Steven Gerrard

[Rich]

I think some people are comparing him to a Makelele type player because they believe that's the role that is required in our team (rightly or wrongly) whereas he's actually doing more of a Pirlo role. I don't think Rodgers is asking him to mimic Makelele. Rather than Gerrard being the problem, I think its peoples own view of what his role should be that is the problem.

Age is catching up with him, but we don't have anyone capable of playing like Makelele did at the club. You can't not play anyone in the DM role, so Rodgers uses Gerrard there, knowing he won't track every run or press every opponent 100% of the time, but he will take the ball from the defence and start our attacks and deliver good set pieces. If the rest of the team was doing their job properly it would be fine. Total over reaction here.

Bugger

[Pablo]

I don't think his legs are gone, I think he's just totally done in.

I know I keep saying it but he needs 2 or 3 weeks off to recuperate away from football completely.

I saw your post about him needing some dedicated sexytime with his wife a few pages back. It made me chuckle, but sadly no one else acknowledged it. I just wanted you to know your valuable contribution to the debate was not in vain

[Pablo]

There isn't anyone in world football that excels at all of those.

Gerrard used to

[fidget]

Rather than Gerrard being the problem, I think its peoples own view of what his role should be that is the problem.

If we label the role "swanning about and playing pretty wank while not being subbed under any circumstances" will it help?

[BobTheCharmer]

Bugger

Best set piece taker in the country. 6 games into the season and he hasn't quite found his range. Shoot him.

[Pablo]

If we label the role "swanning about and playing pretty wank while not being subbed under any circumstances" will it help?

Not really no

[BobTheCharmer]

If we label the role "swanning about and playing pretty wank while not being subbed under any circumstances" will it help?

I don't know, will it help you to better get to grips with the way things are?

[fidget]

I don't know, will it help you to better get to grips with the way things are?

I'd like to see him unleashed as a sub for the last 30 minutes (all his legs have in them) as an attacking threat rather than making our back five look far worse than they are for a full 90.
We could label that role "one he is actually capable of".

[Paddy]

I just had a lovely cup of tea.

[BobTheCharmer]

I'd like to see him unleashed as a sub for the last 30 minutes (all his legs have in them) as an attacking threat rather than making our back five look far worse than they are for a full 90.
We could label that role "one he is actually capable of".

that's a better option than some have suggested, I can see the merit in that.

But I don't think he is responsible for the back 5 looking ****e, they manage that all on their own. The individual mistakes mainly from the centre backs has been basic poor positioning and lacks of concentration.

[fidget]

that's a better option than some have suggested, I can see the merit in that.

But I don't think he is responsible for the back 5 looking ****e, they manage that all on their own. The individual mistakes mainly from the centre backs has been basic poor positioning and lacks of concentration.

He doesn't help them that's for sure.
When the opposition is ploughing straight through our midfield it puts them under pressure they could definitely do without.
So it's Stevie G the supersub for me.

[Doc_Piptorious]

I was trying to think of the qualities we'd need in someone to replace him in that position:

Mobility
Strength
Pace
Great reading of the game
Tackling ability
Vision
Passing accuracy
Comfortable dictating the tempo

It's really a pivotal position given the formation we play. It can't just be a purely DM that does it, he'd need to be able to start moves off and dictate the pace of the game too.

Someone like Strootman would tick most of what you are looking for.

He can set tempos, he is a strong tackler, good in the air, can playmake, reads the game well and is good at breaking up play, good passer, mobile, and is probably better in a deep lying role than he is further forward in midfield.


Actual his teammate Nainggolan would not be the worst shout in the world either. Does not tick as many boxes but can play in a DM or CM role, is mobile, can certainly tackle, has a great engine, passes well enough, and looks like he reads the game well.

[Rich]

Best set piece taker in the country. 6 games into the season and he hasn't quite found his range. Shoot him.

Jeez, I'm not condoning that we kill him.

[BobTheCharmer]

Jeez, I'm not condoning that we kill him.

ah that's ok then!

[Tee]

I think the point of his position is being spectacularly missed here by many of us. He is NOT a DM, never has been and never will be (well he could have been a few years ago).

His role is similar to Pirlo, get the ball off the back four and start the offensive play. How often do we see Pirlo getting stuck in and playing as a DM? Never.

The issue, which both BR and Stevie have to address is the fact that when he is closed down and pressed he is struggling to make an impact on the game.

How do we solve this problem? Play 10 yards further forward, thats how. And get the other CMs closer around him to allow him to make space to play.

He has still got it and I am confident we will see the best of him again. FFS this time last year there was talk of him playing until he is 40, and overnight he seems to have been written off and condemned.

Call it blind love, loyalty or dare I say common sense, but for me Stevie G will be back to silence all the doubters. Yet again.