Gerrard

[Joe King]

He said: "With the freedom he has now and his quality going forward, he's unstoppable. Stevie now has the same freedom he had as a right winger when he came inside.

I love that. Rafa still believes Stevie should play on the right

[dww]

I love that. Rafa still believes Stevie should play on the right

That's not what he is saying at all. I think he wants him to play in a free attacking role and not deep in midfield. The fact that the most obvious place to do that was the right and is where he played much of his best football under Rafa is the point he is making. Stevie isn't a second striker and a lot of people felt before the last few games that this meant he wasn't ideal for the centre of the 3 in a 4-2-3-1 formation.

I have to say I still think a large part of getting it to work has come from Kuyt's work rate and the fact that some of the opposition has been rubbish. Hopefully we will build from here though.

[Jazzmaster]

The criticism of SG is totally unfounded. Granted he had a dip in the middle of the season. However, it is important to note that said dip coincided mostly with the injury to xabi alonso. In the absence of alonso SG was playing rather too deep to be as effective as we know he can be. Gerrard, though a brilliant player, is not the quintessential midfielder in the way that fabregas and scholes might be considered. He does not really have the ability to control a game and often opts for the 'hollywood' pass when a simple lay-off might be more effective. However, such faults are heavily outweighed by what he offers when not shackled with the defensive duties that playing deeper would thrust upon him. When he is supported in midfield by more defensive-minded players such as Masch and Alonso together, his phenomenal attacking strengths are given liberty to shine and the incredible link up play with Torres is evidence of that.

[Joe King]

That's not what he is saying at all. I think he wants him to play in a free attacking role and not deep in midfield. The fact that the most obvious place to do that was the right and is where he played much of his best football under Rafa is the point he is making. Stevie isn't a second striker and a lot of people felt before the last few games that this meant he wasn't ideal for the centre of the 3 in a 4-2-3-1 formation.

I have to say I still think a large part of getting it to work has come from Kuyt's work rate and the fact that some of the opposition has been rubbish. Hopefully we will build from here though.

No, what I meant to say was that Rafa thinks Stevie would be as good on the right of the three. I think Rafa might think of this next season and bring in someone to play that second striker role next season.

[dww]

No, what I meant to say was that Rafa thinks Stevie would be as good on the right of the three. I think Rafa might think of this next season and bring in someone to play that second striker role next season.

I think SG will start where he is now - I think Rafa has struggled to get a setup where Stevie plays centrally yet fits into his overall plan for the team. He has found it now. I think we will bring in both a right winger and a hole player as we can't rely on Gerrard to be fit for every game we need options but due to his unwillingness to play right side I can't see Rafa trying to force him.

[Skillz]

No, what I meant to say was that Rafa thinks Stevie would be as good on the right of the three. I think Rafa might think of this next season and bring in someone to play that second striker role next season.

He is saying Stevie plays well in a free role when the balance of the team allows it. He is spot on.

[Joe King]

I think SG will start where he is now - I think Rafa has struggled to get a setup where Stevie plays centrally yet fits into his overall plan for the team. He has found it now. I think we will bring in both a right winger and a hole player as we can't rely on Gerrard to be fit for every game we need options but due to his unwillingness to play right side I can't see Rafa trying to force him.

He is saying Stevie plays well in a free role when the balance of the team allows it. He is spot on.

I agree, I think he is playing some fantastic football now because of his freedom and the licence to push beyond the striker. What I would like to see is the ability of the 3 in the 4-2-3-1 to change positions instinctively in order to create space for each and making it harder to teams to pick up players.

[simey85]

Eh?

No, not at all. United forums presumed for years that Torres would one day be theirs. Manc forums were full of 'Torres watch' threads and then he goes and signs for us!

LFC may have tried to sign Ronaldo but to us fans it wasn't anything like the kick in the guts United fans felt when we signed their beloved Torres - who now, of course, is "****"!

Yeah my mate sent me an email when we signed torres..something about him and forlan having a similiar strike rate in spain so implying torres would flop in england aswel. I told him to wise up as torres operates on a different level to forlan...what a stupid manc bollocks!

[Marky]

It will be interesting to see how Gerrard performs at Old Trafford sunday week.
With the form he's in at the minute i expect him to take the game by the scruff of the neck and play a major role. Certainly make up for his poor showing against them cunts at Anfield earlier in the season.

[desertscouser]

It really winds me up when people expect Stevie to be 'superman' every game...FFS no one plays at their best EVERY single game - do you turn up for work every day feeling 100% and raring to go?! Jesus he's allowed a few off days, fortunately he's hitting form at the right time now

It's also amusing how some people choose to accuse Stevie of being 'uninterested' when he's off form. It's such bull****.

I'm just thankful we have a player of Stevie's calibre in our side because if we didn't we'd be up **** creek.