Breakout year for Gerrard?

[imasyko]

I know any number of you may tell me he already is, but Gerrard strikes me as a player that is about to establish himself in the very top tier of players. He has shown flashes, but injuries and probably lack of confidence (or perhaps his own inability to realize just how good he could be) has resulted in inconsistency.

His recent comments about his 'rubbish' play of last year, and his outstanding game for England against Serbia(Slovakia?) lead me to believe that he is going into this season with a better, more confident attitude. A dynamic player like Kewell on the wing, along with Owen up top, can only open up more space for Gerrard's long accurate passing.

He really is a player capable of dominating a game at both ends of the pitch, and I can't wait for the season to start.

[655321]

I don't think Gerrard is lacking in confidence whatsoever. I think he knows how good he is and he isn't afraid to play that way. His main problem is, obviously, injuries, but when he's playing he just shows is age too much. He's young, and thus hasn't established a mature style yet. He lets his emotions get the best of him. He grew up red and takes his status on the team very seriously. Eventually, he'll calm down and his natural talent will really start showing.

[Matt Clark]

The 2000/01 season was his 'breakout' year really. He earned the local tag "monstrous" during that mad period. He was easily as good as they come in the EPL and beyond in that campaign, even if Patrick Viera (whom Stevie openly admits to emulating and looking up to) put him firmly in his place during the FA Cup Final.

Since then he has been hit and miss for a number of reasons - injuries and off-the-field problems plagued him (he was even staying with GH for a while whilst the gaffer took him under his wing 24/7 to sort his head out) and then the team's form pitched so disastrously last season. As I mentioned in another thread, the absence of Hamann as midfield anchor put too much negative onus on Stevie's role in the team and his performances suffered as a result. But since Christmas he has been heading back to his peak and next season could well be, as you say, the season where he hits a plateau of top form and stays there for years to come.

[imasyko]

Thanks for the straight answers and sparing me the crucifixion (I just read the old Wildman posts - LOL).

[Lanky134]

I think last year was supposed to be the year he took over. With McAlister going to Coventry and Litmanen run out of town, it was going to be up to him to drive the offense, and his patchy form was an indication that he wasn't ready yet. I still think he's got at least another year to go before he'll be that dominating player, because he's got to know when to not let his exuberance get the best of him. But with Kewell in there, Stevie will definitely have more space to create.

[Matt Clark]

Originally posted by imasyko
Thanks for the straight answers and sparing me the crucifixion (I just read the old Wildman posts - LOL).

Hey, as long as you don't make idiotic, clueless statements and then lie about having played in NASL to get yourself out of the hole, you'll always get a fair hearing around here. We're nothing if not consistent in that respect. ;)

[rymannryan]

I think Gerrard was really hoping this last season was his breakout season. Back in september, my teacher brought in a newspaper her parents bought while they were in England. I asked her if I could look at it and I immediately flipped to the back to the sports section. I remember reading an article where Gerrard said things like, "I'll play more games this year than I have the last three."

I think after missing out on the World Cup he wanted this past season to be big for him, and through many parts it was dissappointing. He started off well, and then he had some trouble. Although, like someone else said, after Christmas he turned it around some, and he really came on strong at the end of the season.

I'm a big Steven Gerrard fan, I try to emulate him as a player. So I'm hoping he can stay injury free and everyone can enjoy seeing him at his best this coming season.