Lucas - Has the corner been turned.

[Molbystwin]

I have absolutely no problem in making him the scapegoat for last nights performance, it wasn't especially his fault at all but nonetheless HE IS SHAT.

At best he is compotent enough to be anonymous, and thats when he is at his best.

In over two years the ONLY highlight was one threaded pass against Newcastle, the rest has been either something you cant really remember or something you would much rather forget.


He is SHAT loads of people gathering up together and saying different doesn't change it at all.

SHAT.

I saw a quote the other day which i thought was nice, he is rather difficult to ignore... but well worth the effort.

 

[grjt]

[quote author=Pesam link=topic=36100.msg954346#msg954346 date=1254294941]
I'm definitely still in the anti-Lucas camp - I can't see any positives when he plays, he loses every 50/50 tackle, he gives away stupid free kicks, his positional sense is poor, his shooting is weak, even his short passing is poor in that he regularly passes to someone nearby who is marked.


[/quote]

And that ladies and gentlemen is LL in a nutshell - take out the first sentence and a half, and the rest is indisputable.

At fucking best he does an okay job - woo-fucking-hoo. Not solely to blame for the defeat last night, but if told the result beforehand you would have bet your mortgage on him contributing to it.

 

[Fabio]

Hurrah for blinkered views. Yes Lucas was shit last night but by christ gerrard wasn't much better. Nor was benny. Or torres. Or anyone! Even with mascher in the team instead of lucas we would've been poor because our attitude was shit! And fiorentina were good! They hasseled us better than most teams have ever done. Its just hysteria on this website more often than not. I'm not trying to defend lucas but make everyone realise that last night was a fucking shambles from everyone. Even in the much better second half, Gerrard wasted chance after chance and as usual lost possession with his ridiculous idea that he can to flick ons instead of taking time with his passes or taking past a man. Benny did his usual run about and run into someone and lose the ball thing. Torres was isolated. I don't even know what the fuck insua was playing at.

Lucas may not be liverpool quality but it's a fucking joke to blame him for every negative result, which happens 90% of the time.

 

[keniget]

[quote author=Fabio Alrighty-o link=topic=36100.msg954364#msg954364 date=1254297345]
Hurrah for blinkered views. Yes Lucas was shit last night but by christ gerrard wasn't much better. Nor was benny. Or torres. Or anyone! Even with mascher in the team instead of lucas we would've been poor because our attitude was shit! And fiorentina were good! They hasseled us better than most teams have ever done. Its just hysteria on this website more often than not. I'm not trying to defend lucas but make everyone realise that last night was a fucking shambles from everyone. Even in the much better second half, Gerrard wasted chance after chance and as usual lost possession with his ridiculous idea that he can to flick ons instead of taking time with his passes or taking past a man. Benny did his usual run about and run into someone and lose the ball thing. Torres was isolated. I don't even know what the fuck insua was playing at.

Lucas may not be liverpool quality but it's a fucking joke to blame him for every negative result, which happens 90% of the time.
[/quote]

It's a joke to mollycuddle him week after week just because you think the poor lamb has come under too much stick. It's gotten to the point where no-one can say anything anymore because it's "scapegoating".

I think you'll notice that no-one has suggested he's solely to blame for last nights result. More or less every poster has felt the need to qualify their posts with the usual "others were shit too", "it wasn't just his fault" disclaimers due to the above, but yet... here we have Lucas' shining white knight riding in yet again to scream indignantly that everyone is BLINKERED!

 

[Oncy]

[quote author=keniget link=topic=36100.msg954369#msg954369 date=1254297734]
[quote author=Fabio Alrighty-o link=topic=36100.msg954364#msg954364 date=1254297345]
Hurrah for blinkered views. Yes Lucas was shit last night but by christ gerrard wasn't much better. Nor was benny. Or torres. Or anyone! Even with mascher in the team instead of lucas we would've been poor because our attitude was shit! And fiorentina were good! They hasseled us better than most teams have ever done. Its just hysteria on this website more often than not. I'm not trying to defend lucas but make everyone realise that last night was a fucking shambles from everyone. Even in the much better second half, Gerrard wasted chance after chance and as usual lost possession with his ridiculous idea that he can to flick ons instead of taking time with his passes or taking past a man. Benny did his usual run about and run into someone and lose the ball thing. Torres was isolated. I don't even know what the fuck insua was playing at.

Lucas may not be liverpool quality but it's a fucking joke to blame him for every negative result, which happens 90% of the time.
[/quote]

It's a joke to mollycuddle him week after week just because you think the poor lamb has come under too much stick. It's gotten to the point where no-one can say anything anymore because it's "scapegoating".

I think you'll notice that no-one has suggested he's solely to blame for last nights result. More or less every poster has felt the need to qualify their posts with the usual "others were shit too", "it wasn't just his fault" disclaimers due to the above, but yet... here we have Lucas' shining white knight riding in yet again to scream indignantly that everyone is BLINKERED!
[/quote]Are you scapegoating Fabio?
I'll av you!!!

 

[Fabio]

[quote author=keniget link=topic=36100.msg954369#msg954369 date=1254297734]
[quote author=Fabio Alrighty-o link=topic=36100.msg954364#msg954364 date=1254297345]
Hurrah for blinkered views. Yes Lucas was shit last night but by christ gerrard wasn't much better. Nor was benny. Or torres. Or anyone! Even with mascher in the team instead of lucas we would've been poor because our attitude was shit! And fiorentina were good! They hasseled us better than most teams have ever done. Its just hysteria on this website more often than not. I'm not trying to defend lucas but make everyone realise that last night was a fucking shambles from everyone. Even in the much better second half, Gerrard wasted chance after chance and as usual lost possession with his ridiculous idea that he can to flick ons instead of taking time with his passes or taking past a man. Benny did his usual run about and run into someone and lose the ball thing. Torres was isolated. I don't even know what the fuck insua was playing at.

Lucas may not be liverpool quality but it's a fucking joke to blame him for every negative result, which happens 90% of the time.
[/quote]


It's a joke to mollycuddle him week after week just because you think the poor lamb has come under too much stick. It's gotten to the point where no-one can say anything anymore because it's "scapegoating".

I think you'll notice that no-one has suggested he's solely to blame for last nights result. More or less every poster has felt the need to qualify their posts with the usual "others were shit too", "it wasn't just his fault" disclaimers due to the above, but yet... here we have Lucas' shining white knight riding in yet again to scream indignantly that everyone is BLINKERED!
[/quote]
Did i defend him? No. He was shit. I said it you see. Thats the beauty of lookin past the usual scapegoat to the actual team. The throwaway comments of "others were shit too" means fuck all. Rarely are people named as shit and every pass dissected and ripped apart unless its Babel or Lucas. First half Johnson was ineffectual. Carragher AGAIN refused to shout for a ball and ran up behind other players looking primed to jump and twat them in the face like he did with skrtel. Etc etc etc

I honestly don't see how a player who was actually better than others on the park is singled out for a torrid game. Perhaps it is my own bias for actually supporting a liverpool player, no matter how shit he may be. OR perhaps it's because people see him on the team sheet, quickly grab a notebook and pen and start documenting each misplaced pass or squandered possession.

68th min: Lucas tries to thread ball to Gerrard, a ludicrous idea and ball is immediately cut out

Their midfield clogged us. Hence why Fabio had to punt long angled balls which worked, because we couldn't play it along the floor. Lucas doens't have this passing ability to more often than not he passed it to someone who did. Very much like Mascherano did to Alonso last year.
HOWEVER THIS DOES NOT MEAN I THINK LUCAS IS AS GOOD AS MASCHER as i know this post will undoubtedly be ripped apart for it's ideology that lucas isn't the devil who would rather rape a child than pass the ball forward. I just hink it would be nice if in every post match thread it wasn't like groundhog day. Reading the same thing over and over. FFS i'd rather talk to rage about rafa

 

[spider-Neil]

I admire the way lucas tries to keep the ball ticking over and not lose possession but he has to look for the forward pass more often. If aqualini demonstrates he can keep the ball AND pick out penetrative passes luas will be out of the team because masher is a better holding midfielder (a position you don't have to pick out a forward pass as often) than him.

 

[Fabio]

[quote author=spider-neil link=topic=36100.msg954383#msg954383 date=1254298615]
I admire the way lucas tries to keep the ball ticking over and not lose possession but he has to look for the forward pass more often. If aqualini demonstrates he can keep the ball AND pick out penetrative passes luas will be out of the team because masher is a better holding midfielder (a position you don't have to pick out a forward pass as often) than him.
[/quote]

I whole heartedly agree with that sentiment. I'm gettin excited about seeing the man in action 😀

 

[keniget]

[quote author=Fabio Alrighty-o link=topic=36100.msg954380#msg954380 date=1254298509]
Did i defend him? No. He was shit. I said it you see. Thats the beauty of lookin past the usual scapegoat to the actual team. The throwaway comments of "others were shit too" means fuck all. Rarely are people named as shit and every pass dissected and ripped apart unless its Babel or Lucas. First half Johnson was ineffectual. Carragher AGAIN refused to shout for a ball and ran up behind other players looking primed to jump and twat them in the face like he did with skrtel. Etc etc etc

I honestly don't see how a player who was actually better than others on the park is singled out for a torrid game. Perhaps it is my own bias for actually supporting a liverpool player, no matter how shit he may be. OR perhaps it's because people see him on the team sheet, quickly grab a notebook and pen and start documenting each misplaced pass or squandered possession.

68th min: Lucas tries to thread ball to Gerrard, a ludicrous idea and ball is immediately cut out

Their midfield clogged us. Hence why Fabio had to punt long angled balls which worked, because we couldn't play it along the floor. Lucas doens't have this passing ability to more often than not he passed it to someone who did. Very much like Mascherano did to Alonso last year.
HOWEVER THIS DOES NOT MEAN I THINK LUCAS IS AS GOOD AS MASCHER as i know this post will undoubtedly be ripped apart for it's ideology that lucas isn't the devil who would rather rape a child than pass the ball forward. I just hink it would be nice if in every post match thread it wasn't like groundhog day. Reading the same thing over and over. FFS i'd rather talk to rage about rafa
[/quote]

Heh, OOOOOOOH right. So that's how you actually judge a match... thanks for the explanation.

Carra has had thread or two recently. Torres has had a few this season about his attitude. Gerrard hasn't really hit his stride this season and it's been noted a few times. Masher too.

This, in case you hadn't noticed, is the Lucas thread. If you didn't want to engage in the same 'ol tired discussion, why are you here? If you wanted a balanced view of the team on the night, why not comment in the ratings thread, the match thread or one of the others?

We both know why - you wouldn't get the chance to get all indignant and self-righteous in those, so you came in here to stick up for poor 'ol Lucas.

 

[Fabio]

[quote author=keniget link=topic=36100.msg954397#msg954397 date=1254299491]
[quote author=Fabio Alrighty-o link=topic=36100.msg954380#msg954380 date=1254298509]
Did i defend him? No. He was shit. I said it you see. Thats the beauty of lookin past the usual scapegoat to the actual team. The throwaway comments of "others were shit too" means fuck all. Rarely are people named as shit and every pass dissected and ripped apart unless its Babel or Lucas. First half Johnson was ineffectual. Carragher AGAIN refused to shout for a ball and ran up behind other players looking primed to jump and twat them in the face like he did with skrtel. Etc etc etc

I honestly don't see how a player who was actually better than others on the park is singled out for a torrid game. Perhaps it is my own bias for actually supporting a liverpool player, no matter how shit he may be. OR perhaps it's because people see him on the team sheet, quickly grab a notebook and pen and start documenting each misplaced pass or squandered possession.

68th min: Lucas tries to thread ball to Gerrard, a ludicrous idea and ball is immediately cut out

Their midfield clogged us. Hence why Fabio had to punt long angled balls which worked, because we couldn't play it along the floor. Lucas doens't have this passing ability to more often than not he passed it to someone who did. Very much like Mascherano did to Alonso last year.
HOWEVER THIS DOES NOT MEAN I THINK LUCAS IS AS GOOD AS MASCHER as i know this post will undoubtedly be ripped apart for it's ideology that lucas isn't the devil who would rather rape a child than pass the ball forward. I just hink it would be nice if in every post match thread it wasn't like groundhog day. Reading the same thing over and over. FFS i'd rather talk to rage about rafa
[/quote]

Heh, OOOOOOOH right. So that's how you actually judge a match... thanks for the explanation.

Carra has had thread or two recently. Torres has had a few this season about his attitude. Gerrard hasn't really hit his stride this season and it's been noted a few times. Masher too.

This, in case you hadn't noticed, is the Lucas thread. If you didn't want to engage in the same 'ol tired discussion, why are you here? If you wanted a balanced view of the team on the night, why not comment in the ratings thread, the match thread or one of the others?

We both know why - you wouldn't get the chance to get all indignant and self-righteous in those, so you came in here to stick up for poor 'ol Lucas.
[/quote]

i decided to come in to the lucas thread to give my opinion on lucas in context, because bizarrely enough what i said actually relates to lucas

i'll give you a moment to digest this simple fact

Now thats gone down that gullet of yours i'd like to realte to your points.

Carragher had some threads, i understand and accept that because he has and deserved them.
Torres attitude wasn't mentioned by me, i said he was isolated. But because that doesn't fit in with your opinion of what i said you decided to make that point to prove your own point, which is fair enough.
Saying Gerrard hasn't hit top form isn't an excuse for all this bellend flicks and one touch football he's been trying this season. You're just giving excuses because he's our captain. And whilst i'm happy to admit he's an astonishingly good player on form, all these flicks are just lazy and an attempt to show off.
And as for me being indignant and self righteous, i think a simple look in the mirror for yourself might be in order too.
I'm commenting in the lucas thread about lucas in relation to his team mates. I'm not allowed to say "well he wasn't that bad because so and so let him down"? or "no one moved into pace for him to pass forward"? I've looked through this thread (marginally quiffing) and i've seen positivity up until last nights game when he was ripped apart. So if this is a balanced and fair discussion of lucas, why is it so horribly slanted now because of last night? Unless last nights match has influenced the content! OH NO!! That means this thread has morphed into a lucas in last nights match thread! FUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUCK!! I best not comment on last nights match and the contribution put forward by the player in the thread title or even THINK about defending his performance.

 

[keniget]

Last night underlined why he's still not ready to be classed as a first team starter - regardless of the teams performance as a whole - and puts the earlier positivity in it's place. That's why it's become more negative now. The thread was less balanced than perhaps it might have been beforehand because everyone generally has to tread on eggshells round Lucas now lest they be accused of scapegoating or whatever.

The point about the other top players getting criticised is that whilst players do get scapegoated at times, the viewpoints on here are farily balanced and when a player plays poorly, he's not immune from criticism just because he's everybodys favourite. They may get let off easier than others, but the reason for that is blindingly obvious - they've earned it. Lucas is in his third season with the club now and we've had to work quite hard to appreciate his talents.

It's really not very hard to understand.

 

[Fabio]

[quote author=keniget link=topic=36100.msg954417#msg954417 date=1254300821]
Last night underlined why he's still not ready to be classed as a first team starter - regardless of the teams performance as a whole - and puts the earlier positivity in it's place. That's why it's become more negative now. The thread was less balanced than perhaps it might have been beforehand because everyone generally has to tread on eggshells round Lucas now lest they be accused of scapegoating or whatever.

The point about the other top players getting criticised is that whilst players do get scapegoated at times, the viewpoints on here are farily balanced and when a player plays poorly, he's not immune from criticism just because he's everybodys favourite. They may get let off easier than others, but the reason for that is blindingly obvious - they've earned it. Lucas is in his third season with the club now and we've had to work quite hard to appreciate his talents.

It's really not very hard to understand.
[/quote]

i don't for a moment think he's the future of the club, i wouldn't be overly arsed if we released him and gave jay spearing and chance. It's just the negativity around here that brings me down. Yes he played shite. Yes he's played shite a lot. But when your own fans boo you your confidence is going to take the knock. He started promisingly this year and hasn't continued the inprovement he showed fro mthe first few games. I think i'm just temperamental because all my friends are worse for blaming lucas for everything. I took one of them to the match at the weekend and skrtel passed the ball 8 yards into an area of space lucas wasn't running into and we lost the ball. My friend shouted "fucking hell lucas". There was no pressure on skrtel yet he passed it to the opposition only for lucas to get the blame. It honestly defies belief for me.
I understand the "names" at the club deserve a bit of leeway in stick because of previous form, it's just slightly hypocritical. I've heard the centenary stand groan when lucas misplaces a pass, yet 5 minutes later gerrard does the exact same thing and it's immediately "where was lucas to help him!". I'm just trying to give the lad an account from both sides. While some people may see a misplaced pass, i see a lack of movement from team mates. The same thing most people do for every other player.

 

[the_khl]

I'm affraid Lucas is trying to turn the same godforsaken corner Houllier was in his last Season here.

I'm not giving up hope just yet but if Aquilani is as good as Oncy says he is then I can see our young Eastern Europe-looking Brazilian get a lot of bench-time.

He needs to step up soon.

 

[Fabio]

[quote author=the_khl link=topic=36100.msg954427#msg954427 date=1254301348]
I'm affraid Lucas is trying to turn the same godforsaken corner Houllier was in his last Season here.

I'm not giving up hope just yet but if Aquilani is as good as Oncy says he is then I can see our young Eastern Europe-looking Brazilian get a lot of bench-time.

He needs to step up soon.
[/quote]

Concurred

 

[Roopy]

[quote author=spider-neil link=topic=36100.msg954383#msg954383 date=1254298615]
I admire the way lucas tries to keep the ball ticking over and not lose possession but he has to look for the forward pass more often.
[/quote]

Completely agree.

But soon as he does a pass which doesn't come off... you can hear all the moans straight away.

AND I think Rafa has no problems with him not playing more direct passes ... otherwise surely he would be dropped.

We should be encouraging flair and direct play, and keep encouraging it even if its not coming off all the time.

 

[mark1975]

He's looked better with Gerrard alongside him, whenever that's been changed and he's been put alongside a less creative player, the onus has been on him to create and offer more offensively.

He was poor last night, there's no point disputing that, so were others but he offered nothing, the problem being though is that he's looked more an more like and 'able' deputy for Masher (who I'd like to add can massively underwhelm me too), but is nowhere near good enough against quality opposition without the benefit of a creative force alongside him.

Like I said, at the minute he's an able deputy to sit and hold and keep things ticking over and central midfield is one of the most demanding roles to get to grips with in this league, (and Europe for that matter).

But people DO wait to jump on him with every bad team performance. If truth be told Rafa got the lineup completely wrong and it just highlighted how poor Lucas can look without a partner in the middle who compliments him.

 

[keniget]

[quote author=Fabio Alrighty-o link=topic=36100.msg954425#msg954425 date=1254301289]
i don't for a moment think he's the future of the club, i wouldn't be overly arsed if we released him and gave jay spearing and chance. It's just the negativity around here that brings me down. Yes he played shite. Yes he's played shite a lot. But when your own fans boo you your confidence is going to take the knock. He started promisingly this year and hasn't continued the inprovement he showed fro mthe first few games. I think i'm just temperamental because all my friends are worse for blaming lucas for everything. I took one of them to the match at the weekend and skrtel passed the ball 8 yards into an area of space lucas wasn't running into and we lost the ball. My friend shouted "fucking hell lucas". There was no pressure on skrtel yet he passed it to the opposition only for lucas to get the blame. It honestly defies belief for me.
I understand the "names" at the club deserve a bit of leeway in stick because of previous form, it's just slightly hypocritical. I've heard the centenary stand groan when lucas misplaces a pass, yet 5 minutes later gerrard does the exact same thing and it's immediately "where was lucas to help him!". I'm just trying to give the lad an account from both sides. While some people may see a misplaced pass, i see a lack of movement from team mates. The same thing most people do for every other player.
[/quote]

Ah, I feel for you in that case. I had to listen to how Reina compares poorly to 'steady' Prem keepers like Shwarzer, Jussi et al last time I went.

It always amuses me when people complain about the negativity on forums, keyboard warriors and all that because it seems far far worse at the game.

 

[Fabio]

[quote author=keniget link=topic=36100.msg954437#msg954437 date=1254301651]
[quote author=Fabio Alrighty-o link=topic=36100.msg954425#msg954425 date=1254301289]
i don't for a moment think he's the future of the club, i wouldn't be overly arsed if we released him and gave jay spearing and chance. It's just the negativity around here that brings me down. Yes he played shite. Yes he's played shite a lot. But when your own fans boo you your confidence is going to take the knock. He started promisingly this year and hasn't continued the inprovement he showed fro mthe first few games. I think i'm just temperamental because all my friends are worse for blaming lucas for everything. I took one of them to the match at the weekend and skrtel passed the ball 8 yards into an area of space lucas wasn't running into and we lost the ball. My friend shouted "fucking hell lucas". There was no pressure on skrtel yet he passed it to the opposition only for lucas to get the blame. It honestly defies belief for me.
I understand the "names" at the club deserve a bit of leeway in stick because of previous form, it's just slightly hypocritical. I've heard the centenary stand groan when lucas misplaces a pass, yet 5 minutes later gerrard does the exact same thing and it's immediately "where was lucas to help him!". I'm just trying to give the lad an account from both sides. While some people may see a misplaced pass, i see a lack of movement from team mates. The same thing most people do for every other player.
[/quote]

Ah, I feel for you in that case. I had to listen to how Reina compares poorly to 'steady' Prem keepers like Shwarzer, Jussi et al last time I went.

It always amuses me when people complain about the negativity on forums, keyboard warriors and all that because it seems far far worse at the game.
[/quote]

THAT i will get on board with. Think i've jut got used to seeing an appreciation on this forum for everything and i see it as an escape from other supporters who call the phone ins and shout abuse at anything that moved incorrectly that day. Plus i'm ill so mildly irritable

 

[jexykrodic]

I can't help feeling a tad sympathetic toward the guy. He knows he's on trial every game and must feel the pressure. Imagine sensing a huge crowd's disappointment that you're not up there with the Mascherano's and Gerrard's of this world. It's a big ask for the lad. It's admirable that Rafa's shown great faith in him and said so publicly but you have to wonder how long he can keep telling the boy that it'll all turn out right and the fans will take to him. I don't think it'll happen. It can't be good for Lucas he must be in a permanent state of anxiety.

 

[the_khl]

I hope he scores a brace against the Chavs.

 

[spider-Neil]

[quote author=mark1975 link=topic=36100.msg954436#msg954436 date=1254301582]
He's looked better with Gerrard alongside him, whenever that's been changed and he's been put alongside a less creative player, the onus has been on him to create and offer more offensively.

He was poor last night, there's no point disputing that, so were others but he offered nothing, the problem being though is that he's looked more an more like and 'able' deputy for Masher (who I'd like to add can massively underwhelm me too), but is nowhere near good enough against quality opposition without the benefit of a creative force alongside him.

Like I said, at the minute he's an able deputy to sit and hold and keep things ticking over and central midfield is one of the most demanding roles to get to grips with in this league, (and Europe for that matter).

But people DO wait to jump on him with every bad team performance. If truth be told Rafa got the lineup completely wrong and it just highlighted how poor Lucas can look without a partner in the middle who compliments him.

[/quote]

the truth is 'technically' he didn't do anything wrong, he rarely gave the ball away, kept the ball ticking over and was always an passing option but gerrard wasn't in midfield so the onus was on his to start attacks and he didn't, rather he gave the ball sideways and waited for people to make something happen. is there anything wrong with this? it's harsh to say someone has had a 'poor' performance for doing the basics, but the truth is we need more than the 'basics'.

 

[Judge Jules]

A reasonable argument, neil, but I disagree. More than the basics was required of Lucas last night and he simply wasn't up to it. I would accept that the main blame for last night rests with Rafa for trying to put a square peg in a round hole, but IMO mark's summary is spot on.

 

[charliesurf]

[quote author=spider-neil link=topic=36100.msg954457#msg954457 date=1254303507]
[quote author=mark1975 link=topic=36100.msg954436#msg954436 date=1254301582]
He's looked better with Gerrard alongside him, whenever that's been changed and he's been put alongside a less creative player, the onus has been on him to create and offer more offensively.

He was poor last night, there's no point disputing that, so were others but he offered nothing, the problem being though is that he's looked more an more like and 'able' deputy for Masher (who I'd like to add can massively underwhelm me too), but is nowhere near good enough against quality opposition without the benefit of a creative force alongside him.

Like I said, at the minute he's an able deputy to sit and hold and keep things ticking over and central midfield is one of the most demanding roles to get to grips with in this league, (and Europe for that matter).

But people DO wait to jump on him with every bad team performance. If truth be told Rafa got the lineup completely wrong and it just highlighted how poor Lucas can look without a partner in the middle who compliments him.

[/quote]

the truth is 'technically' he didn't do anything wrong, he rarely gave the ball away, kept the ball ticking over and was always an passing option but gerrard wasn't in midfield so the onus was on his to start attacks and he didn't, rather he gave the ball sideways and waited for people to make something happen. is there anything wrong with this? it's harsh to say someone has had a 'poor' performance for doing the basics, but the truth is we need more than the 'basics'.

I would love to see some stats that back that up, I grew frustrated at his lack of control of the ball and mis-placed passes.
[/quote]

 

[Roopy]

[quote author=the_khl link=topic=36100.msg954446#msg954446 date=1254302297]
I hope he scores a brace against the Chavs.
[/quote]

A brace!

1 would be a start!!!

 

[rage]

even if he did it'd probably be 1 own goal.

 

[Mersey86]

[quote author=mark1975 link=topic=36100.msg954436#msg954436 date=1254301582]
If truth be told Rafa got the lineup completely wrong and it just highlighted how poor Lucas can look without a partner in the middle who compliments him.
[/quote]
Oooh Lucas, you're a handsome lad You're a first-class midfield player too. I'm glad to have such an intelligent young footballer alongside me. Like that you mean?

 

[Peatcheo]

Mascherano is more creative than Lucas.

 

[madmax]

I have given up on Lucas stepping up and cementing that place. May be we should go in for Vierra on the cheap. I feel dirty saying that....

 

[Foxwold]

Viera has been terrible in Italy where you get more time on the ball. I'd sooner play Luas

 

[Paddy]

[quote author=Foxwold link=topic=36100.msg956781#msg956781 date=1254602318]
Viera has been terrible in Italy where you get more time on the ball. I'd sooner play Luas
[/quote]

He's like a train that lad.