Are we a better team without Gerrard?

[Elm0]

Everyone is well acquainted with Gerrards unique abilities, namely his drive and energy that can aptly pull the team from the jaws of defeat. There is plenty of evidence to suggest that hes on the wane however, and that coupled with our current form has got me thinking about where he slots back into the team.

 

Will he be satisfied taking over the direct role replacement of Spearing for instance? In this case it would be more perhaps purposeful to buy a better DM to play instead of spearing, rather then push Gerrard into that position. But that of course doesnt get him back into the team. Meireles then? Once again his natural game isnt Gerrards.

 

All in all it appears that the team would have to be reshaped to fit Gerrard in. The problem is, especially given current form, is this a wise move?

 

Just to clarify, this is not a Gerrard Out thread. He's still got plenty to offer, but I do find myself thinking if its the stage of his career where he doesnt play every game.

[Epic Swindle]

No, at least not yet.

[Jarg Armani]

Ha. We're a better team without Gerard. Not Gerrard though.

[Nerik]

At his best he still offers what most other players in the world cannot, so we are not a better team without him. This season he had his injury problems but he was still decisive and influential in many a game.

[Elm0]

I can see this thread being undermined by my typo

[crisps]

Can't really say but i reckon we would probably be a much better 'team' with Gerrard in when he gets a good run in under Kenny. Perhaps he also wont try to do everything himself too as the Team seem to be playing much better together and no Torres sulking up front.

Edited April 27, 2011 by crisps

[Cam]

The team is doing okay without him at the moment but at either Fulham or Villa we'll be struggling for that drive & determination that only he provides.

 

But I do wonder where to play him at this stage in his career. I never got the argument against him playing central in a 442 but now I do. He was absolute class there but has developed into a different player. Rafa and playing with Torres in a 4231 took him to another level but even he struggled in that position last season and when we've used it this season. Could he continue making the explosive runs from central 442? And he's certainly deficient in the defensive responsibilities.

 

So wide right in 442? Right with Carroll in the centre and Suarez left in a 433? The right of that midfield 3? Fullback? Centreback?

[madaboutlfc]

No

[Epic Swindle]

Kenny will play him deeper.

[domlfc]

I reckon with this Summer off and finally getting to the bottom of his groin problem(hopefully, how long is it he has had this, 3yrs?)we will see the best of Gerrard in the next 2 seasons. Play him anywhere, he is better than most anyway.

[Ronnie#5]

Kenny will play him deeper.

Unless it's Right Back that'll be a major error of judgement.... One which I don't believe the King will make.

[épieur]

Unless it's Right Back that'll be a major error of judgement.... One which I don't believe the King will make.

he has done very well in a more conventional midfield role this season. Looked disciplined and mature.

 

 

Kenny has already made "the major error in judgement" by playing him in such a role when he has picked him so far.

 

 

[Ombudsam]

He'll play as one of two in the centre and offer guile from that position

[Epic Swindle]

I'd probably play him further forward. I think Jay has shown that it's vital to have bit of energy and bite in there but I'm not sure Stevie still has that in him. Great on the ball though.

[muleskinner]

The team is doing okay without him at the moment but at either Fulham or Villa we'll be struggling for that drive & determination that only he provides.

 

But I do wonder where to play him at this stage in his career. I never got the argument against him playing central in a 442 but now I do. He was absolute class there but has developed into a different player. Rafa and playing with Torres in a 4231 took him to another level but even he struggled in that position last season and when we've used it this season. Could he continue making the explosive runs from central 442? And he's certainly deficient in the defensive responsibilities.

 

So wide right in 442? Right with Carroll in the centre and Suarez left in a 433? The right of that midfield 3? Fullback? Centreback?

Gerrards defensive deficiencies were there for all to see in his last performance.

[Ronnie#5]

he has done very well in a more conventional midfield role this season. Looked disciplined and mature.

 

 

Kenny has already made "the major error in judgement" by playing him in such a role when he has picked him so far.

 

More a necessity due to lack of numbers in CM. If SG is starting in CM next year week-in week out then we're going nowhere fast. Hence why it's an error in judgement that the King won't make. It's obvious really.

 

He'll play as one of two in the centre and offer guile from that position

Define "guile"? Seriously lads the lad simply CANNOT play CM at the highest level in a conventional 2 in CM. Don't get me wrong he could do a job there but at the level we need go be at He's not disciplined enough. He's not a good enough passer of the ball. He's way too focused on the spectacular .... arguably his best game in CM was at Angield against the Scum. Why? He was injured & had to play within himself so no Hollywood balls etc.

 

Its a criminal offense to give away the ball as a Central Midfielder in the modern game. He does it WAY too often.

[Farmer's Tan]

Kenny will play him deeper.

 

everyone says that but every time i read it the first thing that comes to my mind is that he should be playing further forward,right behind carroll with kuyt and suarez either side.Let lucas and spearing do the donkey work and gerrard do the creating and scoring.

 

I'd probably play him further forward. I think Jay has shown that it's vital to have bit of energy and bite in there but I'm not sure Stevie still has that in him. Great on the ball though.

 

i guess i should have read the whole thread before responding...

[Swan Red]

Define "guile"? Seriously lads the lad simply CANNOT play CM at the highest level in a conventional 2 in CM. Don't get me wrong he could do a job there but at the level we need go be at He's not disciplined enough. He's not a good enough passer of the ball. He's way too focused on the spectacular .... arguably his best game in CM was at Angield against the Scum. Why? He was injured & had to play within himself so no Hollywood balls etc.

 

Its a criminal offense to give away the ball as a Central Midfielder in the modern game. He does it WAY too often.

 

He can do that through choice and coaching

 

and your description of the best player liverpool have had in nigh on 20 years is appalling

[Case]

A fully fit Steven Gerrard could play in any one of 4 positions for us and improve us. Any one of the incumbents at RM, either of the two CM's and the 'In-The-Hole' position could be left out for Steve and we'd be a better team. Arguably, he could also do a better job at LM, but we need a specialist there.

 

So, in short - No.

[Hassony]

We are a better team without Gerrard than we are with a half fit Gerrard

 

hopefully he'll be fit and roaring to go next season

[David Hodgson]

Everyone is well acquainted with Gerrards unique abilities, namely his drive and energy that can aptly pull the team from the jaws of defeat. There is plenty of evidence to suggest that hes on the wane however, and that coupled with our current form has got me thinking about where he slots back into the team.

 

Will he be satisfied taking over the direct role replacement of Spearing for instance? In this case it would be more perhaps purposeful to buy a better DM to play instead of spearing, rather then push Gerrard into that position. But that of course doesnt get him back into the team. Meireles then? Once again his natural game isnt Gerrards.

 

All in all it appears that the team would have to be reshaped to fit Gerrard in. The problem is, especially given current form, is this a wise move?

 

Just to clarify, this is not a Gerrard Out thread. He's still got plenty to offer, but I do find myself thinking if its the stage of his career where he doesnt play every game.

 

Re-shaped ? What is its current shape ?

[épieur]

More a necessity due to lack of numbers in CM. If SG is starting in CM next year week-in week out then we're going nowhere fast. Hence why it's an error in judgement that the King won't make. It's obvious really.

This is very strange argumentation. And not true either. Even when he stacks the midfield, he prefers Meireles in the advanced role and Gerrard sitting deeper in midfield.

 

He can do that through choice and coaching

 

and your description of the best player liverpool have had in nigh on 20 years is appalling

 

It is certainly appallingly over the top. Gerrard has had far too many great games in midfield over the years for such categorical amounting to anything less than a slur. Yeah, there have been question marks over some of his midfield qualities over the years, but they haven't shown much this season. It's silly to just stick to the old clichés if the signs suggest he might be growing out of them, let alone exaggerate them to satirical proportions like is done here.

[Swan Red]

People not wanting a fit Gerrard in a starting 11 are mental

[épieur]

People not wanting a fit Gerrard in a starting 11 are mental

 

This. He'll walz into midfield and the question is purely who gets to partner him. Raising question marks because he doesn't run about like Spearing? Please, he compensates by being the best footballer on the pitch.

[Cobs]

People not wanting a fit Gerrard in a starting 11 are mental

That's a polite way of putting it