We take Stevie for granted

[El Nino]

Former England defender Martin Keown has identified Steven Gerrard as the key to his country's World Cup hopes.

The BBC pundit believes the Reds talisman once again led by example in the 1-0 win over Slovenia and feels he is starting to show the watching world just why he is regarded as one of the best players on the planet.

"They (England) played exceptionally well the other night, especially Gerrard," said Keown. "I was sitting here watching it with some South African people and they couldn't believe how good he was.

"We just take him for granted. The rest of the world have been thinking, 'Who is this player'? Ashley Cole is another player who looks really sharp. Jermain Defoe did a good job playing off the shoulder of the last defender and England got more out of Wayne Rooney.

"He and Gerrard seem to have the same psyche. They play the game at that same breakneck speed and have great technical ability to go with that drive and they played intelligently against Slovenia, swapping positions and not congesting the centre of the pitch."

 

[Squiggles]

Because some South African people said he was dead good, Liverpool fans take him for granted?

Get real.

It's widely acknowledged that he'll be in the top three players to ever play for us, and at a club like Liverpool, that's a big deal.

 

[mark1975]

[quote author=Squiggles link=topic=40748.msg1126667#msg1126667 date=1277554980]
Because some South African people said he was dead good, Liverpool fans take him for granted?

Get real.

It's widely acknowledged that he'll be in the top three players to ever play for us, and at a club like Liverpool, that's a big deal.
[/quote]

I think he was talking about England fans, Squiggs. I thought he made some fair points, Gerrard and Rooney are on the same wavelength, and their interchanging was a notable improvement against Slovenia, no mention of Lampard too, justifiably.

 

[Squiggles]

Keown's right, the thread title isn't.

With England it's a different issue, but for various reasons Gerrard has never been the key figure for England like he should be. He's never lit up a European Championship or World Cup like he's capable of - like Rooney did, for example. Everyone knows of his quality through his exploits in the Premiership and in the Champions League. Gerrard's partly to blame to an extent, but it's mainly been a case of managers failing to have the balls to drop Lampard, or put Gerrard as a second striker, which should be happening, IMO, because he's proven himself as one of the best in the world there.

He's having a decent WC, though, and I think having the captaincy has improved his performances - but he's not in his preferred position (again) so it makes everything for him a whole lot harder and personal sacrifices have to be made.

It's worth noting that good players never really get lauded at international level by their own fans. How many Everton, Chelsea and United fans are going to go on and on about Gerrard to their mates?

I occasionally mutter that Rooney is world-class, but that's about it. I imagine other fans are quite similar. Unless we're winnng, of course, and then our entire team is full of the world's best and are set to win the trophy. That's just a given.

 

[RolandG]

England fans do take Gerrard for granted simply because he hardly sets the world alight in an England jersey. The reason: he hardly ever plays in his best position. His versatility has hampered his England career!

 

[jexykrodic]

I'm not sure that people take him for granted. Most people say he's a great player, expect him to be in the England team and few denigrate his performances. He's on the TV, in the papers and almost every pundit I've heard say he's a key player and there's been no controversy over him being selected captain. Currently he is the face of England, he's taken the limelight from Rooney who's form is questionable.

 

[Spionkop69]

[quote author=Squiggles link=topic=40748.msg1126667#msg1126667 date=1277554980]
Because some South African people said he was dead good, Liverpool fans take him for granted?

Get real.

It's widely acknowledged that he'll be in the top three players to ever play for us, and at a club like Liverpool, that's a big deal.
[/quote]

I'm not sure the original poster meant LFC fans did he? He's just copied what Keown said. Or am I missing something?

 

[Squiggles]

[quote author=Spionkop69 link=topic=40748.msg1126785#msg1126785 date=1277580465] Or am I missing something?
[/quote]

Nah, I think that's been me throughout this thread.

Haha

 

[Spionkop69]

[quote author=Squiggles link=topic=40748.msg1126787#msg1126787 date=1277580560]
[quote author=Spionkop69 link=topic=40748.msg1126785#msg1126785 date=1277580465] Or am I missing something?
[/quote]

Nah, I think that's been me throughout this thread.

Haha
[/quote]

We've all done it!