Jay Spearing

[The Birdman]

I'd rather we didn't have to play Gerrard at CM - I want him further forward - but we're a bit short on options at the moment.

Exactly right however Gerrard on 1 groin vs Man U last season and then this year against Man U, Man City and others when he was building back up his fitness played the sitting/holding role with his eyes closed.

He's done it countless times before and while I'll agree he is (probably) wasted there he isn't doing anything else more advanced (Everton excepted)

It's been obvious to me for ages that Kenny should tell Gerrard to play the deeper role, allow Henderson/Maxi/Shelvey or whoever to play advanced of him to support Carroll/Suarez.
We are so fragile down through the middle with Spearing and Carra it is embarrassing

It's time for Kenny to tell Gerrard to do what is best for the team and also time for him to say thanks but no more to Carra

[Shaggy]

I'd rather we didn't have to play Gerrard at CM - I want him further forward - but we're a bit short on options at the moment.

Yep, yesterday again he spent most of the game nearer our box than theirs...and as such as was non-existent as an attacking threat. It seems like an absolute no-brainer to me - play him off a striker or at least give him a free-ish attacking role with a couple of CMs behind him. It's a waste of Steven Gerrard having him marooned in our own half.

[RichC]

I'd rather we didn't have to play Gerrard at CM - I want him further forward - but we're a bit short on options at the moment.

We should be playing a 3 at the moment with Gerrard at the front of the 3.

The season is basically done for the league as far as I am concerned, all we need to really make sure of is finishing ahead of Everton (that would be too painful to deal with).

Perhaps play, not exactly brilliant but you look at whats available and its massively underwhelming to say the least

Henderson --- Spearing
Gerrard

[Reece]

Exactly right however Gerrard on 1 groin vs Man U last season and then this year against Man U, Man City and others when he was building back up his fitness played the sitting/holding role with his eyes closed.

He's done it countless times before and while I'll agree he is (probably) wasted there he isn't doing anything else more advanced (Everton excepted)

It's been obvious to me for ages that Kenny should tell Gerrard to play the deeper role, allow Henderson/Maxi/Shelvey or whoever to play advanced of him to support Carroll/Suarez.
We are so fragile down through the middle with Spearing and Carra it is embarrassing

It's time for Kenny to tell Gerrard to do what is best for the team and also time for him to say thanks but no more to Carra

You say "exactly right" and then basically go on to disagree with my whole point

[Reece]

We should be playing a 3 at the moment with Gerrard at the front of the 3.

The season is basically done for the league as far as I am concerned, all we need to really make sure of is finishing ahead of Everton (that would be too painful to deal with).

Perhaps play, not exactly brilliant but you look at whats available and its massively underwhelming to say the least

Henderson --- Spearing
Gerrard

Drop Spearing for Shelvey and I'd go with that. Henderson or Shelvey may not be DMs, but then neither is wee Jay at this level in my most humble onion.

[The Birdman]

Yep, yesterday again he spent most of the game nearer our box than theirs...and as such as was non-existent as an attacking threat. It seems like an absolute no-brainer to me - play him off a striker or at least give him a free-ish attacking role with a couple of CMs behind him. It's a waste of Steven Gerrard having him marooned in our own half.

What's a waste is Gerrard doing neither.
He is playing centre midfield with players he doesn't trust (imo) so ends up neither supporting the front man or being the deepest midfielder, the games are passing him by.
He seems scared to do anything
His best position is advanced of midfield off the striker but we can't afford to play him there, he has to play the deeper role for 4-6 weeks until the end of the season.
Purely because we don't have anyone else who can do it

[The Birdman]

You say "exactly right" and then basically go on to disagree with my whole point

In an ideal world you are exactly right.
I just don't think he can play there at the moment, he needs to be sacrificed to play the deeper role, gets some shape and defensive solidity back and build from there.

With a fit Lucas or additions in the summer in centre midfield and you're back to being exactly right again!

[red g]

I'd rather we didn't have to play Gerrard at CM - I want him further forward - but we're a bit short on options at the moment.

whatever we play in centre mid its going to be ****, So lets just play our best player in his best position.

Should stick Henderson in the centre ), tell him he will play there till the end of the season( done nothing to deserve it ) and play Gerrard off Luis.

[Reece]

In an ideal world you are exactly right.
I just don't think he can play there at the moment, he needs to be sacrificed to play the deeper role, gets some shape and defensive solidity back and build from there.

With a fit Lucas or additions in the summer in centre midfield and you're back to being exactly right again!

Okay I get you now

[RichC]

Drop Spearing for Shelvey and I'd go with that. Henderson or Shelvey may not be DMs, but then neither is wee Jay at this level in my most humble onion.

yeah I know what you mean. ****e Centre midfield we have at the moment.

[Craig_H]

You say "exactly right" and then basically go on to disagree with my whole point

[ronanm]

i am sick of the arm waving. i wouldn't mind, but i genuinely believe he doesn't want it when he does it

[Lecter]

Horrendous play for their first goal. He continues to be a so-called defensive midfield player who offers zero protection. He takes up poor positions, is beaten so easily, seldom makes tackles. He's Championship standard.

Was horrendous all round

The thing is the lack of protection in front, coupled with Carragher in the back four is making many of the defenders make errors

Skrtel dropping off yesterday was criminal but I think its a chain of events caused by other factors

[Lecter]

What's a waste is Gerrard doing neither.
He is playing centre midfield with players he doesn't trust (imo) so ends up neither supporting the front man or being the deepest midfielder, the games are passing him by.
He seems scared to do anything
His best position is advanced of midfield off the striker but we can't afford to play him there, he has to play the deeper role for 4-6 weeks until the end of the season.
Purely because we don't have anyone else who can do it

I frankly dont think Gerrard can do it either

There was a good reason why Rafa moved Gerrard forward and gave him less defensive responsibilities

I worry about the centre of our defence no of the current lot can do that holding role to even 50% of the level we would require

I wonder about going to 5 at the back short term as this would then place a little less emphasis on the need for protection from a holding player

Other than that I'm bereft of ideas I dont think Henderson or Shelvey in there will do anything either

[Rich]

Gerrard wants to play central midfield, so Gerrard plays central midfield.