We're getting bossed in midfield

[Maldini]

The last 4 games we've played badly in (Portsmouth, Porto, Birmingham and Marseille) have all been against teams with 5 in midfield. We've really struggled to deal with the extra man in the middle and have never really managed to get the ball moving. I think it might not be too bad an idea to go back to 4-5-1 for a bit, at least until Alonso comes back. I think the players we have now are probably better suited to 4-5-1/4-3-3 anyway.

 

It'd be interesting if only to see how the pundits react, remember that was their first "I just don't know what Rafa's doing" moment, you kind of forget now because there have been so many since (zonal marking, Gerrard on the right, not playing Crouch, not playing Torres, roatation etc.)

[realtarragona]

We've got the best midfield in the world...

 

[George Costanza]

We've got the best midfield in the world...

 

 

We've got the worst left side in the world

[Cam]

Is it a Gerrard problem? Is he vastly over-rated as an all-round central midfielder? Is his versatlity across the middle a problem - a jack of all trades, master of none? Is he a flat-track bully? Have a smattering of attacking, heart-on-his-sleeve "captain's performances" and 30-yard late winners hidden his deficiencies and sometimes quite obvious inabilities to boss games?

[Maldini]

None of the above, I think he's just in poor form and/or injured.

[Gary Gekkaloys]

Is it a Gerrard problem? Is he vastly over-rated as an all-round central midfielder? Is his versatlity across the middle a problem - a jack of all trades, master of none? Is he a flat-track bully? Have a smattering of attacking, heart-on-his-sleeve "captain's performances" and 30-yard late winners hidden his deficiencies and sometimes quite obvious inabilities to boss games?

 

Allowing Gerrard to play to his strengths in a two man central midfield asks an awful lot of his partner. If Gerrard is operating in the areas of the pitch where he is most effective, then there is always the possibility that we can get out-maneuvered in midfield. Without Alonso in the side, we don't have a player who can help keep possession going from back to front while Gerrard concentrates on doing what he does best. I'm not sure we can afford to allow him to that in a orthodox midfield, unless he plays on the right.

 

Of course it would help if our defenders were more productive in bringing the ball out themselves - I'm all for a good defensive clearance when the team's under pressure - but the constant, directionless lumping of the ball forward by Carragher and Hyppia in recent games has been depressing.

[lawrie]

None of the above, I think he's just in poor form and/or injured.

 

Playing alongside Momo hasn't helped his cause tonight

[Maldini]

Playing alongside Momo hasn't helped his cause tonight

 

There's a reason they have never played together in CM before, but some people on here were saying Gerrard and Mascherano is a s***e partnership and that Momo and Gerrard should play together.

 

I'd play Leiva and Mascherano at the weekend, Gerrard needs a rest IMO, he looks like he has never fully recovered from the injury. It's a bad time to be resting your captain and best player though, this place would go mental if he did it.

[beejay]

When Kuyt plays we do play 5 in the middle, sort of.

 

I have been a critic of Dirk but kinell he is a team player and adds that link between midfield & attack that was so badly missed tonight.

[lawrie]

There's a reason they have never played together in CM before, but some people on here were saying Gerrard and Mascherano is a s***e partnership and that Momo and Gerrard should play together.

 

I'd play Leiva and Mascherano at the weekend, Gerrard needs a rest IMO, he looks like he has never fully recovered from the injury. It's a bad time to be resting your captain and best player though, this place would go mental if he did it.

 

I think the general consensus over all message boards is that Momo and Gerrard wouldn't make a good central midfield partnership and only a few advocated dropping Masch. In terms of Leiva, I don't think its wise throwing a promising kid into a struggling side (although I agree Gerrard doesn't look fit)

[Maldini]

I think the general consensus over all message boards is that Momo and Gerrard wouldn't make a good central midfield partnership and only a few advocated dropping Masch. In terms of Leiva, I don't think its wise throwing a promising kid into a struggling side (although I agree Gerrard doesn't look fit)

 

I think we need someone in there to keep possession in the middle of the park, Mascherano is in poor form (at least in terms of his passing and ball retention) and Momo and Gerrard don't keep the ball well, it can't be much worse than tonight, he seems to have a decent head on his shoulders, he could probably handle it. It won't happen though.

[kopindian]

-----------------Reina

 

 

 

Finnan--------Carra--------Arbeloa-------Fabio

 

 

 

 

-----------------Mascherano

 

 

 

---------Benayoun-------------Gerrard

 

 

 

Pennant---------------------------------------Babel

 

 

 

------------------------Torres

[lawrie]

I think we need someone in there to keep possession in the middle of the park, Mascherano is in poor form (at least in terms of his passing and ball retention) and Momo and Gerrard don't keep the ball well, it can't be much worse than tonight, he seems to have a decent head on his shoulders, he could probably handle it. It won't happen though.

 

Trouble is I don't think he's able to play a full 90 minutes, he faded badly in the second half last week. I think Masch is just lacking match fitness and will be great on Sunday....

[adayinthelife]

(although I agree Gerrard doesn't look fit)

 

I don't know if I'm the only one who has noticed, but the whole squad looks unfit to me.

 

Players low on confidence and/or motivation usually look as though they are a yard or two off the pace, which suggests the problems are more mental than physical.

[growler]

the last international break fecked us up, so hopefully the next one will fix us up.

[surfaris]

both momo & marsch cant keep the ball, lack passing ability & dictate the game from the back.

 

why in the hell asked gerrard to sit deep? this is not england setup.

[mercury]

-----------------Reina

Finnan--------Carra--------Arbeloa-------Fabio

-----------------Mascherano

---------Benayoun-------------Gerrard

Pennant---------------------------------------Babel

------------------------Torres

 

 

This is not a bad line up at all.

 

As for Mascherano, yes he was a bit off form but his passing and ball retention normally is quite alright. We need him to be simple and less ambitious at the moment though just to help calm himself and things around down - i.e. use his head more.

 

Last night would be the time to release Lucas as we can't play worse (Olympiakos match) I'll also be a bit cautious to do that vs Spurs though.

[John am Rhein]

Is it a Gerrard problem? Is he vastly over-rated as an all-round central midfielder? Is his versatlity across the middle a problem - a jack of all trades, master of none? Is he a flat-track bully? Have a smattering of attacking, heart-on-his-sleeve "captain's performances" and 30-yard late winners hidden his deficiencies and sometimes quite obvious inabilities to boss games?

 

It's not as bad as that, but the truth lies in that direction. This stuff about Gerrard's 'best position' (what does that actually mean?) being CM is mostly a load of imaginary nonsense. Unfortunately he seems to be in thrall to the idea himself. Once Alonso's back we really need to move him back to RM.

[John am Rhein]

I'd play Leiva and Mascherano at the weekend, Gerrard needs a rest IMO, he looks like he has never fully recovered from the injury. It's a bad time to be resting your captain and best player though, this place would go mental if he did it.

 

He looked like he was having a rest last night

[fred milne]

Is it a Gerrard problem? Is he vastly over-rated as an all-round central midfielder? Have a smattering of attacking, heart-on-his-sleeve "captain's performances" and 30-yard late winners hidden his deficiencies and sometimes quite obvious inabilities to boss games?

I'd say the answer to those questions is yes. His game is all about instinct but you need discipline in centre-mid.

 

Andy Gray might not like it, Gerrard himself might not like it, but he should be playing RM in most games.

 

Its clear as day that its Alonso who makes this side tick. Those on here (and there were more than a few) who wanted to cash in on him in the summer should hang their heads in shame.

[Knox_Harrington]

Its clear as day that its Alonso who makes this side tick. Those on here (and there were more than a few) who wanted to cash in on him in the summer should hang their heads in shame.

[Bailo]

Andy Gray might not like it, Gerrard himself might not like it, but he should be playing RM in most games.

Said this last night. Benayoun only really looks dangerous cutting in and has previously played CM or behind a striker. Gerrard has his best season out on the right. When are we going to try swapping them, even just during a game?

[Stevie H]

i listened to 606 on the way in this morning. one fan rang in saying gerrard needs a rest which kicked off a load of reds phoning in ranting 'you can't drop stevie g', not helped by that t*** lovejoy banging on about him.

[Cam]

I prefer SG in the centre of midfield (although as an alternative the right side is better than as a link striker) but there's something that's not quite right. I just think he needs a more intelligent player than himself alongside him; someone who can spot what he's trying to do & what could go wrong and really cover for him. Not just cover with the odd last-ditch tackle but be a few chess moves ahead of everyone else.

 

His best partnerships have done that. McAllister and Hamann had footballing brains, maturity & experience far beyond Gerrard's. The Alonso pairing is similar. Maybe not ideal but it got us to 2 CL finals so it can't be that bad. It's still too early to see if Mascherano could be the man.

 

Beyond intelligence, maybe he just needs someone alongside him who's a better midfielder full stop. It certainly explain why he's so crap for England with Lampard. There may not be many better and rather than have it turn into a "no-one's better than Stevie G" defensive debate let's just enjoy the idea of how great our midfield would be if we found an improved version of Gerrard.*

 

 

 

* Note: If anyone mentions "bring back John Welsh" at this point I'll fecking kill 'em.

[cymrococh]

Bring back Alan Navarro.