[quote author=Farkmaster link=topic=39242.msg1069287#msg1069287 date=1268608206]
Gerrard was a box to box midfielder on a team that was far too overreliant on his athleticism. It was a thing of joy watching him run twice as fast as a player counterattacking at full speed, hooking a sliding tackle around them, winning the ball, and launching off in the other direction. He saw so much of the ball and did so much that it actually wasn't great for team play sometimes, and above all else, it wasn't sustainable.
He was always going to have to settle down somewhat, and as Ryan said, tactics settled during the development of his career. Since then, both internationally and at Liverpool, he's been used in all sorts of roles. His CM days are behind him though, partially because he's such a great footballer, and so versatile, that we used him where we needed him most, and I don't think it can be argued that was a mistake for him either. He used to chafe at the idea that he wasn't still a CM, but now he doesn't seem to relish doing that work as much, and he definitely seems to love the constant involvement in attacking play and goalscoring that his stints at RM and AM brought.
I don't think now, that he doesn't have close to the same engine, you can put him back at CM consistently, and get the best out of him. I remember thinking years back that this would be the case inevitably. He deserves to be in a better functioning team, playing better, and it won't be at CM. I just hope that's with us.
[/quote]
Good post Farky - I largely agree. I don't think we can eliminate CM from his repertoire completely, though. His days as a box to box CM in the manner that he defined the role for us a few years ago are gone but I don't think the Steven Gerrard of 02 to 05 is the sole definition of CM. I know its easy to categorize players into DM, CM and AM but I think Stevie can still play the CM role without dropping quite as deep and with less responsibility for protecting the back four than, say, Masher.
At the moment we need Gerrard, IMO, driving the attack from a little deeper because it's here we are sorely lacking in attacking intent as well as thrust. Further we have players who can fill the AM postion - not as well as Gerrard but still players like Yossi and possibly Aqua can do that role better than players like Lucas or Mascher can perform in CM. As long as Stevie doesn't feel the need to be everywhere when playing at CM then I think his engine is more than up to the task.
