Would we be better off...

[tomasjj]

...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.

[Jennings]

...with Gerrard back on the right? ...

Yep.

[Alpha]

Haven't we been down this road before?

Gerrard does his best work in the middle and anything else is a compromise. If needs must, play him there but surely we know by now that this is not a long-term solution.

[Red Chilli]

Haven't we been down this road before?

Gerrard does his best work in the middle and anything else is a compromise. If needs must, play him there but surely we know by now that this is not a long-term solution.

Problem is mate, I think he's the most viable long term solution. Good pacey winger who can put a half decent ball into the box are like gold dust these days. We haven't got gold dust, we've got peanuts and we all know what that affords you.
So I think in the absence of any decent wingers being out there, Gerrard is the best available.
Just an opinion like

[bigfooty]

Haven't we been down this road before?

Gerrard does his best work in the middle and anything else is a compromise. If needs must, play him there but surely we know by now that this is not a long-term solution.

What do you think his best work is?

I believe he can score goals from either position. If yer talking about long-range passing for Torres to latch on to and beat the defence with pace (a la Bolton), well Alonso should be capable of that when the chance is there, whilst what we'd lose in direct passes through teams we'd gain in balls from the right of all angles, including crosses.

If you mean his dynamism in midfield, from what I've seen this season when it comes to playing alongside Mascherano with Mascher running all over the pitch chasing down the oppo Gerrard ends up sitting more and dropping deep to come and get the ball from the defence. And if we have Gerrard and Alonso in there, well Gerrard has to do more of the closing down as Xabi doesn't have the pace to do that, even though he is a good at breaking up the play.

I think having Gerrard on the right if anything will give him more time on the ball and more space to work in. There have been a lot of games this season when we've had a hugely congested central midfield - particularly with Kuyt and Voronin dropping deep - with very little room to play the ball at pace, a Gerrard speciality. And, well, Ronaldo doesn't exactly look "limited" by starting off in the right-mid position.

[Fierce]

What do you think his best work is?

I believe he can score goals from either position. If yer talking about long-range passing for Torres to latch on to and beat the defence with pace (a la Bolton), well Alonso should be capable of that when the chance is there, whilst what we'd lose in direct passes through teams we'd gain in balls from the right of all angles, including crosses.

If you mean his dynamism in midfield, from what I've seen this season when it comes to playing alongside Mascherano with Mascher running all over the pitch chasing down the oppo Gerrard ends up sitting more and dropping deep to come and get the ball from the defence. And if we have Gerrard and Alonso in there, well Gerrard has to do more of the closing down as Xabi doesn't have the pace to do that, even though he is a good at breaking up the play.

I think having Gerrard on the right if anything will give him more time on the ball and more space to work in. There have been a lot of games this season when we've had a hugely congested central midfield - particularly with Kuyt and Voronin dropping deep - with very little room to play the ball at pace, a Gerrard speciality. And, well, Ronaldo doesn't exactly look "limited" by starting off in the right-mid position.

[CAD]

*Singing here we go again*

He scored 6 goals from the RM in that 23 goals season. 5 as a 2nd striker and the rest from CM.

[tomasjj]

Haven't we been down this road before?

Gerrard does his best work in the middle and anything else is a compromise. If needs must, play him there but surely we know by now that this is not a long-term solution.

I guess that is where opinions differ, mate.