Steven Gerrard

[The_Adder]

I can understand a lot of people concerned about how the Keane signing could hamper Gerrard after he linked so, so well with Fernando last season, but I honestly think this could free him even more.

 

With Keane dropping off Torres and with a midfield two of Barry/Alonso and Masch he could be given the license that Placcy-Ronaldo has at the scum, espesh with the likes of Deggen providing width from full-back.

 

Let the lad roam, get him to tuck in when under pressure and let him and his talent do some serious damage when we are attacking by giving him freedom.

 

PS: If we did sign Barry and we play him WITH Alonso and Masch this could give him even more freedom still and with three superb players behind him protecting and pulling the strings, could literally bu *shudder* Carnage

[Mike]

the making of him?

he's been one of the 5 best players in the world for the last 5 years!

[psl]

the making of him?

he's been one of the 5 best players in the world for the last 5 years!

 

So you're saying he's stagnated?

[Chili Palmer]

the making of him?

he's been one of the 5 best players in the world for the last 5 years!

 

ah, but would it make him crack a smile...thats the real question!

[Conor]

the making of him?

he's been one of the 5 best players in the world for the last 5 years!

 

I was just going to say that.. That man was made a long long time ago. Maybe it might be the making of a proper team.

[yellow jumper]

it'll be interesting to see how rafa works it. i think the thing with the gerrard/torres link up last season was that although they were a phenomenal partnership they weren't playing close together in an orthodox fashion. many of gerrard's assists for torres came from longish balls played quickly into feet or space. the goal against chelsea, bolton, even the one against newcastle.

 

it may be possible to still allow gerrard freedom, but even if it isn't, it doesn't follow that his chemistry with torres dies.

 

i don't think keane can release torres in the same way, i think he's more about clever flicks and short passes which might help in the tighter games, but there could also be the danger i suppose that the ball that might once have been pinged through to torres will now be held up by keane. hopefully we can find a way to get the best of both worlds.

Edited July 29, 2008 by george lees

[Bigal]

who is this steven Gerrard you speak of?

[cymrococh]

the making of him?

he's been one of the 5 best players in the world for the last 5 years!

he can really kick on from here and we can look forward to seeing some end product.

[The_Adder]

the making of him?

he's been one of the 5 best players in the world for the last 5 years!

 

Hahaha maybe I should of said - help him find his ideal role in our system. . .

[alias75]

What it means is we can play Gerrard in central midfield without it affecting our options going forward because Keane is a great alternative for that position.

 

For a lot of games we don't need 2 holding midfielders so Stevie still has that license to break forward and link with Torres now he also has Keane to link with too. We need as many top quality attacking players as possible, the triangle of Gerrard, Keane and Torres could be great.

[MFletcher]

Gerrard doesn't score enough goals from open play to continue playing behind Torres.

 

That's my view anyway - Keane will rectify that, whilst it is unlikely we will lose Gerrard's attacking thrust if he is played on the right or further back in the midfield.

[Hodgson for Chelsea]

Rafa specifically refers to Keane either playing up front with Torres or on the right...so I reckon Gerrard will continue in the same role - it aint broke so why would we fix it!

 

All this signing means is more goals and better link up play from deep

[galés rojo]

Gerrard doesn't score enough goals from open play to continue playing behind Torres.

 

That's my view anyway - Keane will rectify that, whilst it is unlikely we will lose Gerrard's attacking thrust if he is played on the right or further back in the midfield.

 

I think Gerrard will actually get more open play goals by starting in a deeper role, be that in the middle or on the right.

[John am Rhein]

With Gerrard back in his best position at right-midfield, we'll only be stronger.

[honourablegeorge]

He better hav e agood season, if Rafa's spending the guts of £40M on his two mates.

[Chili Palmer]

He better hav e agood season, if Rafa's spending the guts of £40M on his two mates.

 

 

Elisha Scott to be our next signing...

[fred milne]

it'll be interesting to see how rafa works it. i think the thing with the gerrard/torres link up last season was that although they were a phenomenal partnership they weren't playing close together in an orthodox fashion. many of gerrard's assists for torres came from longish balls played quickly into feet or space. the goal against chelsea, bolton, even the one against newcastle.

I didn't think they played that far apart in the final third of last season.

 

Gerrard became increasingly adept in finding space 'between the lines' with Torres playing on the shoulder of the last defender. The key was then for Alonso to get the ball to Gerrard quickly and for Gerrard to then release Torres.

 

In that set-up, Gerrard's natural tendency to look for the early, incisive pass (whether that be to Torres now, or Owen previously) became a major bonus, whereas when he plays in a deeper role against a packed defence it can often be a hindrince as a more measured build-up is required.

 

My worry for this season is that we end up reverting to how we were playing around Xmas last year with Gerrard in the middle with Mascherano and Keane taking over Kuyt's role playing off Torres.

 

I doubt the quality of football will be as bad, as Keane should be better suited in that position than Kuyt was and we should have the benefit of Agger's distribution from the back. However, I would still have preferred to leave Gerrard where he was, as Keane doesn't have Gerrard's ability on the ball.

[Cobs]

as Keane doesn't have Gerrard's ability on the ball.

 

 

imnorravvinntha

Edited July 29, 2008 by Cobs

[fred milne]

 

imnorravvinntha

Eh?

[Cobs]

Eh?

 

Keane has plenty ability on the ball

[sean]

Hen doesn't think Keane's any less skilled technically than Gerrard. I think both are blessed with exceptional abilities, just that Gerard has more about his all round game. I'd imagine Keane's got a few more tricks. Irrelevant though.

[Knox_Harrington]

My worry for this season is that we end up reverting to how we were playing around Xmas last year with Gerrard in the middle with Mascherano and Keane taking over Kuyt's role playing off Torres.

Agree with that. Gerrard scored a few goals playing in centre mid with Mascherano but the team suffered.

[fred milne]

Keane has plenty ability on the ball

Gerrard's passing is on a different level.

[Cobs]

I think both are blessed with exceptional abilities, just that Gerard has more about his all round game. I'd imagine Keane's got a few more tricks.

which is why Keane should play 2nd striker and Gerrard midfield

[MFletcher]

Gerrard will probably be played on the wing this year.

 

If he sulks, I would suggest a quick check of his bank balance should be sufficient to console him from the personal sleight he's suffering by being asked to play somewhere other than central midfield.