Eriksson to play Gerrard as striker?

[slipperydave]

England coach Sven-Goran Eriksson says he has not ruled out the possibility of using Steven Gerrard as a striker at the World Cup finals.

With Wayne Rooney a doubt with a broken foot and Michael Owen only just back from a similar injury, Gerrard has been touted for a forward role.

Eriksson said: "Steven Gerrard can play in a lot of positions and one is as a second striker.

"I'm sure he could play as first striker but a lot depends on Rooney."

Manchester United star Rooney is almost certain to miss the group stages of the tournament and is thought to be a doubt for the knockout after suffering a broken metatarsal last month.

More here

hmm.. Gerrard is a very good player he can definately play there.. but I think so he should be played as a Central Attacking Midfielder..

[rob]

sounds perfect to me, I actually think gerrard would be better as a forward when playing for england

[BristolUK]

Sure, Gerrard could play as an out and out striker....in maybe reserve team football.
But this is international football and there's a huge difference between getting forward into an attacking position from a midfield role and being an attacker where top defenders at the peak of their game will take the ball from you in a tackle or where the first touch lets you down. Or they'll not give you space and you need a few tricks etc etc

[rob]

I agree - he wouldn't be able to be an out and out striker but what's that got to do with anything?! He'll be a forward - inbetween the midfielders and striker. Reverting to a 4-5-1 when we're under pressue. I see his role like Freddie Ljungberg for arsenal when we play 4-5-1 in the champions league.

Yes, many have been saying this ALL ALONG (LFCfreak!!).

Need to play Carrick and Lampard to back him up. Sounds like a real threat to me.

EDIT: The important term there is "second" striker, behind the "out and out" striker. Of course he's not just going to be put in the deep end like that all of a sudden in the biggest football stage!

[shizz]

Originally Posted by BristolUK

Sure, Gerrard could play as an out and out striker....in maybe reserve team football.

are you real or what,stevie as more than enough in his locker to play there,theres not many people who can stop him on his day or on a bad day for that matter,this could be svens first good move for a long time

Originally Posted by shizz

are you real or what,stevie as more than enough in his locker to play there,theres not many people who can stop him on his day or on a bad day for that matter,this could be svens first good move for a long time

Nah he should never play as a 'lone' or a 'out and out' striker because first of all that's completely different to playing off or behind a striker and secondly because its not the best position to get the most out of his overall talents which include vision and long/short passing.

When he is allowed to ROAM about, in the hole, it should be awesome to watch. Pure delight I reckon.