Powering our way to victory

[Molby]

I think we're a whisker away from seeing Gerard back on the right again

 

I think Pennant or Babbel will need to play blinders and then some on Saturday for this to not happen

 

whilst Xabi and Agger are injured we play Everton away, Arsenal home, Spurs home and Blackburn away

 

I think Rafa will want to make sure we get results by hook or by crook and that our title challenge is still intact in this period

[honourablegeorge]

Not really fussed where Gerrard plays. I'd just like to see him play, for a change.

[Stevie H]

i can see that. momo and masch in the middle, babel on the left, gerrard bossing the right with finnan. wouldn't surprise me at all.

[Rimbeux]

Interesting. So we respond to losing passing ability and creativity by removing some more and turning into Everton?

 

It's a punt, I'll give you that

[Guest Kaizer]

Gerrard will not be moved out wide as long as Alonso is out injured.

[John am Rhein]

I think we're a whisker away from seeing Gerard back on the right again

 

[Gilps]

Gerrard will not be moved out wide as long as Alonso is out injured.

 

You not expecting Momo to play for a month either then? Because if there's one thing midfield selection over the past two years has made clear its that the boss doesn't see him and Gerrard as a partnership.

[John am Rhein]

i can see that. momo and masch in the middle

 

Love it. Imagine trying to play against that!

[Gilps]

We might see a little more of Lucas sooner than we would have too. Especially if he plays well at Reading next week.

[McBain]

Love it. Imagine trying to play against that!

 

Imagine being a striker ahead of that

[honourablegeorge]

We might see a little more of Lucas sooner than we would have too. Especially if he plays well at Reading next week.

 

 

Lucas sounds very much liek a Xabi type, from what I'v eheard. Not seen enough of him as yet to know for sure though.

[sean]

Imagine being a striker ahead of that

 

 

[Molby]

Interesting. So we respond to losing passing ability and creativity by removing some more and turning into Everton?

 

It's a punt, I'll give you that

 

 

we would increase our goal threat from the right, and allow Finnan greater/more stress free licence to overlap

 

and re Alonso and creativity - what he really brings is an order to our play. Prompting, keeping the rhythm going etc. The point of Gerrard at his best in midfield is not like that, he's more like Ballack (of old)

 

do you really think Rafa is not contemplating it?

[Guest Sabre]

Lucas sounds very much liek a Xabi type, from what I'v eheard. Not seen enough of him as yet to know for sure though.

 

Don't know where you heard that. He's a box to box midfielder

[Guest Sabre]

Love it. Imagine trying to play against that!

 

Imagine our football. HOOOOOOOOOOOOOOF

[Molby]

Imagine our football. HOOOOOOOOOOOOOOF

 

 

that's too harsh

 

Gerrard on the right, maybe Babbel on the left, or even vice versa but either way with the ability to switch at will

 

and can Masch not pass a ball?

 

the problem of hoofing comes from no Agger so we need a major contribution now from the full backs picking up the ball and starting attacks - JUST LIKE THE OLD DAYS WHEN WE WON EVERYTHING

[honourablegeorge]

Don't know where you heard that. He's a box to box midfielder

 

 

Read different things. A creative holding midfielder who contributes going forward, was the gist of what I've heard about him, which puts hm in the Xabi/Pirlo end of things, rather than the Gerrard box-to-box type.

[Guest Anders Honoré]

Love it. Imagine trying to play against that!

 

now imagine trying to play with that.

 

[Guest Anders Honoré]

Don't know where you heard that. He's a box to box midfielder

 

From what I read, it seems he is quite capable of playing the holding role as well.

[Guest Sabre]

that's too harsh

 

Gerrard on the right, maybe Babbel on the left, or even vice versa but either way with the ability to switch at will

 

and can Masch not pass a ball?

 

the problem of hoofing comes from no Agger so we need a major contribution now from the full backs picking up the ball and starting attacks - JUST LIKE THE OLD DAYS WHEN WE WON EVERYTHING

 

The supply from the back line into midfield would be nothing short of horrific. Xabi and Sissoko is tough enough, but Mascher and Sissoko would be worse. Yes, Masch can pass a ball alright, but we would struggle.

 

I can't see our full backs (unless Aurelio comes in on the left) contributing that much to developing attacks.

[Guest Sabre]

From what I read, it seems he is quite capable of playing the holding role as well.

 

I'd be very, very surprised if Rafa took a punt on the lad next to Gerrard when he's so new to English football. That role is all about tactical discipline. He would be far better starting his career off next to a Xabi or a Mascher

[Guest Anders Honoré]

and can Masch not pass a ball?

 

It's fairly good, but if he's the creative fulcrum in central midfield, it's just not a very good midfield.

[John am Rhein]

Imagine being a striker ahead of that

 

It'd be brilliant. Sissoko hounds the opponent on the ball, Mascherano dispossesses him, rolls it out to Gerrard, who barges past the LM before swinging over an undefendable cross which I gleefully nod past the GK to complete my hat-trick.

[Molby]

The supply from the back line into midfield would be nothing short of horrific. Xabi and Sissoko is tough enough, but Mascher and Sissoko would be worse. Yes, Masch can pass a ball alright, but we would struggle.

 

I can't see our full backs (unless Aurelio comes in on the left) contributing that much to developing attacks.

 

 

think about Finnan's overlapping and crossing in 2006

 

and what you're saying above is that ONLY Xabi is capable of picking up the ball in midfield and starting attacks - this has nothing to do with Gerrard then as that is not his preferred role

 

just not true mate - Masch is more than capable of it

[Guest Anders Honoré]

I'd be very, very surprised if Rafa took a punt on the lad next to Gerrard when he's so new to English football. That role is all about tactical discipline. He would be far better starting his career off next to a Xabi or a Mascher

 

I am a bit traumatized by our past record of wrapping new/young and exciting players in cotton wool. If they're good enough to play, just throw them in and let them learn how to swim. Doesn't have to be against Arsenal, frankly I am not that worried about one player of that supposed calibre being thrown in against most premiership opposition. We can handle it.