Would we be better off...

[willa1975]

...with Gerrard back on the right? I'm sure some of you want to bite my head off for asking this question, but hear me out.

Assuming Hicks makes available the necessary funds to sign Mascherano long-term, we've got three top-class central midfielders, along with Lucas, who has tremendous potential himself. I think we would do well to have Mascherano protecting the back four, Alonso as a deep-lying playmaker, nevermind that he could get a bit further up the pitch with Masch behind him, and Gerrard in a role similar to that which he played for us two seasons ago. Don't forget that he scored twenty goals playing on the right, so he can certainly play in that spot.

I think the key to it working would be the fullbacks. For all the talk of wingers, the out-and-out winger is, in my estimation, a dying breed. I certainly can't name two top-class wingers who we could realistically bring in next summer. Furthermore, sides like the current Arsenal side show that you can make up for a lack of width in midfield if your fullbacks are up to the job.

I don't know...I just thought I'd put that out there...

[Red Chilli]

...with Gerrard back on the right? I'm sure some of you want to bite my head off for asking this question, but hear me out.

Yes, it's taken me a long time to accept it but the problem is we don't have any decent right wingers and we don't have the money to go out and buy one.
Gerrard on the right, Yossi as the link man, Torres up top.

[-V-]

For certain matches YES. I think when we play away from home he is better suited out wide. I know that sounds stupid but we have less possession away from home and i would prefer Xabi and Mascher in the middle.

At Anfield though, we dominate teams and i would rather have quick wingers and Gerrard playing down the middle. Especially against the big teams we need him in the middle. Other games though we would have more options with him out wide.

Thats always been my opinion

[akjs123]

Rafa might use Gerrard out wide in a one off game but I doubt he will be permanently moved there. Whether this has to do with tactics or with keeping SG happy I dont know. Also, if we progress further in CL, then we will find a run big games so I think Rafa wouldnt want to play all 3 of his main CMs in a match until it is absolutely necessary.

[Howard_lfc]

...with Gerrard back on the right? I'm sure some of you want to bite my head off for asking this question, but hear me out.

Assuming Hicks makes available the necessary funds to sign Mascherano long-term, we've got three top-class central midfielders, along with Lucas, who has tremendous potential himself. I think we would do well to have Mascherano protecting the back four, Alonso as a deep-lying playmaker, nevermind that he could get a bit further up the pitch with Masch behind him, and Gerrard in a role similar to that which he played for us two seasons ago. Don't forget that he scored twenty goals playing on the right, so he can certainly play in that spot.

I think the key to it working would be the fullbacks. For all the talk of wingers, the out-and-out winger is, in my estimation, a dying breed. I certainly can't name two top-class wingers who we could realistically bring in next summer. Furthermore, sides like the current Arsenal side show that you can make up for a lack of width in midfield if your fullbacks are up to the job.

I don't know...I just thought I'd put that out there...

YES! Next.

[bigfooty]

Gerrard should be playing more games on the right.

I'd rather he play on the right with 2 strikers than play in front of 2 defensive midfielders as the "link" between them and, say, Torres on his own. It can work with Crouch because Crouch is a different type, but Torres likes to move around a lot more which inevitably means you lose that focal point for Gerrard to play off.

I often see it suggested that Gerrard has to play in the middle, to drive us on, but the reality is that he can score goals and contribute from right-midfield just as effectively. In fact more so perhaps, because it means he's focused on a more attacking role rather than dropping deeper and deeper to pick up the ball from Carra and whoever else is in central defence.

With Benitez we seem to go from one extreme to the other. In 2005-2006 Gerrard was splitting his time between right-midfield and central-midfield, though he seemed to play more on the right than not. Two seasons on and he's hardly playing a game on the right but has it "helped" our football? Not at all from what I can see.

[Shaggy]

Gerrard should be playing more games on the right.

I'd rather he play on the right with 2 strikers than play in front of 2 defensive midfielders as the "link" between them and, say, Torres on his own. It can work with Crouch because Crouch is a different type, but Torres likes to move around a lot more which inevitably means you lose that focal point for Gerrard to play off.

I often see it suggested that Gerrard has to play in the middle, to drive us on, but the reality is that he can score goals and contribute from right-midfield just as effectively. In fact more so perhaps, because it means he's focused on a more attacking role rather than dropping deeper and deeper to pick up the ball from Carra and whoever else is in central defence.

With Benitez we seem to go from one extreme to the other. In 2005-2006 Gerrard was splitting his time between right-midfield and central-midfield, though he seemed to play more on the right than not. Two seasons on and he's hardly playing a game on the right but has it "helped" our football? Not at all from what I can see.

[Reece]

I'm actually reading Gerrard's book at the moment. He has never really liked playing on the right has he. What he refers to as the "graveyard shift"

[Fubar]

the amount of games recently where we havent controlled the midfield is stupid. we may have the ability to break up the oppositions play due to the way we play but how many games have there been recently when we win the ball in midfield, pass it to a defender who then plays a long hopeful ball up to no-one. i honestly think that problem is vastly reduced if gerrard is on the right as mascher and xabi do not go missing from the centre of the field. i am not having a go at stevie as roaming about is partly what makes him so good but look at the teams that are doing well. they all have players who will sit in the middle of the park and link the play. we all keep dreaming of signing a quality winger but what is the point if we are going to kep trying to hit them from 50 yards. we need a solid base in midfield that can control the game akin to molby and i think we have that in Alonso

[Emmo]

Lets sign Aimar and then play this team.

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

Finnan Carra Agger Riise

.........Masher Alonso

Gerrard.....Aimar......Benayoun

...........Torres Babel

Emmo

[Reece]

Are we allowed 12 players now then?

[dawmdt]

Lets sign Aimar and then play this team.

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

Finnan Carra Agger Riise

.........Masher Alonso

Gerrard.....Aimar......Benayoun

...........Torres Babel

Emmo

Who's that Emmo fella playing outside right?

[Jazzmaster]

I think thats a very good post and an area that needs to be debated more. To be honest, I think rafa would rather Gerrard on the right. I defintely think that given our quality in the CM area that gerrard should be on the right more these days. I always felt that alonso played better when allowed to get forward more and with Mascherano in the holding role, he would be given such licence if our captain was returned to the right wing.

I couldnt care less whether Gerrard likes playing out there or not, the lad has to do whats best for the team, not what suits him personally. His goal tally for the year when he was out on the right speaks for itself frankly and i think both the midfielders and the strikers would benefit from a return to that system.

The only think I wouldnt like about it would be Andy fupping Grey harping on about it every five fupping minutes.

[homer1]

Are we allowed 12 players now then?

The way we've been playing even this special dispensation wouldn't be enough to turn our season around

[Nicey]

...with Gerrard back on the right? I'm sure some of you want to bite my head off for asking this question, but hear me out.

Assuming Hicks makes available the necessary funds to sign Mascherano long-term, we've got three top-class central midfielders, along with Lucas, who has tremendous potential himself. I think we would do well to have Mascherano protecting the back four, Alonso as a deep-lying playmaker, nevermind that he could get a bit further up the pitch with Masch behind him, and Gerrard in a role similar to that which he played for us two seasons ago. Don't forget that he scored twenty goals playing on the right, so he can certainly play in that spot.

I think the key to it working would be the fullbacks. For all the talk of wingers, the out-and-out winger is, in my estimation, a dying breed. I certainly can't name two top-class wingers who we could realistically bring in next summer. Furthermore, sides like the current Arsenal side show that you can make up for a lack of width in midfield if your fullbacks are up to the job.

I don't know...I just thought I'd put that out there...

You talk a lot of sense mate ... are you lost ?