Another Gerrard Thread

[DHSC]

Well we all know he hasn't been in form for a long time now but where do you guys think is his best position? Which position will maximize his skills while maintaining the shape and balance of the team? Is it the system that is stifling him? If yes do we have to shape the system to suit him? If not then what?

 

[Halmeister]

I really think he should be given a role behind the striker somehow. Or along the front three. I know Rodgers likes to have 3 central midfielders who do a lot of running, but putting Gerrard there doesn't make the most of his best attributes while accentuating his worst. He's always been quite prone to lapses in concentration when it comes to marking men, and now that he's getting older he can't run as much or as fast as he could. I think if we put him further up field he could do more damage with his finishing, passing and crossing. But for whatever reason, Rodgers won't.

 

[Halmeister]

And to answer your question, the current system wouldn't really allow him to play further up, unless we have the other two centre midfielders dropping further back. But at the minute we only have one anchor man in Lucas, really, and that's how Rodgers prefers it.

 

[Tal]

Remove the dynamism, goals and most of the chance creation from Gerrard and you are mostly left with a collection of [relative] weaknesses, which is what we appear to be getting these days. However, maybe he's just following orders that restrict his activity and he's also an inspiration/wise head/calming presence for the young players in the team. That would explain, in part, why Rodger's recently spoke so highly of him.

 

[Rafiagra]

I wish we'd move back to a 4-2-3-1.

He's perfect for that role in the middle of the 3

Also, currently, our wide forwards aren't nearly enough of a goal threat to be trusted as forwards in a 4-3-3. Also, as Sunday showed, we don't have 3 players in midfield who can run it effectively and instead leave big gaps.

 

[Buddha]

I recall Rodgers clearly stating some time ago (in relation to a Shelvey discussion) that he sees Gerrard's role in the system on the right of the 3 when everyone's fit. I happen to think that's not a bad idea.

 

[gkmacca]

He certainly needs some clarity about his position, then the licence to express himself in it. He seems to be more of a glorified odd job man so far this season and he doesn't deserve that. On Sunday they were lobbing balls into him in the penalty area, and a good as he is technically he's never been good at taking the ball down in that area, spin past two or three defenders and shoot. It was painful to watch. Because he's smart enough it must be tempting to ask him to do all kinds of things to help the team but at this stage he needs to concentrate on being the best he can be, and if he's allowed to do that it'll help the team a damn sight more than all of this firefighting stuff.