True And despite scoring so many of them, whats the betting that Rooney (or Lampard should he be on the pitch) is the taker for England at the World Cup.
I wouldn't say Gerrard has "too much power", tbh. I think he commands a lot of respect at the club having been such an important figure for so long, and even those above him will take note of his opinions. As for BR's contract, I think negotiations should be left until the close season. However, I'm sure a word in his shell-like from JWH would be a good thing so that he is assured he's part of the long-term future and won't be open to offers from poachers.
I think Gerrard does hold a high level of power/influence at the club. It's something that he has earned through years of loyal service but we have to be careful that his decision/influence alone overrules the majority. There are rumours that he was influential in the sacking of Rafa and then recommended Roy (again, these are purely rumours so no idea if true). What I mean by that is that we could see something similar with Fergie and Moyes. Fergie was adamant to appoint Moyes - didn't anyone challenge him??
Should there be enough room on that plane for Lampard? Henderson, Ox are much better options. Wheareas Rooney should take a page from Suarez's and not be so obsessed with glory. Anyway, these are for another thread. Re Rodgers: He is truly a genuinely confident man. I cringed when I saw his Andy Warhol self-portrait in his own living room on "Being Liverpool", but you have to hand it to him - his hubris is perfectly moderated by a warm unarrogant social nature, a good mind for psychology and importantly for tactics. I'll go further and say that many of the great managers have had a certain hubristic style they throw around with natural confidence. See Shanks, Fergie, Clough, Capello, Mourinho, Van Gaal, Guardiola, Klopp... But strangely, even the seemingly modest ones wield a strong natural persona beneath their affable surface. See Ancelotti, Paisley, Hitzfeld, Lippi. and, hopefully Rodgers.
Well, I don't think Lampard should go but I don't know what Woy is thinking, who does? That's why I worded it the way I did.
No, obviously . I'd rather have Sterling take a penalty rather than those two. I meant they are both better options than Lampard to partner Gerrard in England's CM.
Gerrard strikes me as a passionate but humble and reasonable bloke. I can see him presenting his opinion in higher platforms and to higher suits than is normal for a footballer, but never in a forceful way. I think he knows and respects the hierarchy at the club, but on the other hand he will pitch in with his take on a situation. If Rodgers drops him in favour of a Bender say, I think he will understand and will want to know from Rodgers what he can do (if doable at all) to regain his place in the starting line-up. Now, the question that remains is: Would Gerrard lead the team spiritually in the dressing room as passionately, when he's second fiddle in the squad? I hope so.
Anyone else noticing how Rodgers is slowly turning the knife into Moyes with some of his comments? There's a 'nasty' side to Rodgers - ruthless, cold and I love it. Would love to see him do it to Mourinho though.
He can be patronising for such a young manager. He's keen on big terms, opinions and big pictures. But nasty and ruthless? Don't think so. But who knows. Maybe he fancies himself like Napoleon when he puts his hand sideways under the jacket... I loved his standing up for Mackay while bashing the Tan regime as well. Also, his chihuahua comment was bitterly sarcastic too.
i dunno. thats going a bit far i think the Chihuahua thing was a journo pressing for comment. yes saying what he said on tan was fine but again its not like ferguson sticking an oar in from afar its journos asking about the match circumstances and rodgers simply gave his opinion. i say oh i dunno he comments when moyes is sacked in 2 weeks time then ok... he's being patronising
For me Rodgers is a Managerial Legend in the making - for a young man he has it all to become the very best of this era. please log in to view this image
I agree but i fear the lure of either Barca or Real will become an issue in the not to distant future, he is a sensible man, and he may well become a legend, but he is also ambitious. That is why he is here. i have no idea how long he had left at Swansea but he still left them.
