Gerrard to leave Liverpool

[johnlattimerssponge]

We've done this a hundred times. Half way through the season a ballot is opened. I'm not even sure that it's restricted to Premier$hite players, but even if it is, how much will a right-back know about who the best right-winger is? They've probably played them once when they are on the opposite sides of the pitch concentrating on the players around them. It rewards eye-catching performances (particularly at voting time) whereas league title winners medals rewards consistent performers.

Granted that the voting is probably started too early and especially in these times of instant communication but do you really think players do not talk amongst themselves regarding the opposition and watch games on TV as well. Those that have been title winners have been in the best team but that does not mean there are not better players than them in the League.

 

[amsemp]

I've never had much time for the PFA team. Chosen on reputation rather than performance.

You can definitely argue that the lower league PFA team of the year is a popularity contest but not the Premier League. If you look at the PFA team of the year last season, there isn't really one player who doesn't deserve to be there. As for Gerrard, he made it in with 13 goals and 14 assists which I would say is pretty bloody decent.

 

[BrettieAngell]

You can definitely argue that the lower league PFA team of the year is a popularity contest but not the Premier League. If you look at the PFA team of the year last season, there isn't really one player who doesn't deserve to be there. As for Gerrard, he made it in with 13 goals and 14 assists which I would say is pretty bloody decent.

Which was his beat season assist wise and his 2nd best goal tally.

 

[OldBlueLady]

I suppose we're going to get daily updates now, and when the day finally comes the Anfield gates will be covered in scarves and shirts!

 

[davewebbsbrain]

Who gives a flying **** what he does or where he goes. Best thing he did was make the mistake that cost Liverpool the title last season

 

[Yorkshire Blue]

Granted that the voting is probably started too early and especially in these times of instant communication but do you really think players do not talk amongst themselves regarding the opposition and watch games on TV as well. Those that have been title winners have been in the best team but that does not mean there are not better players than them in the League.

Some players will watch some games on TV, but I expect the number who watch Stoke v Hull isn't particularly high so it's not representative, whereas Gerrard's on every week because of the importance of Liverpool in the Asia market. If he does something eyecatching it's then remembered and all his Hollywood passes and shots into the stands in the other games aren't remembered. It's like people who rate Clifford for his ability to occasionally score from 25 yards but forget about his inability to pick up runners and spot and make the simple pass. It's highlight reel stuff rather than consistent excellence.
Lampard is very consistent - the attribute that wins championships - you see it on how many of his shots hit the target, how many times he picks the right pass. Gerrard is streaky. That doesn't win championships but looks good when it comes off from time-to-time. I prefer to win championships by making the game look easy to occasional flashes in inspiring your team to 6th.

Players undoubtably talk, but some will talk more and have more influence than others which is how come you get such skewed results.

You can definitely argue that the lower league PFA team of the year is a popularity contest but not the Premier League. If you look at the PFA team of the year last season, there isn't really one player who doesn't deserve to be there. As for Gerrard, he made it in with 13 goals and 14 assists which I would say is pretty bloody decent.

That says that he takes a lot of penalties and free-kicks. Always helps when refs give Liverpool penalties for nothing like the other day.

It says nothing about the shots that sailed miles wide, the passes overhit, the runs not made because his legs aren't as good as they were or anything about the defensive side of the game which cost Liverpool a title shot.

 

[ian_the_girth]

A top, top player, but a poor mans Bryan Robson for club and country IMO.

 

[Uncle Leo]

YB, I thought you would be sweeter on Gerrard after what he did to West Ham in the 2006 FA Cup Final.

You also seem to have a pretty detailed view on this for someone who professes not to watch any Premier League football...

 

[Uncle Leo]

A top, top player, but a poor mans Bryan Robson for club and country IMO.

Interesting that you mention Robson. He only won his league titles at the very end of his career, by which time he was (a) surrounded by better players than he had been before and (b) a pretty peripheral figure, mostly just making sub appearances, no more significant on the field of play than Mike Phelan.

Had Robson retired in 1992, I don't think the absence of a league title from his CV would have diminished his legacy and I think that's kind of where Gerrard is. I'd certainly rate Robson higher as an England player though, even if he did dislocate his shoulder every other week.

 

[GrumpyBlue]

Who gives a flying **** what he does or where he goes. Best thing he did was make the mistake that cost Liverpool the title last season

Spot on :clap:

 

[Tangled up in Blue]

I'll be hoping to watch him live on the box tonight.Great player.

 

[Yorkshire Blue]

YB, I thought you would be sweeter on Gerrard after what he did to West Ham in the 2006 FA Cup Final.

You also seem to have a pretty detailed view on this for someone who professes not to watch any Premier League football...

I've seen Gerrard play approximately 100 times over the last 15 years.

That's a lot of passes into the stands!

 

[Uncle Leo]

I'll be hoping to watch him live on the box tonight.Great player.

I'll be hoping to watch his team get beaten live on the box tonight.

 

[Tangled up in Blue]

I'll be hoping to watch his team get beaten live on the box tonight.

So will I.I suspect that we'll both be disappointed though.

 

[Sandbach Shrimper]

The greatest Premier League player to never win the title? What stands out for me about Gerrard is his ability to consistently score important goals and drag his team out of trouble. He did it so many times for Liverpool and one of the signs of a great player is that they produce when it matters most. He never reached quite the same levels for England, partly because of the whole Lampard/Gerrard conundrum but he still scored his fair share of goals and was a good captain for the last few years. Also a thoroughly good professional, role model and man. I wonder if we'll get one-club men like Gerrard, Terry, Giggs etc ever again. I'm sure I wasn't the only neutral who wanted Liverpool to win the title last season mainly so Gerrard could get a Premier League title to his name.

 

[Tangled up in Blue]

Thought Stevie G did the business tonight. :thumbsup:

 

[EastStandBlue]

Yep, an assured and match winning performance against a mid-table League Two outfit.

Phil Brown, sign him up, Phil Brown Phil Brown sign him up.

 

[OldBlueLady]

Was bloody always going to get MOTM wasn't he? Armchair fans couldn't appreciate the job done by the lower league nominations, no, let's vote for Stevie G! :zzzzz:

 

[GrumpyBlue]

Thought Stevie G did the business tonight. :thumbsup:

With help from an assist by Adam Barrett :winking:

 

[Uncle Leo]

Interesting piece here on Gerrard. Spot on re the 'Miracle of Istanbul'...

http://www.footballfan.zone/1/gerrard-liverpools-greatest-ever-lets-not-be-hasty/