Lucas

[Vermilion]

Manager material is Lucas, be very surprised if he didn't take that route when he stops playing.

[Rigadon]

Special mention for Lucas. He played really well today and was part of an excellent midfield three. Worked well with Allen and Henderson, broke up play and shielded the defence. Looked refreshed after his break. Credit to BR.

[Assassin]

Lucas played a very different role yesterday. He was almost playing as a sweeper. When we were playing the ball out of defence he was further back than Skrtel and Sakho. He like many others had a fantastic game

[BigChief]

Lucas played a very different role yesterday. He was almost playing as a sweeper. When we were playing the ball out of defence he was further back than Skrtel and Sakho. He like many others had a fantastic game

After being skinned by a midfielder in the first 2 minutes of the game, Lucas was outstanding. At times he was our third CB, and other times he was the point of the inverted triangle.

Any time Spurs looked for a hole or a gap in the middle, Lucas was there to intelligently plug it. Flanno, Johnson, Skrtel and Sakho had an easier game on Sunday because of his presence.

And I'm not a big of fan of his. Or Gerrard's.

[danperkins]

Lucas was an unsung hero yesterday... excellent performance and seemed to thrive with that bit of energy and tempo around him to help him out.

[Corndog]

Lucas played a very different role yesterday. He was almost playing as a sweeper. When we were playing the ball out of defence he was further back than Skrtel and Sakho. He like many others had a fantastic game

Good observation, i noticed Dortmund doing this alot this year amongst others where a defensive midfielder drops back in between the centre halfs who themselves push wider and at the same time the wing backs advance further forward in the wider positions, often parallel with the other two central midfielders.

It is a more effective way of playing out from the back imo given that Enrique and Johnson are quite good going forward.

[dww]

Lucas played a very different role yesterday. He was almost playing as a sweeper. When we were playing the ball out of defence he was further back than Skrtel and Sakho. He like many others had a fantastic game

I think this is the best way to use him. At times we have had issues with giving him an impossible amount of space to cover.

[Corndog]

Also probably helps take a bit of pressure off the centre backs in terms of distribution as i think sometimes Sahko, Agger, Skrtel and co. put us on the back foot too easily with the odd wayward pass or panic on the ball.

[baitman]

its vital that players dont think they only have to protect their designated area, but they are intelligent enough to move around and fill in where needed. like an ebb and flow, moving in and out as defence changes to attack.

intelligent mobility

[PTP]

Good observation, i noticed Dortmund doing this alot this year amongst others where a defensive midfielder drops back in between the centre halfs who themselves push wider and at the same time the wing backs advance further forward in the wider positions, often parallel with the other two central midfielders.

It is a more effective way of playing out from the back imo given that Enrique and Johnson are quite good going forward.

it's the barca way - a couple years back when they were completely unstoppable, alves and abidal would bomb forward, giving width, virtually playing as wingers, puyol/pique split apart to cover and busquets would drop deep into the gap as virtually a cb.

[RedReet]

It’s odd how when Lucas plays well but the team doesn’t, he gets criticised and partially blamed, yet when the team play well and he isn’t at his best, he gets plenty of praise.

Yesterday I thought he was quite cumbersome at times, he surprisingly didn’t win a single tackle and looks like he had less passes than any previous match.

BTW, I thought he played well yesterday despite this, but he definitely had better games earlier in the season when he was in ‘poor’ form.

[rudedog]

Solid again today without being spectacular (but his contribution shouldn't be overlooked).

some key stats from 442 :

91/98 passes completed (93%)
2/3 tackles won
4/4 clearances
7/8 Aerial duels won
2 Interceptions
1 Block
2 chances created

[RedReet]

Lucas.

Our **** midfield.

[danperkins]

With our midfield being that bit more mobile without Stevie & having a consistent CB pairing... Lucas has looked much better picking off spaces and second balls. Less donkey work for him.. seems to drop between the CB's at times too.

[Mostar]

Solid again today without being spectacular (but his contribution shouldn't be overlooked).

some key stats from 442 :

91/98 passes completed (93%)
2/3 tackles won
4/4 clearances
7/8 Aerial duels won
2 Interceptions
1 Block
2 chances created