THE Lucas thread

[Joe King]

Craig, who would you have instead of Lucas? Spearing? Plessis?

[Craig_H]

Craig, who would you have instead of Lucas? Spearing? Plessis?

Gerrard in CM and Benayoun off Torres until Aquilani is fit - or 442.

Not saying i'd NEVER play Lucas, there's various options and possibilities to vary it - but he seems untouchable where Rafa's concerned, which is incredible IMO.

[Joe King]

Gerrard in CM and Benayoun off Torres until Aquilani is fit - or 442.

Not saying i'd NEVER play Lucas, there's various options and possibilities to vary it - but he seems untouchable where Rafa's concerned, which is incredible IMO.

Surely away from home that would unbalance the side? At home, it's a different story against Burnley et al.

[Craig_H]

there is instances were people HAVE been insulting towards Lucas. If this was bollox then why the **** has a mod and other more respected posters than YOU have agreed that Lucas gets far too much ****?

By the way murder_inc, two things i forgot.

1. You didnt answer my question:

how would you describe him then? What is he in your opinion? Great? Brilliant? World class?

I didnt post this to be controversial, i'm genuinely interested.

2. By your own admission to me (via PM), you're an angry idiot So calm down fella.

[Craig_H]

Surely away from home that would unbalance the side? At home, it's a different story against Burnley et al.

Why would 442 or Yossi off Torres unbalance the side?

[Joe King]

Why would 442 or Yossi off Torres unbalance the side?

Gerrard in midfield would unbalance the side.

[Craig_H]

Gerrard in midfield would unbalance the side.

Why? You cant just say something and that makes it so.

Gerrard made his name in CM - how come it would now suddenly unbalance the side to have him next to Mascherano making advanced runs while Mascher protects? It's the same as what Lucas does when he plays next to Mascherano.

[Joe King]

Why? You cant just say something and that makes it so.

Gerrard made his name in CM - how come it would now suddenly unbalance the side to have him next to Mascherano making advanced runs while Mascher protects? It's the same as what Lucas does when he plays next to Mascherano.

Gerrard's natural instinct to attack would leave this already fragile defence incredibly exposed which is why Lucas tactically is better equipped in central midfield. Lucas doesn't move five-seven yards from Mascherano and they have the ability to somewhat protect defences (casing example United last season) Gerrard away from home in an advanced position will allow the side to be more threatening on the counter with his pace and tenacity. Benayoun doesn't offer the same thrust in larger spaces which is why away from home, he is more of a different threat from a wide position. At home, Benayoun with Torres would work because of the organisation of other defences.

[Craig_H]

How did we manage for all those years when Gerrard played CM? I wonder...

You're doing him a disservice to suggest he's not capable or intelligent enough to discipline himself and know when to thrust forward and when to hold off.

[Joe King]

How did we manage for all those years when Gerrard played CM? I wonder...

You're doing him a disservice to suggest he's not capable or intelligent enough to discipline himself and know when to thrust forward and when to hold off.

We were **** with him in central midfield. Don't you remember the great Houllier days.

[Craig_H]

We were **** with him in central midfield. Don't you remember the great Houllier days.

You saying he's not played CM under rafa?

[Joe King]

You saying he's not played CM under rafa?

Not for a consistent period of time. Benitez doesn't trust him and nor would I. He isn't disciplined enough to play that role besides why break up a lucrative partnership between Torres and Gerrard?

[Craig_H]

I think he's mature enough and intelligent enough to do it just fine.

Yossi could be lethal in that position too and again, i'm not talking about one system ALWAYS.

[Shaggy]

Lucas played really well today.

[Craig_H]

I thought he was pretty good. Our 4th best performer IMO.