Lucas

[Fernandinho]

We also passed the ball too often backwards and sidewards

Which I think stems from the lack of rhythm/creativity to our play. It was either hold the ball too long because a good passing option wasn't available so players passed back, or they dribbled forwards into a blind alley and turned it over.

Hopefully it was just an off day and nothing more.

[Lecter]

I hadn't realised it till I read your post but it really was. Real lack of pressing, no sense of urgency or pure desire from the players off the ball and no rhythm/ideas on the ball.

The midfielders struggled to move the ball because the game was played at such a slow pace and there were far too many times when Lucas/Allen picked up the ball and looked up to see a bunch of players watching but very few running. We ran out of ideas so quickly and started opening up huge spaces around the pitch because we didn't move the ball intelligently and started dribbling too much.

We also passed the ball too often backwards and sidewards

[Fernandinho]

They also didnt win enough possession and that added to Lucas' issues

We barely pressed on Sunday, it was a very Rodger-esque type performance

I hadn't realised it till I read your post but it really was. Real lack of pressing, no sense of urgency or pure desire from the players off the ball and no rhythm/ideas on the ball.

The midfielders struggled to move the ball because the game was played at such a slow pace and there were far too many times when Lucas/Allen picked up the ball and looked up to see a bunch of players watching but very few running. We ran out of ideas so quickly and started opening up huge spaces around the pitch because we didn't move the ball intelligently and started dribbling too much.

[Lecter]

Allen's passing in midfield didn't help, both him and Milner gave the ball away 25% of the time.

They also didnt win enough possession and that added to Lucas' issues

We barely pressed on Sunday, it was a very Rodger-esque type performance

[Lecter]

Having Milner and Allen with him make him look a bit of a plodder as well.

Playing with Can and Allen in midweek and they looked dynamite against a good Soton midfield.

I think they left him too exposed

[Maxiedge]

Allen's passing in midfield didn't help, both him and Milner gave the ball away 25% of the time.

Joe Allen has a certain threshold of performance which he just about passed.

The others I mentioned should be doing a lot better.

[BigChief]

The two balls Lucas passed... Into touch.

[Mattshark]

Lucas didn't have his best game but he wasn't the issue yesterday. The three players that really let us down were firmino, Milner and benteke.

Allen's passing in midfield didn't help, both him and Milner gave the ball away 25% of the time.

[Maxiedge]

Lucas didn't have his best game but he wasn't the issue yesterday. The three players that really let us down were firmino, Milner and benteke.

[Rich]

**** stats. Both players were ****ing awful.

Well yes. Neither had good games.

Part of Lucas' role is to not give the ball away, recycle and start stuff, so I'd want his passing accuracy stats to be high, whereas I'd want Robbie F to be taking chances in the final third, so that should be reflected in a poorer passing percentage.

[BobTheCharmer]

Was still our most second accurate passer in midfield (after Firmino) yesterday despite a pretty poor game.

**** stats. Both players were ****ing awful.

[gratziani]

Having Milner and Allen with him make him look a bit of a plodder as well.

Playing with Can and Allen in midweek and they looked dynamite against a good Soton midfield.

[Mattshark]

Was still our most second accurate passer in midfield (after Firmino) yesterday despite a pretty poor game.

[cream]

Think he's been playing too much, needs a break.

[danperkins]

Been class for us but yeah he was awful. Everyone entitled to a few stinkers I suppose.