GERRARD’S TROUBLES LEAVE HIM EXPOSED
Steven Gerrard has never been one for a sugar coating. When he was about to win his 100th cap, he was asked to rate his own international career and gave himself a six before, after a pause, upping it to a seven.
All at sixes and sevens; it sums up 21st Century england, Gerrard’s generation, and they were much the same last night. they fared no better in the winter chill of Sao Paulo than in the jungle sweat-box of Manaus.
there was in fact less to admire in terms of flair and attacking promise than against Italy. If Roy Hodgson’s team deserve credit for hauling themselves back into the game they were naïve to let it slip again and remain painfully fragile at the back against decent teams.
Gerrard must take his share of responsibility as the deepest midfielder — the man who missed his tackle in midfield as Luis Suarez opened the scoring and the man under the long ball which somehow made its way to Suarez for the winner. the man who makes the tactical calls on the field.
If he hoped the World Cup might help erase the agony of Liverpool’s title slip he appears likely to be disappointed.
After surviving the early Uruguayan assault, england were beaten by a simple long ball down the middle and a very good finish from a very good finisher, who somehow escaped the attentions of everyone.
In Brazil, england have lost two games they ought to have taken points from and, despite flickers of progress, Group D is proving just too tough.
At the heart of all this, the 34-year- old skipper is finding it hard to either influence the game or protect his defence. More World Cup heartache; he might be glad it will be his last. By now Gerrard knows the routine. there are no excuses and no hiding places, as he says himself.
He can be his own harshest critic and he is a valuable voice on the state of the nation as england face up to the prospect of their first three-game World Cup finals since their first, when the tournament was last in Brazil in 1950.
In this twilight of his career, Gerrard talks with the gravitas of an england captain. these days he carries himself like an england captain, chest out, full of pride.
He may not be a world- class player anymore but he has quality. Few could have produced the cross from the right when he whipped the ball all towards Daniel Sturridge.
Gerrard has always addressed the ball with style, whether he be shooting or spraying passes. He no longer gets to take all the set-pieces but he can strike a deadball, as he did with the e free- kick from which ich Wayne Rooney headed aded against the bar.
It is his defensive acumen which can be questioned, particularly in this deeper midfield position where he has settled with club and country over the last 18 months.
Gerrard refers to it as the ‘controlling role’ but he has not been able to exert much control against Italy or Uruguay. Against the Italian midfield pass masters he could not get a grip of the game and there were similarities last night against an intense and highly motivated Uruguayan team.
As england trailed 1-0 with 20 minutes to go, frustration tore through Gerrard and he was booked for a late and heavy challenge on Cristian Rodriguez.
He was bounced off the ball by Suarez early in the game, allowing Uruguay to counter quickly. It was a reminder that he lacks a defensive instinct. the priority was to ensure Suarez did not escape beyond him with the ball but he tried to win it, got out-muscled and england were exposed. It was not easy. Uruguay’s movement and tempo were excellent. they were inspired by Suarez and the tactical tweak by coach Oscar tabarez to play nicolas Lodeiro behind the strikers, which kept Gerrard and Jordan Henderson occupied.
Gerrard’s conversion is not complete. Perhaps it never will be. His instinct is to play freely and fairly, not to stop others. the Barclays Premier League does not cultivate these footballers. the speed, physical nature and rapid turnover of possession means t ht the all-action heroes thrive — like a young Gerrard, Frank Lampard or Yaya toure. none of which means he should not be in that role. this will be his last World Cup, maybe his final major tournament. But if hhe calls it a day, is there anyone better? Fabio Capello, hailing from Italy where these qualities are cherished, always trusted Gareth Barry, but there is no going back to Barry or Michael Carrick and there is no young heir apparent. Jack Wilshere has lots to prove.
the empty cupboard might prompt Hodgson (left) to plead with Gerrard to stay on as the euro 2016 campaign gets rolling.
It has been a soft-spot in the team for some time. Gerrard has helped to mask it.
At times he looks comfortable in there but often he does not, especially against fluent teams like Italy and Uruguay.
It has been laid bare. It is another six. Pause.
Perhaps even a five.