Capello and Gerrard

[sutty]

Didn't watch the game last night, just flicking through the sports channels and saw the second goal in the after game highlights..

 

Number 10 bursts through and squares for Wright Phillips, as he gets to his feet - number 10 is Gerrard.

 

I was surprised at first and then thought to myself, what a brilliantly simple but effective idea from Capello. You want England to play well, get Gerrard playing well in the right areas. Switching him from 4 to 10 is a token but it has a bunch of significance attached to it, and for somebody like Gerrard whose mental state seems to dictate how well he plays it is an inspired move.

 

I hope that it does help him, and there's a knock on effect for us. Plus it's something we as a team need to get Gerrard doing as well. Playing well and in the right areas.

[Rimbeux]

I thought it was interesting what Capello is trying to get them to do. It's a big emphasis on movement, the two from midfield interchanging with the two wide players and all trying to support the front player. It takes a lot of patience and brains, there is also an obvious ban on the long ball. It will force Gerrard to play a shorter more patient game and really think about the shape of the play and where to be to most effect. I think it can only help his game.

[Guy_Incognito]

They were banging on about it on Sky last night. Saying that the number 10 is the most important and creative player in Europe, that Platini and Hoddle were number 10s and that's the role that he's given Gerrard.

 

That was when Ray Wilkins wasn't endlessly repeating about what the Italian culture was like. We know you played there, Ray.

[Magic8Ball]

So is Capello trying to turn Gerrard into a genuine 10 ?

 

Personally I dont mind so long as Gerrard learns how to play Right Attacker or as a 10 for England - then for once Liverpool can see the benefits

[Poolfrog]

So is Capello trying to turn Gerrard into a genuine 10 ?

 

Personally I dont mind so long as Gerrard learns how to play Right Attacker or as a 10 for England - then for once Liverpool can see the benefits

Well if you can tell me what a number 10 is supposed to play like I'd be interested to hear. When I started watching football the number on your shirt told you what position you played. Number 10 was Inside-left and that player was either a secondary striker alongside the centre-forward (Number 9), or he was an advanced midfielder.

 

When Tommy Smith got into our first team he was the first player I ever saw to go against this tradition by wearing number 10 but playing alongside Ron Yeats as a twin centre-back. This was revolutionary at the time, both the disregard for the numbering system and playing twin centre-backs as opposed to a centre-half (number 5) playing between two full-backs (nos. 2 and 3).

 

If Gerrard is mentally feeble enough to need the boost of playing with a higher number on his back (and I'm prepared to believe that he is) then fair enough. But from my watching of the game Gerrard played in precisely the same role as he has done for England most times (when not shunted wide to accommodate the over-rated Lampard).

 

Numbers mean nothing these days

[Sion]

IIRC did Gerrard not say in his book that he wasn't cut out for playing number 10 after he played there under McClaren?

[Nerik]

Wasn't it no.9 under Sven?

[Guest GrandpaSimpson]

Capello is a quality manager who will turn England around.

[Woodsyla]

Capello is a quality manager who will turn England around.

 

I absolutely agree, the quality is there it's the application of that quality in a way that utilises it's strengths that has been absent.

[CaptainXabi]

Capello is a quality manager who will turn England around.

Completely agree.

[Magic8Ball]

Well if you can tell me what a number 10 is supposed to play like I'd be interested to hear. When I started watching football the number on your shirt told you what position you played. Number 10 was Inside-left and that player was either a secondary striker alongside the centre-forward (Number 9), or he was an advanced midfielder.

 

When Tommy Smith got into our first team he was the first player I ever saw to go against this tradition by wearing number 10 but playing alongside Ron Yeats as a twin centre-back. This was revolutionary at the time, both the disregard for the numbering system and playing twin centre-backs as opposed to a centre-half (number 5) playing between two full-backs (nos. 2 and 3).

 

If Gerrard is mentally feeble enough to need the boost of playing with a higher number on his back (and I'm prepared to believe that he is) then fair enough. But from my watching of the game Gerrard played in precisely the same role as he has done for England most times (when not shunted wide to accommodate the over-rated Lampard).

 

Numbers mean nothing these days

I just feel Gerrard is the best CM we have but he unbalances our team when played there - when played as a Right attacker in a 433 I feel this uses Gerrards talent to attack and cross without unbalancing the team as much - as a Right Attacker he has enormous room to roam, the major obligations are to support the RB and occassionally cross from the RHS - which he should be able to do - the rest is all about attack

 

Playing Babel - Torres and Gerrard as the front 3 of a 433 is the best attack we have - it would leave us able to play Leiva---Mash---Alonso as the CM

with Mash playing deeper allowing Leiva and Alonso to set up the attack and shoot more

[Rimbeux]

I just feel Gerrard is the best CM we have but he unbalances our team when played there - when played as a Right attacker in a 433 I feel this uses Gerrards talent to attack and cross without unbalancing the team as much - as a Right Attacker he has enormous room to roam, the major obligations are to support the RB and occassionally cross from the RHS - which he should be able to do - the rest is all about attack

 

Playing Babel - Torres and Gerrard as the front 3 of a 433 is the best attack we have - it would leave us able to play Leiva---Mash---Alonso as the CM

with Mash playing deeper allowing Leiva and Alonso to set up the attack and shoot more

 

I personally think that is one line too far forward for Gerrard, it requires a different skill set, the qualities of a striker, winger or No 10. Everything good about Gerrard going forward comes from running onto the ball from deep, with power and precision, not from playing most of the game back to goal trying to roll a marker, using quick feet, delicate link play and making a forward's runs off the last shoulder, basically asking him to perform as Ronaldo. Just not Gerrard at all. Right midfield maybe, but never part of the front three, think he'd be horrendous there.

 

Also think Alonso couldn't play that far forward, needs more space and time, wouldn't get beyond the front man, would struggle to make up the ground to get back and cover if high upfield, and is far more effective deeper. I think we could play the system, but you'd have to put Gerrard in the midfield and Alonso in the deep role if he plays

[sutty]

Well if you can tell me what a number 10 is supposed to play like I'd be interested to hear. When I started watching football the number on your shirt told you what position you played. Number 10 was Inside-left and that player was either a secondary striker alongside the centre-forward (Number 9), or he was an advanced midfielder.

 

When Tommy Smith got into our first team he was the first player I ever saw to go against this tradition by wearing number 10 but playing alongside Ron Yeats as a twin centre-back. This was revolutionary at the time, both the disregard for the numbering system and playing twin centre-backs as opposed to a centre-half (number 5) playing between two full-backs (nos. 2 and 3).

 

If Gerrard is mentally feeble enough to need the boost of playing with a higher number on his back (and I'm prepared to believe that he is) then fair enough. But from my watching of the game Gerrard played in precisely the same role as he has done for England most times (when not shunted wide to accommodate the over-rated Lampard).

 

Numbers mean nothing these days

 

 

From my point of view it was more interesting in terms of it being a statement of intent. An easy, on the face of it meaningless gesture that can potentially say alot

 

And my view on Gerrard is that fantastic player though he is, has shown (when he thought he was off, when his folks were getting divorced etc) that his mental state does affect his game

[Magic8Ball]

I personally think that is one line too far forward for Gerrard, it requires a different skill set, the qualities of a striker, winger or No 10. Everything good about Gerrard going forward comes from running onto the ball from deep, with power and precision, not from playing most of the game back to goal trying to roll a marker, using quick feet, delicate link play and making a forward's runs off the last shoulder, basically asking him to perform as Ronaldo. Just not Gerrard at all. Right midfield maybe, but never part of the front three, think he'd be horrendous there.

 

Also think Alonso couldn't play that far forward, needs more space and time, wouldn't get beyond the front man, would struggle to make up the ground to get back and cover if high upfield, and is far more effective deeper. I think we could play the system, but you'd have to put Gerrard in the midfield and Alonso in the deep role if he plays

Good argument, I don't happen to agree with it though. When playing with a 2 man CM Gerrard often leaves holes (coz he's attacking) this exposes the defense. If we play G as Right Attacker with an overlapping FB like Alves - Gerrards doesnt have to constantly be taking on his man or playing with his back to goal.

The other option is to play Gerrard as part of a midfield 3 ( which may keep both of us happy - subject to the correct 3 attackers )

[Smith]

Capello is a quality manager who will turn England around.

 

Yep, and I give him two years tops. Good luck, Fabio!

[D.Boon]

I said in the Englan thread i reall ylike the way Capello handles himself.

 

When Rafa moves back to Spain after winning 2 consecutive league titles with us i would be more than happy with Capello as his replacement

[DazzlaJ]

I said in the Englan thread i reall ylike the way Capello handles himself.

 

When Rafa moves back to Spain after winning 2 consecutive league titles with us i would be more than happy with Capello as his replacement

 

He could be 209 years old by then

[muleskinner]

When England fail again to win a tournament or perhaps not even qualify with Capello in charge, were will the FA go next?

[DazzlaJ]

When England fail again to win a tournament or perhaps not even qualify with Capello in charge, were will the FA go next?

 

China, international matches

[Duncan Disorderly]

I really don't give a flying f*ck about England, but Capello is the best thing to happen to the FA in donkeys and his technical nous will only make Gerrard even better than he already is for Liverpool.

 

I just wish they'd quit these inane and useless international friendlies, as they sap strength and cause unnecessary and unwarranted injuries---Torres!!!

[Raj]

I personally think that is one line too far forward for Gerrard, it requires a different skill set, the qualities of a striker, winger or No 10. Everything good about Gerrard going forward comes from running onto the ball from deep, with power and precision, not from playing most of the game back to goal trying to roll a marker, using quick feet, delicate link play and making a forward's runs off the last shoulder, basically asking him to perform as Ronaldo. Just not Gerrard at all. Right midfield maybe, but never part of the front three, think he'd be horrendous there.

 

Also think Alonso couldn't play that far forward, needs more space and time, wouldn't get beyond the front man, would struggle to make up the ground to get back and cover if high upfield, and is far more effective deeper. I think we could play the system, but you'd have to put Gerrard in the midfield and Alonso in the deep role if he plays

 

Agree with that. And I think that we have done that in the past.

When Gerrard has had a free role on the right, Sissoko and Finnan often covered the space extremely well.

 

I also think that Alonso benefited from Sissoko breaking up the play, further up the pitch. It preoccupied the opponents and allowed Alonso to dictate the tempo from a deeper position. One of Xabi's skills, has been to switch the play quickly, and I think that we have really missed that. He haven't really isolated the opposition full backs properly, for a little while now. And this is one of the reasons why.

Edited February 9, 2008 by roegahnn

[sutty]

Agree with that. And I think that we have done that in the past.

When Gerrard has had a free role on the right, Sissoko and Finnan often covered the space extremely well.

 

I also think that Alonso benefited from Sissoko breaking up the play, further up the pitch. It preoccupied the opponents and allowed Alonso to dictate the tempo from a deeper position. One of Xabi's skills, has been to switch the play quickly, and I think that we have really missed that. He haven't really isolated the opposition full backs properly, for a little while now. And this is one of the reasons why.

 

There's been f*** all for him to pass to as well (XA)

[Raj]

There's been f*** all for him to pass to as well (XA)

 

That's true. We have been without our only true wingers for most of the season. One is a major crock and the other had a stress fracture.

 

Although, I don't think Xabi would have been able to pick out a pass with a broken foot, anyway.

[Earl Hafler]

Capello is a quality manager who will turn England around.

 

If he's given the chance. That friendly was a sham and what should have happened after a change of manager is 3 days of coaching. Capello's next meet-up with the players occcurs hours after Sky have scheduled another Big Four Sunday. Pathetic as Keys will still moan about the players if England don't perform against France

[Guest GrandpaSimpson]

If he's given the chance. That friendly was a sham and what should have happened after a change of manager is 3 days of coaching. Capello's next meet-up with the players occcurs hours after Sky have scheduled another Big Four Sunday. Pathetic as Keys will still moan about the players if England don't perform against France

 

 

Am I right in what I heard - that there was booing during the game and at half time by some English fans on wednesday?