Xabi who?!

[TheElephantMan]

We were playing Stoke. Lets not get too excited.

Stoke are the calibre of team we usually struggle against.

[DannyMan2006]

missed the game tonight and only seen the highlights but i take it Lucas had another fairly good game?

He had a very good game. Not in Alonsos league, but good game none the less.

But personally I thought Mascherano had a much better game. I still think lucas is adjusting to his role and still not totally sure on occasion what is expected of him. He did take up more of an advanced position on occasion and I want to see more of that.

I also want him to be finding space more often and giving his team mates an out ball. There was quite a few occasions where he remained static which put pressure on young Ayala and Mascherano. But in this regard he was better than he was against Spurs so I'm happy to see signs of improvement already.

I still however think he is capable of more and want to see him creating space and demanding that ball more often. But he took up some great positions at times further up the field and made some good late burts forward. On another day he could have grabbed a goal, good save by Sorensen early on and a desperate Shawcross header (nearly an OG) intercepting a ball at the last minute.

All in all much improved by both our midfielders, and though I still think players are on different wave lenghs at times I suspect we'll get better as the team and Lucas himself become more aware of what he is capable of.

[Joe King]

We were very penetrative tonight.

Talking about your giraffe?

[Joe King]

We were playing Stoke. Lets not get too excited.

[Guest]

Talking about your giraffe?

You guess.

[Mostar]

He had a very good game. Not in Alonsos league, but good game none the less.

But personally I thought Mascherano had a much better game. I still think lucas is adjusting to his role and still not totally sure on occasion what is expected of him. He did take up more of an advanced position on occasion and I want to see more of that.

I also want him to be finding space more often and giving his team mates an out ball. There was quite a few occasions where he remained static which put pressure on young Ayala and Mascherano. But in this regard he was better than he was against Spurs so I'm happy to see signs of improvement already.

I still however think he is capable of more and want to see him creating space and demanding that ball more often. But he took up some great positions at times further up the field and made some good late burts forward. On another day he could have grabbed a goal, good save by Sorensen early on and a desperate Shawcross header (nearly an OG) intercepting a ball at the last minute.

All in all much improved by both our midfielders, and though I still think players are on different wave lenghs at times I suspect we'll get better as the team and Lucas himself become more aware of what he is capable of.

My thinking as well.

I thought Lucas had a very strong game and he appears slowly but surely gaining confidence but Masch was simply fantastic especially in the second half and of course GJ.

Good game by everyone and even better result.

[Guest]

My thinking as well.

I thought Lucas had a very strong game and he appears slowly but surely gaining confidence but Masch was simply fantastic especially in the second half and of course GJ.

Good game by everyone and even better result.

I was thinking that about Mascher last night. He played very well and a little differently than what he was used to with Xabi in the team. He has the burden of starting off our attacks now, and he did well last night, passing the ball well short and long. Lucas is the type of player who will keep the game flowing, with short one touch simple passes, with the occasional piercing ball.

I've also noticed the willingness of our forwards in asking for the ball and making them available for a pass, especially Benayon, Stevie (as ever), Torres and Kuyt. They don't rely on standing their positions anymore and waiting for the killer pass in midfield. It's all about them moving about and finding space. I like it.