Alot is talked about Gerrard in the last few years... "Too old" "Injury prone" "Not disciplined enough to hold position" "Not fit enough to roam/surge forward like he used to" "We play better without him" "Players are too in awe/intimiated playing alongside him" And so on and so forth. He's 31 now, 32 at the start of next season and it's evident he's not the midfield dynamo he once was but we've all seen his eye for a pass has not been lost. Can this guy do what other older players have done and convert his role to be more disciplined and sit infront of the back four and starting attacks rather than being on the end of them? Instead of spending 15/20million on an "alonso replacement", maybe we have one already and as seen with Scholes/Giggs, he could get another 5 years of top flight football in a physically less intense position. Gives time for our youth/academy players to develop also. I think he could do if he wanted to. He has all the attributes necessary, just needs to hold back his natural instincts to charge upfield. Him/Lucas could really be a great duo providing the other four ahead of them are pacey, skillful and dynamic and with Lucas covering the defensive work to allow Gerrard to make the plays. Can he change and does he have an important role at the club if he doesn't? I ask because if he plays behind a striker, we need a second centre mid alongside Lucas, which either reduces options up front (a lone striker) or we lose width. Neither of which are great...
Serious note: I think he can really only pla behind the striker now, I would not want him in the CM. Lighter note: [video=youtube;QRBak_2X3Do]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QRBak_2X3Do[/video]
I think he has shown signs of changing in a few games. He has been an amazing player for us maybe the best ever and he's got a football brain to go with the all action style. I think he is going to be more important than ever next season, we need his experience on the pitch. I don't have any doubts that he will adjust and play for a few more seasons yet.
Hes versatile and could play in the role jj suggests,its been painful watching him cover for players and track back to our 18yrd line to get posession then push forward to create chances. If hes going to play on for a few more years our players need to work harder.
Just trying to be optimistic about his 'youthfullness' for as long as possible! He's not over the hill yet, still only 31!
