Until Aquilani is fit

[cream]

If stoke apply the same pressure on Masch and Lucas as Spurs did, we will lose again.

[zimbo]

The point is, for me at any rate, you want your best players, the ones who can have the most impact and do most to influence the result, on the ball as often as possible. Yesterday, Gerrard and Torres were isolated for much of the match and the service they received was wholly inadequate.

Moving Gerrard back into midfield, where he can take responsibility for the tempo of our play, demand the ball from the centre-halves and join attacks from a slightly deeper position, seems to me the best way to utilise our resources at the moment, at least until we see what Aquilani can bring to the mix.

It needn't mean the end of the Torres-Gerrard link-up (which I think we're in danger of fixating on a bit too much) as I would still expect Gerrard to take every opportunity to join in with attacks - something which was sorely lacking from the midfield yesterday. In fact, Gerrard arriving slightly later into the box could provide us with more options than when he plays just off Torres, as it is that much harder to track a runner starting from a deeper position.

I'm not suggesting it as a permanent switch but, in our current position, it would be perhaps the best way to play ourselves into the season and get a few wins under our belts.

And if you really don't think Gerrard's passing isn't up to much, I can only assume you didn't see him play in the 2003/04 season when he gave some of the most consistently breath-taking peformances I've seen from a midfield player, single-handedly assuring that we got into the Champions League. His passing, long and short, and his decision-making, was immaculate.

[JohnDoe]

How was Gerrard's passing shocking mate? He was one of our best players - again - yesterday, trying to make things happen and taking responsibility, even though not everything he tried worked. It just irks me when people have a go at him because he's played a sub standard game. He's a leader and someone who won't shy upon his responsibilities to try and dig us out of a hole.

Gerrard had a shocking game. An absolutely shocking game. He has one of those once or twice a year. Maybe it was fitness, I don't know, but to say Gerrard was one of our best players? We'll disagree on that one.

[Tee]

The point is, for me at any rate, you want your best players, the ones who can have the most impact and do most to influence the result, on the ball as often as possible. Yesterday, Gerrard and Torres were isolated for much of the match and the service they received was wholly inadequate.

Moving Gerrard back into midfield, where he can take responsibility for the tempo of our play, demand the ball from the centre-halves and join attacks from a slightly deeper position, seems to me the best way to utilise our resources at the moment, at least until we see what Aquilani can bring to the mix.

It needn't mean the end of the Torres-Gerrard link-up (which I think we're in danger of fixating on a bit too much) as I would still expect Gerrard to take every opportunity to join in with attacks - something which was sorely lacking from the midfield yesterday. In fact, Gerrard arriving slightly later into the box could provide us with more options than when he plays just off Torres, as it is that much harder to track a runner starting from a deeper position.

I'm not suggesting it as a permanent switch but, in our current position, it would be perhaps the best way to play ourselves into the season and get a few wins under our belts.

And if you really don't think Gerrard's passing isn't up to much, I can only assume you didn't see him play in the 2003/04 season when he gave some of the most consistently breath-taking peformances I've seen from a midfield player, single-handedly assuring that we got into the Champions League. His passing, long and short, and his decision-making, was immaculate.

Spot on.

[DannyMan2006]

Mascherano was awful yesterday, first half in particular. I thought Lucas was very good but until Yossi allowed him an outlet he was forced to deep covering Mascherano and he isn't the sort of player to try long, low percentage balls to get the team moving. The main problem wasn't central midfield but until Yossi came on the lack of intelligent movement to give options for the midfielders on the ball.

Lucas and Mascherano were as bad as each other yesterday. I think lucas is a capable player, but his partnership with Mascherano does not work. I think for those two to work together the players around them need to have excellent games, but that is unlikely to happen at the start of a season.

With that in mind I would drop Lucas and play Gerrard CM. Not because Lucas is a bad player, or because he was any worse than Mascherano. But because he and Mascherano do not have the vision or skill to get our offensive players on the ball in situations where they can effect the game.

[DannyMan2006]

Gerrard had a shocking game. An absolutely shocking game. He has one of those once or twice a year. Maybe it was fitness, I don't know, but to say Gerrard was one of our best players? We'll disagree on that one.

I'll also disagree with that one.

How was Gerrard's passing shocking mate? He was one of our best players - again - yesterday, trying to make things happen and taking responsibility, even though not everything he tried worked. It just irks me when people have a go at him because he's played a sub standard game. He's a leader and someone who won't shy upon his responsibilities to try and dig us out of a hole.

Gerrards poor game is usually better than an average players great game. He was isolated at times but did work hard to try and conjure something up, especially late on when he dragged the game by the scruff of the neck and dictated the play. Last ten minutes was to little too late though.

[DannyMan2006]

The point is, for me at any rate, you want your best players, the ones who can have the most impact and do most to influence the result, on the ball as often as possible. Yesterday, Gerrard and Torres were isolated for much of the match and the service they received was wholly inadequate.

Moving Gerrard back into midfield, where he can take responsibility for the tempo of our play, demand the ball from the centre-halves and join attacks from a slightly deeper position, seems to me the best way to utilise our resources at the moment, at least until we see what Aquilani can bring to the mix.

It needn't mean the end of the Torres-Gerrard link-up (which I think we're in danger of fixating on a bit too much) as I would still expect Gerrard to take every opportunity to join in with attacks - something which was sorely lacking from the midfield yesterday. In fact, Gerrard arriving slightly later into the box could provide us with more options than when he plays just off Torres, as it is that much harder to track a runner starting from a deeper position.

I'm not suggesting it as a permanent switch but, in our current position, it would be perhaps the best way to play ourselves into the season and get a few wins under our belts.

And if you really don't think Gerrard's passing isn't up to much, I can only assume you didn't see him play in the 2003/04 season when he gave some of the most consistently breath-taking peformances I've seen from a midfield player, single-handedly assuring that we got into the Champions League. His passing, long and short, and his decision-making, was immaculate.

Spot on Zimbo! Great post.

I guess the argument would then be who plays up top with Torres? I think that lack of options is why people are reluctant to agree with splitting up their partnership.

I have players in mind who I think could do a job, but I see why people disagree. Some tend to think that in solving one problem we would be creating another.

[EwarWoo]

I think Lucas showed some great signs of improvement last season and although he was close to being rightly written off he did enough to earn respect and a right to be given a chance to improve.

And I think given time he will end up good in the role. Not necessarily great, but good.

But I think now's the wrong time, he needs to be in a team which is already firing as he's not good enough yet to get them firing.

I'd go with Gerrard in central mid and Benny in the hole. To see how it looks at the very least.

Very easy to fetch Lucas on and switch the team around if it doesn't work. Benny can come off or move to either wing.

Makes it a very easy thing to try.

[Shaggy]

And if you really don't think Gerrard's passing isn't up to much, I can only assume you didn't see him play in the 2003/04 season when he gave some of the most consistently breath-taking peformances I've seen from a midfield player, single-handedly assuring that we got into the Champions League. His passing, long and short, and his decision-making, was immaculate.

Completely correct - I will never forget being on the phone to my Dad walking down Utting Ave to the car after a game, saying I'd never seen a string of performances like the one Gerrard had put together.

However that was 6 years ago, and only one season. Gerrard's passing these days is erratic to say the very least. He struggles to dictate play from so deep, and tries to force the issue too often. It's why Benitez moved him out of there in the first place. Shifting him back into midfield would be a knee-jerk reaction to one defeat.

[The_weatherman]

I think it depends a bit on Riera, if he was in the team he could offer width and composure so Mascher and Lucas would have someone to pass to. Babel just can't be too much involved in the build up, he needs to be on the end of the Hollywood balls.

A midfield of Lucas and Mascher can work, it has before, but if we have Babel on the left we are limiting outlets for them, Babel needs Alonso IMO and Mascher and Lucas need Riera.

If Riera doesn't make it, I would like to see Benayoun in his place but the rest unchanged.

[DannyMan2006]

Completely correct - I will never forget being on the phone to my Dad walking down Utting Ave to the car after a game, saying I'd never seen a string of performances like the one Gerrard had put together.

However that was 6 years ago, and only one season. Gerrard's passing these days is erratic to say the very least. He struggles to dictate play from so deep, and tries to force the issue too often. It's why Benitez moved him out of there in the first place. Shifting him back into midfield would be a knee-jerk reaction to one defeat.

The last time Gerrard played CM was 2004/2005 - and who was our player of the year that season? I genuinely can't remember, but I'm guessing Gerrard was at least top two.

Overall I thought Gerrard and Alonso were a poor partnership as that put the onus on Alonso being the ball winner and sitting deep, whilst Gerrard pushed up. Alonso's lack of pace at times left him exposed.

But put Gerrard with a holding player (Like Hamann) and he is allowed to excel. Mascherano is the best in the world at simply defending the back 4 and I think they'd be a dream partnership.

[DannyMan2006]

I think it depends a bit on Riera, if he was in the team he could offer width and composure so Mascher and Lucas would have someone to pass to. Babel just can't be too much involved in the build up, he needs to be on the end of the Hollywood balls.

A midfield of Lucas and Mascher can work, it has before, but if we have Babel on the left we are limiting outlets for them, Babel needs Alonso IMO and Mascher and Lucas need Riera.

If Riera doesn't make it, I would like to see Benayoun in his place but the rest unchanged.

I agree Riera offers more in the build up, as does Yossi. They have more composure on the ball and more imagination. Babel offers a more direct threat and is one of the only players in our squad who can beat a man. A very different threat to those two. Yesterday the team didn't get going so Babel was left continually surrounded and was never left one on one with the full back - his forte. As such he suffered.

[Shaggy]

The last time Gerrard played CM was 2004/2005 - and who was our player of the year that season? I genuinely can't remember, but I'm guessing Gerrard was at least top two.

Overall I thought Gerrard and Alonso were a poor partnership as that put the onus on Alonso being the ball winner and sitting deep, whilst Gerrard pushed up. Alonso's lack of pace at times left him exposed.

But put Gerrard with a holding player (Like Hamann) and he is allowed to excel. Mascherano is the best in the world at simply defending the back 4 and I think they'd be a dream partnership.

Well whenever SG & JM have paired up together for us they've been mostly complete toss. We can't keep the ball when they play together.

[johnly]

The only thing I know is that Benny needs to play against Stoke. He looked electric when he came on yesterday. I'm not going to lie, the defeat hurt me. We were toothless and didn't really come alive til the second half. For what its worth though, if we're comparing, I think on yesterdays performances, the Scum would have got turned over by Spurs too. They got lucky by playing against a ****e side.

[Flight]

Stevie was abysmal yesterday. As were Carra and Babel.

It's been years since I've seen such a display of hoofing from our back line.

I'm not sure what our midfield pairing of Mascha and Lucas were supposed to do as they constantly watched the ball sailing 100 foot over their heads.

The last time Gerrard played CM was 2004/2005 - and who was our player of the year that season? I genuinely can't remember, but I'm guessing Gerrard was at least top two.

I'm not sure either, but there wasn't much competition back then, lets face it. I do remember we were 30 points off the top that term.