Leadership on the pitch

[Bootle Buck]

When you look back to our successful periods we always had born leaders on the field who kept the fight going regardless of the form. From Ron Yeats to Crazy Horse from Smithy and , Thommo to Sooey and a host of others. We always had men on the park who could lift up the rest of them. Nowadays football seems more of an individualstic sport than ever before. It has shown in our play this season. No-one has taken charge, shown any leadership or urgency.

 

Granted Gerrard has shown these qualities on occassions but I don't see him as a natural leader. I think the Gary McCallister experiment proved how influential an experienced player can be.

 

Maybe Rafa should be looking for a charasmatic, experienced player who could add some leadership qualities to the team.

[Guest sonofshankly]

I would go for Graig Bellamy not the choice for a lot of people.

But think he would do a great job if he got the armband for the reds!

[Eskimo]

and yet another Gerrard thread...

[Guest Lpool8life]

that has been discussed like 100 times and again all world is turning around Steven Gerrard...

[Guest sonofshankly]

No one is saying S.G.is not doing a great job as club captain. its just a bit of chat to find out what peoples opinions are thats all.

[chrisbonnie]

either Xabi or Kuyt

 

Kuyt all round workrate and his attitude towards his team members is arguably the best ive ever seen

[chiliking]

Chabby for captain!!!

 

Or CaRRA, Or Riise. Kuyt maybe.

 

Or stick with SteG

[Benitez]

A player doesn't need to wear the captains arm-band to be a good leader. And I don't think anyone is suggesting we need another captain!

 

I actually think Kuyt will become a good leader on the pitch. He's still the new bloke in the team right now though, so maybe he's not so comfortable being that vocal.

 

When we are struggling, it really is time for the likes of Carra, Xabi and Gerrard to stand up and be counted and be the leaders.

[Bootle Buck]

that has been discussed like 100 times and again all world is turning around Steven Gerrard...

 

I'm not fecking talking about replacing Gerrard as Captain. I am talking about signing a player with experience and character rather than a bunch of young forreign players who have to come in and learn a new language, league, style of play, etc. Too many on here just spout of names of players we should bring in without thinking how they might adapt to a new country or surroundings based on a few games they have seen on Sky.

 

We brought in McCallister who made a big diffence but did not interfere with the Captaincy etc. We can't rely on Gerrard for everything, including being an inspiration or backbone of the team. It is too much to ask. What we do need is an arl a*** who can lift up the youngsters and newcomers with confidence and example. He doesn't even need to be that great but just a leader on the park.

 

Repeat this is by no means a slant on Gerrard.

Edited November 20, 2006 by Bootle Buck

[anny road]

I'm not fecking talking about replacing Gerrard as Captain. I am talking about signing a player with experience and character rather than a bunch of young forreign players who have to come in and learn a new language, league, style of play, etc. We brought in McCallister who made a big diffence but did not interfere with the Captaincy etc. We can't rely on Gerrard for everything, including being an inspiration or backbone of the team. It is too much to ask. What we do need is an arl a*** who can lift up the youngsters and newcomers with confidence and example.

 

Repeat this is by no means a slant on Gerrard.

 

 

on a similar thing..i was saying after the game on sat when I was walking back into Boro town centre that we are not nrealy nasty enough....

 

Bellamy is trying too hard to be nice,, he needs to start moaning...Xabi and Gerrard are players players if you get me......Carra has a go, Sami sometimes but apart from that not a peep

 

take the second half pen shout...United in there pomp, and Chelsea now would have been surrounding the ref........i dont want us to be over the top but i think we need get in a few peoples faces

[dorgie]

The point being made in the OP is very valid, and indeed the loss of Didi Hamann from the squad has taken from the experience available to Rafa. Having said that, I'm not sure who is out there in the Gary Mac mould.

[Bootle Buck]

on a similar thing..i was saying after the game on sat when I was walking back into Boro town centre that we are not nrealy nasty enough....

 

Bellamy is trying too hard to be nice,, he needs to start moaning...Xabi and Gerrard are players players if you get me......Carra has a go, Sami sometimes but apart from that not a peep

 

take the second half pen shout...United in there pomp, and Chelsea now would have been surrounding the ref........i dont want us to be over the top but i think we need get in a few peoples faces

 

I don't think it is any co-incidence Utd look better this season with Scholes back in. He gets stuck in and wants to win. They didn't quite have that with Fletcher or O'Shea last season. I would truly love to see the snarling Gerrard of three seasons ago. It's seems like Stevie has had to grow up too quickly and has matured really well. However, that edge that he used to have is what we could certainly use right now.

[anny road]

I don't think it is any co-incidence Utd look better this season with Scholes back in. He gets stuck in and wants to win. They didn't quite have that with Fletcher or O'Shea last season. I would truly love to see the snarling Gerrard of three seasons ago. It's seems like Stevie has had to grow up too quickly and has matured really well. However, that edge that he used to have is what we could certainly use right now.

 

 

I dont hin he was ever snarling though....he put his foot in more, but I am sure Benitez wants to bring his ability to the fore...thats why we bought Sissoko...We miss him for that

 

i dont think its in Gerrards make up...it is in Bellamys and he needs to start pissing people off.....

 

I know some dont like it but f*** it.,..we need a bit of nastiness

[Bootle Buck]

I dont hin he was ever snarling though....he put his foot in more, but I am sure Benitez wants to bring his ability to the fore...thats why we bought Sissoko...We miss him for that

 

i dont think its in Gerrards make up...it is in Bellamys and he needs to start pissing people off.....

 

I know some dont like it but f*** it.,..we need a bit of nastiness

 

 

I don't see Sissoko as snarling. I see him more as being super fit and able to win everything. He is a little over enthuisiastic at times

 

The likes of Essien at Chelsea and even Fabregas have nasty streaks in them. I think Xabi could harden his game and dish it out more.

[anny road]

I don't see Sissoko as snarling. I see him more as being super fit and able to win everything. He is a little over enthuisiastic at times

 

The likes of Essien at Chelsea and even Fabregas have nasty streaks in them. I think Xabi could harden his game and dish it out more.

 

 

he does get stuck in thoug...Xabi that is

[Stevie H]

we're not nearly dirty and nasty enough. we're too powder puff atm and too easy to boss.

[stonty]

Every row on the pitch needs a lieutenant together with a talented team captain who has the respect of his peers.

 

We have the captain (and then some) in SG and a lieutenant in Carra.

 

With the exception of Xabi, Agger and Kuyt I?d say the others need to have a serious look at themselves and their commitment to the team.

[Mikael Akerfeldt]

Every row on the pitch needs a lieutenant together with a talented team captain who has the respect of his peers.

 

We have the captain (and then some) in SG and a lieutenant in Carra.

 

With the exception of Xabi, Agger and Kuyt I?d say the others need to have a serious look at themselves and their commitment to the team.

 

I'd stick Li'l Luis in that list. Despite his (small) flaws, you can't fault his commitment or workrate.

 

Never stops running, and not afraid to get stuck in, even if he's having a bad game.

[stonty]

I'd stick Li'l Luis in that list. Despite his (small) flaws, you can't fault his commitment or workrate.

 

Never stops running, and not afraid to get stuck in, even if he's having a bad game.

 

 

Agreed, but was think more of the shower thats been playing the last few games.

 

Speaking in general terms you'd naturally have to include Momo.

 

When key players are out it behoves others to step up, and as we know, they just couldn't be arsed.

[Falconhoof]

Last season Reina looked like a goalkeeper who would command his area and leave his defenders in no doubt when he was claiming the ball. That was our bedrock when combined with the leadership shown by Carra and Hyppia.

 

Hyppia has been ousted by Agger for all the right reasons but that won't stop us missing the maturity and mental toughness of Sami. At thye same time we've had Jamie unusually having a dip in form and so there's far less leadership at the back. Once that comes back it'll feed its way up through the team.

 

We lack a bit of bite in midfield though. I'd like to see a more aggressive midfielder come in to replace Zenden when time/funds allow it. Someone in the Joey Barton mould.

[Leo No.8]

Last season Reina looked like a goalkeeper who would command his area and leave his defenders in no doubt when he was claiming the ball. That was our bedrock when combined with the leadership shown by Carra and Hyppia.

 

Hyppia has been ousted by Agger for all the right reasons but that won't stop us missing the maturity and mental toughness of Sami. At thye same time we've had Jamie unusually having a dip in form and so there's far less leadership at the back. Once that comes back it'll feed its way up through the team.

 

We lack a bit of bite in midfield though. I'd like to see a more aggressive midfielder come in to replace Zenden when time/funds allow it. Someone in the Joey Barton mould.

 

Barton would provide the nastiness we are missing, but also the dynamic forward running and attacking play from central areas our current players in that position don't give us when Gerrard is on the right. Zenden and Xabi aren't mobile enough, whilst Momo tends to do most of his running to defensive ends.

 

There's no doubt Barton is a total bell-end, but I would love to see him and Gerrard in the same midfield - both Scousers, both with a bit of edge and arrogance plus no little power and quality. Stevie on the right, with Xabi or Momo anchoring and Barton allowed to push on. Having those four would give us a lot of quality options in the centre, whichever way you put them together.

 

I'd really definitely like to see us go for the lad in January. He'll get called up for England soon if he keeps playing the way he is, (that is well enough for McClaren to put aside his off-field antics) and his price will sky-rocket.

 

Get him in asap - I reckon we'd force City's hand with abut £6m.

Edited November 21, 2006 by Leo No.8

[Alonso]

Barton would provide the nastiness we are missing, but also the dynamic forward running and attacking play from central areas our current players in that position don't give us when Gerrard is on the right. Zenden and Xabi aren't mobile enough, whilst Momo tends to do most of his running to defensive ends.

 

There's no doubt Barton is a total bell-end, but I would love to see him and Gerrard in the same midfield - both Scousers, both with a bit of edge and arrogance plus no little power and quality. Stevie on the right, with Xabi or Momo anchoring and Barton allowed to push on. Having those four would give us a lot of quality options in the centre, whichever way you put them together.

I'd really definitely like to see us go for the lad in January. He'll get called up for England soon if he keeps playing the way he is, (that is well enough for McClaren to put aside his off-field antics) and his price will sky-rocket.

 

Get him in asap - I reckon we'd force City's hand with abut £6m.

Wouldn't mind getting Barton in but he is captain of his current club and along with the other 3 would expect a starting berth which could cause some problems, especially if we aren't winning things or getting the amount of games that requires 4 top quality CMs.

[Flasher]

we're not nearly dirty and nasty enough. we're too powder puff atm and too easy to boss.

 

 

I agree with this and Anny Road.

 

I really thought Bellamy would add that bite up front - real aggression that we've lacked for years. Currently I think Kuyt is the only one in the team with any real fight.

[IgPig]

Don't think Barton is good enough.

[floyd]

Typical example of us being too nice, was against the Russians in the Carling Cup, Makale, Johnson and a couple of others around Didi, and only Garcia ran over. Same as when we played them at the Bridge, when Reina got sent off, too many of their players getting stuck in, whilst again we played the soft lad.