THE Lucas thread

[dww]

I only watched the highlights of the Hull match but I think there have to be two separate criteria used for Lucas performances this season. The ones applicable when he is used as a main holding player and those when he has been the more attacking of the two CMs.

In games like against Hull the key is how effective Gerrard can be in attack while our defense is not over exposed. In the passages of play I have seen Lucas has been excellent in the role of defending high up the pitch and distributing from deep - allowing Gerrard to play higher up the pitch. Mascherano - Gerrard while a theoretically appealing partnership has never really worked consistently whereas Lucas - Gerrard has worked very well this season.

[RedReet]

I’ve mentioned a few times that I’ve thought he’s been possibly our most consistent player, but more interestingly, having started every game we’ve now equalled our best start under Rafa in the Premiership. When you consider that Torres is only hitting form now, our defence has been really poor and Mascherano has only really had one decent game, Lucas must be doing something right.

2009: 15 Points
2008: 15 Points
2007: 11 Points
2006: 10 points
2005: 10 Points
2004: 10 Points

[dww]

I’ve mentioned a few times that I’ve thought he’s been possibly our most consistent player, but more interestingly, having started every game we’ve now equalled our best start under Rafa in the Premiership. When you consider that Torres is only hitting form now, our defence has been really poor and Mascherano has only really had one decent game, Lucas must be doing something right.

2009: 15 Points
2008: 15 Points
2007: 11 Points
2006: 10 points
2005: 10 Points
2004: 10 Points

I think it is slightly misleadingly positive though as we have lost our only two really challenging games so far. It is definitely true that we have over come the problems that we were looking to overcome against poor teams particularly at home but their has been a cost to other parts of the team. I'm yet to feel we have achieved the right balance in the team with Lucas as a main part in a way that would translate to say the game against Chelsea.

[RedReet]

I think it is slightly misleadingly positive though as we have lost our only two really challenging games so far. It is definitely true that we have over come the problems that we were looking to overcome against poor teams particularly at home but their has been a cost to other parts of the team. I'm yet to feel we have achieved the right balance in the team with Lucas as a main part in a way that would translate to say the game against Chelsea.

Don’t get me wrong, we’ve had a very easy start, but after the Spurs game people were talking like we’d never lost a game when Xabi Alonso played for us. Now we’ve equalled or bettered all starts while he was here and I would consider last year’s points tally as slightly misleading as we were quite fortunate with some late goals. Someone even mentioned that we’re a point better off in corresponding fixtures last year which would be a fairer indicator I suppose. I was simply highlighting though for all those who don’t think he offers anything to the team, that we’re not doing too bad considering a lot of players have underperformed so far.

The system at the minute clearly has some flaws, but we seem to be improving with every game, and the Chelsea match should give us a good indication of where we are at the minute. I agree the balance isn’t just right but I wouldn’t really attribute that to Lucas as I think he has played both midfield roles quite well, although he does look better as the anchor man. With Carra and Gerrard playing on the left again yesterday, and more attacks focused on that side, I’m wondering if this is in preparation for Agger or Aqualini coming into the team, which maybe will address the balance issue.

[Craig_H]

I’ve mentioned a few times that I’ve thought he’s been possibly our most consistent player, but more interestingly, having started every game we’ve now equalled our best start under Rafa in the Premiership. When you consider that Torres is only hitting form now, our defence has been really poor and Mascherano has only really had one decent game, Lucas must be doing something right.

2009: 15 Points
2008: 15 Points
2007: 11 Points
2006: 10 points
2005: 10 Points
2004: 10 Points

No we havent.

Last season, we had 17 points from our first 7 games - THAT was our best ever start to the league under Rafa, and we're 2 points short of equalling that.

[RedReet]

No we havent.

Last season, we had 17 points from our first 7 games - THAT was our best ever start to the league under Rafa, and we're 2 points short of equalling that.

Knew I should have double checked, but it was too early on a Sunday morning. It's still not too bad a start though.

[wiw]

No we havent.

Last season, we had 17 points from our first 7 games - THAT was our best ever start to the league under Rafa, and we're 2 points short of equalling that.

We're 1 point better off when comparing the corresponding fixtures though

[Mattshark]

We win 6-1 and you post this? Quite frankly pathetic.

All flyboy seems to do is attack Lucas.

[Craig_H]

We're 1 point better off when comparing the corresponding fixtures though

Yeah but that's not what he said.

And if that's to continue, we'll need to match the doubles we did over Chelsea and United, which is a tall order.

[rudedog]

Yeah but that's not what he said.

And if that's to continue, we'll need to match the doubles we did over Chelsea and United, which is a tall order.

Well it will certainly be a massive boost if we repeat last years results against Chelsea and Man Utd but I don't see how its essential.

[Craig_H]

Well it will certainly be a massive boost if we repeat last years results against Chelsea and Man Utd but I don't see how its essential.

If we're talking about the here and now, and being 'up' against last season's corresponding fixtures, then we'll need to win at Chelsea next week to maintain that. Simple enough really.

[wiw]

Yeah but that's not what he said.

And if that's to continue, we'll need to match the doubles we did over Chelsea and United, which is a tall order.

I know, just sayin like

[Redspin]

Having a number of posters who are prepared to give him far more credit than is due doesn't help either.

He's been our most consistent midfielder this season, offering more than anyone else, so he deserves credit rather than juvenile sniping. Some idiot on here yesterday immediately queried whether he was at fault for their goal in a frenzy to blame him for something. It's pathetic really. The goal was nothing to do with him, but why let reality get in the way of anything when we could have a witch-hunt instead?

[Redspin]

Why do we find it so hard just to admit that while he tries his best and should be commended for that, he just is not good enough to hold down the first team spot of CM.

As a squad player he is fine, but to rely on him as one of your 2 CM I think is just asking too much. He has had more than enough chances and has demonstrated that he is a competent retainer of possession, but that aside he offers us very little dynamism(!!) or genuine attacking guile or threat.

Whereas I suppose Xabi Alonso (3 goals and 3 assists out of 77 goals) did? Brilliant ball from Lucas yesterday to Babel who switched play to Kuyt before the 5th goal. People would wet themselves if Alonso had picked out a player in a similar way

[Jaymo]

He's been our most consistent midfielder this season, offering more than anyone else, so he deserves credit rather than juvenile sniping. Some idiot on here yesterday immediately queried whether he was at fault for their goal in a frenzy to blame him for something. It's pathetic really. The goal was nothing to do with him, but why let reality get in the way of anything when we could have a witch-hunt instead?

really is shameful the amount of things that Lucas gets blamed for.. i think he was at fault for one of the goals Wolves conceded today as well.. his positioning on the sofa just wasn't quite correct.

Just keep playing the way you are lucas.