Emre Can

[brightred]

He's not a plodder!

Lads that size just look slower than others.

[Myo]

In my opinion him and lucas need to be part of that midfield 3...

[MrMichael]

Not convinced about Lucas at all, one goodish game does not make up for over a season of being way underpar, along with his other limitations. And Can, well while he has looked rather impressive in the last week, he has faded badly in the second half of both games which does bring into question whether he is physically ready to be a first team regular.

Looking a really decent acquisition though, which is more than can be said for the likes of Lovren, Balotelli and Markovic so far

[Pablo]

He's not a plodder!

Lads that size just look slower than others.

I think he's pretty quick! I often see him called slow etc. but to be honest I just don't see it

[Fosterbloke]

I think he's pretty quick! I often see him called slow etc. but to be honest I just don't see it

He looks bulky so his feet aren't as quick but he thinks fast so he can get away with it. A very clever player and I can't wait to see him improve his fitness.

[Tee]

He is looking better with every game and has a bit of the Yaya Toure about him. Think he is a fantastic signing, the best we have made this summer in terms of value for money.

[cream]

Did he get credited with the goal or was it OG ?

[Pablo]

I can confirm it was not Olivier Giroud.

[RedRum]

He's not a plodder!

Lads that size just look slower than others.

By plodder I thought he meant he walks about while others are tracking back. Saw it on a few occasions, maybe its just he was knackered from going forward but to be box to box you need to do a lot of running. Perhaps just a question of getting up to fitness but for him to be the left sided alongside Henderson well need the same energy from him. Then of course maybe the plan is for him to take over from Gerrard.

Didn't mean that I thought he was slow by the way

[cream]

I can confirm it was not Olivier Giroud.

[kubrickscube]

I think it's interesting to re-watch the clips and look for what Gerrard is doing - quite often he seems to be uninvolved in the play or getting out of the way. I don't think Can fits with Gerrard - I think Gerrard will be replaced by a Can Henderson partnership.

[baitman]

He is looking better with every game and has a bit of the Yaya Toure about him.

we better be getting a cake ready then.

agree that can looks like a decent lad and could be a massive player for us in the future.

many players seem to look out of place next to gerrard. lucas, henderson, etc.
maybe who we put next to steve isnt the issue, more of a question of whay are we still trying to shoehorn gerrard into some random position just so we can keep him in the team.

i know we have not had much in the way of alternative holding midfielders but that doesnt mean we should accept playing steve in a deep role any longer.

[Corndog]

A lot of fans had him down as 'potential' pre-season. I thought he would establish himself as a starter by the end of the season after having seen him in Germany and i think he's on track to do that.

He can be world class one day imo. A good all-rounder.

[Lecter]

I think it's interesting to re-watch the clips and look for what Gerrard is doing - quite often he seems to be uninvolved in the play or getting out of the way. I don't think Can fits with Gerrard - I think Gerrard will be replaced by a Can Henderson partnership.

I had grave doubts Gerrard could play the holding role as he had a history of vacating the midfield space. Last season he surprised me that he could do this, but this season hes gone back to running around all over the gaff like a lunatic

[DannyMan2006]

I had grave doubts Gerrard could play the holding role as he had a history of vacating the midfield space. Last season he surprised me that he could do this, but this season hes gone back to running around all over the gaff like a lunatic

Gerrard stays where he is when he trusts the players around him to get the job done. When players ahead aren't creating anything he goes hunting and leaves the back door open. He's played the same way his whole career.

We could play him further up, but he'd just drop back when players failed to get him on the ball and leave a gap to the striker. He'd still be exceptional in a top quality side. But I sometimes feel that if your side isn't that great, you're best of leaving Gerrard out as he creates an imbalance.

But why would you leave one of your better players out if the side is struggling? It's a very difficult situation. Ideally Sturridge will prove to be the messiah, he'll bang the goals in, get a song and be the new darling of the Kop as we turn it around. That would get Stevie to sit again and it'd be far nicer to see Stevie playing out his days as a composed holding player as opposed to one running all over the park to try and make things happen when he's no longer physically capable.