Lucas and Mascherano

[Exiled_red]

Doesn't matter, they've still been playing every week this season and have been treated as first choice. I can think of many line ups without Aquilani that can be far better options than them two together and they haven't been used.

But that isn't taking into account injuries, so isn't taking into account how the squad/team was planned to work. It's like saying that Torres isn't first choice because he's not played alot (through injury)

[JohnDoe]

But that isn't taking into account injuries, so isn't taking into account how the squad/team was planned to work. It's like saying that Torres isn't first choice because he's not played alot (through injury)

Rafa signed Aquilani knowing full well he's not going to be anywhere near the team for at least a few months because he trusted Lucas and Masch to do the job.

[Craig_H]

The partnership itself is a very negative one. Its fine for keeping cleen sheets but its no use for winning football matches and playing the beautiful game the right way.

However, I take issue with you blaming Mascherano. He is world class at what he does, he has been one of our best players this season aside from the first 6 weeks or so. The problem is that Lucas is not creative or attacking enough to warrant a place next to him

Nail on the head.

Mascherano's been putting in a string of world class performances in the last couple of months, absolute monster of a player who seems to have his desire and passion back again.

Along with Reina, Gerrard and Torres, he's an 'untouchable' for me.

[Guest]

Nail on the head.

Mascherano's been putting in a string of world class performances in the last couple of months, absolute monster of a player who seems to have his desire and passion back again.

Along with Reina, Gerrard and Torres, he's an 'untouchable' for me.

[-V-]

Lmao. Just looked at Morse's man of the match table. Lucas and Mascherano are the top points scorers this season

"Current table:

1. Lucas.............................4 first...........4 second.......4 third.........36 points
2.Mascherano....................4 first...........3 second.......5 third........34 points
3. Johnson.........................5 first...........2 second...........................31 points
4. Reina.............................5 first...........1 second........2 third.........30 points
5. Torres............................4 first...........1 second.......2 third..........25 points
6. Benayoun.......................2 first...........2 second.......6 third........22 points
7. Gerrard..........................1 first...........5 second.......2 third..........22 points
8. Ngog..............................2 first..........3 second............................19 points
9. Carragher.......................2 second......2 third...............................8 points
10.Degen............................1 first..........1 second............................8 points
11.Kuyt..............................2 second.......1 third................................7 points
12.Insua.............................2 second......1 third...............................7 points
13.Skrtel.............................1 first............................................. .........5 points
14.Kelly..............................1 first............................................. ..........5 points
15.Agger.............................4 third............................................. .........4 points
16.Dossena.........................1 second............................................ ..3 points
17.Aquilani.........................1 second............................................ .....3 points
18.Babel.............................1 third............................................. ..........1 point.


Unbelievably Lucas is current leader...I have a feeling that this may cause a stir"

[Craig_H]

Lmao. Just looked at Morse's man of the match table. Lucas and Mascherano are the top points scorers this season

I noticed that the other day. Nothing against Lucas, but he's the ultimate 'sympathy vote' winner

It's farcical.

[-V-]

Yeah for me its between Reina and Monsterano so far this season. Id say Reina

[Craig_H]

I'd go along with that. Mascher did have a blip earlier in the season, albeit a short one, however Reina's not put a foot wrong at all.

I literally cant remember him making a mistake this season.

Not wishing to mocker him though.

[JohnDoe]

I noticed that the other day. Nothing against Lucas, but he's the ultimate 'sympathy vote' winner

It's farcical.

It makes sense when you consider that Torres, Gerrard, Johnson and Benayoun have all been out of the team for long periods while Lucas and Mascherano are the only ones who've been ever present in the line up. Defenders usually don't get votes.

Also, in a team playing ****, which is what we've been doing most of the season, people struggle to find good names so they vote for the players who run their socks off.

[Craig_H]

Even in those circumstances, Lucas has been nowhere near Mascherano's level.

Put simply, Lucas is a good player who's useful to have. Mascherano's a world class player and part of the spine that we should be building our team around.

[Will]

Yeah for me its between Reina and Monsterano so far this season. Id say Reina

spot on with the Reina shout.

Lucas is improving and people seem to forget hes only 22.

[Slinky Skills]

I'm in agreement with you for most of that post but not all of it.

The both of them combined do give away a ridiculous amount of free kicks, they really do however neither of them are exempt from that criticism, the whole team could learn how to tackle as they are all as bad as each other.

As I pointed out in the "Why" thread both are terrible at giving away free kicks and when it comes to tackling. Neither of them are that great at making tackles, and I mean clean strong tackles not dirty ones where you hack the players legs and give away cynical, cheap free kicks that put the team under pressure.

Tackling is an art and as these two are our main midfield enforcers it is something that they should both be good at, neither of them are. Rafa should be working on this day in day out especially as he has us set up so defensively.

Mascherano is a terrible whinger, he is at the ref all the time. Players should just respect the ref's decision and get on with it. Fair enough if you've had your legs hacked off then it's fine but most of the time he gets tackled and is rolling around the floor like a baby, that is embarrasing. Lucas at least can get on with it, he doesn't often feign injury.

What gets me with Lucas is he is so slow, his tackling is very poor. He is getting better though but he's not the finished article. I've stated previously that I believe he would be far better playing further up the pitch with Gerrard back in the centre alongside Mascherano, at least give him a try.

Gerrard's done nothing this year playing further up the pitch, Lucas is too slow to track back, at least Gerrard has a bit of pace about him to get back and help out. He could also assist Lucas in going forward too and help bring him into the play more.

Lucas has tried to get forward a bit more this year that which is encouraging so he seems to have the intelligence to make these forward runs.

[Craig_H]

Lucas is indeed improving, but he's a long way off Mascherano. That's no criticism.

N'Gog is improving too, but is a chasm away from being at Nando's level.

Re Mascherano's 'whinging' - i've no problem with that, we're far too nice as a team and we need winners, not nice guys.

It was bad enough with Yossi not going down for the peno yesterday, but we had Kuyt stopping the game himself after he fouled someone and virtually showing himself a yellow card

****'s sake Dirky lad, you're a top fella and that's wonderful, but in the heat of battle it is every team for themselves, dont go helping the opposition

[Will]

Even in those circumstances, Lucas has been nowhere near Mascherano's level.

Put simply, Lucas is a good player who's useful to have. Mascherano's a world class player and part of the spine that we should be building our team around.

Though Lucas is a better passer of the ball

[Craig_H]

Though Lucas is a better passer of the ball

As Harry Hill might say....hmmm...not sure

Lucas plays more simple sideways balls and consequently retains it better, but doesnt often play a meaningful pass.

Mascher's been spraying a few more long diagonal balls this season and obviously the margin for error is much less, but he's got a fair few spot on and got us on the attack with them.

Alonso-esque, dare i say, but with far less of an accuracy and frequency percentage.