Gerrard has surely peaked and passed his best but that doesn't mean he can't pull out a few grandstand performances, it just won't be every week. I also think there's value in his mere presence on the pitch, however he performs. He instills confidence in the team which is why when he plays well, invariably the team do. I can't guess who would be captain when his playing days are over. Reina, if he's still around - do both fergus and Wenger want him? I just don't see captain material in anyone else.
hope rooney plays - rarely does well against us. Frightened of RVP though my team to play the mancs tomorrow GK Reina RB Johnson LB Downing (keep Johnson at RB - better going forward in that area CB's Skyrtel and Agger CM Allen and Lucas Attacking mid Gerrard Wingers Sterling and Sturridge rotating with Suarez (his pace could be a real threat to the likes of Vidic who has struggled in the past against quick players) CF Suarez Play this team and I think we should have a gr8 chance
captain when stevie g retires - Lucas or Agger - hope that does not happen for a few years though as he still has a lot to offer and personally speaking I hope he goes on to his late thirties - look at Giggs, Scholes, etc
one point of order...if he'd stop "insisting" on playing all 90mins of every game bar the few europa away legs he was not played in i might feel better but i'm seeing us just stopping playing rather than playing for 90 mins. surely he'd be better if he played the odd 70mins game knwing thats what he's getting so he can focus his efforts and give bigger performances? I'd just like to see him play 70mins at the level he used to play 90mins at and then come off and let a yuonger player be groomed into his more advanced role. We are playing him deeper and having henderson run round closing down higher up the pitch, its no co-incidence the games we played really poor sides are the ones where we kept clean sheets. the big test for me is lets see the 3 hard away games and see what role gerrard plays. I would want us to be at minimum hard to beat so if i see lucas on his own screening our back 4 and the likes of rooney having a field day or who ever i won't be happy. If gerrard plays with tactical discipline he can cover defensively and still use the passing range.
MITO, you have to look at the youngsters that we currently have. Then think about which of them have the ability to substitute for Gerrard during what is often a critical part of the game.
If Gerrard wasn't fit enough to play at the top of his game for 90 minutes then the fully qualified LFC physios would say so. I trust their judgement, of course as you get older you change your game to adapt to the physical aspects of the game, but right now he's had a good run of games, after a season or two of constant injurys - hopefully he'll continue improving and finding even better form, and like many have said - The better Gerrard plays the better we play.
ok, but lets be fair to them too... gerrard is playing every game, not just ones where its tight or we need a goal. every one. Now if shelvey is good enough to rate a start surely he's good enough to play in gerrards role so we get a better gerrard over the course of the year.. i say shelvey as i see him going and doing the same type of general wanting to be forward and not so interested in being back.
and its great for gerrard to do that but lets be frank... will he go over the cliff... will he end up shortening his total career... or conversely due to sitting about for 2 years has he got the mile son the clock left and its not an issue. For me I think rafa would be moving him to the benayoun role... 65mins and off you come. every league minute is great compared to previous years and perhaps rodgers sees it as he needs his captain due to the yuong players but does he need to play all 90mins when we trash qpr or sunderland to name just two that we just stopped really trying in. did he need to stay on v mansfield when just perhaps he could have come off? 2-0 up and wisdom was not yet beat.. he could have been hauled ashore... who knows.. i just think he'd play better knowing he's not got to get to 90mins every game cos i see him fading every half after 20-30mins.
you are right... suarez is 25 and if we want him to play at 30 (if he stays cos we are in the cl) then playing him so much is not good either... see torres. you are right. unfortunately unitl now we've not had an option up top by rodgers own decisions and the club failing to buy. gerrard has had two options to be subbed for all year.... sahin, early on. shelvey all year... henderson... suso even. Ok perhaps lucas being out may have early on scared rodgers too much to have a really young midfield but now he's back... lucas allen/hendo.. shelvey advanced or suso advanced... 70min in 3-0 up gerrard two assists.. the guy walks off to standing ovation... ideal no? your right about mansfield i rush and only checked who was subbed on for who nto the first team so despite watching the game i forgot
oh and before i forget.... if anyone points it out i'd agree a game like man utd away is one where he needs to give 90mins. i can see that.... but i liken it to messi... he plays 90mins every game.. last year he really was jaded when cheslea and real games game and wouldn't rest... now he's young and bull headed so at least gerrard allows a game off but i think we need to remove him from games like sunderland and qpr. And the point about suarez is well made. its tempting but at least sometimes we've seen rodgers sub him...
