Ted Hughes wrote:Original Dub wrote:Ted Hughes wrote:Original Dub wrote:I disagree Ted. I don't think Gerrard would have been brilliant in a deep role. Or Lampard.
They may well be able to 'do a job if need be' given the experience they now have, but to employ them in that position full time is criminal. And if you say that Stevie Ireland didn't show the attributes of a young Gerrard last season than I'd have to disagree with you.
I don't think Ireland's playing in a deep role, he's just playing in a more orthadox midfield role & isn't as good as a Lampard or Gerrard or Robson at knowing when to come forward & when to go back. It's the next stage of his development. They've all played many games in the same role & done it perfectly.
There's no point though in pretending Ireland has the abilities of a Lampard or Gerrard because he simply doesn't. You're talking about 2 of the best strikers of a ball in PL history. Ireland has a bit more craft & guile but as an attacking threat is smaller so cant get to headers like they do & nowhere even on the same planet as a threat when shooting. He has to find a job to do alongside players like that, where he can be just as valuable to the team. That's what's happening imo.
Can't agree with you mate. When gerrard was the same age as Ireland, he scored 4 league goals and didn't better him until 2 or 3 years ago. His 'graft' isn't the same as you say, so what exactly was Gerrard doing when he was the same age as Stevie then?
Gerrard used to play exactly the same role as Ireland has been asked to, as did Lampard. They've both spent a lot of of their careers as orthadox midfielders. Gerrard has even played DeJong's role at the back of midfield. They do what's required depending on who else is in the team & are always amongst the best in the world at doing it. That's the challenge for Ireland.
I'll give you another example; Paul Scholes. He plays wherever he's asked. One minute he's playing in front of the back 4 in a side with Ronaldo, Giggs, Rooney, Tevez etc the next he's playing behind Rooney with Carrick, Fletcher, Park etc behind him. He can sit in front of the back 4 & still score a hat-trick. That's the challenge & the level Ireland should aim for, not settle for being another Elano who can only play when the moon is in the correct allignment.
I kind of agree with you here Hughes has a lot of players and likes to move them around to suit his formations especially when making a sub. None of our players except for strikers/Defenders stay in the same position for long and need to be ready to switch as the team requires. Obviously if Ireland can only play in 1 position he's gonna struggle staying in the team.