I've been referred to as the internet equivalent of a camel toe. As I don't know what that means, I'm not offended.
Football has changed If Brendan thinks the new words more accurately represent the ideas he wants to communicate (to the world but more importantly to the players) then so be it. I don't see many of you screaming "he's not a midfielder FFS he's a halfback ", so deal.
less gobbly gook? Rap battle with German subtitles. BOOM! [video=youtube;jSK0rEi9o1Q]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jSK0rEi9o1Q[/video]
Ming the Merciless is all educated up isn't he? Thought I read that somewhere. He could translate for Brendan: "He means you run over there a lot" It's a tough one, results are coming our way but Gerrard & Lucas look immobile to the point of statues at times. There's a huge empty space, particularly as they tire. Too much of an area for Coutinho, Henderson or Allen to cover. We're in that weird position of having two players that individually you look at the rest of the squad and say "I can't replace him with those guys" but yet together are sucking the dynamic out of midfield a bit. Opposition/situation aside there were pre season matches where neither played and the rest of these guys playing together looked much much more mobile and comfortable on the ball, passing it at pace. It's just there's no way BR would have the balls to run with it and risk a couple of losses for it to work while we scream in outrage at the fact Gerrard and or Lucas is on the bench. So only remaining options are: buy in ready made players that we won't grumble about them forcing either G or L to the bench. Or we wait until Gerrard retires and then shake it up with whoever is still here. It's whether those players have developed enough as bit parts in the time in between to become full blooded heirs to the throne so to speak. It really is a strange predicament.
I'd have repped you for that Billy, but it seems I've been inexplicably too nice to you in the past and I'm not allowed.
I agree with you Frank. Rodgers's doesn't have the balls to drop Gerrard and Lucas to some extent. It takes a suspension or injury for either to be dropped. But then again, it's not like we have an abundance of talent in that area of the field. I maintain that with Gerrard in such a deep position hinders our style of play (or the style that Rodgers's wants to achieve). Looking back at Kenny's first half season, and the first half of the next season while Gerrard was out injured, we played some great football, scored goals and picked up points.
But we played some good footy, scored goals and picked up points without Suarez yet it's madness not to bring him back when available. I'll return to an argument I used a lot when we were discussing Stevie G last season Jimmy.....just as at the start of last year Gerrard and Lucas are having to learn YET ANOTHER formation and way to play. Stevie as always WILL adjust and get better in the role given time but that will only happen if the 3 centre halfs (see what I did there?) settle in and look secure thus allowing the whole midfield to sit higher up.
We were picking up points with Coutinho and Sturridge. We clearly struggled without Coutinho (albeit 2 matches), so Suarez's inclusion was necessary. I think we'll have to agree to disagree Bill - personally, Lucas and Gerrard are simply not suited to this formation. Not saying that either are poor players but Gerrard needs to be playing higher up, and the current tactics don't suit Lucas. It takes more than one amazing ball from Gerrard to make me forget about the other 89 minutes of lethargy and inability to control/dominate matches. Simply (IMO) - they're not suited to this formation and style. Our midfield needs mobile players - always on the go, always looking for space, technical, combative. Lucas and Gerrard are far too static - no amount of adjusting will resolve their inability to move around the pitch quick enough to support attack and defence. That's more of a physical thing. Believe it or not, but Allen is the type of midfielder we need (maybe not himself per se, but a better version of him).
That's the issue Jimmy. Gerrard is forced on to Rodgers. And before anyone gets excited I'm not in any way slating Gerrard as a player. I mean if Gerrard wasn't already here but was available at his age and a more dynamic player of similar class was too; Rodgers would not buy Gerrard. Maybe Billy is right and him & Lucas will get used to it but when you listen to Rodgers talk he wants an entire team that can shift smoothly & immediately into different formations as the game dictates. I'm not sure they can do that (along with a couple if others to be fair) Is he asking too much no matter who we play with this existing squad? Probably. But it's his plan and it's being stalled with current players at his disposal. I just think that as more and more of the team (players wise) takes shape in BR's image the more obvious Gerrard and yes Lucas look like they don't quite fit, at least together. I do think its a waiting patiently game and make do in the mean time. As you indicate Billy, as much as in theory I can say 3 lesser players might make a team perform better than a good & great player forced in; no manager on earth, particularly when you're not a PL winning side is going to bench any of his high class players in reality. They're not currently falling from the trees so much that we can pick and choose them.
Well said Frank - I think a great example is the impact Coutinho and Sturridge had, as opposed to Luis just by himself.
Then I think England could do worse than drop Joe Hart and give that Celtic lad a go as the false-goalline- centre-back- with-gloves.
