Lucas Leiva....

[RedReet]

If you'd watched '60 minutes with Lucas Leiva' you wouldnt have that fear. He's happy.

He gave no indication at all that he had any intentions of leaving, but I would worry if Rafa got a decent job and needed his services. He would understandably feel more loyalty towards the one man that showed faith in him and constantly fought his corner.

Another Rafa legacy in the making.

[Rich]

How long has he left on his contract? 18 months?

[Reece]

http://www.skysports.com/opinion/story/0,25212,16708_6736582,00.html

[PTP]

How long has he left on his contract? 18 months?

Hmm....talk like that will soon start the Lucas to City rumours

[Craig_H]

http://www.skysports.com/opinion/sto...736582,00.html

Good article and i'm delighted that Lucas is getting much deserved recognition. He's been excellent for the best part of a year and there's no signs of his performance level dropping. Just brilliant, absolutely delighted for the lad, superb attitude to go with such a maturity and responsibility on the field.

[Shaggy]

http://www.skysports.com/opinion/sto...736582,00.html

Already posted ffs, page one ffs. FFS.

[Drago]

Sky better not start giving Lucas credit. I'm going to miss my that's sky sports nonsense line to all the haters.

Really winds them up that one. Especially if you keep repeating it.

[Craig_H]

Already posted ffs, page one ffs. FFS.

[ronanm]

One area he could improve is his tendency to get bundled off the ball.

[RedReet]

One area he could improve is his tendency to get bundled off the ball.

I think that is much improved, he's much stronger now and shields the balls well as well as taking a tumble when needed to win a cheap free kick.

Sadly every time he does get pushed off the ball or concedes a free kick on the edge of the box, it gets magnified ten-fold.

[Craig_H]

I agree that he has improved his strength and ball retention under pressure.

One area he COULD improve upon, if we're to get picky, is his goal-getting return

[RedReet]

I agree that he has improved his strength and ball retention under pressure.

One area he COULD improve upon, if we're to get picky, is his goal-getting return

Aye, I said last year that he was playing much better, but two improvements required were to carry the ball a bit more if there is space (seems to be doing that more now) and start getting on the scoresheet more often.

For the past few years I kept thinking if he could score, he'd gain confidence from it then start getting a few. Now confidence is brimming, I'm starting to accept that he'll probably always be a low scoring midfielder although he is getting in the box quite regularly.

[Craig_H]

I think it's harsh to expect goals from him, especially now as he has become THE holding midfield protector of the back four, so he isnt going to get into advanced positions in the opposition box too often.

Also, i dont think he has the cleanest or most powerful shot going, so scoring goals will possibly remain a difficult area for him. But that's fine, he's doing HIS job and he's doing it brilliantly. If the forward players do theirs' and score the goals, we dont need Lucas to score too many.

[Buzzo]

I think it's harsh to expect goals from him, especially now as he has become THE holding midfield protector of the back four, so he isnt going to get into advanced positions in the opposition box too often.

Also, i dont think he has the cleanest or most powerful shot going, so scoring goals will possibly remain a difficult area for him. But that's fine, he's doing HIS job and he's doing it brilliantly. If the forward players do theirs' and score the goals, we dont need Lucas to score too many.

we didn't expect Mascherano to score goals (just as well), Lucas is performing a similar role now so I don't see that we should expect goals from him either.

[RedReet]

I think it's harsh to expect goals from him, especially now as he has become THE holding midfield protector of the back four, so he isnt going to get into advanced positions in the opposition box too often.

Also, i dont think he has the cleanest or most powerful shot going, so scoring goals will possibly remain a difficult area for him. But that's fine, he's doing HIS job and he's doing it brilliantly. If the forward players do theirs' and score the goals, we dont need Lucas to score too many.

One area he COULD improve upon, if we're to get picky, is his goal-getting return

I've said that I've accepted that he'll be a low scoring midfielder now. In saying that, he should still be able to get a couple and I fully expect him to.

Was his goal against Havent not a scorcher anyway, and did he not score a few long rangers in Brazil. I've always thought he's had it in him locker, just rarely produced it for us for some reason.