I think Lucas has been the victim of some very unfair criticism this season, it's been a real baptism of fire for him. Maybe now the facts are there for us all to see, we can show the lad some support!
"Also it was nice to see Gerrard with the bit between his teeth again! A few times this season he's been in positions where he would typically have a crack at goal and hasn't. Looked more like the 'old' Gerrard at the weekend.
"
"Here are the stats for completed passes in the PL in 09/10, well, top 4 passers anyway.
1. Mascherano (1108)
2. Lucas (1076)
3. Fabregas (1052)
4. Terry (1045)"
"I'm tired of this debate. Lucas is a good footballer and on top of that he puts in a proper shift every time he takes to the field in a Red shirt. The people that slate him say nonsense like "we need Xavi, or Kaka," or some obscure Croatian they saw on YouTube. They have no awareness of the dynamics of club football. Football only happens on their TVs. "
"Is £5.5 million Lucas a better player than £18 million pound Man Utd's Anderson?
I think so, by a clear mile.
He is a very good team/squad player. People should give credit to where credit is due, good on ya Lucas!!! "
"Luscas - hes actually doing a job and doing it well.
Hes only 22 and has improved alot in 12 months.
Some of you guys need to stop taking Lucas to heart as if he somehow personally insulted you and recognise game! His teammates (you know the top class pros he trains and plays with) and his manager (that world class manager, rafa whats-his-name) thinks hes the mutts. Game recognise game!"
"I've always liked Lucas:
1) He's work rate is very good.
2) He's young and will get even better as he will gain more experience
The fans are just frustated because they need someone like Alonso ... Alonsos is gone .. so it's time to move on ... Lucas will be great ... "
"i think lucas has improved alot over the last two seasons i was never a big fan but he's turning peoples opinion of him! he's still only young for a midfielder and he has been 1 of our better players in a season of underacheivement. Fair play to the lad for ingnoring the stick and putting in performances like he has done it shows real character
"
"Anything he does is not obscured because he's not Alonso it's obscured because he's not Aquilani. Most of Lucas's passes are backward or side-side and your assertion earlier this season is nonsense. Trust me the problem lies there and if you want to find yourself with no CL next season keep playing Lucas, Benitez."
"i understand the point some are trying to make lucas plays the safe ball 8 times out of 10 but that doesnt make him responsable for our poor form he is improving and the stats show this we need to support him and realise he will be javiers"
"replacement when he is rested just as soon as aquilani is proper match fit thats when we will start to see us at our best again and if anyone can really argue against the stats from t then i dont think they are true fans and are just having a go at lucas cause its become the norm"
"I would rephraise and Say "Lucas has made the highest succesful passes that do not harm the opposition." for example, xavi at barca might make less passes but surely they will be dangerous to the opposition and not back passes or square balls"
"Paul, xabi alonso didnt have many assists but in most cases he was that pass before the assist. The Pass that paves way for the assist and that cannot happen with back passes or square balls. Its down to the speed of thought. Lucas's speed of thought is not yet up there to see gaps before they appear which is the gift Alonso had"
"I cant believe people are starting to believe that lucas has the quality to be good for us. You may look at the stats and think oh well he's done pretty good there, but they are meaningless when you actually watch him on the pitch and see his lack of a cutting edge and ability in pressure situations.He has not got the ability to be centre midfield for Liverpool FC!"
"could lucas be a starter 4 chealse arsenal manu mancity astonvilla or totenham no chance!!ur all dreaming he is slow passes backwards wow!!cant score plz sell him for big money if he is that good!!!!!!!!!!!!"
"interesting points in relation to lucas,its frustrating when"fellow pool fans" are the 1st to put him down.hes being 1 of our best and consistent players this season and ur facts clear this up,off course hes not gonna create us too many chances but he does role to a high sdard,hopefully we can get 7 from our 3 games nd finish 4th,looking forward to your next article
Garreth f
An irish red"
"Im agree with tafara. Even Lucas has made successful pass so many times, it is not dangerous to opposition. Liverpool must have quality midfield centre which can create goal for strikers.Im agree that Lucas was improve,but he's improve as a defensive midfielder which same role as mascherano.We don't need 2 defensive in the mid. We have to use attacking player to get more goals!!!"
"Not only players, but its also abt tactics which make differences. LFC games are predictable and make life easy for opponents. Each game should respond to opposing tactics...at times close defence or use of counter-attacks, but it cannot be just open games.Different scenarios to be worked out and used in specific game or situation... I wanna say more, but space limit here does not allow me..."
"Not only players, but its also abt tactics which make differences. LFC games are predictable and make life easy for opponents. Each game should respond to opposing tactics...at times close defence or use of counter-attacks, but it cannot be just open games.Different scenarios to be worked out and used in specific game or situation... I wanna say more, but space limit here does not allow me..."
"Paul better verify how many passes are backward or on the sides? Another weakness in LFC game is about too many back passes.To win games, it needs to push forward and score goals. In so doing LFC loses valuable time. And the opposing team gets back to defensive position, the big RAMPART for LFC now. There should be forward movement and penetration, the keys to defeat LFC premiership obstacle."
"Paul better verify how many passes are backward or on the sides? Another weakness in LFC game is about too many back passes.To win games, it needs to push forward and score goals. In so doing LFC loses valuable time. And the opposing team gets back to defensive position, the big RAMPART for LFC now. There should be forward movement and penetration, the keys to defeat LFC premiership obstacle."
"No one is saying he isn't gud,but not wot pool nid @d moment.U cud c a stark difrence whn aqua man plays,all 4 won games.He shud be deployed as subsute 4 mash and rafa 2 get anoda atackin M/F.I still feel he'l do beta in another leagu.We'r 2defensive wen lucas n mash play.no attack."
"I watch games that Lucas plays and this seemingly impressive stats doesn't seem to boost our attacking play. I am sorry if I offend anyone but I am not impressed; I don't say he is entirely a bad player but I feel he is not right for this league and more particularly for LFC. "
"All said and done good stats but my worry is theat mach and lucas dont score enough goals,and therfore more pressure is put on the forwards, other teams in the prm get goals all over the team."
Comments
Submit your views in the box below. Alternatively, you can debate these issues with fellow fans on our Message Boards or blog about them on The Kop
The views expressed here are not those of Liverpool Football Club (read more)
You must be over thirteen years of age to post a commment
You must have set a nickname to post a comment.
Click here to set your nickname.
Sorry, comments are closed for this article.
Sorry, new comments are closed for this article.
You must accept the Terms & Conditions before posting a comment
1st Feb 2010 12:23