Lucas

[Marky]

I'm a bit drunk, out on the booze since 6 this evening so one might think this is a pointless thread...from marky...never but what is the general consensus now on the Lucas?
I personally think he's coming into his own and proving the doubters wrong.
Passing at Villa Park in tough conditions was beautiful...crisp and accurate.

[Darkon]

'm very drunk as well - and think it should be a perquisite for writing in this thread!

For me Lucas still have a lot to prove to me. He still seems to be looking for his role in the team, and currently gets compared to alonso, who's boots he can't fill.

Currently it's difficult because he tactically fits quite poorly to the system... He might get better, and I hope he does, but currently he is not nearly good enough IMO.

If mascher is sold he could take his position well, but otherwise....

[-V-]

Nothing has changed. He's been a decent player this season but he's looked better the last couple of games because he's playing a role that suits him. Previously he was paired with another DM and was expected to be creative which just isn't him

[JohnDoe]

He's a suited and more effective DM than Mascherano when we're playing an inferior side.

[hamshanks]

He's a poor man's Mascherano but that doesn't make him a bad player, just one that shouldn't be played alongside Mascherano.

[little dave hedgehog]

He's been in a bad partnership (I'm full of champagne, btw) which just doesn't suit him, but alongside stevie or aquilani I think he fits better. Also he's young and has a lot lo learn. But I don't think he's a bad player and maybe in the future he can a great player for us. At the moment he's no better than a squad player who we maybe shouldn't depend on. But needs must, and I'm hopeful he can crack on from here and become the cm that we need. I think its absolutely possible and I'm looking forward to and hoping that he grows into this and can be a really solid player for us in the future.

[Kinell]

He's not a bad player but he is very average.

Not the best tackler, lethargic, never really looks to get involved in the game, and passes either square or backwards.

Not enough quality about him to make it at Liverpool and the sooner Rafa corrects that the better for the team.

[Marky]

Aye but in general has he exceeded your expectations this season?

He has for me anyway, i wrote him off altogether at the start of the season but i'm seeing encouraging signs in basically every match he's playing now. I thought he was really good at Villa Park when he got stuck in and stamped his authority on the match.

[cream]

One of our better players this season. Has really grown into his shirt.

Masch + Lucas is a bad combination, which has been the real problem in midfield.

[lickedlollipop]

He's not a bad player but he is very average.

Not the best tackler, lethargic, never really looks to get involved in the game, and passes either square or backwards.

Not enough quality about him to make it at Liverpool and the sooner Rafa corrects that the better for the team.

[Bender]

One of our better players this season. Has really grown into his shirt.

Masch + Lucas is a bad combination, which has been the real problem in midfield.

[Exiled_red]

I've been saying this for a while, he's not a bad player, he's just not really suited to playing in a partnership with Mascherano, most of the critisism has come because he is being seen as a direct replacement for Alonso and they are different types of players.

[Armchairkopite]

Lucas is going to get better and better he is progressing very quickly and he will continue to do so.

Hes going to be some player over the next few years imo.

[Mattshark]

Lucas is going to get better and better he is progressing very quickly and he will continue to do so.

Hes going to be some player over the next few years imo.

[Jaymo]

I remember having an argument with a few on here earlier on in the season, about lucas being the scapegoat.

I have backed him all the way, and my point was, he had been drafted in to do a job that only one man could do.. and that job was xabi alonso's.

I still hear it today when i go the game. Aurelio gave the ball away against wolves, and shouts of "For F*cks sake Lucas" came from the stands. No whether this is a case of mistaken identity i don't know. But all i know is, it still happens, and on less of a scale.

With or without the backing of fans this season, he has proved that he has a great mentality.. because i know that walking onto a pitch knowing that most of the fans didn't want you there would put me off for sure.

One of our most consistent good performers this season, if you ask me to pick out a bad game that hes had this season, the only one that springs to mind is Blackburn away, where none of the players arrived.

I just hope that he keeps on progressing.