Lucas for CM stint?

[slimbimjim]

I think Lucas should get a spot in CM for a few weeks.

There is my simple statement with nothing else to back it up apart from the fact he played well against the Blue****e.

[Resu]

Xabi is coming back, he needs games as well.
gerrard can play RM, so that leaves Xabi, Mascher, Lucas and Momo figthing for two places.
IMO Lucas is third in line, but deserves to get some time. He should start against Cardiff.

[Reece]

I think we have definitely been missing Xabi recently so he has to come back into the team IMO. So if we are going to be playing Lucas then it means either Gerrard is dropped or played on the right. I haven't been too impressed with Masher recently either so wouldn't mind seeing him dropped anyway.

As you say, he has to start against Cardiff. I'd like to see Insua start at LB too - he looked good for the ressies last night, as did Leto. The only think is Rafa can't really afford to get knocked out of a cup at the moment - especially at home to Cardiff so I think he will put a pretty strong XI out.

[FT9]

Xabi and Stevie in CM

Lucas, Mascherano, Momo on the bench/reserves until either Xabi or Stevie get tired, injured or suspended

[AFII]

---------Alonso---Mascherano
---Gerrard--Lucas/Benny-----Kewell/Babel-----

I hope Rafa starts with this midfield against Arsenal.

[Colemere]

---------Alonso---Mascherano
---Gerrard--Lucas/Benny-----Kewell/Babel-----

I hope Rafa starts with this midfield against Arsenal.

That leaves our striker short of support, a bit to defensive in a home game we need to win

[Imy]

He may get his chance when Momo represents Mali in the African Nations cup.

[keniget]

He'll get a game against Cardiff, so we'll have another opportunity to see him in action. Hopefully he doesn't start alongside Momo...

[dww]

That leaves our striker short of support, a bit to defensive in a home game we need to win

I don't think it is necessarily. I would probably play Kuyt but if he plays as deep as he often does when Torres is playing then I think that having three attacking midfielers is just as attacking. I Think it is probably too much to ask for Lucas to start against Arsenal though.

[SB]

He may get his chance when Momo represents Mali in the African Nations cup.

Did they qualify?

[AFII]

I don't think it is necessarily. I would probably play Kuyt but if he plays as deep as he often does when Torres is playing then I think that having three attacking midfielers is just as attacking. I Think it is probably too much to ask for Lucas to start against Arsenal though.

He has played in bigger games for Brazil than our game on Sunday. He is ready without any doubt at all IMO.

[Frank Leroux]

I think we have definitely been missing Xabi recently so he has to come back into the team IMO....

Wasn't Alonso playing really poorly before the injury? I seem to remember him getting caught on the ball a lot, his passing was a bit out. I'm not sure his return will sort out our maladies at the moment.....

[AFII]

Wasn't Alonso playing really poorly before the injury? I seem to remember him getting caught on the ball a lot, his passing was a bit out. I'm not sure his return will sort out our maladies at the moment.....

and he won't be match fit for a week or two.

[dww]

He has played in bigger games for Brazil than our game on Sunday. He is ready without any doubt at all IMO.

Which games for Brazil are you talking about? I thought he only had one cap? Or do you mean U20 - in which case I think they are pretty irrelevant in terms of the likely intensity tomorrow. Or do you mean in Brazil in which case I still think there is only limited relevance as we all know that the PL is a different environment to other leagues and big players from Spain & Italy have all failed to adapt.

[AFII]

Which games for Brazil are you talking about? I thought he only had one cap? Or do you mean U20 - in which case I think they are pretty irrelevant in terms of the likely intensity tomorrow. Or do you mean in Brazil in which case I still think there is only limited relevance as we all know that the PL is a different environment to other leagues and big players from Spain & Italy have all failed to adapt.

I think he has played more than once for Brazil. He has played for them the last friendly games if I remember things right.

You are pressured to perform every game you play for the Brazilian national team, even in a friendly. If you play **** and don't give 100% then you will hear about it in Brazil.