Sunderland build up

[Muddled]

IMO now is the time to sell Meireles, I don't see him getting games (even with a couple of injuries) and he had a good season last year, if he doen't play much this year his value will drop significantly.

It's a valid point. His stock is high, especially if teams consider his purple patch he went through last season and if we could make a couple of million on top of what we bought him for, that could help us secure a centre back or fourth striker - which, is for the greater good of the squad.

[JohnDoe]

He's a nuisance, a whippet, a player that is constantly tapping at your heels. He's committed, enjoys a challenge and protects our back four well, whilst positionally he can be found out, I'd prefer some 'bite' in our team, than a midfield that is going to get bullied.

But he doesn't actually win many balls in midfield and doesn't protect the back four well if you followed him closely. How can he protect the back four well if his positional sense is poor?! He runs around the pitch a lot and chases lost causes. As I said, nothing of real significance. His strength is actually his movement when we have the ball, always making himself available for a pass and does relatively well distributing, but defensively, his style of play only pretends to be effective, when it isn't.

I fail to see how playing last years player of the season is going to hinder us.

He's a complete liability with the ball, but I've said it thousands of times already. He's a non factor when we need a goal, slows down and hinders our passing game.

[Shaggy]

With respect that's total bollocks.

[JohnDoe]

With respect that's total bollocks.

The large majority thinks I'm talking bollocks re: Lucas. We know.

[Shaggy]

Even you can't genuinely believe he is a *complete liability with the ball*. Talk about hyperbole.

[Muddled]

But he doesn't actually win many balls in midfield and doesn't protect the back four well if you followed him closely. How can he protect the back four well if his positional sense is poor?! He runs around the pitch a lot and chases lost causes. As I said, nothing of real significance. His strength is actually his movement when we have the ball, always making himself available for a pass and does relatively well distributing, but defensively, his style of play only pretends to be effective, when it isn't.

I said he can get found out positionally, it doesn't mean his positional sense is poor. Arsenal took advantage of this last year at the Emirates when he got pulled out of his position when he didn't know whether to go to the ball or track the player and ended up in no mans land - that's only one example of the top of my head, it doesn't mean he's a headless chicken. I'm happy to give him the benefit of the doubt as he is developing as a player - I remember Gerrard being taught a lesson by Ginola, it's all about gaining experience. Whether he has a future here, I don't know, but for the now, he is a player that likes to stop the other team attacking. He's not as clueless as you make out.

He's a complete liability with the ball, but I've said it thousands of times already. He's a non factor when we need a goal, slows down and hinders our passing game.

Lucas is not a complete liability, his main role is to win it back which he does with aplomb - I'm sure you'll have seen the statistics on this very site. His second role is to initiate an attack. Whether that is to play it square to Adam or across to Gerrard to take over that mantle, I don't care; his job is to stop the opposition. However, if you want to question his 'passing game', he has that in his locker if he was to be deployed further up the pitch. Just look at the ball he played for Gerrard in the 5-1 win at Newcastle a couple of years ago.

As for turning to him when we need a goal, you're turning to the wrong player. What you do know is that our attack will be happy going for that goal, knowing that Lucas is mopping up behind him.

[JohnDoe]

Muddled, I could reply, but I don't want to drag this thread into another "Lucas: JohnDoe vs. the World". I respect your view.

[SB]

4 1/2 hours to go

[Muddled]

Muddled, I could reply, but I don't want to drag this thread into another "Lucas: JohnDoe vs. the World". I respect your view.

Fair comment.

[rudedog]

Muddled, I could reply, but I don't want to drag this thread into another "Lucas: JohnDoe vs. the World". I respect your view.

Stop bringing it up then!

[BobTheCharmer]

Muddled, I could reply, but I don't want to drag this thread into another "Lucas: JohnDoe vs. the World". I respect your view.

Craig, take notice. This is what a lot of the threads could do with this season.

John, I share some of your sentiments re Lucas. Still think he's an effective player at times though.

[Mattshark]

Cahill, if we sign him, will be a starter.

He shouldn't be, Agger, Carra and Skrtel are all better.

[Fosterbloke]

See you guys on the other side. I'm getting an early night then downloading the match in the morning. Doubt I'll get a decent stream tonight.

Refuse to give the Sky empire any of my hard earned until they release a Sports only subscription.

[Mostar]

He shouldn't be, Agger, Carra and Skrtel are all better.

He will be though.

Carra already passed his best.

[Mostar]

@Dirk_18_Kuyt
After 5 weeks of pre season more then ready for today's game against sunderland!! Come on liverpool!!!