Lucas

[El Jefecito]

I'm concerned about Lucas.

I know he hasn't had that much pitch time, but from what I've seen so far from him he hasn't done anything to suggest that he's gonna turn into a worldbeater.

I'm also concerned with our scouts around the globe as we have made far too many mistakes in the transfer market, especially from South America.

Did you not see him pinging the ball around today? His passing was up there with an on form Xabi's.

First half admittedly everyone was crap.

[MascheredUp]

He's had very few chances mate.

This is the problem.

How is he ever going to get a chance ahead of Stevie, Masch and Xabi unless they're injured of course?

He should have had a lot more pitch time than he's had so far. This is the only way we are gonna find out if he's good enough.

I couldn't understand why Rafa was sticking with Momo, when Lucas could got some valuable pitch time.

[dww]

I'm concerned about Lucas.

I know he hasn't had that much pitch time, but from what I've seen so far from him he hasn't done anything to suggest that he's gonna turn into a worldbeater.

I'm also concerned with our scouts around the globe as we have made far too many mistakes in the transfer market, especially from South America.

I can't help feel that people are much too keen for players to instantly settle. the experience of Arsenal has shown that many player like Hleb, Flamini and to esser extents Adebayor take time to settle. On top their equivalent signings such as Denilson, Sond and Diaby are given time to adapt/progress.

I think Lucas has shown some excellent things but looks a bit raw and unready for the physicality of the English game at times. however he does look keen to learn. I really think given time he will blossom - for me CM is one of the hardest positions to play and excel in our team and he has done well enough.

[Neil Young]

People are very willing to write players off - of late half of our team (maybe more) deserve as much of a slating as Finnan. If he hasn't recovered form by the season then that would be a concern but I really think that at the minute people are over reacting.

I can't help feel that people are much too keen for players to instantly settle. the experience of Arsenal has shown that many player like Hleb, Flamini and to esser extents Adebayor take time to settle. On top their equivalent signings such as Denilson, Sond and Diaby are given time to adapt/progress.

I think Lucas has shown some excellent things but looks a bit raw and unready for the physicality of the English game at times. however he does look keen to learn. I really think given time he will blossom - for me CM is one of the hardest positions to play and excel in our team and he has done well enough.

Do you think some people are too quick to give players more time?

[dww]

Do you think some people are too quick to give players more time?

I get the feeling that the Est Excessive Patience Comittee may have a quorum of one

[BFG]

Erm, I actually thought the COMPLETE opposite about Lucas, I believe he's going to be a star, he can ping balls long and short, he's got great vision and ball control and is very composed?!

I don't see how anyone couldn't have been impressed by Lucas yesterday. Really think this kid's gonna be a star.

[BFG]

your watching football long enough to know that a few bad games doesn`t mean the end of a career,people were writing of Sami last yr.

He's also had a very stop start season and we all know that he produces his best stuff when he plays week in week out. Writing off Finnan so easily is a bit silly.

[Neil Young]

I get the feeling that the Est Excessive Patience Comittee may have a quorum of one

Maybe you could get Gérard Houllier to be Honorary President (or 'Président', given I recently discovered how to do 'e/acute' easily).

[carrsim]

I'm also concerned with our scouts around the globe as we have made far too many mistakes in the transfer market, especially from South America.

i'd be more concerned if a brazilian under 20 captain and brazilian player of the year was available and we missed him

[dww]

Maybe you could get Gérard Houllier to be Honorary President (or 'Président', given I recently discovered how to do 'e/acute' easily).

I sent him an invite when he left the club. He hasn't got back to me - I think it's a test.

So what do you think of Lucas and Finnan then?

[Neil Young]

What you think about Lucas - comfortable on the ball, good eye for a pass and for goal and looks a decent athlete. He's got a way to go but he is only young.

Finnan's form has slumped seriously this season. I've never been convinced he's the greatest right back in the history of the world as some on here seem to believe (how many of them are Irish I wonder) but he was a steady enough defender. He hasn't been recently and may well be on the decline. That said, there's no need to shift him out the door yet but I do feel, like you, that more attacking full-backs are one of the keys to improving our play.

[Gazzla]

i'd be more concerned if a brazilian under 20 captain and brazilian player of the year was available and we missed him

[dww]

What you think about Lucas - comfortable on the ball, good eye for a pass and for goal and looks a decent athlete. He's got a way to go but he is only young.

Finnan's form has slumped seriously this season. I've never been convinced he's the greatest right back in the history of the world as some on here seem to believe (how many of them are Irish I wonder) but he was a steady enough defender. He hasn't been recently and may well be on the decline. That said, there's no need to shift him out the door yet but I do feel, like you, that more attacking full-backs are one of the keys to improving our play.

My theory on Finnan is that he is a confidence player. He has always had a weakness on the high diagonal ball which a couple of teams have used to great effect against us (particularly Everton) on his wing. Allied to the fact Carra seems less super human than usual at the minute which is the usual way we cover that means that he has always been tested of late.

I think if as a team we put in a couple of solid displays (and won) with him in the team he will pick up form. If we do and he doesn't than I think he is a worry long term. As you point out I would be looking to improve the full back positions anyway.

[badpiggy]

aside from torres, when was the last time a new liverpool player came on and played a blinder and dazzled everyone with their heard-about-but-unseen-talent? i've got this horrible feeling that rafa knows how to et the best out of players defensive abilities but struglles with the more mercurial aspects of midfield creativity. SG can't cut it as a central midfielder, alonso has gone backwards, masher shows absolutely no creativity... if rafa can't control it, he's not happy...

[Shaggy]

Finnan's form has slumped seriously this season. I've never been convinced he's the greatest right back in the history of the world as some on here seem to believe (how many of them are Irish I wonder) but he was a steady enough defender. He hasn't been recently and may well be on the decline. That said, there's no need to shift him out the door yet but I do feel, like you, that more attacking full-backs are one of the keys to improving our play.

I wouldn't say I'm categorically writing him off, but I do believe he is on the wane. Sue me.