7 years ago he was a top player, but he is a bit long in the tooth now. He has this new deeper role to accommodate his weakened legs and lack of pace, the problem is, his passing has fallen the f**k off too. Mostly in old players, especially ones that mostly relied on pace, its their legs that go, but for players that dont rely so much on pace, but are known for their positional play or great passing ability, that skill usually lingers around a lot longer, which is why defenders and other players who dont run, such as Beckham, can play for a lot longer. But with Gerrard, as well as his legs, his passing seems to have gone to s**t too, which basically means its time to call it a day. He should retire from International football now, and maybe have another season with Liverpool (he'll want a last stab at a PL title before retirement) before packing it in entirely. Because he really doesnt cut the mustard at the top level any more.
Gerrard had a poor game last night but this thread is ridiculous. Clearly Gerrard was a top player (how many 'tops' you add is objective!!) but you can't compare the Gerrard in his prime to this one. However he's been able to stay in the team because the lack of top quality coming up behind him. Henderson, Wilshire etc are nowhere near the level Gerrard, Scholes and Lampard were 10 years ago.
England really need Phil Jones to come good. Maybe LVG can get him that way. We've got up and coming players who can play football and seem to have the hunger that senior players have lost, we just need a manager to sort it out. Butland, Jones (if he can fulfil his potential), Shaw, Barkley, Oxlade-Chamberlain, Morrison, Ince (not seen much of him to be fair), Berahino...
I just can't understand how someone who hates England as much as Matth does supports two English football teams.
The failing on Hodgsons part was the squad selection and first XI selections. Firstly, Ashley Cole should have been there. Secondly, drop the idea of a defensive midfielder. England dont have the personnel to play that system, Gerrard sure as **** isnt good enough in that role. He should have set England up as an attacking unit, with players like Rooney, Sterling and Sturridge up front, there are goals in that team. Defensively, we are not as strong as we used to be when we had Neville, Terry, Rio and Cole so we should play to our strengths. Whats wrong with the old 4-4-2 in a tournament like this? People wouldnt have expected it and I think we would have done a lot better playing with a more offensive mindset.
One of them is Welsh! Gerrard WAS a top-top player. I can remember for years rivals calling us a "one man team" because of Gerrard and how we were only in the Champions League because of Gerrard alone. It was never actually true- but he was a world-class player for a while. He's not been the same level for a few years now- and doesn't deserve to be an automatic starter for England OR Liverpool. He's still good...as in Beckham was still good his last few years for England. But just like Beckham's last few years were only justified for his dead-ball capabilities, now Gerrard's inclusions are only justified by his long accurate passes. Gerrard WAS a fantastic player, now... not so much.
He had a great season for Liverpool. Couldn't have just all gone to **** in a couple of weeks. By the way, what the actual **** is a 'flat track bully'?
