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STEVEN Gerrard will need more time to fully adapt to being the second striker for England. But the Liverpool captain is confident he can make things happen'' in the role behind Wayne Rooney.

Gerrard played just behind Rooney in the 1-0 defeat against France in Paris and looked dangerous in the first half when Fabio Capello's side dominated possession.

He has enjoyed success in the position in partnership with Fernando Torres at club level but concedes he is still learning what is required if he is to become fully effective.

Gerrard said: I've been playing that role for Liverpool. I've been enjoying it. To play with players like Torres and Rooney is always a pleasure, and I'm involved and I can get forward.

I don't know if it's my best position. I'm a central midfielder; I've played there all my life but I do feel as if I can cause problems in there and I can adapt to the role.

I am still learning that position.

I think I've played it ten to 15 times but I am confident I can make it happen in there.'' Gerrard believes Rooney, who has sparkled himself in the past in the second striker role, will have to adapt his game and play further forward.

He said: I think Wayne slightly has to adapt his game as well.

For me to get space in there and for it to work, he has to play a lot higher and stretch the defence.

I think that is why I and Torres are having a lot of joy, because he is so direct and plays high up.

With two holding midfielders behind us, the team are a lot more secure when they lose the ball.

"Wayne will have to adapt his game, but if anyone can do it, it is him.

I've seen him do it with Manchester United. He destroyed us at the weekend with his direct running and making it difficult for defenders. I am sure both of us can make it work.

It is going to take time. We've had two games together, four or five training sessions - and it is a brand new set-up, not just the manager but the whole coaching side.

It will take time for us to adapt to each other, but I think there were signs of improvement there against France.'' Gerrard can see positive indications from the two games Capello has been in charge, but has called for patience in giving time for things to gel.

He said: You don't want to lose a football match. But you look at the game as a whole, and there was a slight improvement on the performance against Switzerland.

It is all about patience and getting used to what the manager wants. I think there were signs of that in Paris, certainly in the first half.

We were happy, controlling the game. But we conceded a stupid goal, which we will have to eradicate in the future.

The message is that everyone has to be patient. We need time to work on different formations and tactics.'' The intention is that England are ready to start the World Cup qualifying campaign as a wellorganised team.

The important thing is we peak in September,'' said Gerrard.

We all know when the important games are in the World Cup qualifiers, but it is important now to start getting it right before we go into those games.

The manager wants us to be a lot more aggressive without the ball and pass it a lot more - and we controlled the game in the first half.

Without the ball, France couldn't play. Up until the goal, which was a stupid goal to concede, we were comfortable and in charge.''

8:44am Friday 28th March 2008

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