I agree lad, i just wrote this in the Gerrard thread and think it has relivance to this debate.
Midfield is where you win and lose games of football, without control in there then it all falls down
Ive been wondering lately where the decision to move Stevie to a more holding midfield role has come from, because for me its not getting the best out of him.
Is it his decision? The managers? A joint idea?
I heard Jason McAteer saying he spoke to Stevie and he was suggesting that Stevie had said that the manager had asked him to play a more withdrawn role in midfield and for him to hold.. Which suggests its more the managers thinking.. But solely the manager? Or is Stevie thinking that he can play more minutes and manage himself through games back there?
Stevie has been wonderful for us, we as this current generation of reds are privileged to have watched his career like the ones before us were lucky to watch Kenny and the ones before that to watch Cally, but time catches up with them all at some point and Stevie is 33 now and had plenty of injuries early on for his body to probably be feeling that.
I get the feeling watching him at points in games currently that he visibly manages himself through them and takes 10 minutes out of the action here and there which isnt helping us have control of the midfield. I personally feel that we would be better seeing him throw everything into games for 60 and then if he is blown out take him off and bring a Allen on to gain control in there.
I also think he would be better off playing higher up still and throwing everything into that 60 in the final third because he is still one of the best finishers at the club and has a great eye for a pass, also his presence takes defenders away from the others up there.
Gerrard has always been full on in the way he plays, its what he has moulded his game on, its whats defined him.. Early in his career it led t redcards, as his career moved on it led to Istanbul and Cardiff, that will to do things and make them happen, that 100% all or nothing approach.. That need to take the game by the scruff of the neck and drive directly at the opposition.. Rafa saw that in him and wanted to use him in roles where he could do that without having to worry too much about what happened behind him and where he could have a great impact on the game, either wide right or behind Torres he was lethal.. Technically he is sound, his dead balls have if anything improved over the years, he has been tha good he can play anywhere and be the best in that role.. But now at this stage i feel he is limiting himself or the manager is by having him play deep and try to get through 90 minutes all the time, he doesnt quite have the energy now that when his instincts take him forward particulaly late on in game sto get back and that leaves Lucas exposed.
I love Stevie and i feel he could be still more effective further forward, to play his natural game that has led him to be in the top 2 0r 3 Liverpool players of all time, and if now we only get to see that player for 30 or 60 minutes in a game then so be it, id rather see that to try to extend his career than limit him and stiffle us to extend it.
Gerrard at his peak in bursts? Yeah id love that.. He can still take games away from the opposition in 60 minutes then go off and sit in the bath and let the lads see the game out.
I feel it would help us grab the control in the middle of the park again.
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