Gerrard is past it, no longer our best CM as allen and lucas are now passing him in influance on games. I think he needs to be bench and used like scum use giggs. i know lucas is our but jonjo is playing well and i think hendo will suite the sytle we are slowly developing. But this is me. P.S I kinda need a new name.. any ideas??
It's an easy argument to make tho as you can merely pick out his poor games to make your point and wait until his legs really go! ? I still think he offers more than Shelvey generally and is too important to use sparingly. His poor play yesterday wasnt his legs going it was touch and technique.
You don't play Gerrard for 90 minutes against Hearts on Thursday night when we are playing Arsenal on Sunday afternoon
I definitely think his position is under threat, I wouldn't mind seeing him where Suarez was yesterday in some games. Lucas, Allen and Sahin are all good enough and likely to be our midfield trio imo. Gerard will start from the bench more this season or up front. For your name, how about 'Dr Yesil'? Has a ring to it.
Gerrard's peformances have been in decline over the past 2 years and doesn't deserve to be in the starting XI. I would rather have Hendo or Shelveey take his place (until Lucas returns). One thing I have noticed that Gerrard's enthusiasm and work rate have been more visible, chasing down and putting in some great tackles. But as mentioned above, his technical impact on the game is non existent. The move breaks down with him wanting to try the long ball all the time.
^ This. Much more effective on the Right of the front three imo.....although Carroll would of probably been the biggest benefactor of this
Gerrard is not fantastic technically (I also said this last season) and does not suit this short passes or keeping possession because he is actually pretty poor dribbling. I said in the off season that I wanted Rafa back because I felt he would have been best suited at re-inventing Gerrard possible further forward. I think on the right side of the front 3 needs to be given a try. If he fails there then sadly he will have to be just a last chance salon from the bench.
Gerrard should be playing in the forward 3, were he can just roam around and do whatever he likes whilst linking up with Suarez and Sterling. Plus he can actually find the goal. I'd rather have Shelvey playing alongside Allen and Sahin at the moment (in the absense of Lucas). Guy's impressing me more and more lately.
Gerrard is well past it and it's telling that no big teams ever came in for him. He's had his time with us and best to start looking to the future.
With his record of quality tackling, intercepting and passing, Lucas should always be utilised as a deep midfielder. I agree Gerrard looks, at times jaded, but he is comfortably our finest finisher in the squad and should, therefore, be played further forward. Reduce weaknesses and play to individual's strengths. I'm sure no one would dispute that Lucas' short passing game is good, like Allen's, and that Gerrard's is not as good. Keep Allen and Lucas breaking up play and moving the ball around (Hendo could also play the Lucas role with practice, I feel!), use Shelvey to drive forward (linking midfield and attack, a la Gerrard in his pomp) and allow Gerrard to get on the end of things, with Suarez/Borini/Sterling, etc. We have to use the skills our players have properly. Gerrard can still play a midfield role, but that should be secondary to his striker role I'd say. Who in our team would you most like to see one on one with the opposition's keeper? For me, almost certainly Gerrard!
I made this point a few weeks back, when everyone was submitting their team formations, and Gerrard was in everyone's team. Now I wasn't all out calling for him to be sacked, I was more playing Devil's Advocate. For me, there is still no-one like Stevie for just getting the ball and saying "stuff it" and just run forward with it. It scared defences, and it can often produce results. However Suarez is no Torres, for getting onto Stevie's little bursts, so they have become less effective, but that's not Stevie's fault in my books. I feel he should be used in place of Downing or even Borini in the forward 3, but that again limits Stevie's skill of coming from the middle with the ball. For me this is the down side of Rodger's plan, if the formation is too rigid, you sacrifice individual skill, you need to let Stevie drop back and run forward with free will, but I think Rodgers would have a fit if you suggest "roaming" or "free role" So we have to make a choice, Rodger's grand plan or utilising the talent you have in the team. Personally I much prefer what Kenny was trying to do, and pick players who can mix it up and let them do what the do best. Rodger's plan is too "workman like" for me. Once you drill it in, even a monkey can pick it up. I'd much prefer to see skilled players running riot.
How about Dr. Raheem? It's not alliterative, but has a nice ring to it. And you should be able to keep it for a while. Gerrard was pants yesterday, but I wouldn't drop him just yet. I agree with those who say he should be pushed forward more.
How about playing Stevie as a CF ? I remember Rafa always said, he thought Stevie would make a good centre forward when his legs start to go, if you think about it, it couldnt be worse than what we are experiencing at the moment. He´s better in the air than Suarez, a better finisher, he could come deep every now and again making space for Suarez, his limitations wouldnt be so pronounced in that area of the pitch either. It would also be an ideal way to phase him out the team gradually. I wrote a thread called "the elephant in the room" a few weeks back pretty much echoing whats being said here, I read a funny quote in a report after Sunday that went something like "the elephant in the room has just farted, & its Rodgers job to open the window"....food for thought indeed !
I was thinking this and I think it's best thing for Stevie - playing as the false number 9. One thing is for sure; Rodgers must play Suarez on the right! Let either Stevie or Borini play down the centre!
I think at very least Gerrard needs to be benched a few weeks... hopefully give him that drive back. He has been one of the weaker players... but still intelligently creates chances sporadically. As for names? Downin' the dumps. Jonjo 'vey All-en a days work Bore in'he Milk is my God B. Rodgers in the 21st century... Ummmm... I give up.
