Gerrard on the right

[bigfooty]

Superb player and one of the very best right backs in the league. He's been left exposed by Gerrard yesterday.

Gerrard or the tactics? Rafa said pre-game on Sky that Gerrard would play in the middle and certainly seemed as if Voronin was being asked to fill on on the right in the first half, Yossi at times in the second.

Not really sure what was going on yesterday with the tactics, seemed a god-awful mess caused by having too many central players that are asked to play on the wings.

[Guest]

Gerrard or the tactics? Rafa said pre-game on Sky that Gerrard would play in the middle and certainly seemed as if Voronin was being asked to fill on on the right in the first half, Yossi at times in the second.

Not really sure what was going on yesterday with the tactics, seemed a god-awful mess caused by having too many central players that are asked to play on the wings.

We still won.

[Kopite_Colin]

What was the point of getting Pennant then if we are going to play SG on the right? Perhaps Rafa should have gone out and bought a world class RW and then this issue wouldn't be raising it's ugly head again. SG through the middle every time for me. Also Rafa needs to get his transfer policy right in the next 12 months. CH, Striker and RW/LW of the highest quality please. Enough of these nearly players.

Couldn't have said it better meself.

[enema of the state]

Brilliant and gutsy decision by rafa. I expect Gerrard to play right when xabi comes back this week.

on both counts

[enema of the state]

I just want Stevie to start playing well

[enema of the state]

What was the point of getting Pennant then if we are going to play SG on the right?

bit of a silly question red al!

gerards best position is CM, however, lfc best side is (still!) with SG wide right

thats simply because pennant has not proved good enough at the jobhe was nhoped to be a cheap recruit for?

what was the point? the point was a cheap punt at filling a problem position - the gamble failed

[CAD]

I have yet to see a single midfielder turn in a top performance with Momo at his side at CM, in a game where we have to dominate or have equal possession. It can't be done at this level. This is not about Gerrard, it's about MomoMare.

He was MOM against Villa and was ace against Chelsea at CM. Further more he has played his best matches from the CM in the past.

[tomasjj]

Gerrard on the right is the way forward.
The midfield looks better balanced, and SG can be unshackled from some, not all, of his defensive duties. It does mean we need to play a sort of skewed midfield to cover behind SG on the right, and with a right back who is very defensive, but I reckon it might be the best way to get most out of SG and bring balance to the team at the same time.

[Sir Bob]

I think Rafa took SG off because he felt he wasn't holding his position enough, that he was wandering about the pitch too much which made us lose our shape.

I thinks its bollox but I think that was Rafa's view. I mean Rafa probably wasn't happy with SG marauding down field for our 1st goal. i mean what if the move had broken down and Finnan could have been left one on one with Lescott. Will SG never learn, playing CM means you should never be a threat in the opposition half, thats why he loves Momo so much.

[kopdan]

Gerrard on the right is the way forward.

wrong

through the middle in a free role

[AFII]

wrong

through the middle in a free role

but then we would need to drop our second striker who works as a hard working attacking midfielder.

I would do that.

[tomasjj]

wrong

through the middle in a free role

Behind one striker then, or how do see the midfield ganging up to cover for him?

[kopash]

with Alonso in the team Gerrard does not feel the need to drop feep to pick up the ball and start attacks. He then plays further forward and influences the game in his usual way.

With Alonso back I think we will see Stevie fund his form again

[Joe Le Toff]

Gerrard doesnt have the discipline needed to play in the centre, he has much more of an impact from the right. I think he was given licence to roam on Saturday when you consider the midfield we had on the park (Mascherano/Momo) in the centre whoe werent going to get forward.
The trouble with Gerrard roaming from the right is that he needs to be covered by one of the CM and neither did that effectively enough on Saturday, thats why Lescott was seeing so much of the ball down their left first half.
Gerrard on the right is the way forward for me if we get that sorted.

[desertscouser]

one thing i don't really understand tho, it was plain to see that Momo was diabolical yesterday, yet he played right till the very end. Now i'm trying to understand Rafa's logic here and surely he must have seen us giving possesion away time and time again, what happens in his head exactly -

"momo's having **** game #53 for us (an estimation) it's causing us problems, i know I'll take Gerrard off because he's not playing with his brain (disregarding the fact that Momo wasn't playing with his brain or his legs), i'll bring Leiva on in his place because he has brains and push momo further up the pitch (where Gerrard would have been more usefull) where he'll contribute **** all except missplacing a few more passes, except this time around the oppo's box which will frustrate the fans even more."

It was a weird substitution whichever way you look at it. Sissoko was the worst player on the pitch and should've been hauled off instead of Gerrard. Rafa's reason for taking a player off was a valid one but he just ended up taking the wrong player off.