If Gerrard plays in the middle throughout the season...

[Craig_H]

He'll get 20 goals in all comps.

Just yesterday, he could've scored two or three. And the freekick at the end, although wrongly given, came as a result of his burst down the centre.

Whether we get a right winger or not and regardless of the fact that we have Alonso, Mascher and Sissoko (among others), Gerrard MUST play in the middle, always.

Fact.

Thanking you kindly.

[Johnny]

He'll get 20 goals in all comps.

Just yesterday, he could've scored two or three. And the freekick at the end, although wrongly given, came as a result of his burst down the centre.

Whether we get a right winger or not and regardless of the fact that we have Alonso, Mascher and Sissoko (among others), Gerrard MUST play in the middle, always.

Fact.

Thanking you kindly.

Problem is we still have`nt got 2 natural right wingers yet,Pennant although playing better can`t play every game this season.SG will play some games on the RW.

[Craig_H]

Babel can play on the right if needed and Riise, although not ideal, is decent enough on the left.

Playing gerrard in the middle means we have ONE problem, eg no brilliant winger. Playing him on the right though, creates two problems. No proper winger AND no goal threat from centre mid.

Balls to the right, play him in the middle every game and we look a far better side.

[Red Chilli]

I think it'll vary depending on who is fit.

[desertscouser]

Babel can play on the right if needed and Riise, although not ideal, is decent enough on the left.

Playing gerrard in the middle means we have ONE problem, eg no brilliant winger. Playing him on the right though, creates two problems. No proper winger AND no goal threat from centre mid.

Balls to the right, play him in the middle every game and we look a far better side.

I absolutely agree. Gerrard is our best player and he's most effective playing in the middle. It's a no brainer for me.

[JohnDoe]

Rafa's actions in the transfer market haven't suggested Gerrard will be playing as one of two central midfielders very often. The signing of Lucas and Rafa's decision to reject a good offer for Sissoko just doesn't make sense if that was the case.

Gerrard will be playing more in the middle this season, but with two CM's behind him. That's what I think.

[Red_Polo]

Not only is he just a better player there, but it gives us a different dimension, makes us less predictable.

[CJ]

i think that he can do a good job on the right if needed

[Johnny]

Rafa's actions in the transfer market haven't suggested Gerrard will be playing as one of two central midfielders very often. The signing of Lucas and Rafa's decision to reject a good offer for Sissoko just doesn't make sense if that was the case.

Gerrard will be playing more in the middle this season, but with two CM's behind him. That's what I think.

In the hole?

[CJ]

quincy please stop following me lol

i might be going mad but hasnt gerrard struggled in the hole. or was it more of a second striker?

[JohnDoe]

In the hole?

Yes. Behind a striker in the 4-2-3-1.

I could see Rafa aiming towards a flexible formation like this:

Alonso Macherano
Kuyt Gerrard Babel
Torres

Which allows us to change our shape at any given time without losing an attacking edge to the team.

[Johnny]

Yes. Behind a striker in the 4-2-3-1.

I could see Rafa aiming towards a flexible formation like this:

Alonso Macherano
Kuyt Gerrard Babel
Torres

Which allows us to change our shape at any given time without losing an attacking edge to the team.

I think we`d be better to know now which players play where and stick them there for ever.

[JohnDoe]

I think we`d be better to know now which players play where and stick them there for ever.

I agree, but looking at the way Kuyt has played yesterday hints that Rafa wants him deep to link up with our midfield.

[Johnny]

I agree, but looking at the way Kuyt has played yesterday hints that Rafa wants him deep to link up with our midfield.

I`m not really happy with that,doesn`t that make him an "In the hole/attacking MF".

I want both strikers to play on the shoulders of the oppossing defenders.

[dww]

I`m not really happy with that,doesn`t that make him an "In the hole/attacking MF".

I want both strikers to play on the shoulders of the oppossing defenders.

None of the other top teams do that though. You have got to think that if all of the best managers in the country play with one of the strikers deeper (to varying degrees) there is a reason for it. I think that Kuyt would be more effective a little further up the pitch but to have both forwards ply on the shoulder of the defense simply condenses play and makes our build up easier to predict.