Gerrard is out for 3 weeks. With Lucas also out this is a real potential blow. But on the other hand it could be a footballing blessing in disguise. So how should we cover the DM spot now? The position has become key to us playing well. Its been well discussed that Gerrard does not do the role well enough, which is why this may come with a silver lining. But with our team finall;y settled we do not want to go changing to much. These are the 2 obvious options I see, with a few possible variations. Move Can into midfield: Plus 1 of: Lovren in RCB Toure in RCB Johnson in RCB Change to a back 4 Can will add the muscle in midfield and also add energy. But the defense has looked well balanced with him at the back. Allen in DM and make no changes in defense. Allen does not add the muscle of Lucas or Can but does bring energy. Starting Allen also means the defense can stay unchanged, but they will get a lot less protection. For me changing the system is NOT an option.
This isn't bad news. Don't really want any of our players to get injured but it's better for some to get injured than others, Johnson is another one who I would rather take the hit. We're better when Gerrard doesn't play. We looked much more fluent, rhythmic and composed after he was subbed last night.
Bugger. I thought it said Gerrez out for 3 weeks. I think we have to move Can there. We surely can't ditch the formation as it has (unexpectedly) worked so well. I think we have to give Lovren the chance to show he can turn his game around, with Toure as back up. Please not GJ.
I wouldn't move Can to DM. Where he is now, he's playing brilliantly. Defensively solid, pacey, still pushes forward when possible, a calming influence on the ball and comfortable in possession to start attacks. I fear that if Lovren players there, we'll still be just as sound defensively, but Can will end up running back towards our goal to pick up the ball rather than always looking forward. Right now, we gain a midfielder when he chooses to roam up. If we have Sakho, Skrtel and Lovren, we'll always have 3 back because they'll never move up. Long term, absolutely a DM player. But right now, he's vital to our defense and playstyle where he is.
Take your point, but who else are we going to put there? Joe Allen is unconvincing, and a weak midfield is going to put more pressure on the back 3.
I would agree with most on here. My view would be strongly that i nthe context of the evidence at hand and the absence of both gerrard and lucas the only logical move is to place Can into CM beside henderson. I'm sorry to the allen lovers/defenders/camp the guy is so far off his own level in terms of fitness and sharpness i'd not even consider him an option at this point. Deeply unimpressive this season compared to last due to consistent injuries Then... honestly RCB is a direct choice between johnson, toure and lovern. We've seen toures before can... not good. I vote lets see what lovern can do and how he reacts to the chance... you cannot just write a guy off without at least some go at it. if he flops after coming back in then fine stick glen johnson in and dump both as soon as injuries permit. I think lovern can still do a job as an honest worker.
I agree with the sentiment of keeping the boy where he is as he is doing well and would say this too if any othe roption exists for CM. I therefore say there is no option so lovern at rcb and Can gives us the best CMs and gives lovern a chance at RCB. HOWEVER I just realized i'm saying this i nthe context of the next game being southampton away so I would be interested to see if Lovern could cope with a hostile crowd as well as the position. thats a big call. I think looking at southamptons best assets. pelle is a physical handful but tadic.... will he be in against lovern...
Joe Allen's utter utter ****e. Always has been. ****ing crazy that he's still anywhere near our team. Nothing about him at all.
Now Toure is coming back from Afcon, I'd slip him into RCB and move Can up to CM with hendo. Until Toure comes back I'd play lovren there. We're yet to see Lovren with actual capable DM in front of him, like Can, he's only ever had to have Gerrard and Allen in front of him, could be a lot better.
Definitely Lovren back into defence and Can into the midfield for me. Anything but Allen coming into the midfield!
Lovren cost a bloody fortune so he needs to step up and prove he's worth it. Give him a go, we know Can is a midfielder by trade and as mentioned he may well give us better cover in front of the defence.
Agree with most here, put Lovren in and move Can forward to partner Henderson. I know Lovren was absolutely terrible, but in all fairness earlier on in the season everyone was! The guy has to be given another chance in a more calm and settled team to see if he can offer something.
That's great news for us, do you reckon Lovren will come in then? He'll probably have his best game of the season at St Marys
