Liverpool FC Forum

by **Ray Pugh** » Wed Dec 08, 2010 5:48 pm

Ray Pugh wrote:I have never been a fan of Lucas!
I always felt at best he would only be a back-up squad player and if a good offer came in we should off load him. My main problem was that he never really showed any glimpses of great quality that you could say lets give him some more time.

Now I have to admit I've been impressed with him lately, especially against Chelsea he was awesome. So he has now shown the glimpses I wanted to see, so I am willing to give him more time and maybe he can become a consistently good quality player.........

I wouldn't say I was getting too carried away there Mr. Rockthekop

I've doubted him and possibly slagged him off enough for the last couple of years that when he deserves credit I should be big enough to give it.

He is far from being a world beater but he's at last shown glimpses of being decent. :buttrock

by **The Good Yank** » Wed Dec 08, 2010 5:59 pm

I think I've kept a pretty level head regarding Lucas in the past. Sure I've critcized him when he's had a shocker, but I've praised him when he's put in a decent performance. I don't think he was ever as bad as it was stated on here. I however do think some are now over playing his recent form. I'd simply call it improved. He's solid enough and not a detriment to the team. Seems alot more comfortable in his passing, taking a bit more initiative getting the ball up the pitch.

Overall, I'd give him a pat on the back and tell him to keep improving. Both on the ball and away from it.

by **Waldo** » Wed Dec 08, 2010 7:01 pm

Rockthekop wrote:Some people are getting carried away on here, best to wait and see how he develops before hailing Lucas a success or a first choice player.

Most of his performances haven't been good enough since he was signed, well until recently that is. I don't know how people reckon he's been playing well for a year or so, he hasn't.

Without a doubt he has been open to criticism in the past and no doubt will again. At the moment he is proving to be a very valuable asset for the team and is growing as a player. Fits the bill of being a youngster and will only improve further.

by **parchpea** » Wed Dec 08, 2010 7:35 pm

In a way Lucas epitomises the whole team itself, doing better but somehow you feel not good enough to take us much further. The way hes been hammered over performances would have crushed most players but hes strong willed I will give the lad his due there. Unless he can improve beyond recognition I should think we will need to find a better one than him though if we are serious about making top 4 in the near future.

by **stmichael** » Thu Dec 09, 2010 3:06 pm

the most ridiculous thing in all this is that he only really got his chance because poulsen was so ridiculously poor. if he had the choice it's quite obvious that hodgson would have preferred poulsen over him in the starting eleven.

by **Tim LFC** » Thu Dec 09, 2010 7:31 pm

I think Lucas has done great this season, he's improved massively and hopefully he will continue to improve adding goals to his game.

by **burjennio** » Thu Dec 09, 2010 7:36 pm

Not Lucas Leiva

But still funny as feck!

by **dawson99** » Thu Dec 09, 2010 10:00 pm

stmichael wrote:the most ridiculous thing in all this is that he only really got his chance because poulsen was so ridiculously poor. if he had the choice it's quite obvious that hodgson would have preferred poulsen over him in the starting eleven.

I'm pretty sure Roy DOES have the choice?

by **tubby** » Thu Dec 09, 2010 10:15 pm

The important thing is that when presented with the opportunity Lucas has stepped up. Not that he wasn't improving anyway, but he's been that little bit better this season and everyones noticed. Unless he does a 180 in form or gets injured I can't see Poulsen coming back into the 1st team.

by **metalhead** » Fri Dec 10, 2010 12:35 am

stmichael wrote:the most ridiculous thing in all this is that he only really got his chance because poulsen was so ridiculously poor. if he had the choice it's quite obvious that hodgson would have preferred poulsen over him in the starting eleven.

errr.. If Poulsen came and did a marvelous job then it would be justifiable to play him every game right?

He didn't, so he got dropped and we saw an improved Lucas instead. To me that is good management.

by **stmichael** » Fri Dec 10, 2010 11:41 am

Lucas was excellent last season aswell though and had already justified himself in the side. What does it say about the manager that he couldn't identify how good this kid was and wanted to ship him out? At the end of the day he wanted to sell him and bring in Poulsen in his place (even though a blind man could tell you he was past it).

Lucas' Improvement has been down to his own determination to learn and improve over the past 18 months or so. Mentally he's one of the strongest players I've seen considering all he's been through.

Anyway he's been offered a new contract from what I've heard which is fantastic news! :buttrock

by **mramo** » Fri Dec 10, 2010 11:42 am

Waldo wrote:Roy should be looking to get Lucas on a new long-term contract.

Looks like you were right, Lad.

http://www.liverpooldailypost.co.uk/liverpo....7801232

by **metalhead** » Fri Dec 10, 2010 12:35 pm

stmichael wrote:Lucas was excellent last season aswell though and had already justified himself in the side. What does it say about the manager that he couldn't identify how good this kid was and wanted to ship him out? At the end of the day he wanted to sell him and bring in Poulsen in his place (even though a blind man could tell you he was past it).

Lucas' Improvement has been down to his own determination to learn and improve over the past 18 months or so. Mentally he's one of the strongest players I've seen considering all he's been through.

Anyway he's been offered a new contract from what I've heard which is fantastic news!

No he wasn't excellent last season, he was pretty average and did not justify his selection every game.

main reason we did so poorly was the masch-lucas axis, that was not working.

by **andy_g** » Fri Dec 10, 2010 1:21 pm

i don't think that its fair to blame the non-functioning of that axis on lucas though, MH. it was discussed to within an inch of its life throughout the season as well. put just about any two defensive midfielders in the same team and they'll probably non-function in a similar way - incompatibility doesn't necessarily mean bad players.

by **RED BEERGOGGLES** » Fri Dec 10, 2010 1:46 pm

The job Lucas was given in midfield when Alonso departed was always destined to be a thankless task ...speaking personally I believe he has always tried to perform that role admirably ,how people can say he didn't last season beggars belief, he was one of our best players and the only one who was willing to make a tackle ....just think of how daunting a midfield that included Mascherano and Gerrard a team that had pushed the Mancs all the way ,suddenly those players I've mentioned literally spitting their collective dummies out and deciding they would show no fight ..
I was unfortunate to witness a few of those very games the Lad ran his heart out with little reward ....Gerrard's contribution or lack of it was a disgrace so too Mascherano ..... they clearly had distractions Mascherano obviously wanted out and Gerrard had asked the manager for his permission to have surgery in order not to miss the World Cup ....the refusal by Benitez brought about these shameful performances
fans who pay their hard earned coin to travel to these shithole grounds of the Premiership were forced to endure these games shorn of our usual combative midfield ....only Lucas looked like he could give a fuck in those games
So it is no surprise that the Lad is now receiving the plaudits he so readily deserves ..Lucas is a great little player who is on top of his game right now and playing with real authority ...for me the Lad should have been our Captain when SG was injured his contribution to our improving game has been that important

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