Sorry should of explained more. Wets Ham is a different type of attack, they try to steam roll and be over aggressive, given Gerrards lack of mobility we will lose the midfield. Games against Swansea, Southampton and Tottenham I want him to play, they will attack which will leave spaces for him to deliver. Games against crystal Palace, Burnley and Hull I don't want him to play, they will have no desire to attack especially if we are at home and he ends up being a hindrance.
People seem to be jumping on the legs have gone bandwagon every time he has a bad game. In my opinion he's been excellent since switching to the holding role bar 2 or 3 games. I don't think we would have been anywhere near 2nd if Rodgers hadn't changed his role. Much better tackler than Lucas and seems to me to make more blocks and interceptions than Lucas ever did, certainly gives away less free kicks in dangerous areas than Lucas. His set pieces are so important to us as well, we scored more set piece goals last season than any other team and he surely creates more than any other holding midfielder in the league. I wouldn't swap him from any other defensive midfielder in the league
Neither offer anywhere near as much in an attacking sense ie quality set pieces, free kicks and creative passes. In fact they don't really offer anything. You can certainly argue that Matic is better defensively but neither of those players are as influential for their teams as Gerrard is for us. Just compare the number of goals and assists last season, for a holding midfielder what Gerrard did was amazing.
Sorry but I can't accept that - he's nowhere near the level of Matic, Fernando, Wanyama as a DM. Yes, he can play the ball 50 yards but defensively, he's not in their league. (Not a criticism of the lad as it's not his natural position). There is more to the DM role than just making big challenges. Positioning, spatial awareness, pressing, acceleration to cover the ground. These are the less noticeable attributes which is why players like Allen and co will never get the credit they deserve.
I think it would be a waste of Can's ability if he is stuck in the DM role. He has a lot of energy, strong direct runs - he's the perfect player to play alongside Allen/Hendo ahead of the DM/Gerrard.
does that mean you would like to see another dm come in then jimmy? ie Gerrard ad Lucas aren't spring chickens, and i am not convinced personally Lucas will be here next season any way, and Hendo and Allen would be wasted in that role as well.
Ideally, yes. William Carvalho is the best young DM and we should do everything we can to get him. DM is quite a specialist position and having someone who is grown/moulded in that role is the best option. Can, Allen, hendo can fill that role temporarily but are better as the CM's.
You are right about the DM role being more than just making big challenges a la Masch. Prior to his cruciate injury I was a great admirer of the alternative style that Lucas brought to the role - though he has never recaptured that form. But Allen never was and never will be a DM. He is a ball shuffler and had his 'golden time' at Swansea. Henderson has more of the young Gerrard about him (box to box) and will be stifled if he continues in his present role - he already looks far more ponderous!
Lucas as the sole DM (no partner) and in the right system is a very effective DM (i.e. playing in a Rafa team). Unfortunately, because we move up the pitch so quickly, we need players who are quick to cover ground during the transition. Agreed on Henderson and the same applies to Can. They both need to be playing as the CM, and not deep. Great energy and power.
Think that was down to us giving defending and with you being safe basically giving it a go. This season if you score three against us I will become a Crystal Palace fan.
A midfield of ---Gerrard/DM----- -Hendo-------Can-- is simply too ponderous and defensive. Since Hendo is here to stay, Can is better groomed for the DM role where we also have a greater need. Qualities like lots of energy and strong direct runs are assets for the DM too, especially in an attack-minded team like LFC. Unlike Hendo, Can can get struck in more, is more combative shoulder to shoulder and in the tackle. Reminds me of Khedira. Whereas he's not as nimble-footed, quick in the pass or as mobile without the ball as Hendo.
Well the good thing is that Can is certainly versatile and can play in a number of roles. But he has shown on numerous occasions for both LFC and Leverkusen how he can pick the ball up from deep and drive towards the oppositions goal. That is a trait of a box to box midfielder and we should utilise that fully. I maintain that we should get a proper DM in, until Rossiter and Chirivella are ready to step up.
Not necercerrely. Can often played as a pace setter midfielder in Germany and gets compared to Sweignsteiger. Can is a very strong runner. That running could be wasted in Gerrard's role. - Any one fancy a bid for Javi Martinez for that eeper role?
lol, he's played about 20 minutes of competitve football for LFC hasn't he? He's proved nothing in the English game yet, comparisons to Ballack et al mean jack at present.
