Gerrard

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Dirtyfrank said:
I actually thought our problem last year was after the 7 seconds. We'd all press Gerrard included when we lost the ball but if & when the opposition broke out, our midfield stopped, Gerrard included & watched from the opposition half as they attacked our DM & CB's: the only players left in our half. This disappeared due to withdrawing to accommodate Carraghers lack of pace.

That is what (as Billy says) is the difference between us & Barca. We didn't seem to know what to do next as a team if we didn't win the ball back in those 7 seconds.

I've suspected that the players round Gerrard have hid behind him for years & it's only showing because he can't do one & half jobs anymore.

Need better players around him than Downing, Shelvey, Spearing & as it stands (possible return to form/improvement aside) also Henderson & Allen.

But we already knew that.

His presence does disjoint the team mentally. But I'd rather have him as just one(rather than one & a half) good player these days than a well balanced mediocre 3 with no one to hide behind. Even though I'd always like an 11 selected by merit.

Hopefully we get real competition into that midfield area within the next couple of windows & then we can talk about Gerrard having to earn a place.
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The players looked like they were expecting their heads to explode if they didn't win it back early. I think the 7 second thing was taken a bit too literally <laugh>

For me it's the whole expectation thing. Because he can't cover the miles he used to (people seem to forget his injury record was mainly due to him being OVER worked week in week out) some fans think he's lazy. Seriously when you are at the match you see how often he's making the right move to cover or when he's timing his runs perfectly. Things you just don't see on tv.

On form he's still a class act and a massive asset. One thing I was pleased with Rodgers for last season was that he recognised just how important and he found a way to keep him out there week in week out.
 
I think most people know my views on Gerrard already. I can see him playing less next season as I believe Henri Ryan is his natural successor.

My mine gripe with Gerrard is that against Everton and Man Utd, he will be running around, closing down, tackling, the energy is clearly visible. Then it's non-existent against the other teams, and I don't agree with that at all.

I think it's best that he sits deep so he doesn't need to run up the field often thus conserving his energy. However, this causes a problem in the middle of the park because Lucas and Gerrard are not the quickest or most mobile.
 
big no on only playing the big games, you need match fitness and sharpness for those type of games and he wont get that by only playing the so called big games.

agree on he shouldn't get as much game time next season as we need others to start stepping up trouble is have we been in a position in a lot of games where we can rest key players and give a few youngsters experience.

i am hoping that is what we will see more of next season and he will get the rest he needs for games when we are 3 up or rest in some low key home games, but we haven't had many games like that sadly, but he is still vital, hopefully this time round the squad is good enough to cope.
 
the artist known as Billy El Pistolero said:
The players looked like they were expecting their heads to explode if they didn't win it back early. I think the 7 second thing was taken a bit too literally <laugh>

For me it's the whole expectation thing. Because he can't cover the miles he used to (people seem to forget his injury record was mainly due to him being OVER worked week in week out) some fans think he's lazy. Seriously when you are at the match you see how often he's making the right move to cover or when he's timing his runs perfectly. Things you just don't see on tv.

On form he's still a class act and a massive asset. One thing I was pleased with Rodgers for last season was that he recognised just how important and he found a way to keep him out there week in week out.
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Most definitely. TV doesn't do him justice. His movement and vision is so clearly apparent when you're actually at the match <ok>
 
the artist known as Billy El Pistolero said:
I've heard the "lazy" tag banded about on here before and it always leaves me amazed tbh. I'll give you the point about him giving the ball away and not making a whole hearted effort but that's hardly commonplace and I'd say frustration can get the better of him at times (a fault of his definitely) but did you notice how that got rarer and rarer as the season wore on? Ask yourself why....it's because he was playing with Lucas back in the team, Henderson playing well and covering a ton of ground and Coutinho who he could give the ball to and not have to go try and win it back 5 seconds later.

He's still a great player (as you know) but he can't make up for the faults of those around him anymore. Surround him with **** and he won't/can't carry the teamlike he so often did but put a proper group around him and his faults are pretty much irrelevant compared to what he brings to the team.
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Agree with this.

Gerrard will bust a gut and make some outstanding sprints back to get possession - but then at times he will have a 'what's the ****ing point' face on as it's a lost cause. Not saying that is the right attitude but put yourself in Gerrard's boots - he was loyal and stayed with us only to see the likes of Masch, Alonso move on to better things and us end up with Poulsen, Allen, Shelvey, Downing, Cole etc. over the years.

Must be hard to constantly be that guy grabbing the team by the scruff of the neck, especially when quality around you is diluted more and more.

But, when signing a few quality additions in January - with players on his wave length, he was outstanding once again.
 
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