Lucas

[Neil Young]

He had a decent game and made one really lousy decision yesterday.

That's how I saw it. He stood up to the physical assaults on him well I thought, didn't hide, etc.

[dww]

That's how I saw it. He stood up to the physical assaults on him well I thought, didn't hide, etc.

That's one of the things I don't get - he has clearly improved physically this season yet he still gets stick for being weak etc. There are some valid criticisms of his recent performances - his decision making defensively in particular has been poor but I can't help but feeling people have prejudged him.

[S-RED]

I certainly do not hate the man, but i do not think he is good for a team with title winning aspirations. As a fourth choice back up who is happy to play a bit part role in the season then yeh, he will do. Alonso ran across someone yesterday and was booked for it, but he wasnt already on a yellow. Lucas was already on a yellow and made a pathetic challenge. It wasnt subtle with a hope that he may get away with it, it was blatantly stupid. To add some balance to the lucas debate, i think their are just as many here guilty of ignoring his lack of ability and glaring mistakes as there are those who blindly tear the guy to shreds at every opportunity.

Lack of ability - that's plainly not true

Glaring Mistakes - yeah he makes the wrong decisions at times, but he is a kid lerarning his trade. Beratting him @ the age of 21 ain't gonna help him. I reckon if Scholes was a 21year old starting out at Anfield now, he would receive the same amount of abuse & be shipped out to lower league club, as an englishman that isn't good enough.

[S-RED]

That's one of the things I don't get - he has clearly improved physically this season yet he still gets stick for being weak etc. There are some valid criticisms of his recent performances - his decision making defensively in particular has been poor but I can't help but feeling people have prejudged him.

[Kenneth]

Lack of ability - that's plainly not true

Glaring Mistakes - yeah he makes the wrong decisions at times, but he is a kid lerarning his trade. Beratting him @ the age of 21 ain't gonna help him. I reckon if Scholes was a 21year old starting out at Anfield now, he would receive the same amount of abuse & be shipped out to lower league club, as an englishman that isn't good enough.

Yeah, but he's ginger.

[Baldemort]

Ok. We are a side competing for the title. Against the likes of manu and chelsea. I we need players in the middle of the park of the calibre of stevie, alonso and mash. Yes, mash has been below par this season, but we all know just what he is capable of. People keep saying he has 'ability', so just what is this 'ability' that he has. Keeping the ball. Wow, that's going to win us the league isnt it? His tackling is poor, he doesnt score, his passes are simple easy johnny sideways passes, he shows no technical flair, he cant pass like alonso, he cant defend like mash, he doesnt make regular defence splitting passes etc etc etc. Just what is it that he is great at? If anybody says keeping possession i think i will cry.

[Scratch]

Where has this can't pass fallacy come from?? I keep hearing people say it, so i had a look at that Guardian website thingy, and his passing seems pretty good, he makes plenty of interceptions and is only let down by his poor tackling...good it be that people pre-judge a player, then only notice if he does bad things. Yes, he doesn't play the spectacular pass, but i don't think that's his role...he gets the ball, then moves it on. Like Lampard does, no hollywood balls, just simple passes to retain possession. Something that if Sissoko could have managed, he'd still be here now.

And his poor tackling? Well, i think a lot of that comes down to game time...he is in and out the side frequently, but doesn't play any reserve games so his match sharpness (not fitness) will be off the pace.

Some quick passing stats from the two most recent games he was criticised for;

Stoke (A) Passes 62 (58 Successful) Tackles 17 (14)
Wigan (A) Passes 36 (33) Tackles 6 (3)

Not gonna analyse them, just wondering why people accuse him of bad passing, when he clearly finds the man most times?

[The Birdman]

I think Lucas is decent and have always defended him, I think he gets a lot of unnecessary stick because he does the unspectacular stuff and because he makes mistakes because he's young and inexperienced.
Spearing and Plessis are nowhere near his class, Spearing can't get anywhere near the England U21 team, Lucas captained Brazil. Massive difference in ability.

[Dessy]

I think Lucas is decent and have always defended him, I think he gets a lot of unnecessary stick because he does the unspectacular stuff and because he makes mistakes because he's young and inexperienced.
Spearing and Plessis are nowhere near his class, Spearing can't get anywhere near the England U21 team, Lucas captained Brazil. Massive difference in ability.

Lucas is a quality player and will only get better.

Up until his departure last night he was arguably our best player. He did the dirty stuff, got a foot in, got a header in and generally competed well. His passing was no worse than anyone elses and of all our players I felt he was more likely to play 'the' pass that might of unlocked things.

Unfortunately a rather clumsy tackle was punished with a 2nd yellow and he was off. His first was harsh but hey ho these things happen and he went. He will learn, he'll have to and thats part and parcel. And for all those who say he cost this that and the other and should no better well sorry...tell the rest of em last night. Torres? Didn't look much like a £20M player did he? And like them all (at whatever age) they're always learning....I hope

I noted last night even the commentators were quick to slate the lad (first half) he made a mistake on the ball (slow gettin his pass away) and all of a sudden bam there down his throat! Never mind Alonso's misplaced passes, Kuyt's lack of touch, Torres's inability to get one over on his markers and generally fatigued look....no sod it lets jump down Lucas's throat!

Ain't nobody in a red shirt thats perfect and they'll all frustrate and make mistakes but they are wearin that red shirt and deserve our support....even a bit of constructive criticism from time to time? But certainly not the slating some get on here. Kewell was and is the exception.

[Kenneth]

Where has this can't pass fallacy come from?? I keep hearing people say it, so i had a look at that Guardian website thingy, and his passing seems pretty good, he makes plenty of interceptions and is only let down by his poor tackling...good it be that people pre-judge a player, then only notice if he does bad things. Yes, he doesn't play the spectacular pass, but i don't think that's his role...he gets the ball, then moves it on. Like Lampard does, no hollywood balls, just simple passes to retain possession. Something that if Sissoko could have managed, he'd still be here now.

And his poor tackling? Well, i think a lot of that comes down to game time...he is in and out the side frequently, but doesn't play any reserve games so his match sharpness (not fitness) will be off the pace.

Some quick passing stats from the two most recent games he was criticised for;

Stoke (A) Passes 62 (58 Successful) Total distance 10m (sideways) Tackles 17 (14)
Wigan (A) Passes 36 (33) Total distance 6m (Backwards) Tackles 6 (3)

Not gonna analyse them, just wondering why people accuse him of bad passing, when he clearly finds the man most times?

[Baldemort]

If others are claiming he cant pass, i would disagree. Its just that the passes he seems to make are simple short uncomplicated passes that many other players can pull off too, but in addition to also bringing other qualities to the team. I dont expect him to be another stevie, but just look at what stevie delivers. He easily does what lucas does with his simple passes, but in addition he scores, assists, crosses, takes corners, free kicks etc etc etc. For me, the ability to make simple passes is not enough. He takes up a very valuable part of the pitch, and i would rather have someone who offers much more in such a pivotal part of the pitch.

[Scratch]

Doesn't matter where they go, so long as they keep the opposition chasing the ball. Again, where is this misconception that the lad can't pass coming from?

[Scratch]

If others are claiming he cant pass, i would disagree. Its just that the passes he seems to make are simple short uncomplicated passes that many other players can pull off too, but in addition to also bringing other qualities to the team. I dont expect him to be another stevie, but just look at what stevie delivers. He easily does what lucas does with his simple passes, but in addition he scores, assists, crosses, takes corners, free kicks etc etc etc. For me, the ability to make simple passes is not enough. He takes up a very valuable part of the pitch, and i would rather have someone who offers much more in such a pivotal part of the pitch.

Lucas plays a different role from that of Gerrard. Gerrard is our driving force, the man who makes things happen. Lucas holds the midfield, gets the ball and moves it on, keeping the opposition chasing...if they don't have the ball, they can't hurt us. And very rarely do you see Gerrard trying the simple pass.

And as for Gerrard taking free kicks and corners, i wish he ****ing wouldn't. Lucas delivers a better set piece than Gerrard, but instead Lucas is in the box and Gerrard is taking the kicks and rarely beating the first man.

[Kenneth]

I think the last few games have shown us that posession is not a problem. Doing something dangerous with it is. If we got points for time in posession, or number of sideways passes then Lucas is a goog prospect. We don't so he isn't.

[Dessy]

Lucas plays a different role from that of Gerrard. Gerrard is our driving force, the man who makes things happen. Lucas holds the midfield, gets the ball and moves it on, keeping the opposition chasing...if they don't have the ball, they can't hurt us. And very rarely do you see Gerrard trying the simple pass.

And as for Gerrard taking free kicks and corners, i wish he ****ing wouldn't. Lucas delivers a better set piece than Gerrard, but instead Lucas is in the box and Gerrard is taking the kicks and rarely beating the first man.

On the Gerrard and set piece point. Noticeable difference with Xabi on corners. Gerrard should be loitering outside 18 yd box and/or attacking corners in box...he's quality in both areas.