Author Topic: Steven Gerrard and his role in a 4-4-2 (Read 5628 times)

fowlermagic · « **Reply #120 on:** November 29, 2010, 07:45:29 PM »

Where does SG fit in a 4-4-2? At the moment it probably will still be in CM with maybe Lucas taking a seat while SG & RM getting better support from their defense to take care of any opposing CM threat. Its going to vary of course as SG can play anywhere and some games will require all 3 CMs. Interested to see what happens in January as we do need to add another quality striker to give Torres more support to occupy defenses. Ngog has done quite a good job when asked so can see additions being a huge plus. Elmander may be the flavour of the month but his ability / strength may be a perfect mould to work from. I don’t see SG running up & down the wing for ever as surely the next step if he wants to play another 4 or 5 years is to fall back and hold CM aka McAllister like. Does he have the guile to do so? I think the lad can remodel his game to play anywhere so why not.

Notayesman · « **Reply #121 on:** November 29, 2010, 08:03:00 PM »

Apart from the fact that I don't think Stevie should be anywhere near a starting position in a 2 man midfield for reasons that have been repeated ad nauseum over the last 6 years and don't need to be repeated here doesn't mean we can't adapt to accommodate all 3 players in a deeper midfield, like Chelsea, United, City or Arsenal. The fact is, as things stand now with the playing squad we're probably better suited to a 433 than the previously favoured 4231 with Kuyt, Maxi, Jovanovic, Cole and even Babel all better suited to the wide forward role than the more standard LM or RM role. Let Lucas anchor with Raul and Gerrard given more license to get forward and support the attack. It also affords the option of reverting to the more familiar 4231 if required or even moving to 442 with the same personnel on the pitch.

jackh · « **Reply #122 on:** November 29, 2010, 08:15:16 PM »

Quote from: Notayesman on November 29, 2010, 08:03:00 PM

Apart from the fact that I don't think Stevie should be anywhere near a starting position in a 2 man midfield for reasons that have been repeated ad nauseum over the last 6 years and don't need to be repeated here doesn't mean we can't adapt to accommodate all 3 players in a deeper midfield, like Chelsea, United, City or Arsenal. The fact is, as things stand now with the playing squad we're probably better suited to a 433 than the previously favoured 4231 with Kuyt, Maxi, Jovanovic, Cole and even Babel all better suited to the wide forward role than the more standard LM or RM role. Let Lucas anchor with Raul and Gerrard given more license to get forward and support the attack. It also affords the option of reverting to the more familiar 4231 if required or even moving to 442 with the same personnel on the pitch.

Been saying this for a while - our wide men are relatively limited in a creativity sense. To me, it would make much more sense to pull Gerrard 20 yards deeper and push Maxi/Kuyt (or Jova/Cole/Babel) further forward - I'd prefer them on the end of moves than trying to start them up.

Creativity from wide areas would need to come from the full-backs which might necessitate the signing of an athletic defensive midfielder (of the current squad, stylistically, the system would require Spearing first!) unless we went the way of many of the top sides and played one attacking full back and one in a covering role (Wilson/Johnson) to ensure we always had three players providing protection (either CB, CB, DM or effectively 3 centre backs).

The 5th Benitle · « **Reply #123 on:** November 30, 2010, 02:44:25 PM »

Quote from: shockwave_dave on November 29, 2010, 06:36:15 PM

Why do you think that is though? Do the other players just get lazy with Gerrard on the pitch and expect him to do it all?

No, far from it, I think he intimidates some.
Plus Lucas has to play like two men when Stevie is in CM.

G1 Jockey 4(betfair) · « **Reply #124 on:** November 30, 2010, 03:30:24 PM »

so so far we know he hasnt got the right attributes to play as one fo the centre 2

in the hole he gets tied down too often and lacks movement

he cant bomb up and down the left or right.

unless we have a formation that can fit him in he shouldnt be playing in a 4-4-2......end of

killer_heels · « **Reply #125 on:** November 30, 2010, 03:39:02 PM »

I actually think we should be adopting a 4-3-3 formation. That is why I am not too concerned when Meireles starts the game in a more advanced position and Gerrard is a bit deeper, because eventually Gerrard will join him and will be much more relaxed about leaving his holding position.

Someone like Meirles who has less influence in the team may decide to stay back a bit more, whereas Gerrard being who he is can go wherever he pleases, so we end up with 1 holding midfielder and both Meireles and Gerrard in advanced positions.

If we had some better wingers, then I think the 4-3-3 would be the ideal formation. I don't like the 4-2-3-1 anymore.

fowlermagic · « **Reply #126 on:** November 30, 2010, 04:58:30 PM »

We will see next week probably as he looks to be fit for the Newcastle game

The skipper sustained a grade two tear in his hamstring on international duty two weeks ago.
His recovery is going well and Liverpool's medical team is hoping for a return to full training early next week.
Dr Brukner told Liverpoolfc.tv: "Steven's going well. He's back running, though not back in training. He's certainly looking good to play the Newcastle game, which has been our target all along. We're hoping he'll be back in training at the start of next week. Everything's gone to plan."
Meanwhile, Joe Cole will travel to Bucharest with the team this week after recovering from a training knock which meant he couldn't face Tottenham on Sunday.
"Joe is in full training and is available for the Europa League game," said Dr Brukner. "He'll be travelling to Bucharest.
"He just had a minor injury in training on Saturday, which combined with the fact he was coming back after his hamstring problem meant we decided not to risk it. He'll be 100 per cent for Thursday night."

http://www.liverpoolfc.tv/news/latest-news/gerrard-set-for-toon-return

stockdam · « **Reply #127 on:** November 30, 2010, 06:03:23 PM »

Trying to play a rigid formation with Gerrard isn't playing to his strengths. There is none better when running down the middle at the defence. Putting him out on the wing is a waste of his talent. Playing him deep is also a waste.

He's unique and if you are going to get the most out of him then you have to find a system and the players that will work. No other team has anyone who can burst onto the ball like Gerrard. He needs strong midfielders around him who can track back and win the ball.

He possibly fits best into a diamond midfield or 4-3-1-2 where he is the one who roves around depending on how we are doing.

Lucas, Meireles and Gerrard need to interchange and cover each other. All three can move forward but we need to mainatain some shape.

stevieG786 · « **Reply #128 on:** December 13, 2010, 10:52:49 AM »

Cannot wait to see him back in the team. Last couple of performances haven't been the same without him imo

Festy · « **Reply #129 on:** December 13, 2010, 11:06:06 AM »

There's basically no role for Stevie in a Roy's type 4-4-2 formation. Roy's 4-4-2 is based on strict tactical discipline and doesn't allow any player to have a 'free' role. No matter who manages our club, he will always have to build his formation and system around Stevie if he wishes to achieve any success at our club. That's also the reason why I'm 101% confident that we'll never ever go on a winning run or achieve anything notable under Roy for that matter because Roy doesn't know any other way than 'keep the shape 4-4-2'.

Cid · « **Reply #130 on:** December 13, 2010, 11:38:37 AM »

The magical 442 just got hammered by Newcastle, I don't particularly care if we keep it.

If Gerrard can't fit in a 442 then we should change formation to accomodate him. He is our best player, by a long way.

The 5th Benitle · « **Reply #131 on:** December 13, 2010, 11:39:33 AM »

Quote from: Cid on December 13, 2010, 11:38:37 AM

If Gerrard can't fit in a 442 then we should change formation to accomodate him. He is our best player, by a long way.

Particularly when you add the fact that 4-4-2 doesn't suit Torres.

Festy · « **Reply #132 on:** December 13, 2010, 11:49:03 AM »

If Rafa and Fabio Capello don't fancy Gerrard as a CM than Gerrard ISN'T a CM, simple as that. Capello's preference to use shit Barry over Gerrard in a CM role tells us something.

penga · « **Reply #133 on:** December 13, 2010, 12:35:03 PM »

forget 4-4-2

4-3-3 (NEVER HAPPENING

)

Lucas
Meireles Gerrard
Babel Torres Ngog/Maxi

Jay012345 · « **Reply #134 on:** December 13, 2010, 12:37:13 PM »

Novel idea - pick the best formation for the best players we have, rather than trying to shoe-horn players into positions - like in-ger-lund do.

Jay012345 · « **Reply #135 on:** December 13, 2010, 12:38:04 PM »

Quote from: Festy on December 13, 2010, 11:49:03 AM

If Rafa and Fabio Capello don't fancy Gerrard as a CM than Gerrard ISN'T a CM, simple as that. Capello's preference to use shit Barry over Gerrard in a CM role tells us something.

and if you have watched the last few internationals, england have been cr*p until Gerrard has moved back into the centre, and then the team has started to play well

west_london_red · « **Reply #136 on:** December 13, 2010, 12:39:28 PM »

Stick him on the right FFS!

Jay012345 · « **Reply #137 on:** December 13, 2010, 12:44:27 PM »

Quote from: stockdam on November 30, 2010, 06:03:23 PM

Trying to play a rigid formation with Gerrard isn't playing to his strengths. There is none better when running down the middle at the defence. Putting him out on the wing is a waste of his talent. Playing him deep is also a waste.

He's unique and if you are going to get the most out of him then you have to find a system and the players that will work. No other team has anyone who can burst onto the ball like Gerrard. He needs strong midfielders around him who can track back and win the ball.

He possibly fits best into a diamond midfield or 4-3-1-2 where he is the one who roves around depending on how we are doing.

Lucas, Meireles and Gerrard need to interchange and cover each other. All three can move forward but we need to mainatain some shape.

4-3-1-2 gives us less flexibility and width, than a 4-3-3.
A 4-2-3-1 which stevie in the centre of the 3, or a 4-3-3 with stevie as one of the first 3 would best suit us and the players we have.

Jay012345 · « **Reply #138 on:** December 13, 2010, 12:45:50 PM »

Why do I think Hodgson will move mierless to the right?!

The 5th Benitle · « **Reply #139 on:** December 13, 2010, 12:47:05 PM »

4231 suits Gerrard Torres Lucas and Raul. And particularly Johnson. For that reason we need to go back to it.

henry · « **Reply #140 on:** December 13, 2010, 01:08:55 PM »

Quote from: The 5th Benitle on December 13, 2010, 12:47:05 PM

4231 suits Gerrard Torres Lucas and Raul. And particularly Johnson. For that reason we need to go back to it.

that only IF we play attacking football tho (under roy = home game only). Torres will me isolated up front if we play that in away game.

4-4-2 or even 4-4-1-1 are the best formation for us (under roy only).

Gerrard on the right is the only option we have which will improve the current format.

IMO, Torres is not sharp enough yet. so i will pair Babel and Ngog up front (babel in the hole) and have Torres start from the bench.

Rohit · « **Reply #141 on:** December 13, 2010, 01:21:38 PM »

We need to stop playing 4-4-2 its unsuitable for our players, and just becuase you have 2 strikers on the pitch it doesnt mean your more attacking i wish people would realise this. Under rafas 4-2-3-1 we may have had only one CF but we had 4 forwards in total. Playing 4-4-2 nando will look shit becuase he has never really done and it doesnt suit him.

Festy · « **Reply #142 on:** December 13, 2010, 01:42:12 PM »

Quote from: Jay012345 on December 13, 2010, 12:38:04 PM

and if you have watched the last few internationals, england have been cr*p until Gerrard has moved back into the centre, and then the team has started to play well

and still lose.

In the last game against France, Gerrard was moved in the center ONLY because Barry was injured. And he's only started ONCE in the CM position before that game. We looked good against Chelsea when he played as CM, look at our performances other than that. He is NOT a CM end off.

jDJ · « **Reply #143 on:** December 13, 2010, 01:45:46 PM »

I can't fcking wait to get Stevie back in central midfield in a 4-4-2, that's worked so well this season - we've looked the fcking t1ts with Stevie G in the middle.

We really missed Stevie and Carra against Newcastle - I know we've been utter dogsh1t away from home this season with those two playing but I'm sure we still missed them on Saturday. There's no logic to it, but they're stevie and carra, of course we missed them.

Lo Pan · « **Reply #144 on:** December 13, 2010, 02:14:23 PM »

Quote from: jDJ on December 13, 2010, 01:45:46 PM

We really missed Stevie and Carra against Newcastle - I know we've been utter dogsh1t away from home this season with those two playing but I'm sure we still missed them on Saturday. There's no logic to it, but they're stevie and carra, of course we missed them.

Yep, no logic at all to us missing our best player....

The 5th Benitle · « **Reply #145 on:** December 13, 2010, 02:38:03 PM »

Quote from: jDJ on December 13, 2010, 01:45:46 PM

I can't fcking wait to get Stevie back in central midfield in a 4-4-2, that's worked so well this season - we've looked the fcking t1ts with Stevie G in the middle.

I laughed at the sarcasm in this post.
But then had a thought, maybe you were serious? It isn't easy to tell any more.