Should we be playing Gerrard in the Holding Midfield position?

[stringvest]

It's as tedious having to even say this shit as it is seeing Gerrard played in a ridiculous position. I'm a big fan of Rodgers, but from what I can see he's letting Gerrard's status blind him a little. I personally don't even think he deserves as a starting place. If we get somebody like M'Vila, who is dropped? Allen and Henderson are the future - they're bright and young and energetic and we look well good with them both in the side. So that's probably Lucas out. If we get M'Vila or somebody like him, It'll be silly not to use Gerrard more sparingly.

 

Gerrard came into the team as a RB.  He can play DM, and he would be better than Lucas.  So, if Allen and Henderson are fit, he plays at DM.  If we get M'Vila, and he's as good as people say, then bomb Gerrard out of the team and play M'Vila.  Simples.

[Jairzinho]

Why do Allen and Henderson have to play in front of Gerrard?

[stringvest]

because Coutinho's in the team.  If Coutinho gets dropped, play SG at the head of the diamond.  

[The Golden Eel]

Gerrard came into the team as a RB.  He can play DM, and he would be better than Lucas.  So, if Allen and Henderson are fit, he plays at DM.  If we get M'Vila, and he's as good as people say, then bomb Gerrard out of the team and play M'Vila.  Simples.

If we sign M'Vila, we'll be looking for another way to accomodate Stevie.  I've no issue with us playing him there rather than Lucas.  In fact, it might even be the best option with the personnel we have in the squad. 

[stringvest]

Precisely.  Maybe that's why Rodgers won't buy another midfielder.  

[The Golden Eel]

But don't you think that's a bad idea and built on a dodgy premise?

[TheHowieLama]

We need a top class CM. It does not need to be limited to a specialist DM, in fact that is kind of, well, limited.

 

If we get an all arounder that is the same upgrade as Sturridge or Sakho were, we will be fine.

 

Really Good Guy ------- Henderson/Allen

 

----------------Gerrard/Lucas---------------

[Kevin D]

We need to go buy and some central midfielders, urgently. I think it's astonishing that anyone can watch us play and miss that pretty obvious conclusion.

[Torvald Utne]

Gerrard a better DM than Lucas? You be trippin'

[aws]

I think we're overplaying Coutinho in the same way we overplayed Sterling first time round. I think we need to be careful not to over-use Gerrard at this stage in his career. I'd share that advanced midfield role between them if everyone else is fit.

 

Playing Gerrard at DM is the easy option but I don't think it's going to do him or the team any favours.

[Mr T]

Gerrard was the worst player on the pitch yesterday. Worse than Johnson. His passing was almost a caricature of himself.

 

If Rodgers wants him be to be some sort of Pirlo then Gerrard is going to have do something he has never done: control the pace of a game. I somehow doubt he's going to learn now.

 

If he plays he needs to be rotated with Coutinho. Not The central 3. Otherwise we will keep conceding at least 2 goals a game away from home.

[MLB]

I can't see him being good in that position but I guess time will tell. No doubt he'll still do a few brilliant things per game (40 yard passes, set pieces etc.) but he doesn't have the legs to be the long-term answer in that position. We need someone more like Mascherano, who was sort of the DM version of Suarez.

[Gnasher]

One of the greatest players the countries seen and prob my all time favourite footballler but honestly don't think Steven Gerrard should be in the side full stop.

 

Our midfield look a lot more effective when he dos'nt play. Henderson went back to being Henderson of old yesterday, ie invisible. Teams storm right through the middle of us when both Stevie and Lucas play together, seen it too many times Stoke could have scored a few more yesterday.

 

Brendan has a huge call to make regarding our midfield and if he gets it wrong i think it'll cost us a top four place, which would obviously spell disaster.

[Kant]

I don't see why Gerrard can't be good in this position and he still has a lot to offer the team.

I would offer a comparison with John Barnes, who adapted to being less mobile as he aged but still retained his class.

[KMD7]

Stevie has admitted himself that Rogers wants him in a deep lying role so unless we go out and buy a specialist in the role before the end of the window that looks like be where he'll be . I think it will work while Allen and Henderson are doing the pressing but with Lucas there it's a different matter as teams are running through the midfield due in part to Lucas' lack of mobility.

 

 Aws makes a very good a point in favour of rotating him in the advanced dm role with Coutinho.  I think that would be a great idea and would help preserve the fitness of both players as Coutinho is looking a bit tired imo.  Lucas could then move back to dm.

[Carvalho Diablo]

Steven Gerrard is an attacking midfielder, and will be till the day he retires.

 

Repped.

 

He's a great finisher, and creator. He needs to play higher up the field, not deeper.

[aRdja]

No. Although I enjoyed a few of his sliding tackles yesterday its in gerrards nature to always want to be involved to push for a breakthrough, I don't believe he can hold back when its needed.

This.

 

 

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[stringvest]

But don't you think that's a bad idea and built on a dodgy premise?

 

 

Fuck no.

[Jose Jones]

I don't mind it.  I reckon he hasn't got the juice to be playing as an attacking midfielder these days, whereas playing deeper he just will need to tactically adjust to playing simpler balls more often and picking his spots to go forward.

He could do it when he was 19, so don't see why he can't do it now.

[stringvest]

This.

 

 

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You're attributing your level of intelligence to him.  He's a fine player, and he understands how to control the pace of the game better than anyone else in that team.  Give him a few games to bed down in that role, and we will have significantly upgraded that position without spending a penny.  I'd still prefer it if we bought a top quality young (but not too young) centre midfielder.  

[stringvest]

I don't mind it.  I reckon he hasn't got the juice to be playing as an attacking midfielder these days, whereas playing deeper he just will need to tactically adjust to playing simpler balls more often and picking his spots to go forward.

He could do it when he was 19, so don't see why he can't do it now.

 

of course he can.  Molby played as a sweeper, and he was almost as slow as Lucas.  Good players can play anywhere.

[The Golden Eel]

Fuck no.

You think we're fine without strengthening the CM?

[stringvest]

I want us ideally to bring in two top class midfielders.  If we only bring one in, we should focus on a defensively minded midfielder to replace Lucas.  If he's better than Gerrard he should play instead of Gerrard.  If we buy no-one, play Gerrard in Lucas's position and bench Lucas. 

[xerxes]

I don't mind it.  I reckon he hasn't got the juice to be playing as an attacking midfielder these days, whereas playing deeper he just will need to tactically adjust to playing simpler balls more often and picking his spots to go forward.

He could do it when he was 19, so don't see why he can't do it now.

I agree.

 

Gerrard is one of the finest footballers ever to wear our shirt and could play in front of the back four with ease , with the occasional forty yarder launching attack from defence.

[Morning Glory]

I could be wrong here but I am sure he played DM against the Mancs when Dirk got his hat-trick in 2011. Think it was the game he had several injections beforehand for his groin injury before he was out for the season. Seemed pretty controlled and disciplined in that game (probably as he could not run). Maybe therein lies the secret...