West Ham post-match

[Lecter]

What worries me is that both Gerrard and Meireles aren't normal central midfielders. Gerrard vacates the midfield too often leaving us vulnerable. Meireles I still remain unconvinced by; IMO his goals have papered over the cracks of other areas of his game. Lucas has had alot of responsibility for holding the midfield together, and still comes in for alot of unfair critisism IMO

Personally I think long term you either play Gerrard OR Raul

We need a dedicated holding player and a playmaker/dynamo

[danperkins]

Must just be me getting you and Rudo confused as the same person, must be the Wumery.

Or maybe you just get confused alot. So find me those posts attacking Johnson and come back to me, otherwise don't say silly confrontational things you can't back up

[danperkins]

Tackling and physical challenges are not his strengths but if he wants to stay regular he'll need to improve that aspect of his game in a hurry.

completely agree Mos

[Lecter]

watching Parker today I'd be tempted with him!

Hes 30

Think we need younger myself

We need a long term plan

Defensive / holding player - M'Vila, Sissoko, Tiote
Playmaker/dynamo - Adam / Defour / Martinez etc....

[Chazza]

He is the only "first team" midfielder who can hold but hes not that great at it either

I have argued for weeks we need a dedicated specialised holding player in addition to a midfield playmaker

Now we have been linked with Adam and I can see him filling the playmaker role but defensively hes no better than Lucas

That role in modern football cannot be underestimated, a player with good work rate who can sit infront and protect the back four.

Busquets does it for Barca, although he has alot more to his game and how much better do Arsenal look for having Alex song in there, how much more vunerable do Chelsea look when they dont have a player doing that job?

[danperkins]

Lucas is a consistant performer, he puts in a shift so to speak he has done well this season IMO. But he could easily be replaced next season IMO, Scotty Parker made Lucas looked mediocre today.

[Mattshark]

Lucas needs to be more assertive. The stats do back him up but, if you actually watch him play, his style of football leaves you in a nervous disposition. He hasnt exactly got the most confident aura about him.

Sorry mate but that is nonsense. He really gives the ball away, he is a good tackler, he keeps the ball moving and he is always willing to get the ball.
The problem with you feeling nervous is your perception, not Lucas' play, that is why the stats go against what you see.

Saying he needs to be more assertive doesn't say anything at all. Assertive at what exactly?

[Lecter]

I think he is considerably worse defensively.

I think Lucas has done very well as a holding mid personally. He is also doing the role very well for Brazil. He is really not our problem.
He is not as good at holding as Mascherano, but very few are, he is still very good at the role though and is massively unvalued by so many.

Hes not good enough imo

He gets worked around too much and he gives away stupid fouls in dangerous positions because he either isnt positionally set or isnt quick enough

[Rich]

Poor result, poor performance.

Can't really think of many stand-out performances. Suarez's turn was ace but struggled to find space and lacked understanding with either Kuyt or Ngog.

Gerrard was terrible in the first half, improved slightly in the second but it was telling that we never dominated Noble, Parker, and Der Hammer.

I also can't see Joe Cole ever performing well for us - just doesn't look fit, can't beat his man anymore, and his crossing from out wide is frankly a joke.

Still, no point dwelling on a poor performance.

[Maxiedge]

That role in modern football cannot be underestimated, a player with good work rate who can sit infront and protect the back four.

Busquets does it for Barca, although he has alot more to his game and how much better do Arsenal look for having Alex song in there, how much more vunerable do Chelsea look when they dont have a player doing that job?

Song has the natural guile of a carthorse but even he has a more positive approach to lucas.

[danperkins]

Hes not good enough imo

He gets worked around too much and he gives away stupid fouls in dangerous positions because he either isnt positionally set or isnt quick enough

He is a banker to give a free kick away in a dangerous position. Think if someone has the stats he has done it in last 5 or 6 games on the trot. Next season i reckon he'll be a squad player

[Lecter]

Sorry mate but that is nonsense. He really gives the ball away, he is a good tackler, he keeps the ball moving and he is always willing to get the ball.
The problem with you feeling nervous is your perception, not Lucas' play, that is why the stats go against what you see.

Saying he needs to be more assertive doesn't say anything at all. Assertive at what exactly?

Seriously hes not a good tackler

Count the number of times he gets caught positionally and has to give away fouls in stupid areas of the pitch

Happens regularly at least a couple of times per gam

[gentingfrmhell]

joe cole needs to be sold. looked like he was going for a jog.

[Mattshark]

Hes not good enough imo

He gets worked around too much and he gives away stupid fouls in dangerous positions because he either isnt positionally set or isnt quick enough

But he doesn't though. He can isolated due to the players around him, but has done a great job there and has broken up play extremely well.
The free kick thing is complete myth.

[Mattshark]

Seriously hes not a good tackler

Count the number of times he gets caught positionally and has to give away fouls in stupid areas of the pitch

Happens regularly at least a couple of times per gam

Yes he averaged a whole 2 fouls a game last season.