Lucas

[danperkins]

That's what im concerned about.

That clip of Gerrard's reaction to Lucas fouling sums him up perfectly. Constant unnecessary fouls in dangerous places. We had struggled with crosses all game, so what does Lucas do in the last minute? Clatter into one of their players and give them an opportunity to whip a ball into the box

Lucas used to be terrible for that was infuriating but seemed to cut it out for the most part. To be fair to him coming into a game like that, playing a team battling for survival, after not playing a full 90 mins since January... it's tough.

In saying that he was clumsy and looked out on his feet & unfortunately we can't afford any passengers (for the want of a better word).

[danperkins]

del

[DeanoUK]

I think that's his timing being off from being rusty/not 100% match fit.

He's normally so clever at nicking the ball on those situations.

Can't work out if being sarcastic or not? :P

When he plays he's infamously one of our worst offenders of giving away free kicks in dangerous areas, and I don't think the poorness of that challenge was down to not being match fit - that's just him.

Additionally, I'm afraid he just doesn't add anything to the way we're trying to play.

Whenever he was in possession time seemed to slow, he was trying to affect the pace of the game and it seemed the antipathy of the speedy forward play we've been playing all season. I'm very worried about Chelsea without Henderson's constant running and Lucas' perceived lethargy.

[RedAndWhite]

Given the positions he has been playing, and how far forward he has been at times is it possible that Rodgers is trying to de-Rafa Lucas, and bring back in some of his more attacking instincts - kinda the opposite of what he has done to Stevie?

[Mattshark]

Can't work out if being sarcastic or not? :P

When he plays he's infamously one of our worst offenders of giving away free kicks in dangerous areas, and I don't think the poorness of that challenge was down to not being match fit - that's just him.

Additionally, I'm afraid he just doesn't add anything to the way we're trying to play.

Whenever he was in possession time seemed to slow, he was trying to affect the pace of the game and it seemed the antipathy of the speedy forward play we've been playing all season. I'm very worried about Chelsea without Henderson's constant running and Lucas' perceived lethargy.

That infamy was not supported by evidence though, it was a perception, not a reality. He averaged 2 fouls a game while being the no.1 tackler by a long distance.

[DeanoUK]

That statistic does not contradict what I said or 'percieve'. A low foul count does not mean he didn't give away free kicks in dangerous areas.

[dww]

You have to question yourself a bit, surely, if the most it could possibly be is two a game?

[DeanoUK]

You have to question yourself a bit, surely, if the most it could possibly be is two a game?

Totally. But I grimace every time he makes a tackle he makes near the area and I've seen him do it a dozen times too many. I can't help but think the last game is simply a very good recent example.

Listen, I don't wan to get on his back, but I do want to emphasise the loss of Henderson as a huge factor to my nervousness regarding the Chelsea game.

[BobTheCharmer]

I agree with Deano. He makes clumsy tackles in dodgy areas.

[Mostar]

No way should we sell him. Loyal servant, loves the club, a great bloke and pro to have around - especially for our South American/Spanish speaking geniuses - and a good player. He's clearly not quite the player he was and isn't gonna be a first team regular, but he's a fantastic lad to have around IMO. Great attitude, gets what Brendan wants....unless he kicks up a fuss there'd be absolutely no reason to sell.

I agree but Lucas will struggle next season to get any game time unless we have some injuries and in the competitions other than PL and CL.

[captainfog]

Lucas should be cover for Gerrard.

[Fierce]

Given the positions he has been playing, and how far forward he has been at times is it possible that Rodgers is trying to de-Rafa Lucas, and bring back in some of his more attacking instincts - kinda the opposite of what he has done to Stevie?

It's a bit Roy of the Rovers but I wondered the same

When we got him, we thought we were buying an attack minded box to box midfielder and in no time, he was converted into an almost purely defensive player. Not that that is necessarily a bad thing, but you have to question whether it was because he just wasn't good enough as the player we thought we were getting, or whether it was a conscious plan to alter his style of play

[RedReet]

It's a bit Roy of the Rovers but I wondered the same

When we got him, we thought we were buying an attack minded box to box midfielder and in no time, he was converted into an almost purely defensive player. Not that that is necessarily a bad thing, but you have to question whether it was because he just wasn't good enough as the player we thought we were getting, or whether it was a conscious plan to alter his style of play

According to Lucas, the pace of the PL was too intense for him to play the same way he did for Gremio. Rafa seen this and advised him to specialise in one position, DM or AM and Lucas thought he’d be better suited in the deeper role.

[Kenneth]

He's shot isn't he? Not sure he's worth keeping as a squaddie tbh.

[rodo]

Finished as the player he was