The Myth of Steven Gerrard

By Ollie Adams

As the nation comes to terms with the realisation that England’s vapid performance in South Africa was the sign of things to come more than a tumultuous blip, more than ever it’s necessary to revaluate the perceived ‘truths’ surrounding many of England’s so-called ‘Golden Generation’. Perhaps more than any other player, Steven Gerrard seems to come through any revisionism largely unscathed. But is Gerrard really the World Class player many assume him to be? Or is he, whisper it, overrated?

Firstly, it’s clear that Gerrard is capable of exceptional things on a football pitch. To deny him that would be churlish in the extreme. He is though, the embodiment of much of the national team’s failings and the claims of some that he’s ‘the greatest midfielder in the world’ are simply laughable. His ability to conjure up moments of brilliance masks his regular ineptitude to undertake the basics; keeping possession, weighing up percentages, tactical awareness and general decision making. In short, most of the shortcomings of the national team.

Watching England since the World Cup, especially against Montenegro, Gerrard regularly dropped deep to receive the ball from his centre backs, acting as the intended springboard for England’s attacks. The problem being that unlike say, Andrea Pirlo or Xavi, he is seemingly incapable of probing short passes or creating angles for either himself or others in the middle of the pitch on a consistent basis. He seemed to prefer 40 yard passes to the wingers or through the gaps between the opposition fullbacks and centre halves. This, in a nutshell, is the issue with Gerrard and indeed the perception of Gerrard; when it came off it looked great, and, as if on cue, the commentators and crowd cooed in their appreciation. However, more often than not, it lead to a turnover of possession and the capitulation of an attack. Unfortunately, Gerrard has been guilty of this approach for large chunks of his career, especially at England level; overly concerned with the killer ball rather than the maintenance of possession, he can become a predictable liability at the highest level.

Rafa Benitez seemed to recognise this, and its telling that the best football of Gerrard’s career was when the Spaniard set-up his Liverpool team with Gerrard at the tip of a  midfield three that featured Javier Mascherano as the ‘spoiler’ and Xabi Alonso as the ‘ball-player‘. In fact, so far advanced was he at times he occupied the ‘in-the-hole’ role just behind Fernando Torres. This freed up Gerrard to take more risks higher up the pitch rather than have the responsibility to keep possession. It also exploited Gerrard’s ability to create an impact near to the opponent’s goal, and as a consequence he and Liverpool seemed perfectly balanced and dangerous. Benitez’s bizarre decision to dispense of Xabi Alonso led to Gerrard often being deployed deeper, and ever since Liverpool have struggled. Although not a classic holding midfielder, Alonso provided the passing quality and more importantly the tactical discipline that Gerrard doesn’t. Similar problems arise in the age-old ‘Gerrard-Lampard’ debate at England level. People complain that Lampard often doesn’t reproduce his Chelsea form for England, but his role there is different. He is required to play further away from goal for England when playing with Gerrard as he is capable of adopting the discipline required of a top level central midfielder. Gerrard is not.

Two mistakes this season highlight this point, and its telling that both occurred against high class opposition and both led to goals and a disappointing result for Liverpool. Against Arsenal on the opening day of the season, Pepe Reina was rightly criticised for gifting a goal away in injury time, dropping a ball over his own line. What went largely ignored was Gerrard’s culpability; from a Gael Clichy throw-in half way in Liverpool’s half Dirk Kuyt is clearly torn between keeping track of Clichy or pressing Tomas Rosicky who has dropped close to receive the ball. Gerrard should see the potential danger but seemingly provides no instruction to the Dutchman. Kuyt and Gerrard allow Rosicky to take in the ball and deliver an excellent cross that leads to the equaliser. During the whole episode Gerrard moves approximately half a metre. If Liverpool had hung on in this match, Roy Hodgson would have got off to a winning start and perhaps the disastrous run of form that followed may have been avoided.

Gerrard marked in green

Two games later against Manchester City Gerrard made another crucial error whilst at 0-0. Asked to play an orthodox central midfield role he failed to track James Milner’s penetrating run to the byline and watched on as his England colleague crossed for Gareth Barry to slot past Reina; the first goal in a comfortable 3-0 victory.

Gerrard marked in green

Gerrard marked in green

Hodgson should take some of the blame for Gerrard’s poor start to the season, playing him in several different midfield roles, often with different partners, but this serves to further underline Gerrard’s inability to adapt to conditions and the finer tactical necessities of the fast evolving role of the central midfielder.

It’s telling that throughout his career, Gerrard at his best is epitomised in the comeback; the Champion’s League Final in Istanbul, F.A Cup Final against West Ham in 2006, the memorable goal at Anfield against Olympiakos, even his recent double against Hungary at Wembley. This is the Gerrard conundrum; capable of truly astounding acts, seeming at times to drag his team through to impossible heights, but ultimately accomplished in a cauldron where the need to comeback presents no pressure. Create similar situations in a balanced environment where the pressure builds with every accumulated pass and movement, his technical level is insufficient to withstand that pressure and therefore breaks down and his game becomes forced. His tactical execution becomes wayward and his passing less focussed and increasingly desperate, even when the situation is not. This is why players such as Alonso and Lampard have often been given more responsibility to undertake the subtle nuances of the midfield responsibility in which they work with him. To quote the great Arrigo Sacchi: ‘he’s a great footballer, but not a great player.’ Increasingly, this is not enough. He can be a true force of nature, a Tasmanian devil capable of wreaking havoc when all seems lost, a destroyer in an advanced position. But now, more often than not, when someone is required to tip the scales through technical intricacy or football intelligence, he will be found wanting.

Is A Winter World Cup Such A Bad Thing?

By John Buckwell

This week, Sepp Blatter intimated that his expectation for a winter World Cup to take place in 2022, stating that “it would be unfair” to stage a summer tournament when a winter one would be a possibility. Logically, the blinding heat of Qatar should indicate that this is a sensible decision. Logistically, this could be more of a challenge.

Mohammed Bin Hammam, the Qatari President of the Asian Football Confederation has made it clear that they will resist and proposition to change but they may not have a choice. FIFA have the power to set the dates for the World Cup and there could be many developments across the coming 11 years.

Interestingly, a winter World Cup could be a massive success. Would it be such a bad thing?

Form and Fitness

Rooney struggles to find his sparkling best

Having a World Cup as a season finale has all the intentions in the right place. The inspirational showpiece to conclude the football season should refresh the games popularity in anticipation for the next. Looking at recent World Cups it has been much less inspiring and much more insipid.

Players are exhausted and rarely take their form from the preceding season into the tournament. Examining the “Golden Boys” expected to light up the 2010 World Cup: Lionel Messi struggled to show his glittering skills, although Maradona’s often bizarre tactics hardly helped; Wayne Rooney, just weeks back from a serious ankle injury, would have struggled to break into a weekend pub team as his control, touch and goalscoring deserted him on the worlds biggest stage; Fernando Torres, although a World Cup winner never looked like the Torres who wowed Premier League crowds; and Cristiano Ronaldo, fresh from 33 goals in 39 games for Real Madrid, wilted under the pressure of carrying his country’s hopes.

Unfortunately, if the stars don’t shine at a World Cup, it won’t linger long in the memory. Exhausting seasons of fifty-plus games in the top leagues take their toll, and although a winter World Cup would impact the finale of the domestic sceen, the World Cup itself would benefit greatly.

Temperature and Health Issues

The primary driver of calls for a winter World Cup is the fierce heat of a Qatari summer. Temperatures upwards of 50 degrees would bring a multitude of problems for players and fans. There is a very real probability that players would not be able to perform to their peak past the group stages. Training every day in intense heat and playing matches in a cauldron atmosphere would cause players to wilt devastatingly. Dehydration would be a very real threat.

How many times have we seen matches played out in massive heat that failed to live up to expectations?  However, if you are a fan of slow, sluggish and low-tempo football, this may be right up your street!

Dastardly German marketing techniques boost Bavaria beer sales in 2010

There is also the fans. Whether people like to admit it, and whether people prefer to see it as an “English” thing, football fans like to drink. If, as anticipated, the Qatari government loosen their alcohol prohibition laws, fans will be considerably more worse-for-wear.

Drinking in the sun is a British holiday-maker’s staple activity. Even more so at a World Cup. If the fans follow decades old patterns, their alcohol consumption will begin well before kick-off. Dehydration will be a very, very real problem for the fans and there could be genuine examples of people being hospitalised as a result.

A winter World Cup would therefore not only protect the players health and well being, but the fans too.

England

Finally, and possibly most importantly, is what it will do for English hopes. Ideally, the English team would be in fine fettle, playing great football in the prime of their season. Used to cooler conditions and more depressing weather, they could really shine.

Or… The weather, heat and humidity of a summer World Cup would, once and for all be removed as an excuse for a dismal showing. Here’s hoping for the former.

Rijkaard’s Turkish Flight

By Ian Taylor
20th October 2010

Franklin Edmundo Rijkaard, not everyone’s favourite footballer or manager but a footballing enigma nonetheless, has left Galatasaray by mutual consent, so what next?

As a player he was the classic holding midfielder, surging forward to arrive late in the box, tough tackling and like glue with his marking, excellent decision making in his distribution of the ball with a delectable free kick and fierce long shot. Arguably it was Sacchi who took this tough but forward thinking center back, and moulded him into the legendary player he became, his most notable time during the all conquering Milan of the late 80’s, early 90’s.

He began his managerial career at the deep end after moving up from assistant under Guus Hiddink to head the national team between 1998-2000 leading them to the semi-finals of Euro 2000 beating eventual winners France in the group stages but ultimately losing on penalties to Italy.

His next position at Sparta Rotterdam wasn’t as successful and they were relegated in his only season there, he offered to stay, taking a 50% pay-cut but the dire financial issues going on at the club, that obviously hampered the season couldn’t allow even that, so he departed to seek other ventures, amongst some, apparently a book on how to run a football club which unfortunately has never been finished.

Cruyff initially a sceptic of Rijkaard’s coaching ability, saying ‘He was a great player but I think he might be too quiet to become a great coach,’ was now a convert (even after he famously stormed out of Cruyff’s Ajax team swearing never to play for the club again), and it was under his recommendation that the new enigmatic president of Barca, Joan Laporta gave Rijkaard the opportunity to manage one of the biggest teams in the world. He took charge of Barca in 2003, with them lying a lowly 12th place, shot of confidence and lacking team cohesion and quickly transformed the team, making up 18 points on Real and finishing 2nd in La Liga.

He implemented a disciplined and organised defence with Edmilson and Marquez in midfield holding roles giving a solid base for Giuly, Eto’o, Deco and Xavi to create and Ronaldinho his converted free role. He promoted Messi and Iniesta to the first team and Barca’s attacking fluidity won world praise and awards to boot, including 2 La Liga’s and a Champions League. But with Catalunya’s high demands, 2 trophy-less seasons and the teams fulcrum, Ronaldinho underperforming, Laporta announced that Rijkaard would be leaving at the end of the 2008 season.

He moved on a year later and signed with Turkish giants Galatasaray in 2009. After the honeymoon period fans seemed divided over Rijkaard, some warming to him and blaming the host of injuries that plagued the first season, where he only lead them to a rather disappointing 3rd in the Super Lig. Others were more critical of the lack of motivation and heart shown by the players and included Rijkaard in this too.

His calm and relaxed coaching style is somewhat of a contrast to his aggressive playing days but it was still apparent that since this seasons start, he has looked increasingly disappointed and unsettled in the Galatasaray hot seat, possibly frustrated at the boards lack of ambition and summer signings during the recent window, and with faltering performances to start the season and failing European qualification he has decided to call it a day (with only 4 days till the derby with Fenerbahce in Kadikoy – suspicious timing?).

So what now for this talented young coach? With Liverpool lurking around 19 places off were they believe they should be, he’s been linked as Hodgson’s premature replacement. His free flowing attacking philosophy with a penchant for the flamboyant would obviously sit well with the Liverpool fans, more so than the pragmatic organisation of Hodgson’s, (although the current state of the club may have some bearing on the failings of the team and management at this moment).

There’s no doubt that Liverpool are lacking quality in depth and that the jewels that they possess are under performing, but could Rijkaard and his long following assistant Johan Neeskens reignite the flair of Joe Cole, Torres and Gerrard and maybe bring about the return of attacking principles from players such as Dirk Kuyt and Lucas Leiva who under Benitez had their game altered to focus toward their defensive duties.

It wouldn’t be a surprise to see him return to his homeland, but with Ajax challenging comfortably for all honours there’s little chance of his boyhood club taking him on. Italy’s always an option, although AC, his likely preferred choice have just begun a new era with coach Allegri making a relatively smooth start.

So his next move? Well, with new owners at Liverpool, what are the odds they’d like their own appointment, and in time for the Janurary window? At the time of writing William Hill have it at 5/2.

Whats Happening At Boca

By Ian Taylor
14th October 2010

Why have the Genoese been struggling since they won the Apertura 2008 (opening half of the season)? Their production line of youth talent seems to have run dry and the highly paid veterans don’t seem to be pulling their weight, what’s gone wrong?

When Mauricio Macri stepped down as Boca Junior’s president in 2008 to follow his political duties, he’d overseen Boca’s most successful international trophy-winning period in its history. His philosophy for the club was based on turning the age old negative of South American football that sees its best players leaving for more competitive leagues and financial rewards and bending it to a positive, together with luring back seasoned players to create a system that brought success on the field and balanced the books.

Macri set out a structure that collected and nurtured talented young players from all over South America with a purposeful idea of a 3-year turnover. After the promotion from the youth team, Macri planned for a year of bedding to settle the player in the first team squad. The 2nd and 3rd years would then develop the player and display his blossoming talents to European suitors, whilst simultaneously winning the club trophies before being sold off for that lucrative sum to balance the books and allow for the next youngster to come through and so on.

Many South American clubs follow this model of success and survival, but during Macri’s 8-year reign, none with such glorious trophies and accounts. During that time the structure created such talents as Carlos Tévez, Fernando Gago, Nicolás Burdisso, Emiliano Insúa, Nicolás Gaitán, and Walter Samuel, along with Fabricio Coloccini and Ezequiel Lavezzi passing through Boca’s training camps, just to name a few.

After Macri stood down, Pedro Pompilio was elected although his untimely death not long after his appointment lead to the Vice-chairmen Jorge Ameal taking over the reigns. Obviously though unavoidable this was not ideal and with a succession of captains at the helm, the normally steady ship has lost its course. This would explain the cracks that have appeared in the flawless system that Macri had established. And as the last gem to flow from the academy was Ever Banega, leaving in Jan 08, (although the deal was sorted long before then), with no one guiding, the ship has become a little lost and development somewhat stunted.

Boca has always boasted a strong club ethic, a united front, mainly created by the players growing together through the ranks coupled then with the garnishing of Argentinean legends. But has the academy drying up and the veterans not pulling their weight, in particular Juan Roman Riquelme’s lacklustre form and recurring injuries since his much publicised re-signing, split the club and caused the in-fighting, physical in the case between former manager Abel Alves and goalkeeper Javier Garcia that resulted in the formers resignation.

The players haven’t been backward in coming forward either with new all-time leading goal-scorer Martin Palermo admitting that “we have reached rock bottom”,even shortly after they beat their arch rivals The Millonarios (River Plate) 2-0 in their ‘Super El Classico’ and Caruzzo Matias commenting on the anger that is felt after the recent run of poor results “We make small mistakes and we paid high prices for goals against, that is what is happening to us and we feel very angry”. Everyone involved with the clubs loss of direction is aware that it needs to rethink and reform its system. And do it quickly as the Primera’s 3-year average points system to avoid relegation won’t be on their side forever.

For the then future? Boca’s youth policy maybe rekindling with the emerging talent of forward Sergio Araujo, a trickster and close control dribbler with the ability to turn a defender inside out, who can play anywhere across the front 3, till now he has only really featured in the youth team but could he be the next answer? With his impressive U17 performances causing interest and promise he could help bring some stability to the club for the expected few seasons, and then some welcome financial help. There’s also attack minded midfielder Marcelo Canete’s breakthrough this season after his inspirational performances for the U20’s, he can play on either wing and looks to cut in and link up with the forwards. There’s also 20 year old holding midfielder Cristian Erbes and talk of Nicolás Colazo’s flourishing talent are promising too, another attacking midfielder with a fierce left foot.

They’ve also employed the experienced Claudio Borghi as manager, fresh from winning the Clausura with Argentinos Juniors to lead the team. His start hasn’t been the smoothest, but there are signs of improvement, with the team leaking less goals, looking more organised and moving slowly up the table. Riquelme’s return from injury is also being talked up and could finally gel the team together to send Boca back on course and place one of the true giants of world football back challenging for honours.

Is Administration Fair?

By Jonathan Buckwell
11th October 2010

In 1998, the first professional football team since 1986 went into administration. This was a dark day in football and marked the beginning of the end for the financial good times for a lot of clubs. The 2000 farce that was ITV Digital hit a lot of clubs hard and, in particular, the lower league clubs that did not have the financial clout of the Premier League behind them.

Financial mismanagement is no longer something whispered in the corridors of power at board level. The spiralling debt of the English leagues flagship clubs has brought this into harsh focus. Manchester United are £400m+ in debt, Liverpool are £240m+ in debt and shortly this massive institution could be in administration.

Until 2001 there were just three clubs to enter administration: Charlton Athletic and Middlesbrough in the mid-Eighties and Chester City in 1998. Since the ITV Digital debacle got the ball rolling again, no fewer than 30 clubs have gone into administration Wimbledon never re-emerged and Portsmouth became the first top flight team to sink into financial oblivion in 2010. A dubious honour. Leeds United were the first ‘institution’ to suffer the humiliation of administration in 2007 as their quest for European glory crippled them to the point of dropping into the third tier of English football for the first time since their formation in 1919. They started their first season in League One with a 15 point penalty. A harsh penalty? Perhaps, yes. Personally, I think, no.

When it came to the points penalty it was undoubtedly extreme in the leanest sense of the word but I do not think a points penalty is enough. A club like Leeds were hurt by a points penalty but not in a way that realistically punishes the club. They managed their club awfully, so where were the measures put in place to ensure it never happened again?

Southampton are another club stung by their own decadence. After throwing a pitiful amount back to their creditors, what was their first action on coming out of administration? Spending £1m on Rickie Lambert. Now nobody is doubting his talent. He is a top talent in League One but this blatant show of contempt for their creditors is incredible. They didn’t play by the rules and got away with it. Lets not forget Portsmouth FC, less than 2 years after they won the FA Cup and played in Europe they were deducted 9 points, relegated to the Championship and £138m in debt. Michel Platini, not a man I usually agree with said “Why was this club winning [the FA Cup in 2008] with losses of £50m”. At the time, they were poorer than Greece – no mean feat.

This is not a rant against any football club in particular but more a questioning look at what can be done to spare supporters the misery of seeing their club run into the ground. It just seems to make sense, when you have had an average of 3 clubs a year going into administration that you should leave it with safeguards in place to maintain at least short term stability.

If you go into administration you need to prove you can run your club well again. A sensible course should be a wage cap and a transfer limit or embargo. Coupled with a points penalty, this would almost certainly end in relegation which would drive the stake home further. Therefore, scrap the points penalty and instead limit the spending of the club and punish them that way. This would be fair as the punishment would fit the crime.

If a team cheats in a football match by playing an ineligible player then they should have a points deduction, maybe one for a first offence and three for a second. If a team cheat by spending money they don’t have and killing competition by skewing the transfer market, then they should be punished in a manner befitting the crime.