What is it the Steve Gerrard show or England football team? I don't care whether poor old Stevie is being denied the opportunity to put some 'positive images' in the minds of whoever. He's been mince in the 2 games we've played, irrespective of the howler that ultimately put us out, he didn't warrant his place in the side anyway. Rest assured he won't quit England yet, as his massive ego will want the appearance record and Woy won't have the stones to leave him out.
I'll say again - someone has to go for that header, for if the ball goes straight through to Suarez from the goalkeeper he is onside. The c/b's were dilatory, but, as I've said since the moment it happened, 95% of the blame goes to Gerrard for a very, very poor header, so it's good he's taken the rap for it. Still can't understand the logic from some Mancs (like Jim White in the Telegraph - he of "Are You Watching Liverpool" notoriety - ) that Gerrard was primarily to blame for the first goal also for losing a tackle 40 yards from goal with the whole defence behind him, or maybe 'logic' is the wrong word.
Despite the vitriol and completely misplaced nonsense that Gerrard now wants to stay in the team because of his ego (if anything it's the opposite) I actually agree with most of this. Gerrard struggled woefully in Ukraine in a four man midfield alongside an equally aging Scott Parker, especially after the hour mark, and he's been dire (bar putting the ball on Rooney's head two foot from the goal) in this tournament in a two-man midfield with Henderson trying to do a job that no-one in the current English squad is qualified to do. I've been one of the ones who have banged the drum for the last two years about gerrard playing the Pirlo role, but Pirlo doesn't play in a two-man midfield. I look back on some of Liverpool's more dynamic performances last year, and either Gerrard wasn't playing (Spurs away) or Henderson wasn't deployed as a quasi-holding midfielder (Arsenal and Everton at home). Considering that most of our future talent lies around the likes of Barkley, Ox, Sterling, Welbeck (I thought he played fine in the first game, but looked shafted, like Sterling, at having to play go-for to Rooney in the second), Lallana and so forth, we either go back to playing a five-man midfield packed with the likes of Milner and so forth, or build our midfield to support the attack in front of it. And that doesn't mean pandering to Rooney for the fourth tournament in a row should we actually make France in 2016. Anyway, I suggested playing the kids around Lampard for the last game as it's pretty meaningless and I stick to that. In future I'd like to see us build around Barkley, Sterling and Ox, but most of all to be intelligent and flexible in our positions when we're without the ball. Those three I've mentioned have no problem defending at club level (Sterling's played right-back, ffs) so I was staggered at the media/pundit campaign to have Rooney switched because he's too precious to defend and support his full back. That's not the modern game feller, unless you're Messi or Ronaldo or suchlike. And you sure as **** are not.
We'll see what happens re: your first point mate.... I agree with the rest. You ended up playing with 2 midfielders in front of Gerrard this season, as it was apparent early on, when he moved back to play the same position as he's been playing for England - that he just couldn't do it! As his legs are shot. He can still pick a pass and his dead ball delivery is still fantastic, but he couldn't tackle a breakfast these days and he's lost that split second of reaction time that you need to play at the top level in an 'all round' CM position. Picking Lampard is just sentiment as he makes Gerrard look nimble these days. It's a poor call from Woy that. He should play an entire side of the younger lads, not only for experience, but also as a statement of intent. We've got a piss easy Euro qualifying group and he's now got 2 years to formulate a winning side from the promising youngsters we've got in and on the periphery of the squad.
we played with 3 CMs when defending and an effective back 3 with the cbs and gerrard when attacking. you are right picking gerrard in the last game would be sentiment but he will do so. Yes we've an easy group too. i would hope we are not seeing gerrard as the only reason is to collect caps for the beckham record... which btw was inflated artificially hen beckham couldn't run at all either. oh and just cos gerrard's legs are shot doesn't excuse the others for either goal just thought i'd get that in there
