This article is part of Football FanCast’s Monthly Review series, which analyses what managers can learn from the previous month and what the coming month could have in store.
Rangers ended a pretty positive month on a sour note with defeat in the Old Firm derby, so which problems should Steven Gerrard focus his efforts on in September?
It was looking like a perfect start to the campaign for the Gers. Europa League qualification secured, nine points from nine and the likes of Jermain Defoe and Alfredo Morelos both in red-hot form.
That all came grinding to a halt at Ibrox last weekend though, and suddenly it feels like there is pressure on the boss to atone for his mistakes.
So, with that in mind, the Liverpool legend must fix the following two issues in September.
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Left-back
Quite simply, this has gone on way too long now. The left side of Gerrard’s defence was an issue throughout last season, with Borna Barisic, Jon Flanagan and even midfielder Andy Halliday all trying their luck in the problem position.
And Barisic started this season in poor form, only to score a stunning free-kick at St. Mirren to give his side all three points, at least putting some credit in the bank with the fans.
Still, there’s no question the Croatia international has weaknesses, and he now faces huge pressure to perform with Flanagan facing a spell on the sidelines after a hernia operation.
And whether it be by switching to three at the back, shifting a central midfielder further over to cover the Croatian or even selecting an industrious worker like Scott Arfield on the left-wing, Gerrard has to fix the leak on the left side of his back line.
Midfield
Gerrard’s next big problem is also simultaneously a strength – a midfield selection headache.
The Gers have Glen Kamara, Steve Davies, Andy King, Joe Aribo, Greg Docherty, Ryan Jack, Arfield and Halliday to choose from in the middle of the park, and while rotation and depth is a good thing, too much of it isn’t.
The European matches will perhaps force some changes, but at least for the league fixtures, the gaffer needs to choose his best midfield and stick to it.
A trio of Davies, Jack and Kamara seems to offer a good mixture of defensive cover, energy and passing ability, while the likes of Aribo and Docherty could add some attacking impetus off the bench.
Either way, Gerrard cannot continue to fiddle with and tweak his midfield trio quite so consistently.
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