Lucas

[Mattshark]

At least most successful sides do it I think. This position is still underrated, a good DM/HM can make the whole back four look good.

[The_weatherman]

This is so difficult to do imo

For me you have to have a dedicated / nominated holding player. Allowing too much fluidity will no doubt in my mind create an issue

We will end up in a position where there is doubt as to who should fill in, when you have that level of doubt it leads to disaster

As I said previously I cant think of ANY side that operates with the midfield just filling in adhoc. Virtually ALL sides play with a nominated / dedicated holding / sitting / deeper player

At least most successful sides do it I think. This position is still underrated, a good DM/HM can make the whole back four look good.

[Lecter]

A team doesn't necessarily need a 'DM' if it has midfielders who are athletic and intelligent enough.

People are only clamouring for one because most teams have a version of one.

A midfield of can, Henderson and Milner doesn't have any exclusively attacking player to cover, they will all get back when they need to.

Emre Can is a very good all rounder, he can play as the deepest but he won't be stuck there. He isn't a traditional 'DM' because he also has the game to charge forward beat a couple of men and score.

the versatility of that trio should be seen as a strength, it will make the team less predictable when trying to break down bus parking fodder. The success of it wont be down to whether Lucas stays or goes or whether we sign a new DM, will be down to how intelligently they can work together, switch and cover each other.

This is so difficult to do imo

For me you have to have a dedicated / nominated holding player. Allowing too much fluidity will no doubt in my mind create an issue

We will end up in a position where there is doubt as to who should fill in, when you have that level of doubt it leads to disaster

As I said previously I cant think of ANY side that operates with the midfield just filling in adhoc. Virtually ALL sides play with a nominated / dedicated holding / sitting / deeper player

[baitman]

A team doesn't necessarily need a 'DM' if it has midfielders who are athletic and intelligent enough.

People are only clamouring for one because most teams have a version of one.

A midfield of can, Henderson and Milner doesn't have any exclusively attacking player to cover, they will all get back when they need to.

Emre Can is a very good all rounder, he can play as the deepest but he won't be stuck there. He isn't a traditional 'DM' because he also has the game to charge forward beat a couple of men and score.

the versatility of that trio should be seen as a strength, it will make the team less predictable when trying to break down bus parking fodder. The success of it wont be down to whether Lucas stays or goes or whether we sign a new DM, will be down to how intelligently they can work together, switch and cover each other.

this is all very true. they could all get back, but there isnt a tough tackle in henderson, and not too much in milner either. can bosses the holding role a bit better.

the thing with lucas is he only really excels as the dm. his odd forays as a box to box midfielder and his occasional attempts at shooting are best forgotten.

if we had someone like medal come in as a replacement for lucas he could more than adequately cover the dm role if we need to tighten up, but he can also rotate and play box to box better than lucas or allen.

if lucas went and we did get medal then he would be my first choice as the more defensive midfielder with can covering, and then the two more advanced mids would be hendo and milner with can covering.

[Corndog]

A team doesn't necessarily need a 'DM' if it has midfielders who are athletic and intelligent enough.

People are only clamouring for one because most teams have a version of one.

A midfield of can, Henderson and Milner doesn't have any exclusively attacking player to cover, they will all get back when they need to.

Emre Can is a very good all rounder, he can play as the deepest but he won't be stuck there. He isn't a traditional 'DM' because he also has the game to charge forward beat a couple of men and score.

the versatility of that trio should be seen as a strength, it will make the team less predictable when trying to break down bus parking fodder. The success of it wont be down to whether Lucas stays or goes or whether we sign a new DM, will be down to how intelligently they can work together, switch and cover each other.

[DannyMan2006]

+1

If we want a defensive minded mid Medel be a definite improvement over both Lucas and Allen.

Mad ******* who can be very impulsive but I like him.

I don't think we do. At least not one of Medels ability on the ball.

[Mostar]

I have no issues if he goes but we will need a replacement brought in as Allen is made of glass & he's not really that good either. Medal or Illaramendi maybe what we need.

+1

If we want a defensive minded mid Medel be a definite improvement over both Lucas and Allen.

Mad ******* who can be very impulsive but I like him.

[Scratch]

Give Kolo a new contract for the lolz but **** on Lucas

Kolo - Happy to be the backup player, not expecting first team action on a regualr basis, so was happy to sign a contract extension.

Lucas - Feels he is good enough for the first team, wants to play every week, but is behind Can, Milner and Henderson in the pecking order and would probably not sign a contract extension if offered.

So, where's the comparison?

[fidget]

Give Kolo a new contract for the lolz but **** on Lucas

[SB]

I have no issues if he goes but we will need a replacement brought in as Allen is made of glass & he's not really that good either. Medal or Illaramendi maybe what we need.

[Cormack74]

We'll never do anything if the manager thinks Allen is better than Lucas in any way.

[vonk]

Lucas is done. He doesn't have the pace for a top club in this league. Had a brief spell where he was our best player a few years ago, but was a shadow of that last season. Nice guy, but Italy would be the place for him now.

[DannyMan2006]

Lucas isn't good enough for me. I've moaned about this point before, but in fairness he came in last season in that 3421 and did very well. He looked garbage in pre season, but it's ridiculous to judge players on that, particularly ones who've had a serious injury in the past.

I think in the tougher games I'd want a bit of steel in midfield, my first choice would be Can, Milner & Hendo. After that we only have Lucas and Allen. A serious injury to any of those (even just Allen missing for a month now) and we look very short in that area.

If we can bring in a replacement I'd be more than happy to ship him out, but who would want to come here and not play? Sign any top player and we'd have to play them, where would that leave us? I think you can sometimes have a little too much quality.

[danperkins]

West Ham do like injury prone players that have played for LFC.

[Exiled_red]

On the radio on the way home I heard him linked with West Ham