If Adam plays well, then Gerrard can concentrate on being a proper "first wheel". He most certainly have the skills to do it. The problem is/was that this was Bolton. You don't want Gerrard, of all people, to be your dedicated DM/first wheel vs Bolton. And he wasn't. Whenever he sorta felt the urge to be it, he did with his usual enthusiasm.
To me, maybe Adam can do an okayish job covering, so to speak, for Lucas, when he's at his best (Adam, that is). But, on current form, which may be closer to his real, consistent ability, he sucks donkey dick as a covering or withdrawn midfielder. On top of all that, he also has that "I am tough mofo, you all, including the ref, are softies" wanker attitude. One cal lip-read him telling the ref "I didn't touch him" and then watch the replay and be embarrassed.
It's not as if Spearing is really a shoe-in understudy, but he's the best option when available. Hendo will probably be able to be the 'first wheel' when he's 25, also. At the moment, he's imitating his good buddy Johnson in being crap defensively.