We'll see

Most people assume Gerrard plays on the right just to ensure Lampard gets a game. But McLaren has previously said that he doesn't want to play two touchline-hugging wide players in the same four-man midfield.

With Joe Cole out injured his next best option on the left has been Downing - an out and out winger - which in turn has led him to play Gerrard on the right to ensure the midfield doesn't get stretched.

But when Cole comes back and offers a more tucked in left sided option it would allow McLaren to release Lennon on the right and play Gerrard alongside Hargreaves in the middle. This would be perfectly consistent with his previously stated views on the balance of his midfield.

I'm not saying it will happen - but when McLaren has ALL his options vailable to him, there will be a whole lot more pressure on Lampard than there is now and we may yet see a completely different line up to last night across the middle.

Posted By: The Judge, Oct 12, 10:08:55