The key to the midfield

[FoxForceFive]

I think it's Henderson.

No, wait, bear with me.

I'll admit a lot of this is inspired by the latest Anfield Wrap podcast. They said a lot of things about the way we played with him in that position & it made me rewatch the match (something I very rarely do tbh).
We gain the obvious thing with him, workrate. The lad has a fucking engine. He runs & runs, whether his 'gait' is right or not, I don't give a fuck, this lads like a duracell bunny on steroids.

That workrate up there translates to much higher pressing all over the pitch, which considering we have three at the back & wingbacks means they all benefit.

Then we have potentially the most important part of this. Balance. Specifically balance between Steven Gerrard & Lucas.

Gerrard plays higher with Henderson there than he has at anytime this season (with the exception of England a couple of weeks ago, when he decided to drag England to qualification by the scruff of the neck, whether they liked it or not), which gave us a huge boost. He can sit back & do no gut busting running for long periods whilst Henderson runs about like a metronome in front of him, effectively being his legs & allowing Steven to pick out those incredible passes, through balls & make occasional runs (which have been more rare than occasional this season until now).

Lucas. With stevie alongside him they share the work as a DM. You basically relegate Gerrard to being a DM who plays long crosses & passes, whilst Lucas is almost forced into giving up part of his comfort zone to him, & unable to get fully into his stride or the rhythm of his game.

Then there's the top of the pitch. Suarez & Sturridge haven't needed anything to help them, but between them they scored four goals against a team in bloody good form. Part of the reason for that is the amount of pressing going in behind them & the space they had as a result of that, & having to worry about a Steven Gerrard who isn't hanging back 10 yards behind the play effectively holding Lucas hand, whilst Lucas stands there wondering why the one of best midfielders in the world is shackled to him.

The strikers get more time in & around the box (despite neither of them being shoulder hanging number nines it does them good to not spend most of the match tracking back & creating space for each other) which inevitably translates to more chances & possession in danger areas.

Now, the alternatives.

Gerrard. He hasn't got the legs to play there, despite us all longing for him to be five years younger, he just isn't.

Moses. He's never a number 10. He's a winger. Which we don't play in this formation. Not a midfielder. If we play Moses, or any other player who isn't a midfielder we concede the centre of the pitch & force the best midfielder I've ever seen to play a holding role.

Coutinho. The popular choice. He's not fit, so he isn't currently an option...

However, even if Coutinho was fit I still wouldn't choose him over Henderson against Arsenal. That's the type of thing Wenger has been doing for years, hoping that a creative midfielder will solve a problem that is more about balance, energy & dynamism.

At home against 'lesser' opposition I almost certainly would do, but for this game, & many others we'll play, I genuinely believe Henderson playing that role is the key to our midfield.

 

[Modo]

Most of what you say about Hendo is true, he does run his legs off and harasses players all over the pitch. This will surely help us in defence, but how about the attack?

Was Hendo involved in any of the goals we scored against West Brom?

Do you know how many goals he's created this season? Zero.
And he's played in every minute of every PL game.

Henderson is a great option to have but I want Coutinho to start.

 

[FoxForceFive]

But we're not struggling to score.

We are however struggling to dominate the midfield. Until last weekend that is.

 

[Mystic]

He's a great player Henderson, no doubt, I've always been one of his biggest advocates, however the it goes like this;

Would I prefer Coutinho or Henderson? Coutinho.
Would I prefer Gerrard or Henderson? Gerrard.
Would I prefer Lucas or Henderson? Lucas.

It's tough luck, because I don't think he helps balance the midfield when played ahead of Gerrard and Lucas, but Coutinho is just too good to drop.

 

[Modo]

But we're not struggling to score.

We are however struggling to dominate the midfield. Until last weekend that is.

Yes because of Sturridge and Suarez's individual skills. Imo I think we're taking a gamble every time we start without a creative midfielder on the pitch.
Also with Coutinho on the pitch we might be able to put pressure on Arsenal. Didn't Chelsea just do that?

 

[Athens]

At the moment I would play Henderson against the arse. I think his engine (as FF5 said) would bring something to the game that arse would have difficulty dealing with.

Plus Coutinho hasn't played in a few weeks, perhaps he could come on in the last 20 mins or so, depending on how the game is going.

But then again, what the fuck do I know?

 

[FoxForceFive]

There's been plenty of players that the fans considered 'inferior' to other players & not good enough to warrant a first team inclusion in top sides.

Carrick is the one that immediately springs to mind, Ray Parlour too.

I knew this wouldn't be a popular topic, I don't think more than one or two people will agree with me, but I believe our midfield has been below par & we've been lucky to get some of the points we have as a result. Henderson fixes that.

I don't think Coutinho does, & I don't believe (yet at least) that his impact is great enough that it makes sense to play one at the expense of the other.

 

[OLD_Lewy]

--------------------------simon----------------
-----------toure----------skrtel-------sakho---------
johnson---------------------------------------enrique?
---------------henderson------lucas-------------
----------gerrard-------------------moses/suarez------
-------------------------sturridge/suarez-----------------

Id play this, crowd out their midfield with players that will constantly work and put pressure on them

 

[RolandG]

Henderson is going to be a great option off the bench to come on late to take the game away from the Gooners.Coutinho MUST start!

 

[My_Blood_Bleeds_Red]

Sorry mate, I tried but I stopped reading right after 'Henderson' was mentioned.

 

[hmmmmm1]

Sorry mate, I tried but I stopped reading right after 'Henderson' was mentioned.

😀

 

[EmreChan]

I agree with FFF. Yes Coutinho is a classier player than Hendo but we're away from home. We're not likely to dominate possession. So closing down Arsenal is going to be very important.

Coutinho's just coming back from injury anyway so I'd rather he came off the bench if we need him.

 

[rurikbird]

Most of what you say about Hendo is true, he does run his legs off and harasses players all over the pitch. This will surely help us in defence, but how about the attack?

Was Hendo involved in any of the goals we scored against West Brom?

Do you know how many goals he's created this season? Zero.
And he's played in every minute of every PL game.

Henderson is a great option to have but I want Coutinho to start.

Yes, he won the header that led to Sturridge's goal.

 

[Modo]

Yes, he won the header that led to Sturridge's goal.

WOW!!!

 

[Red Mullet]

WOW!!!

It's a team sport Modo not an individual one.

Playing Henderson for the balance and dynamicism for the team is more important, especially as Gerrard is freed to provide the creativity.

Coutinho is not a must player at the moment. His games this season weren't as good as his were last season (second half anyway) and he'll be short of match fitness. Start him on the bench then bring him on if an extra sparkle of creativity is needed.

 

[Modo]

Yeah its a team sport alright Hendo headed it to an opposition player who headed it to Sturridge who then dribbled past one player and lobbed the keeper from outside the box.
Assist of the year.

 

[Mystic]

Shut up Modo.

 

[rurikbird]

Still, had Hendo not won that header, the goal would not happen.

 

[Red Mullet]

Modo being Modo again. Missing the point, if not all of them.

 

[Brizzle]

Its a hard decision but in games like this, we need to ensure we don't expose ourselves too much and that is why Hendo in midfield instead of a luxury up top in Coutinho is a decision to be considered when playing the team at the top of the league away from home.

When we're at home or against teams we would be looking to put to the sword then Coutinho is a must starter, but in a 3-5-2 formation he is the one that should be looked at not starting..

 

[Mystic]

Thing about Coutinho is he really helps us keep the ball and gives us options. We look so much more disjointed without him in the side, it will just allow Arsenal to keep applying pressure.

 

[juniormember]

There's been plenty of players that the fans considered 'inferior' to other players & not good enough to warrant a first team inclusion in top sides.

Carrick is the one that immediately springs to mind, Ray Parlour too.

I knew this wouldn't be a popular topic, I don't think more than one or two people will agree with me, but I believe our midfield has been below par & we've been lucky to get some of the points we have as a result. Henderson fixes that.

I don't think Coutinho does, & I don't believe (yet at least) that his impact is great enough that it makes sense to play one at the expense of the other.

 

[Red Mullet]

Thing about Coutinho is he really helps us keep the ball and gives us options. We look so much more disjointed without him in the side, it will just allow Arsenal to keep applying pressure.

Yes, he does and in the first half on the first 6 games it was scintillating stuff but with Henderson in the middle, freeing Gerrard, we've played our possibly best game all season. There was balance, dynamism, kept the ball well for 80 mins and creativity. Ok, we had 2 outstanding individual goals (Suarez first and Sturridges) but the the header came from from team work and the free kick was born from procession and earning the free kick.

The battle is in the midfield and that's our weak point, I count Coutinho as a forward since he plays in the hole and rarely tracks back as far as Gerrard when he plays there, strengthen it with the right players in the right positions and if our midfield plays better than theirs then we'll win.

 

[juniormember]

I do understand FFF's point, of course, but if Coutinho can play, we desperately, desperately need him. We have to start creating chances for our forwards rather than them doing it all on their own.. it'll eventually take its tole.

I have a feeling with him fully match fit, we'll go back to 4-3-3, and not sacrifice Hendo. That is, once Enrique is fit, as I seriously can't trust our second choice left back to do his job defensively with one less defender supporting him.
For me, the best team for most games is:

Johnson--------Toure/Skrtel--------Agger/Sakho-----------Enrique
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
----------------------------------Lucas----------------------------------------
----------------Henderson--------------Gerrard---------------------------
--------Suarez/Sturridge-------------------------Coutinho---------------
--------------------------------Sturridge/Suarez----------------------------

The front three alternating positions to their liking. They're all over the place anyway.
We'd then have a solid midfield, Gerrard allowed to join in with the trio, and marauding fullbacks. It's also Rodger's preferred system.

 

[juniormember]

Yes, he does and in the first half on the first 6 games it was scintillating stuff but with Henderson in the middle, freeing Gerrard, we've played our possibly best game all season. There was balance, dynamism, kept the ball well for 80 mins and creativity. Ok, we had 2 outstanding individual goals (Suarez first and Sturridges) but the the header came from from team work and the free kick was born from procession and earning the free kick.

The battle is in the midfield and that's our weak point, I count Coutinho as a forward since he plays in the hole and rarely tracks back as far as Gerrard when he plays there, strengthen it with the right players in the right positions and if our midfield plays better than theirs then we'll win.

We did NOT show much creativity in the last game. How many times did we rip through their defence with through balls, or pass around their defenders to create big chances, or put in some great balls/runs from the wing?
We were very solid. The forwards did the rest. There's no way we can keep doing that for the rest of the season. We need creativity from midfield, Gerrard seems to be pretty awesome right now with his set piece delivery, but we need way more from open play. We're crying out for Coutinho to create chances that the rest of the midfield could never create.

 

[Markeh]

I missed some of the match at the weekend but I'd guess Henderson gave us two qualities which will always be underestimated when talking about what a player offered in an attacking sense. One is movement, he runs everywhere, the more he runs the more space opens up for other players and the opposition defenders get dragged around more. Also closing down, that sounds like a defensive quality but if he's robbing the ball high up the pitch or forcing mistakes in those areas then thats setting up attacks and often chances at goal.

I wouldn't be so quick to drop Hendo for Coutinho, if it has to be a straight choice between the two I shouldn't automatically be Coutinho every time, sometimes what Henderson brings will be more suitable to the opposition.

Henderson has been important to us for ages, any time we were embarrassed last season he didn't start. I'd like to see us rest Gerrard more often and give Henderson, Coutinho and Lucas together a try to see how that gets on.

 

[Red Mullet]

I do understand FFF's point, of course, but if Coutinho can play, we desperately, desperately need him. We have to start creating chances for our forwards rather than them doing it all on their own.. it'll eventually take its tole.

I have a feeling with him fully match fit, we'll go back to 4-3-3, and not sacrifice Hendo. That is, once Enrique is fit, as I seriously can't trust our second choice left back to do his job defensively with one less defender supporting him.
For me, the best team for most games is:

Johnson--------Toure/Skrtel--------Agger/Sakho-----------Enrique
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
----------------------------------Lucas----------------------------------------
----------------Henderson--------------Gerrard---------------------------
--------Suarez/Sturridge-------------------------Coutinho---------------
--------------------------------Sturridge/Suarez----------------------------

The from three alternating positions to their liking. They're all over the place anyway.
We'd then have a solid midfield, Gerrard allowed to join in with the trio, and marauding fullbacks. It's also Rodger's preferred system.

I can live with that team and formation. It has balance and a work ethic. The problem is if Johnson and Enrique both push up, we lose the ball then you're left with 2 at the back and those 4 aren't the quickest. If they're sensible then Enrique and Johnson will alternate when doing this.

Also, Johnson, Enrique and Coutinho are returning from injury so silly errors may occur thru shear lack of match fitness and they may not be able to provide the work ethic needed to close down Arsenal.

 

[Red Mullet]

We did NOT show much creativity in the last game. How many times did we rip through their defence with through balls, or pass around their defenders to create big chances, or put in some great balls/runs from the wing?
We were very solid. The forwards did the rest. There's no way we can keep doing that for the rest of the season. We need creativity from midfield, Gerrard seems to be pretty awesome right now with his set piece delivery, but we need way more from open play. We're crying out for Coutinho to create chances that the rest of the midfield could never create.

We did but it was limited and they weren't hollywood passes.

 

[juniormember]

I can live with that team and formation. It has balance and a work ethic. The problem is if Johnson and Enrique both push up, we lose the ball then you're left with 2 at the back and those 4 aren't the quickest. If they're sensible then Enrique and Johnson will alternate when doing this.

Also, Johnson, Enrique and Coutinho are returning from injury so silly errors may occur thru shear lack of match fitness and they may not be able to provide the work ethic needed to close down Arsenal.

I think generally speaking Lucas acts as the central defender when attacking, but you're right, there's not much pace at the back. But I think it's a risk worth taking for the team to really develop its attacking game.
It's certainly not the team for Arsenal. I think Enrique's still out, Coutinho's likely going to get knackered quickly (he's not the most blessed with stamina as it is) so with the current personnel I'd hope the 3-5-2 is kept.

 

[Modo]

Modo being Modo again. Missing the point, if not all of them.

Yeah yeah there I go. Missing a point that doesn't exist. You have a vivid imagination.

Go back to the Swansea game and see how Henderson somehow helped us keep the lead when Coutinho was subbed.