John McGinn

[Gareth]

In addition to any rotation a centre back having 4 he trusts also gives Gerrard the option to go 3 at the back at times, particularly with 5 subs switching from 4 to a 3 during particular games if required

[PeterWithe]

also gives Gerrard the option to go 3 at the back at times,

And that can never be a bad thing can it H&V ers?

[Dogtanian]

With McGinn he’s done the opposite. He’s put the focus on him and told him all eyes are on him now, he has to step up and be the best version of himself because he’s setting the example for the rest of the team.

FTFY

 

[OCD]

Between Konsa, Mings and Carlos, there might be some rotation based on form. Throw Chambers into the mix as someone Gerrard clearly rates, means Mcginn may well start more games than Mings, hence being more present as skipper.

I’m also taking Gerrards comments at face value… maybe less responsibility will help Mings cut out some of the errors/lapses in concentration.

Might end up being a good decision, might not, but it’s worth trying.

There might be some rotation at CB but for most teams outside of European football it's not a good idea. I've always thought at CB it's about how you interact with the other CB, GK and DM. Over time you develop a good understanding as to the strengths and weaknesses in each other's game.

The likes of Chelsea, Liverpool and Man City have a huge amount of games and need to manage player workload carefully. Even then at City particularly, Guardiola isn't averse to giving likes of Stones and Ake the odd game at full back. But we don't have that luxury hence I don't think Gerrard will be able to carry Konsa, Carlos and Mings if all are fully fit. Especially now with Carlos announced already as vice captain, if Gerrard didn't see him as first choice then he wouldn't be.

I also don't buy the argument that taking the captaincy off Mings will take pressure off him. Mings wasn't captain when Grealish was with us and he was average at best for our first two seasons back. If anything the additional responsibility improved his concentration and performance levels. To give one example, he was far better defensively in the air last season than he was previously.

In Grealish's last season we had the best defensive record we've had for some time, especially while Grealish was fit.

[Toronto Villa]

We’ve got McGinn, super slim McGinn…

Doesn’t he look a lot leaner in this picture donning the new armband?

https://twitter.com/dougellisstand/status/1553050325245988873?s=21&t=P69q7hQeCRH9V-brLob7tA

[villadelph]

We’ve got McGinn, super slim McGinn…

Doesn’t he look a lot leaner in this picture donning the new armband?

https://twitter.com/dougellisstand/status/1553050325245988873?s=21&t=P69q7hQeCRH9V-brLob7tA

Doesn't look too much different to me, but the kit looks good!

[RamboandBruno]

Between Konsa, Mings and Carlos, there might be some rotation based on form. Throw Chambers into the mix as someone Gerrard clearly rates, means Mcginn may well start more games than Mings, hence being more present as skipper.

I’m also taking Gerrards comments at face value… maybe less responsibility will help Mings cut out some of the errors/lapses in concentration.

Might end up being a good decision, might not, but it’s worth trying.

There might be some rotation at CB but for most teams outside of European football it's not a good idea. I've always thought at CB it's about how you interact with the other CB, GK and DM. Over time you develop a good understanding as to the strengths and weaknesses in each other's game.

The likes of Chelsea, Liverpool and Man City have a huge amount of games and need to manage player workload carefully. Even then at City particularly, Guardiola isn't averse to giving likes of Stones and Ake the odd game at full back. But we don't have that luxury hence I don't think Gerrard will be able to carry Konsa, Carlos and Mings if all are fully fit. Especially now with Carlos announced already as vice captain, if Gerrard didn't see him as first choice then he wouldn't be.

I also don't buy the argument that taking the captaincy off Mings will take pressure off him. Mings wasn't captain when Grealish was with us and he was average at best for our first two seasons back. If anything the additional responsibility improved his concentration and performance levels. To give one example, he was far better defensively in the air last season than he was previously.

In Grealish's last season we had the best defensive record we've had for some time, especially while Grealish was fit.

There is the endless debate about Mings, me and my son do it, where he thinks he’s average and makes too many mistakes and i think we judge him too harshly. Whatever the rights and wrongs of this, I’m sure in our second season back, didn’t we have the best defensive record outside of the top four? I just don’t see how that happens if one of that unit in Mings is ‘average at best’ during that season. 

[Risso]

There is the endless debate about Mings, me and my son do it, where he thinks he’s average and makes too many mistakes and i think we judge him too harshly. Whatever the rights and wrongs of this, I’m sure in our second season back, didn’t we have the best defensive record outside of the top four? I just don’t see how that happens if one of that unit in Mings is ‘average at best’ during that season. 

That stat's not right though.

[RamboandBruno]

There is the endless debate about Mings, me and my son do it, where he thinks he’s average and makes too many mistakes and i think we judge him too harshly. Whatever the rights and wrongs of this, I’m sure in our second season back, didn’t we have the best defensive record outside of the top four? I just don’t see how that happens if one of that unit in Mings is ‘average at best’ during that season. 

That stat's not right though.

Ive just had a look at the final league table and five teams let in less goals than us, the top four and also spurs, who finished seventh i think. Then there was us and Brighton who let in 46. So we had the joint sixth best defence in the league. Thats still pretty good and Mings was a big part of that.

Im not saying that Mings should be starting now by the way, jurys out for me on who our best CB pairing will be. I just think it’s a bit harsh to say he’s been average at best, when in one of those seasons we had a very good defence.

[N'ZMAV]

we're a mid-table side, Mings is a mid-table player. Level Par.

[Abbeyfealeavfc]

I didn't realise Mings now goes by the name of John McGinn!

[john e]

I think things is a very good defender gets in loads of blocks and gets plenty of headed clearances
He fusses around too much and for every season he’s played down at VP we have been asking him to cut the sloppiness out and he hasn’t done it so let’s face it he’s not going to

Every defender will make mistakes the problem with Mings is at least 50% of his mistakes come from his own doing to lax and not focused enough, This will or maybe has been his undoing he just never learnt
he’s never been much of a ball player so there’s nothing he can do about that really but Gerrard I think feels if we are going to be pushing for Euro football he becomes too much of a liability

Been fantastic for us so far but his lack of ball control and too many unforced errors means he can’t cut it at higher level
He’s look good for England when he sat in a back five with two holding midfielders in front protecting  but that’s not the way we play
I fear the same fate for Konsa

Premiership can be ruthless at times

[Risso]

Premiership can be ruthless at times

Psssst John, it hasn't been called that for twenty years.

[john e]

Premiership can be ruthless at times

Psssst John, it hasn't been called that for twenty years.

I’m always behind the times

[LeeB]

Premiership can be ruthless at times

Psssst John, it hasn't been called that for twenty years.

I’m always behind the times

There aren't many people that can still carry off a Terry McDermott bubble perm and moustache, and neither can John, but top marks for trying.