Lucas

[Norbs]

We would then accept the possibility that Gerrard has been the problem?

Lucas' statistics don't match the criticism he is recieving.

I'm not sure that either are a problem, just deployed incorrectly in our current line-up. Lucas is breaking up attacks as he always does, Gerrard is trying to look for passes but the runners aren't there. The trouble with Gerrard is that then he try a clever short pass or dithers and then loses possession. If the runners were there then Gerrard would have an outlet.

As it stands we've been trying to utilise Henderson as a wide option but his skills are far more suited to steamrollering through the middle. He doesn't turn so well and isn't as adept at switching the direction of play. We would do far better having Sterling on the right, even at the expense of Henderson just to give Gerrard an outlet.

Personally I'd like to see Sturridge given a rest now that he's got no records to prove. Bring Suarez straight back in up front and play Gerrard behind him with Sterling and Moses flanking him providing energy and pace. This keeps Gerrard as far away from the middle of the park where he's been a danger when put under pressure. Lucas and Henderson deserve a chance together in the middle although they're a more defensive pairing.

[RedReet]

Seeing as it's nearly a whole page since I added something...

[RedReet]

RedReet 228
Craig_H 165
Mostar 115
danperkins 112
JohnDoe 108
Mattshark 98
Shaggy 95
Neil Young 83
little dave hedgehog 80
Lee 71

Top ten

What a monumental waste of my time this place is.

[danperkins]

I love the way Craig H is still in the top 3 for posting...relentless

[RedReet]

I love the way Craig H is still in the top 3 for posting...relentless

Every thread I check the numbers on he's still in the top 5.

[danperkins]

Every thread I check the numbers on he's still in the top 5.

[Mostar]

What we miss big time IMO is a DM that play dirty and ugly, someone that it will hurt to play against, someone like Masch.

Someone that will make a dirty tackle to wake up the team, someone that will moan at the ref to wake up the team, someone that shows that enough is enough, you don't bully us, if you do, then it will hurt you.

We don't have that type of player, not even on the bench.

I wouldn't call his game dirty and ugly but Masch would be perfect for BR.

[PTP]

defo agree with Masch

one of my issues with Lucas/Gerrard at present is to me, once the opposition get past them they virtually seem out of the game - where as with mascherano, he'd come from nowhere, 10 yards off the play and bang, snap, win the ball back

Something isn't quite right with the gerrard/lucas partnership - edit...i mean at the moment

i like and rate them both - but in this system currently, they just look a bit leggy at times - which affects what i've posted above, once you go past them, they've gone - which imo leads to them both dropping a touch deeper to compensate.

Also whilst Suarez has been out, i reckon we could have done with gerrards qualities further up the pitch - shame allen had been injured

However i do agree with some other points

fit and in form enrique and johnson playing regularly would give us more width and they'd press higher

and one other thing which i've raised in a few threads, i do believe, had suarez been available it would have helped, having two top strikers on the pitch rather than sturridge looking knackered, it would put the opposition defence on the back foot more, allowing us to play higher, and the knock on effect being the midfield getting more space rather than being over ran.


So my issues are not having a pop at indviduals or set up - when everyone is fit, playing well, it will be great - it's more that when we have found ourselves needing something a bit different in the middle - it could be down to injuries or it could jsut be down to loss of form or in a particular game it's not working, we don't have another option to go too.

[Gibbo]

The problem we have now in my opinion is fitting all of our creative outlets into the team.

Short term moving Henderson alongside Lucas and moving Gerrard further forward could be a good answer, Henderson has tons of energy and is good at receiving and playing the easy ball. And Gerrards hollywood passes would probably work better with Moses, Suarez and Sturridge moving closer to him.

The only problem is fitting the Cout in when he returns.

[I, Ravel Morrison]

Agree with Gibbo and PTP, with the current midfield lot, it's about finding the right roles for Gerrard (our best creator) and Henderson (our hardest runner). Lucas and Henderson as the deep double pivot, with the latter's stamina put to use in a box to box capacity. Gerrard closer to the action, where he can create and get goals, where his turnovers wouldn't disrupt possession that much.

[PTP]

i'd much rather be in the position where we have everyone fit and scratching our heads, as opposed to doing the best with whats available

it'll be tough - but it will be good for competition - for me there is 6 positions available - if fit and available 'defo' starters are

Lucas
Gerrard

Suarez
Sturridge.


so that leaves imo

hendo/coutinho battling for the midfield position.

or

coutinho/moses battling for the 3rd attacking position.


from there - it'll be down to form or the actual game - eg, easier home games, coutinho in the middle, moses outwide, henderson misses out - tougher games, henderson in and maybe moses misses out but gives us an impact sub option,


plus there will also be allen trying to push for a place,



when all fit and playing well - i do think we'd be a match for anyone - it's jsut when players are off form/injured/suspended that we just seem to lack enough

[Havors]

Gerrard is next to useless sitting in front of the defence. I would rather play Kolo there and push Gerrard forward more... you know to the position hes best at. Even if his legs arent the same.

[PTP]

[I, Ravel Morrison]

i'd much rather be in the position where we have everyone fit and scratching our heads, as opposed to doing the best with whats available

it'll be tough - but it will be good for competition - for me there is 6 positions available - if fit and available 'defo' starters are

Lucas
Gerrard

Suarez
Sturridge.


so that leaves imo

hendo/coutinho battling for the midfield position.

or

coutinho/moses battling for the 3rd attacking position.


from there - it'll be down to form or the actual game - eg, easier home games, coutinho in the middle, moses outwide, henderson misses out - tougher games, henderson in and maybe moses misses out but gives us an impact sub option,


plus there will also be allen trying to push for a place,



when all fit and playing well - i do think we'd be a match for anyone - it's jsut when players are off form/injured/suspended that we just seem to lack enough

I think the big midfield dilemma is finding Gerrard's replacement. Now is the perfect time to introduce his successor when Gerrard is still around. Ease one in while the legend is eased out.

[Arn]

Rio de Janeiro: Brazil coach Luiz Felipe Scolari has recalled Liverpool midfielder Lucas Leiva for next month’s friendlies against South Korea and Zambia.

Lucas has not played for the Selecao since their 2-0 victory over Egypt in November 2011.

“Today the feeling is like when I got my first call up to play for Brazil. I can’t put into words how good I am feeling. Now that I have been called up, my dream is to be a part of the World Cup in Brazil,” the 26-year-old said.

Brazil will play South Korea in Seoul on Oct.12 and Zambia in Beijing three days later.

Cruzeiro centre-back Dede was also named, replacing captain Thiago Silva, who is sidelined with a hamstring injury.

Botafogo goalkeeper Jefferson is likely to be Scolari’s first choice in goal following a hand injury to Queens Park Rangers stopper Julio Cesar.

Fluminense forward Fred was not included due to an injured right thigh, meaning Alexandre Pato and Jo will contest the only centre-forward spot in Scolari’s preferred 4-2-3-1 formation.

http://gulftoday.ae/portal/975c049b-...c310acd44.aspx