Gerrard gets the balance just right

Mention of the debate surrounding Steven Gerrard and Frank Lampard provokes a roll of the eyes from both players and every England manager who has been faced with it.

Fabio Capello thought he had found the answer during the World Cup qualifying campaign.

The first two European Championship qualifiers may have healed some of the wounds of South Africa, but they have highlighted that the dilemma still has not gone away.

Lampard's groin injury made the decision for Capello ahead of the Bulgaria match and last night's trip to Switzerland. But the Italian will have a big call to make when Montenegro visit Wembley in October, even if James Milner's suspension offers another potential way out.

Gerrard moved from the left into his favoured central midfield position and England's back-to-back performances suggested the whole could be greater than the sum of its parts.

Switzerland's St Jakob-Park has not always been a happy hunting ground for Gerrard - he was hauled off at half-time in Liverpool's 2002 Champions League clash against FC Basle with his side 3-0 down.

Last night's return banished that particular ghost for Gerrard and provided Capello with further proof that a balanced midfield is a more effective midfield. The fit isn't quite right with Lampard and Gerrard both in. It has to come down to one or the other. Wayne Rooney's contribution must also be taken into careful consideration when deciding how the midfield should line-up.

During the World Cup, he often looked isolated as the out-and-out striker. But played further back against Bulgaria and Switzerland, just in front of Gerrard and Gareth Barry, Rooney has once again had licence to roam as Gerrard manages to curb some of his attacking instincts to give others the chance to break forward.

Rooney arrived late to score his goal - just like Gerrard does for Liverpool. But it was Gerrard's discipline and pass that set up Adam Johnson to net England's second that caught the eye last night.

Milner is far more of a natural left-winger than Gerrard but a booking against Switzerland means he will miss the Montenegro clash.

However, while trying to improve his English, Capello may want to seek out an old phrase - if it ain't broke, don't fix it. In football terms - keep Gerrard in the middle.

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