Repeating myself ad nauseum: Gerrard's Happiness

[friedk]

I think where Gerrard played last season for Liverpool was perfect for him.

If he is being asked to play in the Beckham role for England, staying wide right and whipping in crosses, then I'm sure he won't be happy.

If, as with Liverpool, he is given a free role, starting provisionally on the right, but to play all across the park, then I'm sure he will be happy. The only way that can work though is if you have a playmaker (Alonso) and an energetic midfielder to break up opposition play and instigate fresh attacks (Momo); which is why Lampturd and Gerrard can never play well together, no matter where they are on the pitch.

[JRC]

Being a Wide Midfielder with a brief to roam, come inside and cause havoc didn't do Zidane any harm, did it; for most of his career, Stevie has operated under the stricture that, like it or not, he is not as tactically disciplined, or even astute, as he thinks. GH implied it, Rafa has been quite explicit. Hence Xabi is probably Rafa's 'first' choice at CM - the same cannot be said of him, for sure. Stevie can grab a game by the scruff, of course, but he can't control the pace of it in the same way. At 26(?), maybe he never will, although he usually looks pretty good in any positions due to natural skill, energy, commitment etc..

I surmised elsewhere that the way Rafa replaced him with Luis Garcia last week against Haifa had an element of 'you're not doing what you should in the behind-the-striker role (such as get ahead of the ball or in the box a bit more), let Luis show you how it is meant to be played' - and to be truthful, our shape looked better immediately. Stevie's overall footballing quality may disguise, even to himself, what his best and most effective position really is.

[Stevie M]

The signing of Pennant and the sale of Hamman should make it abundantly clear that Gerrard will not spend as much time on the right as last year.

The huge push for Kuyt would also suggest that Benitez intends to play with 2 striker more often than not.

Therefore I wouldn't be too worried about Gerrard spending too much time on the right... he might fill in their from time to time... but if it improves the team and the teams chances of winning the title... well I'm sure he'll get over his grumbles.

How and where he plays for England is of absolutely no conern what-so-ever to me.

I accept your general point about playing Gerrard in his best position... and he is better in the cen tre than he his out wide.... I'm sure I read some stat about most of his goals coming while he played more centrally.

The thing is though... in tight games it makes sense having Gerrard on the right and having Sissoko & Alonso in the centre, with Aurelio perhaps on the left. That a pretty combative midfield, but also one that's capable of getting some joy from wide areas.

that's the nature of modern football though, where tactical flexibility is a very important asset.

I'd also argue that the true measure of a great player and a great captain, is not confined to showing brilliant performances in a favoured position, but of what that player is willing to do for the team to ensure success... be it play in an unfavoured position, or whatever.

[CincyRed]

Didn't you hear what Macca had to say about the formation? He said that they would be playing with one wide player in the friendly. Now, I could be wrong, but he was probably talking about Downing on the left. I'm sure he envisions Gerrard playing on the right in a free role, not an up and down the line winger. And also correct me if I'm wrong, but Stevie had his highest ever goal tally and we had our highest ever Prem points tally with him playing out on the right for a majority. You point out that he's the Captain, but doesn't that just make it his job to help the team play better? We were leagues better with Stevie on the right, end of.

Stevie M's last paragraph is spot on.

[rubyred]

I wouldn't worry about Gerrard being asked to play on the right for England or Liverpool. He played on the right wing for most of last season and scored 20 odd goals - if that doen't make him happy then nothing will.

Looking at the match tonight he's on the right but obviously has the freedom to roam just about wherever he wants, he's been on the right, central and on the left tonight so he's hardly restricted.

He's a versatile player, and he wants to play for LFC and England. As long as he's doing that I think he'll be happy.

[Shaggy]

[Shaggy]

Doesn't sound like he has a problem with playing on the right...

"I know what people are going to say about me playing on the right, but I'm Steven Gerrard, not David Beckham," he said. "I am a lot different from him, but it does feel natural for me out there because I have played there so much for Liverpool. It's not alien to me, I know the movements and it is just great to be able to get forward. That was the first time in a long time I have really enjoyed myself out there."

http://sport.independent.co.uk/football/internationals/article1220015.ece