One final thing the manager could look into is to take some of the responsibility off Steven Gerrard. And by this, I don’t necessarily mean the captaincy, just some of his playing responsibilities. Gerrard is often cited as our best player and ordinarily, I would not disagree but this season he has suffered from the same malaise as Torres. You could probably count the amount of threatening corners he has taken this season on one hand, likewise free kicks, so the first move should be to spread the responsibility around. Maxi and Joe Cole both appear to take good corners, so they should maybe be given a chance and put the captain in the box where he can be a real threat in the air. As for free kicks – both direct and indirect – we have no shortage of technically able players, from Agger to Torres, so somebody new might be a better option from now on.
As for his position, a lot has been said of Gerrard’s effectiveness – and preference – for playing in the middle, at the centre of the action. Personally, I have yet to see Gerrard have more than a handful of games from this position where he has bossed the game. Central midfield requires a lot of discipline and maturity, and sadly, those are two attributes Gerrard has never been blessed with. Besides, his game is not about controlling the ebb and flow of the match, it is about rampaging runs and individual heroism; he can engage in both of these much more with the central midfield shackles taken off, either pushed right up behind a Torres or – in his actual most effective role – out on the right. It can be no coincidence that his best seasons under both Houllier and Benitez came from the right side of midfield; amassing more assists and scoring more goals than in any other season and right now, we could do with more of both from anybody, so if moving our captain from his favourite position can achieve this end then it may as well be from him!
I’ve written a lot in past articles about all the things I believe the current manager has got very wrong. I am not averse to changing my opinions of people – although, he would have a lot of work to do to achieve that – so if he was to take just a couple of these suggestions on board then he could well start to turn things round. I won’t be expecting too much though.
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STELLA WDM RESULTS
the first half last night was torture for a liverpool supporter, two holding midfielders at home against what he knew were an average outfit was disgraceful, it would have been worth it if we lost in the long run because if that first half crap had continued the crowd would have made sure it was his last game, i started out making allowances for him ,then hoped he would improve, but he is worse, no idea of what we are,what we expect, what we deserve, we are winning despite him not because of him – go go go go now.
That was bad I agree but just wait until Sunday and you will see so many defending midfielders on the pitch we will be playing 1-10-0 !!!
I am dreading it and knowing that Henry is going to keep him gives me nightmares…
We simply can’t move forward with Roy in charge. He is not the long term solution. So every game he wins delays his removal.
We need a long term manager and to be patient with him. Roy isn’t that man. This season is a right off because Roy won’t get top 4 yet if he scrapes top 6 he won’t be sacked until the summer at least.
Stan, Chunky, Alan, I agree with all of your comments – my sentiments exactly
I believe by January Roy may be gone i do not believe he can attract many decent names.
The other point is if you are to have a long term plan, which they have the long term manager you bring in will need to agree to the signings.