"Gerrard has frequently struggled to raise his own form for England never mind impacting on teammates."

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What a load of drivel.


I've lost count of the number of times that, in a failing england side, Gerrard has grabbed the game by the scruff and steered us to a win.

When actually played in his proper position,Gerrard is our best player

As paulpowersleftfoot says above!

The main problem with Gerrards form for England is that countless England managers have played him totally out of position. He has constantly played on the leftside of midfield simply because there was no one else to do it and to facilitate other players into the team!

Sir Robert

Could you give me a list of all these games? Gerrard had indeed lifted the England team on occasion, but not often enough for me. Overall he hasn't reproduced his club form. In mitigation that could in some part be down to poor team selection by managers.

comment by King Luis Suarez - Bellers 'anyone fancy a good nightout boys, I've got some new Callaways!' (U1695)
posted 1 minute ago
As paulpowersleftfoot says above!

The main problem with Gerrards form for England is that countless England managers have played him totally out of position. He has constantly played on the leftside of midfield simply because there was no one else to do it and to facilitate other players into the team!
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And yet when he has played in the middle, usually paired with Lampard, his performances have been average at best. I've always been of the opinion that they could have worked together had Gerrard been more willing to adapt his role to be more defensive as he had a great engine and enjoys a tackle. I've often wondered why he wasn't willing to do that for his country.

Gerrard all day.

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I like Scotland.

Gerrard would have been chosen, if only he could complete 2 games on the trot. He's just too injury prone. So, its got to be Parker all day long.

On current form, Parker. By a country mile. StevieG has been out, very long term with injury. Parker has been a revealation since his transfer. He also has consistency on his side. Mind you, I hope StevieG gets the call. I don't think England have won any big game with him in charge, and long may it continue. I am a Red; I am also a Jock. jimmyTheRed

http://www.metro.co.uk/sport/837813-steven-gerrard-strikes-twice-to-save-england-from-hungary-defeat

I agree that he can go missing, however this shows that when played correctly, he can be deadly!

I also realise that this was one game, but its just an example

Gerrard has failed already as an England captain and people pick him like it's the obvious choice. He led England for the disastrous end of the Euro 2008 qualifying campaign, when we lost to Russia and Croatia. Gerrard failed to have a good game in both, not many players did. Then he leads England during the disastrous World Cup, where we have our worst ever result at a tournament, and again fails to raise his own game.

Capello agrees with me apparently - see Gerrard picture:

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-2096251/Martin-Samuel-Social-lynch-mob-hit-target.html

So no, we've had enough failings while Gerrard has been captain. Parker or Hart for captain.

As a Liverpool fan i really like Parker, i thought we should of got him for just 5m, him Lucas and Gerrard would be a scary trio.

Parker should be nailed on to start as the defensive midfielder for England. However, i would always maintain Gerrard should be captain because he's just so inspirational. He lifts players around him, he could go and bang one in the top corner or provide a tap in for someone with a magic pass and he's so versatile he can be deployed in many positions.

Inspiration for me is part-performance inspired. To be honest, StevieG's age and injuries are beginning to tell. He can't go steaming in to a strong challenge as he used to, his acceleration is not as it was. This is not a criticism of our skipper, it's an inevitable sign of a great footballer getting old. JimmyTheRed

So tell me scouseking5, how did Gerrard get on in inspiring the team during the World Cup, or during the Russia and Croatia matches I mentioned above? These are the big, important international matches as well, not friendlies like against Hungary.

Joe Hart should be England captain for 3 reasons:

1) He is guaranteed to be in the team, keepers are hardly ever injured, and he is the clear number 1 now.

2) He has become consistently one of the top keepers around, playing at the highest level.

3) He has a big personality, is not afraid to do interviews and likes the public eye, but is not a tool so it not likely to get himself into any mischief.

Gerrard had an ok wc in 2010. Was played terribly out of position yet scored Englands first goal and kept fighting to equalize against Germany.

Gerrard is probably the only name in the team that opponents would see and be careful.

Well if you want your captain to do merely "ok" then you may as well select anyone.

And posting article from daily fail by fat Martin Samuel proves nothing. Clearly a Liverpool hater and always write about Liverpool /players in a negative way.

Yes if there players that did better..
He's the only player capable of striking fear into opponents and want that kind of person as your captain. Someone who wouldn't give up and keeps trying until the match is over. Gerrard is king of cup competitions if you use him properly.

Maybe for Liverpool, not so much for England, especially for their crucial games.

Maybe because not a single England manager has used him properly in a major tournament? They either play him with Lampard as a defensive mid or play him on the left..

i'm sorry but anyone with Gerrard's reputation should be able to play anywhere in midfield and do a decent job, far too often he has been anonymous for England as stated above. Can't see where the phrase "TOTALLY out of position" comes into it - always plays in midfield.
Great player for Liverpool but hardly ever does the biz for England. Giving him the captaincy would be a backward step i'm afraid and Parker only a temporary job, wont be around that much longer.

i'm sorry but anyone with Gerrard's reputation should be able to play anywhere in midfield and do a decent job
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Try saying that to Lampard who isn't anywhere near as versatile as Gerrard.

Just about everyone has under-achieved for England, bar maybe Rooney and Hart, so I wouldn't single Gerrard out.