Gerrard on the right

[Emmo]

we should play 4-3-3

............Reina

Finnan Carra Agger Riise

......Masher Xabi
..........Gerrard

Babel....Kuyt......Torres

Emmo

[captainfog]

He has to play on the right. Gerrard, Masher, Alonso and arguably Lucus are all better than Pennant. Based on that, Gerrard has to move outwide. By playing Pennant we are effectively weakening two positions because we have to drop a CM to accomodate Gerrard in the middle, plus when we play Pennant outwide we weaken the wings because Gerrard is so much better than pennant.

Until we sign a quality right winger Gerrard to stay on the wing.

FACT

[AFII]

He has to play on the right. Gerrard, Masher, Alonso and arguably Lucus are all better than Pennant. Based on that, Gerrard has to move outwide. By playing Pennant we are effectively weakening two positions because we have to drop a CM to accomodate Gerrard in the middle, plus when we play Pennant outwide we weaken the wings because Gerrard is so much better than pennant.

Until we sign a quality right winger Gerrard to stay on the wing.

FACT

Play the players that is best for the team and not what is best for Gerrard.

[CAD]

He has to play on the right. Gerrard, Masher, Alonso and arguably Lucus are all better than Pennant. Based on that, Gerrard has to move outwide. By playing Pennant we are effectively weakening two positions because we have to drop a CM to accomodate Gerrard in the middle, plus when we play Pennant outwide we weaken the wings because Gerrard is so much better than pennant.

Until we sign a quality right winger Gerrard to stay on the wing.

FACT

I can't understand this. Isn't it clear that there is no way in hell that Gerrard will hold his position? He always moves to the middle.

Gerrard on the right = zero balance.

[badpiggy]

I can't understand this. Isn't it clear that there is no way in hell that Gerrard will hold his position? He always moves to the middle.

Gerrard on the right = zero balance.

part of rafa's problem with gerrard i think - and he doesn't do what CMs are supposed to do either. i've though it for a long time now - SG is a problem rafa would prefer not to have.

[The Erectile Banana]

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.

Pretty much agree with that.

I think Gerrard's best position is starting on the right flank but given the licence to roam, much in the way Zidane used to play for Madrid (except opposite flank).

I don't like him playing as a secound striker, he never seems to play well there.

[AFII]

I can't understand this. Isn't it clear that there is no way in hell that Gerrard will hold his position? He always moves to the middle.

Gerrard on the right = zero balance.

He will probably stay on the right more from now on because he now know that Rafa will sub him if he don't do what he is told to do.

A little wake up call for Stevie.

[dww]

I think a point people are to some extent missing is that in the formation put out against Everton both Voronin and Sissoko were expected to cover the right when Stevie vacated his position there.

I wouldn't mind seeing the same formation played again but with Babel instead of Voronin. I think that his pace would have worried Lescott more and helped to have made the lack of right side lack of cover less of an issue. To me some of Gerrards best games under Rafa have come when Cisse was on the wing which helped to create room for him, even though Cisse was obviously a/ at bit rubbish and b/ not a natural wide player.

[alunevans]

things will change as soon as Alonso is back, if you think about it Rafa's comments about gerrard yesterday seemed to hint he would have liked Alonso playing, Stevie is the heart, but Alonso is most definitley the brains

i think his form has been off too personally, though I know what you're saying.

[alunevans]

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."

my feelings summed up really. i don't get it either. but i've said it to death now. good post.

[alunevans]

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

fredo, why you blaming gerrard when rafa explicitly stated in his pre match interview that gerrards position was (and I quote) "central midfield but with freedom".

[enema of the state]

Until we sign a quality right winger Gerrard to stay on the wing.FACT

is correct

[CAD]

part of rafa's problem with gerrard i think - and he doesn't do what CMs are supposed to do either. i've though it for a long time now - SG is a problem rafa would prefer not to have.

Indeed - I don't really think that Rafa knows what to do with him and in some ways I understand his dilemma. When Gerrard doesn't hit the high notes he can become a liability faster than Momo can say "Ball loss". So to build around this moody ace is risky and not necessarily wise. Trouble is that other than Lucas, Rafa has not brought anybody in who can take on a creative CM. Alonso can't. Not enough drive forward and way too easy to shut down. An advanced CM has to be able to make the run that Gerrard made against the bitters for the Pen. Alonso could never ever do that. I wouldn't mind Gerrard playing as a 2nd striker if I thought we had the right player to take his current position.

I agree that 4-3-3 (4-3-2-1) is an excellent solution. It would require more aggressive fullbacks though. A new shiny winger and Kewell in ace form (hehe) and we would look so much better.

After the Gunners game Sunday we will know exactly where we stand this season. In ****e to our knees or with a PL title shot. I sadly believe that we need

[Neil Young]

fredo, why you blaming gerrard when rafa explicitly stated in his pre match interview that gerrards position was (and I quote) "central midfield but with freedom".

It's because he's an airhead.

[Revo]

wrong

through the middle in a free role

is correct but i would not hesitate to rotate that alignment with benayoun and or babel when it becomes static. one adjustment other teams are doing with gerrard in the middle, is that they are allowing him to have the ball deep without any pressure and saying beat us from your own 40 but your not gonna beat us from our own 25. gerrard pushing on, scares the living daylights out of any team. which also raises the point that if we had a defender who could pass the ball 25 yards alonso or gerrard would not have to play so ****ing deep