Last night has again encouraged me to raise a point that I'v raised a few times better. Think back to our game with Spurs last season when Gerrard was injured. We set up the midfield like this: -----------------Lucas--------------- ------Henderson------Allen--------- This game was a great one for us and this midfield played a key part in that. That day this midfield performed very well as a unit and IMO was the most balanced our midfield looked all season. Yesterday we almost played this midfield, with with Can in for Henderson, who performed well. Can and Henderson are very similar players so the balance worked out very much the same. Real Madrid still won the game, but they won because of two great CB's and an incredible front 3. They may not be our 3 best midfielders necercerelly apart from possibly Henderson) but they appear to be the 3 that work best together, and that what building a great team is about. Not the best 11 possible but the 11 that work best together. This midfield seems to shape up better, keep the ball better, distribute possession better, have more energy and defend better. Which right now sounds like the opposite to our 'other' midfield. The other options in midfield dont get forgotten. Coutinho has been a brilliant impact sub lately and can operate well in a role ahead of this trio. Gerrard's passing will be great late in games and against teams that sit back and dont hurry us. Can is a very worthy alternative to Henderson and can add extra muscle in place of Allen if needed, he's also very young. This midfield may not be the most creative, but it is efficient, and if we can get Sterling, Lallana and a fit again Sturridge operating freely ahead of them and our new Spanish full backs bombing down the flanks and think this can really work. I also feel with more confidence Allen will show us some real hidden spark. I feel Rodgers needs to take note of this. I feel this midfield with improve us defensively, improve our possession and make us a lot more efficient. It puts a lot on the front 3 when it comes to goal scoring but I think they are up to it (apart from Balotelli...). Now share your thoughts and feelings and get this discussion going!
Depends on the game - if we are expected to dominate possession and attack, then we need Coutinho in that midfield 3. He, along with Can are the only ones who can pick the ball up from deep, beat a few players and drive into the opponents half. If we need to be solid and tight, then 2 (if not all 3) of Henderson, Can, Allen have to play. Said it before that I would sooner pick Lucas ahead of Gerrard in the DM role (although I would prefer a younger, better DM to be signed). Either way, Gerrard should not be in the midfield 3. But we all know that Rodgers will pick him for Chelsea game.
Its clear that we played better with a proper DM. Every one is just more confident, balanced and assured. Gerrard's still very god but he's not right for that role in this league. He'd probably excel in it in Italy, and possibly Spain, but not the EPL. I think even Huddlestone or Delph would balance our midfield better as DM's than Gerrard.
Yeah agreed - and when I criticise Gerrard, I'm not criticising his ability, just the way he's being utilised. He should only be used an impact sub for the last 15-20 mins in an attacking role. But you're right - the key word is balance. The midfield looks far more balanced with him out of it. We still need more creative sparks from the centre thuogh - Allen and Henderson are workhorses, although Henderson has some good moments. With the exception of Can and Coutinho, the other midfielders can't carry the ball 20-30 yards and drive into the opponents half.
Most balanced and efficient with the options with have available. Remember that midfield could easily become a diamond with Sterling or Coutinho ahead of it. ATM I'd personally prioitise the defensive and possession keeping side over attack. Our defense is costing us every thing ATM. People compared Gerrard in this role to Pirlo. I reckon Pirlo would look half the player he currently is in the EPL. That DM role just asks so much more of a player over here.
Offensively, they didn't have any options so cannot fault them for that. Can and Allen won the ball back several times, found a bit of space and played into the attackers.
Maybe but we must remember - Pirlo has played that role for most of his career and he's a master at it. Gerrard isn't in Pirlo's class for that role. But that's the same as asking Pirlo to play the AM role which Gerrard excelled in. Pirlo has two world class midfielders in front of him - Pogba and Vidal who p*ss over Henderson and Allen.
I don't disagree.... gerrard is gone. we should all admit it. paisley said let them age elsewhere... the fact is the club has to move on and gerrard game on and started slapping round fast and loose last night and what that did was give possession away quite a bit compared to simple short one touch stuff. I don't think its good enough to get up the table to 4th but its a start. And give can credit too. if he gets fit (two injuired and no preseason) he can compete with allen who is too lightweight i nthe prem
yet v england pirlo did just that... pirlo is a great players from yore.. who can still find the space and play.
He is world class, no doubt. Also, we have to play Can more often now. This lad can be scarily good for us.
If we had two quality strikers available then I'd agree about Sterling/Coutinho being introduced at the tip of the diamond. Unfortunately, even once Sturridge returns we don't have that!
Borini was a constant option and Markovic was available a few times in the first half too but they refused to play the ball forward. I reckon Brod told them to constantly slow the play down.
I disagree - Borini, Lallana and Markovic received the ball a number of times but didn't know what to do with it or simply lost it. Again, will cut them some slack because they were often isolated.
That's different. You said the midfield didn't have options and I pointed out that they did, I didn't say they were good options! However, there were quite a few times when one of those players were in masses of space and had the ball been played, they were in on goal but the pass never arrived. There was even one when Moreno bombed down the left unmarked and would have clean through had the ball arrived, it didn't. This is what I'm mean by lacking an offensive edge.
Our Midfield is most efficient when those in there don't have to cover for some others.... I love Gerrard, but he's impacting games less and less, his legs have his passing isn't as crisp and accurate as it used to be, apart from the odd free kick and Pen, can we afford to "start" with him? Lucas may have lost that bit of pace but he makes up for it in his reading of the game and discipline in actually sitting in front of the back four. I don't agree that Ford needs to be part of the Midfield 3.... Of the current squad I'd like to see us play with Lucas at the base of the tip, with Hendo and Can/Allen just ahead.. Ford at the time of the Diamond and Sterling playing just off Sturridge when he's back. Manquilo shouldn't be dropped for Johnson anymore. Moreno had the sort of game I'd like to see more often, yes, he was a bit rash with the challenge on Bale but other than that he played a blinder. Think Mings Performance yesterday will do him some good. I do hope for the morale of those that played yesterday that they don't get "dropped/rested" for those that haven't been playing too well up to now this season!
Ahh fair enough - I meant that they didn't have any decent options to aim for, and when they did, the attackers didn't do much with the ball. Re. that Moreno chance - was that the one when Lallana had the ball and didn't see it? He has a habit of making poor decisions and slowing the play down. Hope he improves.
Yes but to be fair to him, he wasn't facing that why either. He was looking towards the right corner flag whilst Moreno bombed down the left. He had time to turn and play it but needed the shout. The Bernabéu isn't exactly a quiet stadium so AL may not have heard him if he had shouted. Having said that, had Lallana passed quicker, another player (I think it was Can but may have been Allen or Lucas) could have put Moreno in instead.
