Steven Gerrard

[souliv]

I think the point is that match fit is only part of the question. Many people think/feel that as you get older you need more time to recover or you increase the risk of injury. Football and people in general are very bad at taking preventative action rather than waiting for a problem to occur.

For years Scholes and Giggs have been rotated in and out of the team even when they are fit to ensure that they are kept injury free. I think it is a policy that makes sense.

I agree that there has been no outstanding candidate to replace Gerrard but making choices in those circumstances is what being a manager is all about. Maybe it's not about directly replacing the one player but altering the balance of the midfield overall.

[Mark79]

6 weeks is quite a long time for a hamstring "strain". He must have torn it to be that long.

A strain is usually 3-6 weeks. If it was torn he'd be looking at 3 months and surgery.

[PTP]

this was always my concern, that having a squad lacking in a few areas, when the going gets tough, and we have a run of tough fixtures close together, if we got hit by injuries we'd struggle.

At present we have 3 key first teamers missing through injury, going into the toughest part of the season - Enrique/Gerrard/Sturridge.

i'd feel a lot more confident going into the those games with those three players fit.

the worry is if we lose anyone else be it injury or suspension

[BigChief]

Weren't a few on here saying that Gerrard was quite good against teams that didn't press our midfield. It showed against Norwich and West Ham who both neglected to do what Hull did.

Now that we're facing teams with infinitely better midfielders than us I think Allen (on form) and Henderson backed up by Lucas (who hopefully will come into some form) may be what the doctor ordered.

Coutinho can more than cover for any loss in quality. He's just finding the right time to announce himself and and without Gerrard there I think he'll take centre stage no probs. Coutinho

[Muddled]

I think the point is that match fit is only part of the question. Many people think/feel that as you get older you need more time to recover or you increase the risk of injury. Football and people in general are very bad at taking preventative action rather than waiting for a problem to occur.

For years Scholes and Giggs have been rotated in and out of the team even when they are fit to ensure that they are kept injury free. I think it is a policy that makes sense.

I agree that there has been no outstanding candidate to replace Gerrard but making choices in those circumstances is what being a manager is all about. Maybe it's not about directly replacing the one player but altering the balance of the midfield overall.

You raise a good point about Scholes and Giggs, but would it be fair to say that they experienced rotation on the other side of 35?

Now that we're facing teams with infinitely better midfielders than us I think Allen (on form) and Henderson backed up by Lucas (who hopefully will come into some form) may be what the doctor ordered.

It will be interesting to see how high up the pitch we can get Johnson involved. We often use a quick diagonal from Gerrard and I wonder if Henderson has that range. I've also seen player's dithering on the ball and I wonder if they've received a shout from Gerrard which makes them doubt their own decision-making. People have often talked about a midfield without Gerrard, I guess now we're going to find out the hard way. I'm of the opinion that a midfield trio of Lucas, Henderson and Allen lacks a little balance.

[BG1973]

I agree. He's not far off 34. Needs to be managed better.



It happens especially when 33 year olds play three games in 7 days. There was no need to pick him on Saturday. Should've had a rest.

Er.. His set piece delivery once again caused havac and got us a goal when west ham were back in with a shout.

We are not blessed with top players, if they're fit, they play, regardless of opposition and location.

[Sarb]

Er.. His set piece delivery once again caused havac and got us a goal when west ham were back in with a shout.

We are not blessed with top players, if they're fit, they play, regardless of opposition and location.

Definitely don't think we're at that level of development where we can leave our best players out for any game. Still suffer from underperforming

[Bernardicus]

Who'll be the penalty taker now Gerrard's injured?

Flanagan?

[Reece]

Suarez, surely?

[Shaggy]

Er.. His set piece delivery once again caused havac and got us a goal when west ham were back in with a shout.

We are not blessed with top players, if they're fit, they play, regardless of opposition and location.

We would've beaten them without him. Now he's injured and could be out for a month, right before our most important run of fixtures. There was no justification for playing him, not even a decent set piece delivery! I'd sure rather have him fit for this run of games than just for West Ham at home.

[Bernardicus]

Suarez, surely?

Not sure, he's taken 2 or 3 penalties for us and has missed each one. He didn't even take one in the shoot-out vs Cardiff.

[Pablo]

We would've beaten them without him. Now he's injured and could be out for a month, right before our most important run of fixtures. There was no justification for playing him, not even a decent set piece delivery! I'd sure rather have him fit for this run of games than just for West Ham at home.

Agreed. Easy to say with hindsight of course, but I think there were even a few on here saying prior to the game that this would be a good game to rest Gerrard. Hamstrings are exactly the type of injuries you pick up from overplaying too. Being well into his 30's it'll take him longer to heal too.

[Pablo]

Not sure, he's taken 2 or 3 penalties for us and has missed each one. He didn't even take one in the shoot-out vs Cardiff.

I remember him missing too. Still in the form he's in I'd back him to score. I'd give them to him just to help him keep this incredible run going.

[cream]

We really need a midfielder or two on 1st January. I hope Ayre and co are sorting the deals out as we speak.

[danperkins]

Agree with regards to Gerrard being rest vs West Ham. We should shave had enough to got the result against West Ham without Gerrard. His experience & his set piece delivery are going to be sorely missed in the next few games. We've been so unlucky with key injuries & it's such a kick in the balls, as if we manage to take a few points vs the tougher sides... we would be in should a great position in the league come Jan & look an attractive prospect for potential signings.

We've been buying off our name somewhat for the past few years since our decline... would be nice to come to the January window buying on the strength of our league position & performances this season. Then a completely different calibre of player would be looking at us IMO.