Lucas for CM stint?

[dww]

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.

Yes but that is not the same as saying he has experience of the type of game it will be on Sunday. He may well handle pressure well but we have no idea how well he will cope against a decent PL team, let alone the one in the best form when we are in a rubbish form.

Both the liverpoolfc.tv and wiki have him as only having one full Brazil cap btw.

[Imy]

Did they qualify?

Yep

They i think are in the same group as Ivory coast and Nigeria, so expect a quick return

[AFII]

He handled the pressure to play against Everton without any problem and that was a must win game. He also played very good against Besiktas the minutes he played and that also in a very pressured situation.

From what I have seen so far he has a top class mentality.

I would start him against Arsenal behind Torres.

[El Jefecito]

He handled the pressure to play against Everton without any problem and that was a must win game. He also played very good against Besiktas the minutes he played and that also in a very pressured situation.

From what I have seen so far he has a top class mentality.

I would start him against Arsenal behind Torres.

You want to play a CM as a second striker?

[AFII]

You want to play a CM as a second striker?

Our second striker plays as a hard working attacking midfielder, not as a striker.

[El Jefecito]

Our second striker plays as a hard working attacking midfielder, not as a striker.

Disagree, in Rafa's system the 2nd striker plays with his back to goal and holds up the ball. That is a 2nd striker not an AM.

Even then what makes you think playing your whole life as a box-box midfielder prepares you this role? Square peg round hole. We're struggling enough for form as it is without playing people is positions they are not familiar with.

[dww]

Disagree, in Rafa's system the 2nd striker plays with his back to goal and holds up the ball. That is a 2nd striker not an AM.

Even then what makes you think playing your whole life as a box-box midfielder prepares you this role? Square peg round hole. We're struggling enough for form as it is without playing people is positions they are not familiar with.

I think there is a lot of truth in both of your assessments of the formation we play with Kuyt as second striker. It would be a change in the style of play to put Lucas there, yet the second striker plays deep enough a lot of the time for it to make equal sense to play a midfielder there.

I thought that the position Lucas took when he came on against Everton was this sort of position - the furthest forward of three in the middle. He did exceptionally well at spreading the ball wide and bringing others int the game. However there were huge gaps to exploit as Everton were under manned.

I think it is an option in the future but to make such an important change for the Arsenal game IMO would be a huge risk and potentially damaging to Lucas' confidence in the future.

[El Jefecito]

I think there is a lot of truth in both of your assessments of the formation we play with Kuyt as second striker. It would be a change in the style of play to put Lucas there, yet the second striker plays deep enough a lot of the time for it to make equal sense to play a midfielder there.

I thought that the position Lucas took when he came on against Everton was this sort of position - the furthest forward of three in the middle. He did exceptionally well at spreading the ball wide and bringing others int the game. However there were huge gaps to exploit as Everton were under manned.

I think it is an option in the future but to make such an important change for the Arsenal game IMO would be a huge risk and potentially damaging to Lucas' confidence in the future.

We were playing 433 at that point in the derby which suits Lucas, he was playing behind not ahead of the ball. To imply he could play the Kuyt role is insane.

[dww]

We were playing 433 at that point in the derby which suits Lucas, he was playing behind not ahead of the ball. To imply he could play the Kuyt role is insane.

He can't play the same role exactly as Kuyt I agree but I think the way AFII sees it a 4-2-3-1 formation would suit Lucas and not be a big departure from how we play now. I wouldn't say he would be playing Kuyts role but he would certainly be taking his place.

I think the similarity between the two would be that playing either means we need to have runners from midfield giving them options. Kuyt is best when people are close to him so he can flick it to them and then move. Lucas would be looking to thread balls on to them.

I think it is a short term possibility (mostly as a way of changing games rather than starting like that). Long term I hope to see an Alonso/Lucas central midfield partnership.

[Parm]

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.

well seeing how Pennant is out for 10 weeks.....

[Dhav]

He was impressive against the Bitters, but I thought he was poor against Besiktas

[Sir Bob]

To suggest Lucas should be given a run in CM is well OTT. He's clearly a very useful prospect but to throw him in at this crucial stage of the season would be wrong for him and the club. SG & Masher are well ahead of him in terms of quality & experience.

As for Alonso, the longer he's out the better a player he becomes. Alonso hasn't played consistently well for over a year now and his return to fitness, whilst welcome, will not turn our form around instantly.

[El Jefecito]

He can't play the same role exactly as Kuyt I agree but I think the way AFII sees it a 4-2-3-1 formation would suit Lucas and not be a big departure from how we play now. I wouldn't say he would be playing Kuyts role but he would certainly be taking his place.

I think the similarity between the two would be that playing either means we need to have runners from midfield giving them options. Kuyt is best when people are close to him so he can flick it to them and then move. Lucas would be looking to thread balls on to them.

I think it is a short term possibility (mostly as a way of changing games rather than starting like that). Long term I hope to see an Alonso/Lucas central midfield partnership.

it may work, but I'm not convinced though. He was pretty poor in the ressies when he played in the advanced role.

If you look at his strengths, they cry out for him to be played as a box to box CM. Could he play elsewhere, sure. But why would you play him advanced in the deco role when Yossi, Kewell, Babel are all a better fight. To me it'd be like playing SG at RB.