Like most of you, I was pretty pissed off by the Blackburn performance. same old same old about lack of quality in the final 10 yards. However, when Stevie G came on during the game and he grabbed the captain's armband I was reminded of the unique qualities that the guy possesses. Not only did he send over a stonking cross within seconds of coming onto the pitch, he was soon striding around around the park and making an impact on not only the opposition's game, but our own. What I mean is, I felt even in the limited exposure he gained towards the end of the game it was as though the whole team became far more purposeful. OK, we were still unable to stick the goals away in that last 3 minutes of madness, but I for one was reminded of how central to the Liverpool way of playing Stevie G is. And as I think about how we've struggled this season (relatively), I have come to the conclusion that whilst we have far stronger leadership in management (KK vs Woy) and on the training ground (SC vs Sammy), we haven't achieved the same on the pitch. What the team now needs probably is another striker in the January window, but in my opinion what we are desperately lacking is not just the quality of Steven Gerrard's play, but his ability to inspire and lead the team to finishing the job against any opposition. With him back in the frame, and as long as he stay fit, I am still holding out got fourth place. Our leader is back. GKRK.
Ay nice post! Good point regarding Gerrard. It's been good to see we have character without him - shown against the likes of City, Chelsea, Arsenal and United which bodes well for the future, but there is not doubt we are better with him and he will focus us as a team.
Gerrard is such a big presence on the pitch, he's a player that I'm not sure we'll ever manage to replicate, so instead we need to start looking for players that will fill the gap he will leave. If we can keep him fit, then we must be back in the running for the top 4. His last big task will be to revitalise the team and get them back to winning ways.
I agree with the OP Gerrard will show leadership and drive us forward. We need others to step and do the same. Carra is another leader we are missing, he may not be the player he once was but his presence on the pitch is missed.
Yeah i agree, nice thread. We are definitely missing that lead by example, pull your socks up style that Gerrard brings. Another factor along a similar lines is the fact that few of the players we've signed come from clubs with top of the table, winner's mentalities.This is something that will develop as we start to gel as a team and as we sign one or two more players, but at the moment it is definitely an issue. Why do you think Man Utd win so many games they play poorly in or need a late goal in? Because even their squad players have that mentality of expecting the win. We will gain that but at the moment, with all the off field issues and everything, there's a pressurized environment that most of our players may well struggle to play their best under until they develop that mentality.
We have good players but may lack leaders. In our squad I'd say only Gerrard and Carra fit the bill and then maybe Lucas (By Example), Suarez possibly but other than that we are short of players that can communicate well or take the game on themselves.
The fellas only giving his opinion,no need to start calling him names,after all thats what a forum is for :-OPINIONS Maybe Gerrard should come on as an impact player until he is fully fit.After all everyone was saying dont rush him back.
Quality player and we´ll do alot better with him in the team, problem is keeping fit, i think we play a decent enough tempo in the 1st halves of matches. It´s the 2nd half that we tend to get nervy and panic when it doesnt happen for us so in that respect i´d be temted to only introduce him for 2nd halves for say at least 10 matches. That way the team can carry on trying to integrate without gerrard so that we dont miss him when he is injured and we get a calming , quality presence on the pitch for the 2nd half (if things arnt going our way) or can go for the juggular with the quality of his deliveries/ general play if we are doing well. What ever the case we have to slowly bring him back as we despèratly need him for the remainder of this season, regardless of time on the pitch. Personally i belive if we keep him fit and limit his game time for the remainder of the season we´ll finish 4th.
