Lucas

[Shaggy]

It looks like him and Rodgers have had a chat and BR has asked him to drop deeper, often in between the centre backs, and be much more disciplined positionally. He's been prone to sort of diving in (not going to ground but committing to trying to nick the ball), missing it, going past the play and finding himself out of the game. Now he is stationed so deep it gives us much greater protection.

Or am I imagining things?

[RedReet]

It looks like him and Rodgers have had a chat and BR has asked him to drop deeper, often in between the centre backs, and be much more disciplined positionally. He's been prone to sort of diving in (not going to ground but committing to trying to nick the ball), missing it, going past the play and finding himself out of the game. Now he is stationed so deep it gives us much greater protection.

Or am I imagining things?

I assumed the dropping deep was more to do with receiving the ball and maintaining possession, but he has noticeably made a lot less challenges in the last couple of games so maybe you are on to something.

[rudedog]

I think we've been better at defending from the front the last few games which has helped Lucas too.

[DeeTheDog]

I assumed the dropping deep was more to do with receiving the ball and maintaining possession, but he has noticeably made a lot less challenges in the last couple of games so maybe you are on to something.

I put the less challenges down to a couple of factors:

1. We are maintaining possession much better and thus the need to make these tackles is reduced.
2. We have been a lot more effective at pressing and winning the ball further up the pitch.

[danperkins]

It looks like him and Rodgers have had a chat and BR has asked him to drop deeper, often in between the centre backs, and be much more disciplined positionally. He's been prone to sort of diving in (not going to ground but committing to trying to nick the ball), missing it, going past the play and finding himself out of the game. Now he is stationed so deep it gives us much greater protection.

Or am I imagining things?

No you're spot on IMO

[RedReet]

I put the less challenges down to a couple of factors:

1. We are maintaining possession much better and thus the need to make these tackles is reduced.
2. We have been a lot more effective at pressing and winning the ball further up the pitch.

Well a lot of people suggested that Gerrard's weaknesses were the cause of our problems in midfield and that Lucas struggled at times covering for him, so perhaps this is the evidence that they were right.

[Fredo]

It looks like him and Rodgers have had a chat and BR has asked him to drop deeper, often in between the centre backs, and be much more disciplined positionally. He's been prone to sort of diving in (not going to ground but committing to trying to nick the ball), missing it, going past the play and finding himself out of the game. Now he is stationed so deep it gives us much greater protection.

Or am I imagining things?

He's almost playing as a sweeper now, which maybe explains Brendan's flirtation with 3 at the back.

[Red_Polo]

I like this role with the CBs splitting and him dropping in. Suits.

[Mostar]

I think we've been better at defending from the front the last few games which has helped Lucas too.

Presence of Allen and great defensive tracking by Hendo allowed Lucas to drop deeper and they are pretty much 1, 2, 3 defensive punches atm.

If Allen, Hendo don't intercept or win the ball Lucas is there to finish the job and vice versa.

We are much more fluid team defending and developing offensive plays than I have seen us in a long time.

[baitman]

Presence of Allen and great defensive tracking by Hendo allowed Lucas to drop deeper and they are pretty much 1, 2, 3 defensive punches atm.

If Allen, Hendo don't intercept or win the ball Lucas is there to finish the job and vice versa.

We are much more fluid team defending and developing offensive plays than I have seen us in a long time.

you could see how allen and henderson might go and press/challenge a player and if the player knocks the ball past them then lucas has a chance to step out and intercept. he wont have to make as many challenges, but might pick up more intercepts. most of the pressing were we double press oppo players often means we dont need to crunch tackle but are just nipping at their heels and the odd toe poke to clip the ball away from their control allowing the next player an easier intercept as the ball runs free.

[marcus50bucks]

He will never get back to his previous form it's clear as day. We can make all the excuses we want about other players around him not helping him or that he wins tackles blah blah. The guy is just not at the level he once was. It has to be said. He was never the most mobile player but now he's struggling and I'm not just talking about this game. Rodgers has to be thinking about upgrading on him surely.

[Shaggy]

I agree with your general point but I thought he did alright today.

[pondus]

He will never get back to his previous form it's clear as day. We can make all the excuses we want about other players around or that he wins tackles blah blah. The guy is just not at the level he once was ut has to be said. He was never the most mobile player but now he's struggling and I'm not just talking about this game. Rodgers has to be thinking about upgrading on him surely.

We need better

[DannyMan2006]

Our midfield play has been at its best when based around being high energy with high pressing. Allen & Hendo plus others didn't have the legs today and left Lucas exposed. For me he's not good enough to warrant being carried, but he's a good player to have in the squad.

We need a top class DM.

[danperkins]

Desperately need quality DM in January.