Gerrard

[enigma]

I think it is fundamentally flawed, though. Both play at club level in front of a holding player, and try to replicate this at international level. Any team needs defensive ability in midfield to go with attacking prowess, and Gerrard can't play this game.

Yep. Gerrards INSTINCT and Lampards INSTINCT- not to sit back. So why constrain them both from playing their natural game? Its psychological as well- neither of them will be able to attack to their full potential because it will be in the back of their mind that they may have to drop back more than usual, whereas with a holding mid they dont have to worry as much. Hence why Lampard played so well v Poland.

 

[Stumpy Tim]

I would build a team round Gerrard personally. Rooney & Gerrard will shine in the World Cup. Mark my words

 

[Pavilionaire]

Joe Cole, for me, is a bench player who can come on with 25 mins to go and create a goal.

There's no doubt about his skill, but his shooting is poor, he's a mediocre tackler and gives the ball away too easily.

Gerrard, on the other hand, has a lot more to offer over the course of the match. Crucially in a tight game he can shoot from distance.

I think it's still worth keeping him wide left, as I thought he did a good job on Saturday. I also thought King did his job well, and let's remember the England defence behind him is only going to get better with Neville and Cole due to return.

 

[Schrödinger's Toad]

the England defence behind him is only going to get better with Neville and Cole due to return.

I thought that was a fairly major factor on Saturday - Young is at best a solid full back, and Konchesky doesn't really resemble an international footballer. We need Neville and Cole back for Germany.

 

[sirmax2004]

although gerrard did alright on saturday his tendency to tuck in as a third central midfielder left an unfit wayne bridge very exposed in the first half.

i thought we looked much more of a threat when J.Cole came on and although he likes to cut inside, he beats players and gets the ball in the box unlike gerrard who was playing balls through from the half way line

gerrard is certainly one of our best 11 players but that doesnt mean he should play if the team as a whole is worse. for me J.Cole is our best option at the moment on the left and carrick and king are both better holding midfielders. the only place for gerrard is if he shows he's better than lampard as the more attacking CM, which for me he is not

 

[Easy 10]

although gerrard did alright on saturday his tendency to tuck in as a third central midfielder left an unfit wayne bridge very exposed in the first half.

i thought we looked much more of a threat when J.Cole came on and although he likes to cut inside, he beats players and gets the ball in the box unlike gerrard who was playing balls through from the half way line

gerrard is certainly one of our best 11 players but that doesnt mean he should play if the team as a whole is worse. for me J.Cole is our best option at the moment on the left and carrick and king are both better holding midfielders. the only place for gerrard is if he shows he's better than lampard as the more attacking CM, which for me he is not

I cannot add to that. Absolutely spot on sir.

 

[CHAPPERS]

I like Gerrard but Lamps is far more handsome so I choose him.

Frankie says Relax!

*gush*

 

[Easy 10]

Lamps is f***ing GORGEOUS, there's no getting away from that. But I've heard that Gerrard's got a bigger cock.

 

[Behind Enemy Lines]

I have already posted this on another thread but thought I would open a new one for it!!

Gerrard played three positions and none particually well.

left midfield - not effective, Cole did better when he came on
central midfield - not enough time there, big question mark over him & Frank
Right back - Strange decision taking off a right back and putting Gerrard there, look like a cope out of having to take him off!

rant over

So what are you saying? That he should be dropped? Ok so by his high standards, he didn't have a great game but he did make made one killer pass to Rooney ( hit the post - would have been one of the great England goals of recent times) and set up the winner when at right back. Not bad for a quiet game eh?
He is a class act.

 

[Garry Nelson's Left Foot]

Haven't read the whole thread so apologies if someone's already said this...

Gerrard isn't a left midfielder. He's a central midfielder who likes to get forward. The same as Lampard. It seems that accomodating them both in the same team is a little difficult. So it's a straight choice between Gerrard and Lampard. Both are great players. For me, however, Gerrard edges it. Lampard is superb for Chelsea, bur he's surrounded by great, great players. Nothing wrong with that, but Gerrard is capable of holding a team together. He doesn't need great players around him, playing well, for him to play well. He can drive a team on, and when the chips are down he can inspire the team. I don't think Lampard is capable of doing this, at least not as effectively as Gerrard. Gerrard can dig a team out of a whole. For that reason, if it is a straight choice between Lampard and Gerrard, I'd pick the scouser.

 

[enigma]

I thought that was a fairly major factor on Saturday - Young is at best a solid full back, and Konchesky doesn't really resemble an international footballer. We need Neville and Cole back for Germany.

Yep- the full backs werent great, although in fairness to Bridge he would have been better if he had more games under his belt.

Neville and Cole are very good. Anyone that thinks Neville is shit needs their eyes tested- and in any case, who is better than him at right back ?

 

[CHAPPERS]

. Anyone that thinks Neville is shit needs their eyes tested- and in any case,

And that, ladies, is a scientific fact.

I think once Cole and Neville get back in this side we are looking very good. The midfield situation is resolving itself and with a bit of tinkering should be firing for the World Cup. We're still one striker short though.

 

[Easy 10]

How can we possibly be a striker SHORT with Crouch in the squad

 

[enigma]

And that, ladies, is a scientific fact.

I think once Cole and Neville get back in this side we are looking very good. The midfield situation is resolving itself and with a bit of tinkering should be firing for the World Cup. We're still one striker short though.

I do worry what would happen if one of Rooney or Owen got injured. Defoe is a good player, but Im not sure he and Owen would work well together for example. We do lack decent options up front, however good the regular first choice pair are.

 

[Del Boy]

I do worry what would happen if one of Rooney or Owen got injured. Defoe is a good player, but Im not sure he and Owen would work well together for example. We do lack decent options up front, however good the regular first choice pair are.

Smith look very good when he joined man u as a striker, but I supose now he is playing week in week out in a defensive midfield role that has changed things!

 

[enigma]

Smith look very good when he joined man u as a striker, but I supose now he is playing week in week out in a defensive midfield role that has changed things!

I think so. He's a good striker, not prolific maybe but works bloody hard, is technically good and wins a fair amount in the air. But he probably wont be consideredc for the reasons you mentioned.

 

[Wozza]

Haven't read the whole thread so apologies if someone's already said this...

Gerrard isn't a left midfielder. He's a central midfielder who likes to get forward. The same as Lampard. It seems that accomodating them both in the same team is a little difficult. So it's a straight choice between Gerrard and Lampard. Both are great players. For me, however, Gerrard edges it. Lampard is superb for Chelsea, bur he's surrounded by great, great players. Nothing wrong with that, but Gerrard is capable of holding a team together. He doesn't need great players around him, playing well, for him to play well. He can drive a team on, and when the chips are down he can inspire the team. I don't think Lampard is capable of doing this, at least not as effectively as Gerrard. Gerrard can dig a team out of a whole. For that reason, if it is a straight choice between Lampard and Gerrard, I'd pick the scouser.

Yes, yes, but when was the last time he had a decent game for ENGLAND?!

 

[Garry Nelson's Left Foot]

Yes, yes, but when was the last time he had a decent game for ENGLAND?!

Er....

He looked good against the germans...

 

[Percy Tantrums]

Er....

He looked good against the germans...

I thought he had a decent game against Agentina. He played in three different positions, he set up Michael Owens first goal and provided the passes for decent chances for Rooney and Lampard.

He's an excellent player and would be an assest in any international team.

 

[Del Boy]

I thought he had a decent game against Agentina. He played in three different positions, he set up Michael Owens first goal and provided the passes for decent chances for Rooney and Lampard.

He's an excellent player and would be an assest in any international team.

He also would of given away a penalty if it was a competitive game!