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Gerrard

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mark1975

mark1975

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Are we missing him?

If one thing's come out of this season, it's that we seem to have stepped out from his shadow a bit more. Who'd have thought at the beginning of the season we'd be capable of beating top sides without his presence? Even when he has been available he's been struggling anyway, I appreciate it's been a bad campaign though.

Hopefully next season he'll be refreshed and ready to help us get back amongst the elite, it's been a poor season but for a myriad of reasons and thankfully it's not because we've been too reliant on our skipper.
 
Part of it, of course, is down to not having a striker who only bothers and scores when Gerrard is playing.

Suarez is our new catalyst.
 
I read somewhere recently that every time we've scored three or more this season it's been without Gerrard. Yesterday was another example.
 
My view of it is that every time Gerrard is out the players seem to take more responsibility.
I really hope that we can bring in some top notch players in the summer to lessen the burden on Gerrard even more. Hopefully we'll have enough quality in the team to be able to rest him in certain premiership games.
 
[quote author=Rosco link=topic=45085.msg1320877#msg1320877 date=1303638442]
I read somewhere recently that every time we've scored three or more this season it's been without Gerrard. Yesterday was another example.


[/quote]

v Utd....
 
He had a poor season last year too. I'm glad we aren't relying on a single player or two although Suarez is proving to be almost irreplaceable already. As his career winds down, I want to see him develop as a bona fide midfielder, keeping the shape of the team passing simply and allowing others to flourish ahead of him.
 
We're not missing him and injuries are taking its toll but I'd rather have him in the team more often than not. No doubt that we're stronger with him.

However, its noticeable that Suarez is already proving to be a match winner and Lucas stepping up.

Players are taking more responsibility when Gerrard isn't in the team. Confidence and belief is also playing a part.
 
I think we've missed him terribly away from home. Look at the Arse and West Brom games. He could have made the difference. At home we are playing with mad confidence and it's great that we've managed to win without him and score lots of goals, but he's still the best player in that squad.
 
At the start of this season, he was playing like the Gerrard of old and was fantastic. Just look at Morse's table.

The unfortunate thing is that he's kept getting injured. Form wise he's not lost it.
 
To be able to challenge we need to be able to pick up points regardless of who is out, so us doing exactly that whilst gerrard is injured is extremely promising. Also with competent options whilst gerrard is out will allow gerrard to properly heal from his injuries rather than rushing him back because we're desparate causing his injuries to flare up again. Bodes well for the future.
 
i'm confident that he can become an world class DM in the mold of makelele or hamman if so wishes at this stage of his career, which would be ideal as we could spend our resources on a world class creative midfielder.
 
Where do people see him fitting best into the team now ? I'm not really that sure myself . Obviously a few years ago it was in an attacking position behind Torres but as Torre's fitness and form dropped so did Gerrard's effectiveness there . Now with Suarez and Carroll up front I don't see him playing there much if everyone is fit. I guess he won't go out wide so that leaves centre mid which obviously alot of people would say is his best position anyway . But he's not played there alot for us or formed a good balanced partnership with any of our other mids and I'm not sure which other centre mid is best suited to play with him .Can he play with just one other or do we need a three man central midfield?

It will be interesting to see what happens , I'd like to see him get a decent run in the centre , with the likes of suarez , carroll and hopefully others there won't be a need for him to carry the team so much and bomb forward to score goals . I doubt (but hope i'm wrong) we'll get another 20 goal season from him but if he plays in the centre , gets 10+ and the others score what's expected then it could be perfect .
 
He'll be ace next season. Fresh and ready to go.
Good to see him the stands yesterday.

Regarding Marks post, I think Kenny has indeed put some more self belief into the lads and we play like we don't care who are missing or on the field. We just give 100% regardless.
 
I read some user comments on the Guardian after the game, and people were falling over each other writing him off, how we didnt need him any more etc. Which is ridiculous. At 50% he is still one of the best players in the world, never mind in our team. We are still heavily reliant on two players to create something going forward, namely Gerrard and Suarez. Imagine if, God forbid, they both got injured. We would be struggling badly, no matter how much stepping up the others do.
 
Gerrard will end up playing as a DM or something similar to Lother Mathias (sinc.) in an effort to prolong his career. He is so good that he could play wherever he wants and be successful.

Gerrard has adapted his game whenever required to do so and has been our best player whichever position he has played.
 
[quote author=RedZeppelin link=topic=45085.msg1321007#msg1321007 date=1303655949]
I guess he won't go out wide.
[/quote]

I think this is a possibility. He is very effective there. He is not a winger, but could play in a free role from wide, as he has for England on occassion and did for Rafa. With a proper winger on the other side, I think that could work. He is a superb crosser of the ball except on corners.

I can also see him becoming a very good DM, but he will always struggle with holding his position.
 
By asking whether we miss him or not, are you honestly suggesting that you'd prefer Spearing over Gerrard? Really?
This thread is a joke, no offense.
 
[quote author=juniormember link=topic=45085.msg1321092#msg1321092 date=1303666341]
By asking whether we miss him or not, are you honestly suggesting that you'd prefer Spearing over Gerrard? Really?
This thread is a joke no offense.

[/quote]
Ha ha Steady lad - I think it was an honest effort to stimulate debate. A very valid point IMO. Gerrard has possibly had one of his worst seasons for us since he started. There are of course numerous reasons for this but none of them are because 'he's lost/past it' He'll be an incredibly important part of our squad next season I feel - I emphasise the word squad because I don't feel that he will be playing where he is used to or as often. Dropping him a bit deeper seems logical to me though. He'll be fantastic there.

Incidentally (And I am not suggesting this a viable option at all) But I reckon he'd be amazing at right back.....
 
[quote author=juniormember link=topic=45085.msg1321092#msg1321092 date=1303666341]
By asking whether we miss him or not, are you honestly suggesting that you'd prefer Spearing over Gerrard? Really?
This thread is a joke, no offense.

[/quote]

Yes, obviously the crux is that Gerrard is fucked, past it and we don't need him.

I knew someone would take offense. Read it again.
 
[quote author=mark1975 link=topic=45085.msg1321137#msg1321137 date=1303670379]
[quote author=juniormember link=topic=45085.msg1321092#msg1321092 date=1303666341]
By asking whether we miss him or not, are you honestly suggesting that you'd prefer Spearing over Gerrard? Really?
This thread is a joke, no offense.

[/quote]

Yes, obviously the crux is that Gerrard is fucked, past it and we don't need him.

I knew someone would take offense. Read it again.
[/quote]

who would you rather see at right midfield, marky, gerrard or kuyt?
 
He needs to sack that England malarky, right off !

He busts a gut for those cunts and what does he get ?

Injured.
 
[quote author=themn link=topic=45085.msg1321145#msg1321145 date=1303670689]
He needs to sack that England malarky, right off !

He busts a gut for those cunts and what does he get ?

Injured.
[/quote]

agree with that but gerrard is too patriotic to hang up his england boots until the england manager no longer calls on his services.
 
There's usually at least three players in midfield and attack who are replaceable before kuyt, I d(nt get the urge to constantly single him out.
 
[quote author=mark1975 link=topic=45085.msg1321148#msg1321148 date=1303670982]
There's usually at least three players in midfield and attack who are replaceable before kuyt, I d(nt get the urge to constantly single him out.
[/quote]

three? I've give you left midfield, who are the other two players?
 
[quote author=spider-neil link=topic=45085.msg1321150#msg1321150 date=1303671535]
[quote author=mark1975 link=topic=45085.msg1321148#msg1321148 date=1303670982]
There's usually at least three players in midfield and attack who are replaceable before kuyt, I d(nt get the urge to constantly single him out.
[/quote]

three? I've give you left midfield, who are the other two players?
[/quote]

the suspense is killing me.
 
He does need to be replaced, but the value he gives to this team when he's on form is far more deserving of respect.

Especially from you and Neil.
 
[quote author=themn link=topic=45085.msg1321145#msg1321145 date=1303670689]
He needs to sack that England malarky, right off !

He busts a gut for those cunts and what does he get ?

Injured.
[/quote]

This. And when he's not injured, he's shafted around. Left mid? FFS.

If we get a solid player who like Suarez can play up front as a forward, create his own shot and also pull/stay wide left/right when required, then we'll have Gerrard, Ming, Kuyt and the new guy fighting for 3 spots behind the front 2. Can only be a good thing.

That's assuming Gerrard can't learn and master the holding midfield role. If he can, we'll be a very scary force when we attack.
 
[quote author=spider-neil link=topic=45085.msg1321150#msg1321150 date=1303671535]
[quote author=mark1975 link=topic=45085.msg1321148#msg1321148 date=1303670982]
There's usually at least three players in midfield and attack who are replaceable before kuyt, I d(nt get the urge to constantly single him out.
[/quote]

three? I've give you left midfield, who are the other two players?
[/quote]

You're the one who singled out the right midfield position, what about the two berths in the middle where Spearing and Lucas are playing?

Even Meireles' role, who's better? You seem to be forever looking for a shoe to beat Kuyt with, he was hardly the obvious fall guy in midfield or attack, especially when we have two kids doing a steady but unspectacular job in the middle of the park.
 
I put stevie on the right ahead of Kuyt no trouble.

He can, & always has, passed & crossed better than Beckham, & Stevie is still as quick now as that cunt ever was. Pair him with a rapid winger on the left & we have real shape & a dynamic attack, with long curled balls into the box, across the front line of attack or to the other side of the pitch with unerring accuracy from the right, still with the ability to create space & beat a man at times, yet a tricky pacy winger on the left.

It's no coincidence that Utds best footy was played with a similar combination. I honestly believe Gerrard can perform that role with aplomb.

HOWEVER, the big problem is still that he performs better elsewhere, despite a few results seeming to prove otherwise.
 
I have no problem putting him anywhere, because he's our best player, but if we want to the sum of our parts there are a few other players in the team who could make way before Kuyt.
 
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