The Race for Champions League Places

[BootRoom]

Unfair to say that, Lucas has played most of our games this season.

The set-up under Rafa was geared a lot more to defence, and the back-four benefited from that. The collective defensive strength of the midfield was far superior with combinations like of Hamman/Alonso/Gerrard, Mascher/Alonso/Gerrard or Kuyt. Aside from Lucas, we don't get as much defensive impact from the rest of the midfield, and now that he (Lucas) isn't playing there is even less protection, so the back 5 - with Reina on sweeping duties - is doing really well.

[Baracus]

5 points off 3rd. Better then last year.

[Bender]

5 points off 3rd. Better then last year.

yes shows how much of an improvement kenny has made,if only we could score

[Norbs]

5 points off 3rd. Better then last year.

Played a game more though. Gap is opening behind Spurs, who I still think can finish 2nd

[RichC]

missed a chance to close the gap with the Wigan game but we're still there or there abouts. If we can take just a few of the chances we create we'll be top 4 come the end of the season.

[Craig_H]

missed a chance to close the gap with the Wigan game but we're still there or there abouts. If we can take just a few of the chances we create we'll be top 4 come the end of the season.

It's nearly half the season gone now and our finishing is consistently poor - and costing us.

So it's simple for me - if we sign a proper finisher, we'll finish in the top 4. If we dont, we wont.

[Roboklopp]

It's nearly half the season gone now and our finishing is consistently poor - and costing us.

So it's simple for me - if we sign a proper finisher, we'll finish in the top 4. If we dont, we wont.

Aint as certain as you say mate (especially sans Lucas & Suarez ), but it would increase our chances. Hugely.

[Mattshark]

It's nearly half the season gone now and our finishing is consistently poor - and costing us.

So it's simple for me - if we sign a proper finisher, we'll finish in the top 4. If we dont, we wont.

We also need another holding midfielder and someone who can create chances when Suarez is unavailable.

[Craig_H]

We also need another holding midfielder and someone who can create chances when Suarez is unavailable.

Maybe so - but i think we can get top four, with what we already have, plus a finisher. Eg, without the holding mid or chance-creator. Without a finisher, we wont do it.

[Mattshark]

Maybe so - but i think we can get top four, with what we already have, plus a finisher. Eg, without the holding mid or chance-creator. Without a finisher, we wont do it.

I really don't think we could, our defence already looks exposed without Lucas by some of the worst teams in the league and without Suarez we lack creativity.

[Craig_H]

I really don't think we could, our defence already looks exposed without Lucas by some of the worst teams in the league and without Suarez we lack creativity.

And this is said off the back of three consecutive clean sheets.

Lucas is a big loss, but i dont think his loss will be the decisive factor in terms of whether we get top four or not.

[little dave hedgehog]

not sure about the midfielder. we've looked a little pathetic in the middle lately. probably shouldn't count on gerrard being fit all the time. i know we have jay coming back but i'm also not sure that between him and adam there's a great partnership.

[Chris]

Not really arsed about a holding midfielder, we were hardly perfect with Lucas in the team anyway. If the oppo getting a lot of long shots is all we have to worry about defensively we are not doing to bad. Get a quality attacker.

[Mattshark]

And this is said off the back of three consecutive clean sheets.

Lucas is a big loss, but i dont think his loss will be the decisive factor in terms of whether we get top four or not.

Yes but is also clear that we were exposed by Wigan far too often, we had the same issues against Fulham. I also think Adam needs a play like Lucas next to him to allow him to play to his strengths.

[Norbs]

Yes but is also clear that we were exposed by Wigan far too often, we had the same issues against Fulham. I also think Adam needs a play like Lucas next to him to allow him to play to his strengths.

It wouldn't hurt for our defence to he exposed a bit more, if we could exploit the space that would be created in front of it