I'm interested in football banter more than any sort of side banter from these forums, and good humor of course. In the little time I got to waste, I get what I need from browsing rather than contributing. I also browse rawk (a bit short on the funnybone), and ja606 (f***ing manic hamsters). This time the euphoria of being on the cusp of creating a winning team made me write. I really don't us to screw this year up, as Luis might then go in the summer, and that would mean starting from scratch.
I find the Gerrard debate interesting here, particularly pushing out out to the right. Reason being, players that start as wingers usually get moved inside as they get older (aka Giggs) but the suggestion here is to move a former very mobile player that is now slowing from the middle to a wide position where normally the first quality required is pace If you really want to keep Gerrard in the side, why not move him to RB? Our FBs are asked to get forward, provide width and put the occasional ball in. Gerrard is the best deep crosser of the ball in the league IMO and he wouldn't need pace to get forward either. Downside would be him tracking back and getting in position (see many previous arguments ). I know this has been discussed before and TBH I'm against it as I believe you are either good enough to play your position or you're dropped. I certainly don't believe in putting square pegs in round holes and its a bit too late in the day for our Stevie to be learning (I know he's played there on occasion but it was always a stop gap) a new role.
Welcome I'm not in a clique so maybe we can start our own. For me, at the moment our best midfield 3 (when fit) are Lucas, Allen and Henderson Our best front 3 (again, when fit or not suspended) are Sturridge, Suarez and Coutinho That gives us depth consisting of Gerrard and Sterling. But apart from those two there aren't any other players I'd really fancy to come into the team and do a good enough job just yet. Alberto looks promising but I can't make a judgement until he gains some significant game time. Obviously our main problem lies in the fact that Lucas is becoming a crock and Allen (whilst underrated by the majority) rarely goes more than 10 games before getting injured. We need a new holding midfielder and a backup or adequate replacement for Allen. We also need Borini to come back from his loan full of confidence, fighting to get into the first team.
I agree with that. That's why I'd have Sterling ahead of Gerrard at RW. The question is will Brendan have the fortitude to do that?
I agree with this comment... ...so, in short, I'd rather see Gerrard used as a bit part player when everyone is fit.
The problem is as I stated in the article, all top-teams have a true winger in their line-up (Sterling in our case), and don't waste a 3d body in CM (pick one of Allen, Gerrard and Henderson). If our cm partnership were stronger, we'd have room for Sterling, who has been in great form.
I'd go with Lucas/newdm -- Henderson Coutinho Sterling-Sturridge-Suarez with Gerrard and Allen on the bench.
I don't agree that a body is wasted. Playing those three provides plenty of energy, movement and and bursts forward. It also gives the front three much more attacking licence not to mention allowing the FBs getting to get forward too.
I didn't mean wasted as in wasted, but as in too much overlapping. Crumpets formation (wo a true winger) will keep us narrow. Sterling creates vital spaces by pulling the FB wide, plus offers speed which can catalyse counterattacks.
