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

[smither]

if they both play off the shoulder wouldnt that give gerrard more space to make runs? if defenders have to constantly watch kuyt and torres then it should allow a lot more space, allowing the likes of gerrard/benayoun the space they love

[Craig_H]

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

If you're talking about Gerrard, then yeah, that's not debatable.

But when he plays on the right, he ISNT being the right winger we need, because he drifts in and ends up neither as a winger, nor a dynamic attacking threat down the centre. Often, we'll look to play it right and he wont be there. It's a massive waste.

He HAS to play CM for me, 100% and in virtually every game.

[Craig_H]

if they both play off the shoulder wouldnt that give gerrard more space to make runs? if defenders have to constantly watch kuyt and torres then it should allow a lot more space, allowing the likes of gerrard/benayoun the space they love

Gerrard's big strength is bursting forward from central midfield at pace, with power. He's unstoppable doing that.

Playing him in the 'hole' or off the strikers is no good. He needs to be a part of the play in the middle, not staying high up the park waiting for the ball.

We tried that in Athens and it was highly ineffective.

[smither]

Gerrard's big strength is bursting forward from central midfield at pace, with power. He's unstoppable doing that.

Playing him in the 'hole' or off the strikers is no good. He needs to be a part of the play in the middle, not staying high up the park waiting for the ball.

We tried that in Athens and it was highly ineffective.

thats not what i'm saying. i totally agree, but i'm just pointing out that if kuyt and torres were both leading the line then the defenders will have to deal with them before even thinking about gerrard. that should give him a lot more space to run in to from midfield with the ball

[bazza76]

I'd like to see Gerrard being allowed to roam sometimes. In an advanced midfield role.
I also wouldn't mind if he played right side of midfield if the circumstances dictated it. Pennant will do for now, as will Yossi

[Craig_H]

Problem when he plays RM, is that he doesnt actually PLAY RM, if you get me...he wanders and there's often times where we'll have the ball in an advanced position, and the natural pass is wide right, but Gerrard isnt there and the momentum is gone.

Nah, centre mid for me.

[Norbs]

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

Neither Gerrard or Alonso are prepared to fight for the ball, in their own half, which is where Mascherano and Sissoko come into the equation.

When playing away, when we have less possession, I'd prefer to see Riise or Babel on the left, Sissoko or Mascherano and Alonso in the middle and Gerrard on the right. Or Gerrard and Sissoko or Mascherano in the middle and two out of Babel, Riise, Kewell and Pennant out wide with Alonso warming the bench. We need to be able to win the ball back when we lose it and at the moment our midfielders are carelessly losing the ball quite often.

IMO

[Craig_H]

Neither Gerrard or Alonso are prepared to fight for the ball, in their own half, which is where Mascherano and Sissoko come into the equation.

When playing away, when we have less possession, I'd prefer to see Riise or Babel on the left, Sissoko or Mascherano and Alonso in the middle and Gerrard on the right. Or Gerrard and Sissoko or Mascherano in the middle and two out of Babel, Riise, Kewell and Pennant out wide with Alonso warming the bench. We need to be able to win the ball back when we lose it and at the moment our midfielders are carelessly losing the ball quite often.

IMO

Problem being, when you play Gerrard wide, it means 2 out of Masher, Alonso and Momo in the middle...and none of them get forward at all, to offer a threat. Add to that the fact that Kuyt doesnt stay central or up top, it means a very reduced goal threat.

Stevie in the middle sorts that problem out.

[bazza76]

Neither Gerrard or Alonso are prepared to fight for the ball, in their own half, which is where Mascherano and Sissoko come into the equation.

When playing away, when we have less possession, I'd prefer to see Riise or Babel on the left, Sissoko or Mascherano and Alonso in the middle and Gerrard on the right. Or Gerrard and Sissoko or Mascherano in the middle and two out of Babel, Riise, Kewell and Pennant out wide with Alonso warming the bench. We need to be able to win the ball back when we lose it and at the moment our midfielders are carelessly losing the ball quite often.

IMO

There are games, where I would prefer to see the likes of Mascherano starting, he is world class infront of the back 4, Momo is a world class destructive force. Gerrard likes to get about a bit, and depending on the opposition could leave us vulnerable at times.

[thesilverfoxlfc]

He got 20 plus goals playing out in the right, he's a class player when he's on form.

I hope he plays in the middle for the seaon but if he has to play on the right he's effective but with our money that we have this summer there should be no need for out best CM to play wide right.

I hope another winger is signed soon

[Howard_lfc]

Gerrard's big strength is bursting forward from central midfield at pace, with power. He's unstoppable doing that.

Playing him in the 'hole' or off the strikers is no good. He needs to be a part of the play in the middle, not staying high up the park waiting for the ball.

We tried that in Athens and it was highly ineffective.

He's too static playing behind the strikers IMO - as it's not natural for him like it is for (say) Tevez who knows how to play the role. Also - he's far easier (and closer) to the defenders who can attach themselves to him very early on in the attack and so render him less effective.

I don't believe there's a player in the world who's as effective as SG in bursting onto the ball and powering forward.

[Kopite_Colin]

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

And me.

[Norbs]

Problem being, when you play Gerrard wide, it means 2 out of Masher, Alonso and Momo in the middle...and none of them get forward at all, to offer a threat. Add to that the fact that Kuyt doesnt stay central or up top, it means a very reduced goal threat.

Stevie in the middle sorts that problem out.

Gerrard's weakness is that he's so versatile. Rafa doesn't lose any sleep about where to play him which is why he's often deployed away from his best position.

Fat Frank can't play any other position, if Gerrard was crap at right mid or as a withdrawn striker, or even at right back then it wouldn't ever be an issue.