Lucas

[BobTheCharmer]

Think the 2 game rest has done him good.

There could be something in that. Gerrard could also do with the occasional break. Its just at present they are the two players we don't have much cover for.

[Mostar]

Lucas vs WBA



[ame="http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x16hhk1_lucas-leiva-vs-wba_creation"]LUCAS LEIVA VS WBA - Video Dailymotion[/ame]

[baitman]

Thanks Mos. Lucas really keeps.us ticking.

[Mostar]

No problem Baitman.

Had a very good game.

[JohnDoe]

Had a very good game, hope it continues.

[RichC]

He was excellent yesterday

[danperkins]

Not same player since injury. Thoughts?

[~LFCHistory~]

Not same player since injury. Thoughts?

Maybe he's not the same player or perhaps the 3-5-2 formation doesn't suit him or another possibility is that he needs some genuine competition for the DM role to get the best out of him, both Lucas and Gerrard are I feel too comfortable/complacent at the minute due to a lack of quality options in CM to challenge them.

[Shaggy]

Not same player since injury. Thoughts?

It seems to be becoming fairly apparent. I thought a full pre-season might bring back to his old level but he still looks short of full fitness, looks a bit slower and not as robust. If you remember the way he took the fight to giants like Yaya Toure - and bossed them - it seems a long way off now. Shame. I still think he can do a job but I suspect we need to upgrade in that position.

[Vermilion]

He's inconsistant now imo, hopefully he's able to step up.

[Sarb]

Personally I think the amount of games he had to play after coming back from 2 bad injuries hasn't helped him. Should have signed some cover for him and eased him back in

[The Birdman]

It seems to be becoming fairly apparent. I thought a full pre-season might bring back to his old level but he still looks short of full fitness, looks a bit slower and not as robust. If you remember the way he took the fight to giants like Yaya Toure - and bossed them - it seems a long way off now. Shame. I still think he can do a job but I suspect we need to upgrade in that position.

Not an upgrade as such but another option.
Lucas doesn't have the mobility anymore hence he struggles when the game gets stretched, home games when he can sit in and we (largely) control the shape and tempo of the game are fine for him.

Arsenal showed that he can't deal (anymore) with quick, mobile players in and around him when there is a lot of space for them to work in.

[Scratch]

I personally think it's down to his midfield partner not being as mobile as he once was, so Lucas is having to do the role of 1 1/2 men, so is getting caught out more. I think if he playe alongside Henderson, with Gerrard pushing forwards, then he could concentrate more on his own game and not have to cover as much ground, thus not getting caught out as much.

[Sarb]

I wonder if Allen, Henderson sitting with Gerrard further forward is worth a try

[Shaggy]

Not an upgrade as such but another option.
Lucas doesn't have the mobility anymore hence he struggles when the game gets stretched, home games when he can sit in and we (largely) control the shape and tempo of the game are fine for him.

Arsenal showed that he can't deal (anymore) with quick, mobile players in and around him when there is a lot of space for them to work in.

Completely agree

And yeah that's what I meant really, another one to lighten the load on Lucas. And hopefully someone with different attributes - power, bit of pace, more mobile etc.