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    I dont think it has anything to do with 'trust', i think it's because he has Steven Gerrard (the best CM in the country) who he doesnt want to play outside of his natural position - so he shifts Meireles wide. If anything, i think it's because he doesnt trust Lucas to play wide, so Meireles as the older, more experienced established international, gets lumbered with it.

    It's also interesting how you describe us as lacking technically (which we are), and yet dont rate Maxi, who is one of our most technically-sound players.

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      Originally posted by Craig_H View Post
      I dont think it has anything to do with 'trust', i think it's because he has Steven Gerrard (the best CM in the country) who he doesnt want to play outside of his natural position - so he shifts Meireles wide. If anything, i think it's because he doesnt trust Lucas to play wide, so Meireles as the older, more experienced established international, gets lumbered with it.
      Its hard to know what Roy's thinking is behind it, i do understand that we lack options and that Stevie G seems to be the only man to provide link up with the front line, he's pretty much a banker and offers no risk for Roy.

      Meireles has been shifted out wide instead of Lucas, as he is more mobile and better on the ball than Lucas, but still Meireles and Lucas and nowhere near widemen, its just silly to play either of them there. I don't know how a Lucas/Meireles partnership at CM would fair out with likes of Spurs & Villa coming up, Roy seems reluctant to try anything with a question mark over it and sticks to the cautious approach, and cautious being negative as regards the way we usually play under him.

      Seems to me that we are gonna string along a few wins here and there and drop few points here and there and Roy will still be in charge, i've kind of accepted that. So hopefully if we can still stay in touch with 4th place runners and get some quality in January into specific areas, we won't have to be playing players out of position.

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        My point was, he doesnt not play Meireles and Lucas in CM because he doesnt 'trust' them. It's because he has a better CM option in Gerrard.

        If Lucas hadnt been suspended yesterday, he would've started with Meireles in CM.

        Comment


          Originally posted by Craig_H View Post
          I dont think it has anything to do with 'trust', i think it's because he has Steven Gerrard (the best CM in the country) who he doesnt want to play outside of his natural position - so he shifts Meireles wide. If anything, i think it's because he doesnt trust Lucas to play wide, so Meireles as the older, more experienced established international, gets lumbered with it.

          It's also interesting how you describe us as lacking technically (which we are), and yet dont rate Maxi, who is one of our most technically-sound players.
          Not sure you can claim this based on this season's performances. He seems to have forgotten how to tackle and gives the ball away quite a bit when he tries the occasional Hollywood ball. It may take a while for him to relearn the role, but he definitely isn't the best CM in the country at the moment.

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            I'd play Gerrard in the hole, with Lucas and Meireles in centre mid. When everyone is fit I'd go with a midfield/striker combination of:

            Lucas Meireles
            Kuyt Gerrard Cole
            Torres

            I think that this system plays as many of our best players as possible in their best positions
            The only gracious way to accept an insult is to ignore it; if you can't ignore it, top it; if you can't top it, laugh at it; if you can't laugh at it, it's probably deserved.

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              Originally posted by banditos View Post
              Not sure you can claim this based on this season's performances. He seems to have forgotten how to tackle and gives the ball away quite a bit when he tries the occasional Hollywood ball. It may take a while for him to relearn the role, but he definitely isn't the best CM in the country at the moment.
              On this season's performances, Bolton are the 4th best team in england.

              And therein lies the answer - dont make overall judgements based on 14 games.

              Comment


                Originally posted by Craig_H View Post
                On this season's performances, Bolton are the 4th best team in england.

                And therein lies the answer - dont make overall judgements based on 14 games.
                When was the last time SG played in CM? 3 years ago? I think it better to judge his current suitability to CM over the 20 odd games he's played in CM this season, rather than his performances 3 years ago. I also suggested he may get his CM mojo back, but ATM I don't think we can call him the best CM in the country and I think we'll be a better team with Raul and Lucas in CM and Stevie in the hole.

                Comment


                  Originally posted by banditos View Post
                  When was the last time SG played in CM? 3 years ago? I think it better to judge his current suitability to CM over the 20 odd games he's played in CM this season, rather than his performances 3 years ago. I also suggested he may get his CM mojo back, but ATM I don't think we can call him the best CM in the country and I think we'll be a better team with Raul and Lucas in CM and Stevie in the hole.
                  Gerrards problem is a trust issue. He vacates his ideal position in CM all the time. He drops too deep because he doesn't trust the CB's to find a suitable out ball. Then he'll wander to far upfield because he doesn't trust anyone to get the ball to Torres in areas where he can hurt teams.

                  Quite simply his constant wandering, though understandable, effects the balance of the team. If we can get some quality players in around Stevie he will start to trust his team mates again and maybe will stop trying to be in two places at once.
                  Forwards.......

                  Comment


                    Originally posted by DannyMan2006 View Post
                    Gerrards problem is a trust issue. He vacates his ideal position in CM all the time. He drops too deep because he doesn't trust the CB's to find a suitable out ball. Then he'll wander to far upfield because he doesn't trust anyone to get the ball to Torres in areas where he can hurt teams.

                    Quite simply his constant wandering, though understandable, effects the balance of the team. If we can get some quality players in around Stevie he will start to trust his team mates again and maybe will stop trying to be in two places at once.
                    I also think he's lost his ball winning abilities playing in a role with very little defensive responsibility for the last 3 seasons.

                    Comment


                      Originally posted by DannyMan2006 View Post
                      Gerrards problem is a trust issue. He vacates his ideal position in CM all the time. He drops too deep because he doesn't trust the CB's to find a suitable out ball. Then he'll wander to far upfield because he doesn't trust anyone to get the ball to Torres in areas where he can hurt teams.

                      Quite simply his constant wandering, though understandable, effects the balance of the team. If we can get some quality players in around Stevie he will start to trust his team mates again and maybe will stop trying to be in two places at once.


                      Couldn't agree more. He fluctuates from saviour to scoundral. He needs a strong hand and to be told what to do as opposed to giving him free rein. His most effective season was when he was strictly limited by being placed on the right 3 years ago.

                      The weight of an entire club can be extremely heavy on one pair of shoulders, no matter how willing.

                      Comment


                        Originally posted by DannyMan2006 View Post
                        Gerrards problem is a trust issue. He vacates his ideal position in CM all the time. He drops too deep because he doesn't trust the CB's to find a suitable out ball. Then he'll wander to far upfield because he doesn't trust anyone to get the ball to Torres in areas where he can hurt teams.

                        Quite simply his constant wandering, though understandable, effects the balance of the team. If we can get some quality players in around Stevie he will start to trust his team mates again and maybe will stop trying to be in two places at once.
                        super post, spot on!

                        Comment


                          Originally posted by DannyMan2006 View Post
                          Gerrards problem is a trust issue. He vacates his ideal position in CM all the time. He drops too deep because he doesn't trust the CB's to find a suitable out ball. Then he'll wander to far upfield because he doesn't trust anyone to get the ball to Torres in areas where he can hurt teams.

                          Quite simply his constant wandering, though understandable, effects the balance of the team. If we can get some quality players in around Stevie he will start to trust his team mates again and maybe will stop trying to be in two places at once.
                          He needs good coaching and sadly, Hogson isn't going to give him that. The role he played under Benitez, suited him to perfection and is one of the reasons he was arguably one of the best players in the world.
                          Are we winning?

                          Comment


                            Originally posted by NigelLG View Post
                            He needs good coaching and sadly, Hogson isn't going to give him that. The role he played under Benitez, suited him to perfection and is one of the reasons he was arguably one of the best players in the world.
                            Agreed. Think he could play a couple more seasons in that role as well before dropping back.
                            Forwards.......

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