Liverpool FC Forum

by **andy_g** » Tue May 30, 2006 9:56 am

sven goran eriksson seems to be planning to use jamie carragher as a holding midfielder in his starting 11 for the world cup, moving ahead of carrick and hargreaves in the role. all this despite jamie only playing the position for the first time in a training game yesterday.

but is he going to make a good midfielder in the 'makelele role' as its being called? we all know that jamie is one of the most committed and effective tacklers in the game an done that will give his all until his last ounce of strength is gone. but is his distribution good and imaginative enough? and will he be able to make the transition smoothly and quickly? i don't doubt jamie's talent and committment for a second but i think that the role he is being asked to play is massively different than what he has done before (although i have no idea what has gone on behind closed doors at melwood). i'm also unconvinced that his distribution is imaginative enough - sure he can break up play and play the simple ball to another player, but i like to see the holder able to spot an attacking pass and switch play in an instant. but anyway, if you were going to put your trust in someone you would feel comfortable about it being him.

the especially good part about this arrangement would be that in this 4-1-4-1 type system he will push gerrard forward as a 'marauding' seconf striker and we all know how devastating he can be from there. without wanting to tallk about england too much in this thread i think its the best way of setting out the team.

the question is, though, will jamie carragher excel at holding mid like he does at centre back?

by **2520years** » Tue May 30, 2006 10:03 am

He's played midfield before, in fact he used to play there as often as defence, as he used to be a utility player. I've no doubt he can play the role well, in terms of tackling and giving the simple ball. I don't think he'll play any 40-yard passes up to Owen or Joe Cole, but I think that would be a bonus anyway. His job would be to break up opposition attacks before they troubled the defence. He'll do a good job there, I've no doubt. I'd play him alongside Terry for his dependability, but I know that's not going to happen.

by **66-1112520797** » Tue May 30, 2006 10:09 am

I've just seen that on SSN, in answer to your question I dont think so. He has played that position before (a few years ago) for England and I think for Liverpool at one time. It didnt really work out for him then and I cant see it working now. Only because he's been playing CH for the last couple of years, he can play any where along the back line. But to put him in the holding role for the possibilities of the WC just highlights how badly England need a holding midfielder. Thus if England get knocked out he'll probably be the scapegoat for it. Two or three years ago if he were played there regularly for his club (holding role) Sven may of had a decent claim of playing him there, but not now he's turned out to be a quality CH not a holiding mid. Who remembers Sven playing Ledly King in that position against France in the European Championships (Ithink). He had all the heart and stamina, but technically he was pulled all over the place. Poor bugger, King even admitted he was way out of his depth that night. Personally I'd rather see Gerrard playing that role if knowone else can.

by **Paul C** » Tue May 30, 2006 10:41 am

He used to play in midfield when he was captain for the under 21's.

by **andy_g** » Tue May 30, 2006 10:49 am

i know that in the past he has played in the midfield, partly due to his history as a utility player before he made himself one of the best centre backs in the world. but holding midfielder is another thing altogether, its a very specialised role which, as far as i can remember, he has never played.

by **azriahmad** » Tue May 30, 2006 10:51 am

Gerrard in that role will stifle all his talents and the glory will go to Lampard again.

Sven should be brave enough to drop Rio, install Carra as partner to Terry at the heart of the defence, give the captaincy to either Terry or Gerrad, play Gerrard behind Owen and let Carrick hold the midfield with Lampard alongside and Joe Cole on the left midfield. Also, give Lennon a full half of even most of the match in place of Beckham and see how it workd out.

I worry that Carra may get to be a convenient scapegoat when he is asked to play in an unfamilliar position against world class opponents.

by **66-1112520797** » Tue May 30, 2006 10:57 am

azriahmad wrote:Gerrard in that role will stifle all his talents and the glory will go to Lampard again.

Sven should be brave enough to drop Rio, install Carra as partner to Terry at the heart of the defence, give the captaincy to either Terry or Gerrad, play Gerrard behind Owen and let Carrick hold the midfield with Lampard alongside and Joe Cole on the left midfield. Also, give Lennon a full half of even most of the match in place of Beckham and see how it workd out.

I worry that Carra may get to be a convenient scapegoat when he is asked to play in an unfamilliar position against world class opponents.

Yes that would stifle Gerrard if he was played in the holding role. But the team or nation comes before a player. As far as I'm concerned Gerrard would be better in that position end of, and I dont think anybody would give a flying cow if the plaudits went to Lampard if England did well or won the WC. Any decent knowledgable football fan would acknowledge Gerrards contribution just as much as Lampards .
As for Carrick playing the holding role, well as I said before it just shows how desperate England are for a holding midfielder.

by **The Ace1983** » Tue May 30, 2006 11:00 am

He'll be good at it, and it will improve the defensive status of the team, so I think it's ok. Carra never plays as well for England as he does for Liverpool at centre back, I don't know why though. But he must be one of Sven's favourite utility men because he can cover in 5 positions, and do a good job in each. It will be interesting to watch, I'm sure.

by **66-1112520797** » Tue May 30, 2006 11:10 am

The Ace1983 wrote:He'll be good at it, and it will improve the defensive status of the team,

In all honesty England have a very good defence, but they dont have 'the Didi Hamman' of the holding role.And for me Carra isnt the answer, yes he's played there before, but so has King. For me as good as Carra is he doesnt really have the technical ability or mobility to play in that position. I just think it would be unfare to play a "utility' player' way out of position. Anywhere along the back line , fine, but stepping him up in the holding role is asking way too much. Even if he's played there before. Would you play Momo upfront for Liverpool ?

We'll see anyway

by **murphy0151** » Tue May 30, 2006 11:18 am

I htink Phill Neville's better.

by **lakes10** » Tue May 30, 2006 11:20 am

not sure about this for him, its not asking too much of him and if he shows he can do it then he will get into the starting lineup in the world cup. but this might just be a smoke screen for what Sven is realy going to do in the world cup.

by **lakes10** » Tue May 30, 2006 11:21 am

murphy0151 wrote:I htink Phill Neville's better.

PMSL ...well i hope that was a joke lol

by **joko** » Tue May 30, 2006 11:23 am

he maybe good, but his role in defense undisputably rocks, so, to me it's highly speculative to 'not maintaining the most probable of best result out of him'

by **66-1112520797** » Tue May 30, 2006 11:27 am

lakes10 wrote:but this might just be a smoke screen for what Sven is realy going to do in the world cup.

I dont think Sven knows what he's going to do, as for smoke screen :laugh:

by **lakes10** » Tue May 30, 2006 11:31 am

Bamaga man wrote:
lakes10 wrote:but this might just be a smoke screen for what Sven is realy going to do in the world cup.

I dont think Sven knows what he's going to do, as for smoke screen

lol you might be right there

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Jamie carragher - The holding midfielder?

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