Xmas without Stevie

[Fox]

Some rags saying he may miss all Xmas games.

Great opportunity to see what can be done without him and how others stand up.

I would give Suarez captaincy if agger isn't playing.

Allen and Lucas?

 

[hmmmmm1]

This is never a great opportunity.

His delivery from set pieces has been outstanding this season

 

[gkmacca]

Coutinho can take over that delivery, and we won't have to watch Gerrard stroll around in the middle of the pitch.

 

[jexykrodic]

Coutinho-Lucas-Allen-Henderson in midfield?

Should have the energy to match up to some good midfields vs Spurs, Citeh, Chelski. I doubt we'll be on the front foot in those games so energy and discipline will be necessary.

 

[gkmacca]

Yes. I don't dispute the fact that Gerrard is capable of supplying a couple of beautifully hit diagonal balls during a game, but that's still quite an indulgence to let him wander around ineffectually for much of the rest of the time. I'm quite eager to see what a properly integrated, more dynamic midfield unit will be like.

 

[rubans]

Would be great opportuinity if we had midfielders who are worth a look. Hopefully would be prooved wrong but Allen, Luca and Henderson don't give any sort of great confidence against top 4 sides.

 

[Mistadobalina]

We will miss his quality but other players often shine in his absence. My money's on Henderson to step it up a bit. Got some fire in his belly. Maybe joe Allen can ping a few diagonal balls out to Johnson for a change?

 

[Rosco]

As much as I don't think he's been all that great this season, set pieces aside, I'd still prefer to have him available (obviously).

I dread the thought of a Lucas / Allen combo in the middle. Allen and Henderson on the other hand might be interesting. But if it doesn't work we've got fuck all else to try

 

[RolandG]

Give Suarez the captaincy. Gerrard's absence gives the other midfielders a chance to put up their hands and step up to the plate. We survived without Suarez, Coutinho and Sturridge and survived. We'll be ok.

 

[Red Astaire]

Yep making Suarez captain makes sense. Shame to lose Gerrard as I think he's been performing very well this season. Could Alberto make the step up? I really hope BR doesn't turn to Moses.

 

[Fox]

I really hope BR doesn't turn to Moses.

That sounds very religious

 

[Brizzle]

In the past hasn't Lucas been given the armband? I would expect him to lead us out.

 

[kingjulian]

Coutinho can take over that delivery, and we won't have to watch Gerrard stroll around in the middle of the pitch.

IIs there any stat on average distance covered etc? I think he has become a little less mobile, but even now he is as mobile as Xabi used to be for us.....I'm not sure I fully subscribe to the view that we need another player to do the running for him because of his age.

 

[FoxForceFive]

Yep making Suarez captain makes sense. Shame to lose Gerrard as I think he's been performing very well this season. Could Alberto make the step up? I really hope BR doesn't turn to Moses.

Being ridiculously cynical, it makes sense cos if Suarez is to leave we can cite the fact he's a senior player when negotiations begin, or use it as a reason to show him how valued he is whilst he's talking about a new contract with us.

 

[Mystic]

Being ridiculously cynical, it makes sense cos if Suarez is to leave we can cite the fact he's a senior player when negotiations begin, or use it as a reason to show him how valued he is whilst he's talking about a new contract with us.

Also he works his arse off, and it's always good to have your captain giving everything for the team.

 

[Jack D Rips]

Out for six weeks according to twitter

 

[mom]

Agree with FFF. Makes sense to make him captain for those reasons. May even squeeze a little more performance out of him, if that's at all possible.

 

[rurikbird]

Who is one 2-nd choice penalty taker?

 

[Modo]

Who is one 2-nd choice penalty taker?

Suarez of course.

 

[rurikbird]

Really? I thought Suarez is not good at pens...

 

[Modo]

Really? I thought Suarez is not good at pens...

Yeah, that's true. But I've seen him take them for Uruguay in shoot outs etc. I think he took them for Ajax as well.
But I completely forgot about Coutinho....

 

[Modo]

 

[Dreambeliever]

I don't think it will effect our results at all.

We will lose the big games in any case.