The not Lucas thread.

[Mystic]

This thread is about Allen. I've been thinking the last few weeks whilst we've been playing this 3-5-2, how much I would like to see Lucas and Allen playing alongside each other in the centre of midfield. I think it this formation it would work especially well as there will be a stronger presence behind them both which should help Allen. Sure we'd probably give away about 50 free kicks a match, but I reckon Allen would greatly help in improving that gap between midfield and attack we've been having trouble with this season, and I think it's time he deserves another chance, obviously the problem is he's replacing Gerrard, but i'd really like to see it, anyone else?

 

[Brizzle]

Agreed. Lucas is always looking for a quick pass whenever he gets the ball, and having Allen as that option would be great with Coutinho/Suarez/Studge/Moses giving options ahead. I still don't see how we can take Gerrard out of the team but once JA is fit it would be good to see this tried for 25 mins at the end of a game to see how it works.

 

[Mystic]

Agreed. Lucas is always looking for a quick pass whenever he gets the ball, and having Allen as that option would be great with Coutinho/Suarez/Studge/Moses giving options ahead. I still don't see how we can take Gerrard out of the team but once JA is fit it would be good to see this tried for 25 mins at the end of a game to see how it works.

Yep, I'm hoping to see this at the very least, it's a shame we're not in the Carling Cup anymore because it would be a good chance to try it too. I do think those two could work very well together.

 

[LeTallecWiz]

Lucas is in the bRazil sqUad!

 

[Mystic]

Lucas is in the bRazil sqUad!

If you are not going to bring anything of worth to the discussion, I would prefer you not partake.

 

[refugee]

I dread the day we play this team. Remember when people used to complain when Masher and Lucas played together and offered little to the attack.....this partnership will offer less.

 

[Mystic]

I dread the day we play this team. Remember when people used to complain when Masher and Lucas played together and offered little to the attack.....this partnership will offer less.

Not actually it won't, Allen's main attributes are playing football (passing, moving, etc), Mascherano's certainly weren't, Lucas is also better in that regard now than he was back then.

 

[Brizzle]

I'd also be interested in seeing a Henderson - Allen midfield at some point as I think if we don't buy a CM then in a year or two, these two will be two of our key players.

 

[Mystic]

I'd also be interested in seeing a Henderson - Allen midfield at some point as I think if we don't buy a CM then in a year or two, these two will be two of our key players.

That would certainly provide a much more dynamic midfield compared to our rather static midfield at the moment, I don't think Henderson has the tactical discipline to play Lucas' role without someone like Gerrard besides him yet.

 

[Glen C]

Not actually it won't, Allen's main attributes are playing football (passing, moving, etc), Mascherano's certainly weren't, Lucas is also better in that regard now than he was back then.

We don't get enough goals from midfield as it is. Having allen and lucas together would make it worse. Allen or lucas, but never both please.

 

[Glen C]

I'd also be interested in seeing a Henderson - Allen midfield at some point as I think if we don't buy a CM then in a year or two, these two will be two of our key players.

if we don't buy a midfielder in a year or two we'll be a top 10 club with no chance of top 4.

 

[cloggypop]

Nearly every post has mentioned Lucas. Including this one.

 

[doctor_mac]

And this one! Er, wait, no it didn't.

 

[cloggypop]

You were still thinking of him though.

 

[juniormember]

Allen's got a whooooole lot to prove.
He's been really ordinary to shit thus far. Great first 4-5 games though.
Hope he can make the grade.







Lucas.

 

[LeTallecWiz]

If you are not going to bring anything of worth to the discussion, I would prefer you not partake.

What is your Lucasing problem?

 

[Mystic]

What is your Lucasing problem?

 

[LeTallecWiz]

Oh do Lucas off

 

[DHSC]

Simples. Sign Yaya Toure and we can play Lucas, Allen and Yaya together.

 

[TSD]

Simples. Sign Yaya Toure and we can play Lucas, Allen and Yaya together.

Yeah, I think Lucas and Allen need a Yaya Toure, a Gerrard in his pomp -- or even a Diame -- to round off this midfield combination. Lucas and Allen recycle the ball and possession, this other player adds power, pace and goals.

 

[rurikbird]

I have hope for a Gerrard and Allen partnership - but this time with Gerrard playing deeper and Allen pushing forward and doing most of the running. If we persist with 3 CBs, we won't need a dedicated midfield destroyer as much, so a midfield triangle of Gerrard, Allen and Coutinho will hopefully give us enough energy, creativity and possession. Lucas can play more often away from home or when we deliberately play a counter-attacking game.

 

[DHSC]

Yeah, I think Lucas and Allen need a Yaya Toure, a Gerrard in his pomp -- or even a Diame -- to round off this midfield combination. Lucas and Allen recycle the ball and possession, this other player adds power, pace and goals.

Yup. I think in order for Lucas and Allen to perform well together, we need a Yaya-like player. Of course, if we can do better than Lucas and Allen, by all means.

 

[DHSC]

I have hope for a Gerrard and Allen partnership - but this time with Gerrard playing deeper and Allen pushing forward and doing most of the running. If we persist with 3 CBs, we won't need a dedicated midfield destroyer as much, so a midfield triangle of Gerrard, Allen and Coutinho will hopefully give us enough energy, creativity and possession. Lucas can play more often away from home or when we deliberately play a counter-attacking game.

Interesting in that maybe a 3 man defence might negate the need for a destroyer like midfield. If only Masch was still arnd, we could play him as the middle of the back 3 with licence to play the DM role. Maybe Agger can do that for us?

 

[TSD]

I have hope for a Gerrard and Allen partnership - but this time with Gerrard playing deeper and Allen pushing forward and doing most of the running. If we persist with 3 CBs, we won't need a dedicated midfield destroyer as much, so a midfield triangle of Gerrard, Allen and Coutinho will hopefully give us enough energy, creativity and possession. Lucas can play more often away from home or when we deliberately play a counter-attacking game.

Certainly interesting to see how this pair plays since we've already seen Gerrard and Lucas in action. Think it can be as good as you described: Gerrard plays in Lucas' position, not as good at recycling perhaps, but offering more of a creative edge from deep, a truer 'quarterback'. While Allen would play in a role in which he came into prominence at Swansea, the midfielder who pushes forward.

 

[TSD]

Yup. I think in order for Lucas and Allen to perform well together, we need a Yaya-like player. Of course, if we can do better than Lucas and Allen, by all means.

Agree. Lucas and Allen are good players in their own right. It's really about the midfield combination, and in turn, how they sync with the rest of the team. Paulinho and Dembele might be the more powerful and pacier pair, for instance, but Lucas and Allen can play the possession game better. When there's a player like Enrique at leftback who can't keep ball as well as them, however, their contribution to the team arguably isn't as great.