(This is a really good article about Stevie G. but I have split it into parts. Here is part one) Steven Gerrard and the top, top chop How a line from Ferguson got the world wondering just how good the Liverpool and England midfielder really is Last October, 500 journalists attended the Institute of Directors on Londons Pall Mall to witness history in the making: the launch of Fergusons second autobiography. The crowd, the imperial setting, and the sense of anticipation spoke of Fergusons incomparable status in English football. Now retired, no longer constrained by the responsibilities of power, the legendary former manager of Manchester United could speak freely. What would he say? It turned out Ferguson hadnt spoken as freely as everyone had hoped, since he hasnt really retired. As a director at Manchester United, hes the power behind David Moyess throne, and the book had been vetted by the club prior to publication. It therefore elided certain mysteries, such as why Ferguson chose Moyes as his successor, rather than José Mourinho, with whom he had always appeared to be so friendly. Media interest soon focused on the unpleasant things Ferguson had to say about some of the players who had helped him win all those trophies. Roy Keane was portrayed as a kind of lunatic, Ruud van Nistelrooy as selfish and petulant, David Beckham as a silly boy who wasted his career. But his most withering assessment came almost as an aside, as Ferguson suggested it was unfair that Michael Carrick hadnt played more games for England: Michaels handicap was, I feel, that he lacked the bravado of Frank Lampard and Steven Gerrard … I was one of the few who felt Gerrard was not a top, top player. Not a top, top player might not sound like the most scathing verdict – it allows for being merely top – but make no mistake: Ferguson was saying that Gerrard was really nothing special, and coming from someone like Alex, that hurts. Ferguson is above showing his workings; he leaves it to readers to work out why he doesnt rate Gerrard among the elite. The clue is in that word bravado, with its connotation of pretence, of something feigned. Not everyone shares Fergusons view. Gerrards former Liverpool teammate Craig Bellamy wrote in his autobiography: What makes him so good? Well, there is nothing he cant do. He is clever. He sees the game quicker than anyone else. He sees the picture. He can play the ball first time round corners that arent even there. He has got intelligence. He has got physical attributes. He can bomb past people. He is quick. He is a proper, powerful athlete. Give him a header, he will score. He can play in behind the front man. He can get the ball off the back four and control the game from the quarterback position. He is just an immense all-round footballer. I have never seen anyone put it all together like him, never seen someone with so many qualities. I have played with a lot of talented players, but he was better than any of them. Bellamy has hit on what makes Gerrard special: its the range of his abilities, rather than the degree. There are stronger, quicker players and more clever, skilful ones, but few combine physical and technical excellence like Gerrard. It might have been easier if hed had a more conventional blend of qualities; he might not have had to spend so long figuring out what kind of player he was meant to be. guardian. Part two to follow later this evening.
Posted on: Thu, 13 Mar 2014 20:30:01 +0000
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