Jonathan Wilson on Gerrard

[Mattshark]

This just isn't true. He's better without the defensive responsibility sure but this man has bossed the best teams from a central two before. Including a CL semi final where an away goal would have sent us out.

Sorry mate, he has one but to often he doesn't do enough as a CM and it is too restrictive to his game. That CL game he did also have Hamann and Biscan covering too. (I believe Gerrard was RM in that game too)

Dudek

Finnan Hyypia Carragher Traore

Gerrard Biscan Hamann Riise

Garcia

Baros

[Chris]

Sorry mate, he has one but to often he doesn't do enough as a CM and it is too restrictive to his game. That CL game he did also have Hamann and Biscan covering too. (I believe Gerrard was RM in that game too)

Dudek

Finnan Hyypia Carragher Traore

Gerrard Biscan Hamann Riise

Garcia

Baros

I agree its restrictive to him. The idea he doesn't have the discipline to play there is wrong though.

And I'm not referring to the 2005 semi v Chelsea.

[Mattshark]

You are looking at the wrong Chelsea game.

Ah the 2007 game, sorry! He was a CM in that game alongside Mascherano, my bad. It is still not his best position and he is wasted there and too often doesn't cover his position enough I think he tries to play far too many long passes from that role too.

[Lecter]

I agree its restrictive to him. The idea he doesn't have the discipline to play there is wrong though.

And I'm not referring to the 2005 semi v Chelsea.

I dont think he has the discipline

If he had he would be able to do it every game

The fact that he cant shows he doesnt have it

Yes you get the odd game where he can do it but they are few and far between

Besides which the lad is wasted in any other role than playing off the front man

That is where he is at his best

[Chris]

I dont think he has the discipline

And yet he's shown he has.

[Rich]

And yet he's shown he has.

Why would you want to curb Gerrard's obvious attacking talents by playing him deep?

[Mattshark]

And yet he's shown he has.

It is inconsistent though mate, that is problem.

[Chris]

Why would you want to curb Gerrard's obvious attacking talents by playing him deep?

I havent said thats where I'd play him.

[Lecter]

And yet he's shown he has.

Only on very rare occasions imo

[Tribute]

'Jonathon Wilson' ...is that another Alan Davies character?

[Eric Swindler]

Its a nonsence really. Rafa gave everyone a crystal clear blueprint on how to use Gerrard if you want him in the team and every manager he's had at club and international level since has completely dismissed it to both Gerrard's and the clubs detriment.

For me that has to be the most frustrating thing about watching us of late. Of the front he offers exactly what we've missed in the final third but from a more withdrawn position he provides nowhere even close to what we need.

this

[JohnDoe]

When Gerrard plays as a central midfielder in a 4-4-2, he's a liability most of the time. He doesn't have the mindset to defend from that position, and we lose his edge offensively. Rafa realized that and had the testicular fortitude to play him in a more advanced position, whether it's on the right or behind a lone striker, to hide his weaknesses and to Gerrard's own displeasure. The two managers who came after him lacked that fortitude to do the right thing and consistently get him out of that position.

[dww]

Its a nonsence really. Rafa gave everyone a crystal clear blueprint on how to use Gerrard if you want him in the team and every manager he's had at club and international level since has completely dismissed it to both Gerrard's and the clubs detriment.

For me that has to be the most frustrating thing about watching us of late. Of the front he offers exactly what we've missed in the final third but from a more withdrawn position he provides nowhere even close to what we need.

I think what people forget is how controlling the midfield behind him was. It helped him play with freedom and in the right areas. Several of our players could be the second player in a CM duo that allowed that to happen - Henderson, Spearing, Aurelio - but only Lucas offers the more defensive half. Even Lucas + one of the others is no Alonso + Mascherano.

I think trying to fit Gerrard into a CM berth is a problem, but fundamentally we don't have any solution to that issue so he works there at least as well as our alternatives most of the time.

I really hope next season we plan a team without Gerrard - this season Kenny seemed to feel we could go with him as a front line option and an unstructured midfield with no specialist DM or holding player could work for us. For me that has been our key failing.

[Chris]

When Gerrard plays as a central midfielder in a 4-4-2, he's a liability most of the time. He doesn't have the mindset to defend from that position, and we lose his edge offensively. Rafa realized that and had the testicular fortitude to play him in a more advanced position, whether it's on the right or behind a lone striker, to hide his weaknesses and to Gerrard's own displeasure. The two managers who came after him lacked that fortitude to do the right thing and consistently get him out of that position.

Yet Rafa's plan was to move him back judging by his comments on Jovetic.

[JohnDoe]

Yet Rafa's plan was to move him back judging by his comments on Jovetic.

Rafa's plan was:

Two of Aquilani/Mascherano/Lucas
Kuyt Gerrard Jovetic
Torres