'll definitely need him for the City game.

Really? We played without him at their place & everyone was saying we're better without him. Wouldn't worry me in the slightest going into the Citeh game without him. In fact, if he's gonna miss a game, I hope it's this one.

[Babb'sBurstNad]

We did well without him, but those games were earlier in the season when wobbles were allowed and we could write off defeats. The City and Chelsea games are in the run-in and could define whether we get a proper crack at the title rather than pipping Arsenal to third.

 

The pressure will be on us, and at times like that there's no player with as proven a track record for rising to the occassion as Gerrard. Systems and age take a back seat in the crunch games where he's concerned, and I say that as someone still not entirely convinced of his new role.

[stringvest]

Nightmare.

[Guest LFD]

I don't think it's a straight Gerrard or Lucas scenario

 

Given they are both playing the same position - it really is!

[stringvest]

I am depressed at the thought of Lucas playing in that role for us again. It could be a Premiership-losing move.

[Guest Numero Veinticinco]

I am depressed at the thought of Lucas playing in that role for us again. It could be a Premiership-losing move.

If he has both Allen and Henderson in there with him? We certainly coped okay with it at Spurs.

[stringvest]

Plenty more games where him playing in that role has been a disaster.

[Guest Numero Veinticinco]

Plenty more games where him playing in that role has been a disaster.

With Allen and Henderson?

[Guest Numero Veinticinco]

My thinking is that if we're to 'lose' Gerrard, I'd sooner chose the matches. Save him against the likes of Sunderland and make sure he's not carded for the games against City.