posted Oct 15, 2008

Gerrard and Lampard are both quality players, but it has been obvious they lack one vital quality, one that is scarce to find with most english players. AWARENESS! I you play two central midfielders on top of a more holding CM, they need to be constantly aware of the other's movement. One goes forward --> the other hangs back, Right --> Left, etc. It may sound simple, but the fact that G and L (and maybe even R should be taken into the equation) can not seem to get this right, shows you that it's not.
The end result is that whenever these two play together, they get in eachothers way, clog up spaces, and together get caught in front of the ball when posession changes over, leaving a big gaping hole in midfield.

Gerrard had players around him at Liverpool who are excellent at positioning themselves in such a way to accommodate him. (Alonso, Mascherano, and even Kuyt(!!))

Same goes for Lampard with the likes of Essien, Ballack, and Deco. Mikel took a while to pick up this trade, but is also capable now.

( Note: There is a common factor here.... none of these players are english!
I can only think of one english player who has showed the kind of awareness needed at the top level in this position... Scholes!)

For me, this is the only reason why L and G can not play together, but it's a real important one. As they do not encounter this problem at their clubs, I doubt if they will ever learn this skill. In the meantime, either pair one of them with a player that can play a serving role, or do no play 2 attacking cm's.

Actually, do not put them in the same team at all, for even if you would stick G or L on the left, you would have the same problem.

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posted Oct 15, 2008

Unless things change, the bullet will have to be bitten, it is either Gerrard or Lampard. I prefer gerrard, because he is a more all round player. When was the last time Lampard was asked to play out of positionon the left or right? Hardly ever because he hasn't got the ability to do it. Lampard has one good game, and people forget how for months he went missng for England far more than Gerrard.

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posted Oct 15, 2008

Why is it so necessary to play both of them
If they are both attacking players and you want one defensive and one attacking then what is the problem choosing.
Play 4 4 2 with a defensive and attacking midfield partnership.

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posted Oct 15, 2008

picky_paul you are a typical Sun reading armchair baffoon, no offense!

Read Chelsea Logics comments and tonight count how many times Lampard gives the ball away and how many more times Gerrard does. I agree that Gerrard is faster which means he is more adaptable for other positions, lucky we have a squad though!! The fact is, and more and more people are finally realising it, Capello certainly has, Lampard is by far the better centre midfielder.

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posted Oct 15, 2008

Lampard is by far the better centre midfielder.
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If you are a Chelsea fan i can understand that.

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posted Oct 15, 2008

cleary england need to drop lampard as his international form is lacklustre compared to his club form he is that sort of player that can't step up on the international stage and its hampering the team as shown with no euro 08 qualification. i think we should play


Walcott----Barry---Gerrard----Wright-Phillips


this is the only way forward for england with gerrard and barry in the engine room working the ball around. benitez spent the whole summer chasing barry because he knows him and gerrard play well together and wanted that to continue for liverpool and with walcott and wright-phillips on the wing we have flair, pace and young legs which is a key thing england have been missing in recent games i just hope we don't fail to live up to our expectations again as it is now 42 years without an international trophy and will be 44 by the time the world cup comes about

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posted Oct 15, 2008

In my opinion Gerrard is a far better all round player, however as an attacking midfielder Lampard is the better, Im a united, fan and there are few better than ghosting in the box the Lampard. I only wish Scholesy was still available, we need someone in there who dictates a game, with brilliant awarness and passing abiilty, an english Pirlo. I think we shud play A Hargreaves or a Carrick both capable of sitting there, both slightly different, however, both have different qualities. Then play either Lampard or Gerrard not both. Rooney behing Heskey or a fit Owen

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posted Oct 15, 2008

Sometimes i feel why pay them at all.
Why cant Owen and Berry start..if they are better in form then G and L why not..
It looks crazy just because G and L are one of the best..if we forget that i guess there wont be any problem.
But i think it is impossible to leave out G or L

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posted Oct 15, 2008

picky_paul, What aludicrous statement. maybe we should drop ferdinand as hes a rubbish left back, or james as hes garbage as a winger. id rather have a player whos excellent in his chosen position on the pitch than someone whos mediocre whenever he plays for england.

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posted Oct 15, 2008

comment by Gerrard-Boy-Wonder (U13637093)
posted 4 Hours Ago

cleary england need to drop lampard as his international form is lacklustre compared to his club form he is that sort of player that can't step up on the international stage and its hampering the team as shown with no euro 08 qualification.


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Just go back to bed why don't you?

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