Gerrard In or Out?

[olaftab]

The majority of posts on this thread today, before and after the game, have been Gerrard fans desperately lashing out at anyone who has the temerity to disagree with them.

Yes totally turning Steve Brucesque whenever he won a game after his usual run of  dross results.

The mad few.

...spouting lot of nonsense.

[LeonW]

One of the positives we’re seeing with Gerrard is yes, we’ve gone on some losing streaks but conversely, we’ve gone on streaks of picking up points and putting back to back wins together. That’s something we can build on by making the side harder to beat and getting draws when not playing well. I think today’s result and performance deserve more credit. Burnley have made life difficult for us for awhile now and were in good form. Today, the side and management team dealt with them comfortably.

[PaulWinch again]

My personal view is that everyone is entitled to their opinion. But anytime that you’re calling the manager either the answer to all our troubles or a no hoper within 6/7 months it’s probably premature. He is the manager and he needs a reasonable amount of time to prove himself, either way.

[eamonn]

Away from home, we're pretty impressive under him. Interestingly though, few of those wins were counter-attacking smash and grabs. We played most of the good football at Norwich, Palace, Leeds, Brighton and today - even at Brentford where we lost despite being in control for large periods.

[Scott Nielsen]

I've been quite conciliatory really.... by my standards.

You have actually  

[Scott Nielsen]

I don’t really get the thing about Gerrard wanting to play dull football. When we’ve played well we’ve had played nice stuff. I get that when we’ve played poorly we haven’t been scintillating, but that’s hardly a shock.

Agreed. Not sure where the idea he prefers dull football comes from. I only ever see that particular criticism on here.

[Footy-Vill]

I don’t really get the thing about Gerrard wanting to play dull football. When we’ve played well we’ve had played nice stuff. I get that when we’ve played poorly we haven’t been scintillating, but that’s hardly a shock.

Agreed. Not sure where the idea he prefers dull football comes from. I only ever see that particular criticism on here.

At times v Norwich it was humdrum and been other instances.
In fairness I would say it's mixed as there are times when it's tedium and some where nice interplay.
The possession thing of knocking it around would get the negative when the result isn't good otherwise one accepts it's part of the game plan for winning the game.

But there have been countless times where the ball has just been played around without purpose something that next season, when the philosophy is understood. This will hopefully not equate to an overall dullard viewing experience of our football team because at times the passing at the back and to midfield, or attempting to, has led to some chances  from back to front but it was no surprise several instances when an actual longer ball by Mings for example would result in best chance or from open play.

[Footy-Vill]

I think have to be fair because there really has been some slow and tedious play and at times lack of shots at goal or goals or chances from open play.
In time there hopefully be a consistency and more fluidity so next season is where really see what can be done.
Potential there to be very exciting but pragmatic and results focused. Gerrard has said before different ways of winning and winning ugly though I rather have a firm imprint of what the team wants to be doing and I guess that will come in time on a consistent basis with the players that fit SG strategies

[john e]

I don’t really get the thing about Gerrard wanting to play dull football. When we’ve played well we’ve had played nice stuff. I get that when we’ve played poorly we haven’t been scintillating, but that’s hardly a shock.

Agreed. Not sure where the idea he prefers dull football comes from. I only ever see that particular criticism on here.

He’s not been as cavalier as I thought he would be
I know that’s not everyone’s cup of tea anyway and they would like us to be more pragmatic

But take yesterday for instance three nil up Burnley’s heads have  dropped out on their feet we could have gone for it and scored two or three more
But we chose to see the game out which is of course professional and pragmatic but you know I would’ve liked us to have gone for it more

That’s what I mean when I say I thought he would Have thrown a bit more caution to the wind
I’m not saying I’m disappointed it was a great result but I’ve always been a bit Full on Kevin Keegan For my sins

[KevinGage]

Not convinced by him. But it's positive that we went up there and changed shape and formation.

You can imagine Burnleh beforehand working on isolating Luiz at DM and waiting for the error, or getting in behind the two attacking full-backs. Seeing Chambers on the teamsheet prob had the same impact on them as it did on our match thread: is he playing in a back five or as a DM?

Nevermind the summer and getting spending a fuckton to get the players he wants to play the system he craves, he's has the resources NOW to do more of this sort of thing. And prob should have done it sooner, in fairness.  It keeps the opposition honest and gives us more matchwinning scenarios.

[Footy-Vill]

I'd rather Gerrard than Marcelo Bielsa because Gerrard understands about winning first and foremost rather than simply entertainment much as Bielsa insisted on cabiler there has to be occasions to look for game management. Gerrard provides and will do so further more attacking play once the players and systems are there . Next season has possibilities intriguing times. Summer window and pre season is big

[Axl Rose]

I liked the way we played against Man City second half. Swashbuckling!

[john e]

I liked the way we played against Man City second half. Swashbuckling!

That was the best half of football I’ve seen us play under Gerrard

[Footy-Vill]

I was away from football but I was told repeatedly in no uncertain terms we were brilliant first half v Spurs.

[Ger Regan]

I was very dubious about him when first appointed, and while some of those doubts still remain, he deserves a full season to see what he can do. It hasn't been all plain sailing by any means, but there's been enough to give encouragement