If we played the way Hearts did, Bruno would have been player of the year.
They play 1 up top and defend for their lives. Packed, edge of the box and header and clear it.
(Berra isn’t a bad player, but I think the idea Bruno is shite is equally laughable)
At this point in his career Alves is a useful siege defender because he's still good in the air but that's it. And seeing as we're Rangers and are going to be on the front foot most games trying to break down an opposition defence there's not going to be much siege defending required for most of the games.
We don't know what playing style Gerrard is going to try and impose on us but if it's anything like Klopp's high pressing style - then Alves is the complete wrong fit for that.
For the press to be effective the whole team needs to push up, which means we'll be playing with a high line which means there will be plenty of space in behind.
That requires defenders who are quick (hence why I believe our interest in Goldson - who is pacey - is genuine and makes sense). Alves, however, is slower than a week in the jail and milks turns quicker. He is the definition of legs are gone. He'll get badly shown up in that kind of set up and even a simple punt over the top into the channels will turn our defence and have opposition strikers running away from him.
I just don't see it when people claim he's a leader either. I'd argue Jordan Rossiter, a young laddie, showed more fight and leadership in one game than Alves did all season. This is a guy in Alves who couldn't get off the pitch quick enough in certain games and seemed to rip his tights everytime he came up against the bheasts.
He's played the entire season, not with one eye, but with both eyes firmly on the World Cup and ensuring he doesn't get injured for it. As a result he's been half hearted in everything he's done. That's unacceptable when we're paying him (what is for us) a huge wage.
You can always spot the guys who are just here for a last payday a mile off and I'm genuinely surprised there is some on here that seem to still be in denial with Bruno.