Lucas

[BigChief]

He might well be our best CB at the moment but his weaknesses in that role are so obvious that his strengths won't protect him from being exploited.

I have been wondering whether we should sometimes revert to the Rogers plan of dropping the DM back into a back 3 so we can position the fullbacks much further up the pitch. That would suit him.

So obvious? Please enlighten me as I'm missing something.

[Paul12]

He might well be our best CB at the moment but his weaknesses in that role are so obvious that his strengths won't protect him from being exploited.

I have been wondering whether we should sometimes revert to the Rogers plan of dropping the DM back into a back 3 so we can position the fullbacks much further up the pitch. That would suit him.

[Paul12]

He might well be our best CB at the moment but his weaknesses in that role are so obvious that his strengths won't protect him from being exploited.

I have been wondering whether we should sometimes revert to the Rogers plan of dropping the DM back into a back 3 so we can position the fullbacks much further up the pitch. That would suit him.

[wiw]

I thought he did have it in him, but compare him to someone like Verratti and you can see what we are missing. Plus Klopp seems to want to play two in the middle who can get up and down the pitch most of the time which doesn't tend to suit Lucas at all

[wiw]

Id rather we didnt persist with Lucas at CB. Whilst he was good, any time the ball was behind him he was struggling and will struggle for pace.

He is an excellent in defensive midfield (if a little limited attack wise) and should be allowed to play there. He is not much more than a solution to a problem created by the previous manager and multiple transfer fiascos.

He could be the solution to having a ball playing centreback though. I wouldn't discount him moving back there full time.

Sentiment aside I really don't think he has the legs or passing range to play in DM anymore, especially in the premier league, despite defo having the brain to do it. CB seems to suit him down to the ground, he's our best CB I love how much he kicked Aguero on Sunday. Pair him with a pacey partner and I think we'd be ok

[Tribute]

He could be the solution to having a ball playing centreback though. I wouldn't discount him moving back there full time.

He could end up there but most likely as cover or in cup games. I think Jurgen will stick to Matip and one of Sakho/Lovren/Skrtel as a regular partnership for next season.

I like the idea of a ball playing CB - is Matip one? The way he's played on the few instances I've seen him, he looks like a young Ferdinand

[Irishnev]

Id rather we didnt persist with Lucas at CB. Whilst he was good, any time the ball was behind him he was struggling and will struggle for pace.

He is an excellent in defensive midfield (if a little limited attack wise) and should be allowed to play there. He is not much more than a solution to a problem created by the previous manager and multiple transfer fiascos.

I have a load of time for Lucas but over the course of a season in the EPL where pace and power up front is what most clubs opt for then Lucas will struggle. He does position himself well and he will always give 100% but he is slow and if he gets isolated out wide by fast & powerful forwards then I see a lot of red cards for him.

In a slower more technical league like Italy or Spain even he might do well there as a CB but I don't see it in England.

[Rich]

Id rather we didnt persist with Lucas at CB. Whilst he was good, any time the ball was behind him he was struggling and will struggle for pace.

He is an excellent in defensive midfield (if a little limited attack wise) and should be allowed to play there. He is not much more than a solution to a problem created by the previous manager and multiple transfer fiascos.

He could be the solution to having a ball playing centreback though. I wouldn't discount him moving back there full time.

[Alex]

Id rather we didnt persist with Lucas at CB. Whilst he was good, any time the ball was behind him he was struggling and will struggle for pace.

He is an excellent in defensive midfield (if a little limited attack wise) and should be allowed to play there. He is not much more than a solution to a problem created by the previous manager and multiple transfer fiascos.

[Assassin]

Think you're missing my point

Lucas has shown great promise at the back and he's good in the air BUT against teams that pump the ball long and are a threat from setpieces (something the Pulis' and Allardyces' of this world are good at) then we would need (IMO) a really tall, aerially dominant centrehalf to COMPLEMENT Lucas. Because Lucas has the potential to be bullied by an overly aggressive team.

That's a given. No way would you play the likes of Rossiter beside him at the back.....

Having said that. I do not remember anyone bullying Lucas

[Rich]

Think you're missing my point

Lucas has shown great promise at the back and he's good in the air BUT against teams that pump the ball long and are a threat from setpieces (something the Pulis' and Allardyces' of this world are good at) then we would need (IMO) a really tall, aerially dominant centrehalf to COMPLEMENT Lucas. Because Lucas has the potential to be bullied by an overly aggressive team.

[Assassin]

Carvalho (Chelsea) - 1.83m tall
Otamendi (Man City) - 1.83m tall
Steve Bruce (Man Utd) - 1.83m tall
Des Walker (Nott Forest/Shef Wed) - 1.83m tall
Mark Lawrenson (Liverpool) - 1.83m tall

Not joking, every shorter defender I could think of is 1.83m tall!

Carlos Puyol (Barca) - 1.80m tall
Fabio Cannavaro (Parma/Real Madrid) - 1.76m tall
Javier Mascherano (Barcelona) - 1.75m tall

Puyol is 1.78, the additional cm's include his perm

[Assassin]

Lucas Leivatate

Outstanding

[Fosterbloke]

Lucas Leivatate

[Fosterbloke]

Sorry - still that's short for a centre-back.

Carvalho (Chelsea) - 1.83m tall
Otamendi (Man City) - 1.83m tall
Steve Bruce (Man Utd) - 1.83m tall
Des Walker (Nott Forest/Shef Wed) - 1.83m tall
Mark Lawrenson (Liverpool) - 1.83m tall

Not joking, every shorter defender I could think of is 1.83m tall!

Carlos Puyol (Barca) - 1.80m tall
Fabio Cannavaro (Parma/Real Madrid) - 1.76m tall
Javier Mascherano (Barcelona) - 1.75m tall