Barry Ferguson doesn’t always get it right when talking about his boyhood heroes but in his latest column, he has hit the nail on the head when it comes to one of Steven Gerrard’s new recruits.
There have been some murmurings about John Lundstram’s start to life as a Rangers player, perhaps being the fall guy for early results against Malmo and Dundee United, however, fine performances off the bench against Ross County and Celtic suggest that he is getting closer to his best, something that the former Gers skipper agrees with:
“On the flip side of keeping the squad intact, six new signings were made and it’s been a sticky start for them. I have seen enough of John Lundstram at Sheffield United to know he’s capable of being a right good player up here.
“But he’s going to have to go some to break into the strongest area of the team. He needs to get the head down, work hard and get to grips with the pressure.
“No disrespect to Sheffield United, who were great for a year in the Premier League then had a difficult time last season, it’s nothing like what he’s now experiencing.”
Lundstram was outstanding in his first season in the Premier League, the old adage that “form is temporary and class is permanent” appears to be ringing true with the 27-yer old.
It’s a unique role that central midfielders have to play in Gerrard and Michael Beale’s system, contributing at both ends of the park and on the flanks – energy, positional awareness and quality in and out of possession being of upmost importance.
Gary McAllister and Gerrard have a decent track record of picking out central midfielders and Ferguson wasn’t exactly bad himself, for all that some of his opinions need to be taken with a pinch of salt, on this one I’d be inclined to assume he should be trusted.