Well for 25 games (which is more than nani,deco,anderson,quasimodo etc ) he doesnt seem to have effected it that badly bar one penalty and came on when we were already 2 nil down in one defeat this season _ so he really hasnt helped us loose any games just that draw against wigan with the penalty .Where as he has made positive contributions to help us win a number of matches as well as popping up with a few goals
Where is this contribution from the other players you mention ?
Nani - couple of goals in CC none in prem but has played 13 games ?
Anderson - for an attacking midfeilder still hasnt scored for Manure
Deco - was it last september he made a contribution
Quasimdo - I guess hold the water bottle is a contribution
LUCAS LEIVA - Official Thread
by Bad Bob » Mon May 18, 2009 5:55 pm
Lucas is never going to be a world beater but he's not sh!te either. More importantly, he's an understudy for one of the two CM berths in our 4-2-3-1 system and that means that, in a perfect world, we don't have to rely on him too much because we've got two excellent CMs in Masch and Xabi ahead of him. We're actually in a pretty decent situation with Lucas because:
1) He knows the system
2) He knows he's not fit to lace Masch and Xabi's boots so will be willing to spend a lot of time riding pine
3) He's already bought and paid for
This last point is vital for me because I just don't see the value of moving him on and spending money to bring in a replacement who's going to need to adapt to the system and who's just going to sit on the bench when Alonso and Masch are fit anyway. Maybe if we got Barry at a knockdown price it would be worth it to move Lucas on because Barry will provide that cover we need, will offer more competition for places and will also provide an option down the left. But, I really can't see making buying another CM to replace Lucas a priority this summer when we've got other areas of the squad that need to be addressed with what's reported to be relatively limited funds. I think aCe' has got it right: if someone comes in for him with a good offer and he's keen to leave that's one thing, otherwise having him stay as backup and focusing our transfer attention elsewhere makes good sense.
BTW, how did the likes of Kalou, Quaresma, Nani and Giggs enter into this discussion. If we're going to compare back-up central midfielders at the big clubs shouldn't we, you know, actually compare central midfielders?
1) He knows the system
2) He knows he's not fit to lace Masch and Xabi's boots so will be willing to spend a lot of time riding pine
3) He's already bought and paid for
This last point is vital for me because I just don't see the value of moving him on and spending money to bring in a replacement who's going to need to adapt to the system and who's just going to sit on the bench when Alonso and Masch are fit anyway. Maybe if we got Barry at a knockdown price it would be worth it to move Lucas on because Barry will provide that cover we need, will offer more competition for places and will also provide an option down the left. But, I really can't see making buying another CM to replace Lucas a priority this summer when we've got other areas of the squad that need to be addressed with what's reported to be relatively limited funds. I think aCe' has got it right: if someone comes in for him with a good offer and he's keen to leave that's one thing, otherwise having him stay as backup and focusing our transfer attention elsewhere makes good sense.
BTW, how did the likes of Kalou, Quaresma, Nani and Giggs enter into this discussion. If we're going to compare back-up central midfielders at the big clubs shouldn't we, you know, actually compare central midfielders?
Last edited by Bad Bob on Mon May 18, 2009 5:56 pm, edited 1 time in total.
-
Bad Bob - LFC Guru Member
- Posts: 11269
- Joined: Mon Mar 27, 2006 10:03 pm
- Location: Canada
by burjennio » Mon May 18, 2009 7:36 pm
2) He knows he's not fit to lace Masch and Xabi's boots so will be willing to spend a lot of time riding pine
'Kin hell Bob, Thats a bit rough! For me the guy cant win because, if you look at the 3 central midfielders he's competing with you have one who is arguably the best defensive midfielder in the world on his day, one who's passing ability is of the highest caliber around and the other who IS the ultimate modern midfielder and is simply THE best in world football in his role. I think it says alot about the kids character that he hasn't developed an inferiority complex the size of Stanley Park.
And what about his wee run on Sunday? Messi would have been proud!
-
burjennio - Posts: 3333
- Joined: Wed Jun 20, 2007 3:17 pm
- Location: belfast
by Bad Bob » Mon May 18, 2009 8:25 pm
burjennio wrote:2) He knows he's not fit to lace Masch and Xabi's boots so will be willing to spend a lot of time riding pine
'Kin hell Bob, Thats a bit rough! For me the guy cant win because, if you look at the 3 central midfielders he's competing with you have one who is arguably the best defensive midfielder in the world on his day, one who's passing ability is of the highest caliber around and the other who IS the ultimate modern midfielder and is simply THE best in world football in his role. I think it says alot about the kids character that he hasn't developed an inferiority complex the size of Stanley Park.
And what about his wee run on Sunday? Messi would have been proud!
You've basically said exactly what I did, mate...he's not fit to lace Alonso, Masch nor Gerrard's boots. That doesn't make him sh!t it makes him distinctly fourth choice, which is fine because good teams need guys like him: the guys that are paid to sit on their a.rses most matches but who will come in and do a job when needed, preferably to a suitable standard and with a minimum of fuss. I think Lucas gives us that at present and with enough signs of improvement to be worth keeping around for the future unless someone offers us silly money or unless we truly need a fire sale of the squad players to finance a big transfer (in which case we'd hope that Plessis' up to the task).
-
Bad Bob - LFC Guru Member
- Posts: 11269
- Joined: Mon Mar 27, 2006 10:03 pm
- Location: Canada
by GYBS » Mon May 18, 2009 8:29 pm
Got to agree one hundred per cent again Bob - we wont ever get someone of the standard of xabi etc to sit on the bench . Its why lucas reminds me of fletcher - sits on the bench for a number of years just filling in when needed but improving all the time until he starts to shine and do a very good job for them . Fletcher ability wise is no better than lucas - he just has more playing experience
-
GYBS - >> LFC Elite Member <<
- Posts: 8647
- Joined: Mon Jul 28, 2008 5:42 pm
- Location: Oxford
by Bad Bob » Mon May 18, 2009 8:39 pm
GYBS wrote:Got to agree one hundred per cent again Bob - we wont ever get someone of the standard of xabi etc to sit on the bench . Its why lucas reminds me of fletcher - sits on the bench for a number of years just filling in when needed but improving all the time until he starts to shine and do a very good job for them . Fletcher ability wise is no better than lucas - he just has more playing experience
I think people need to learn from the Sissoko situation. Here was a hungry young midfielder with undoubted talents offset by undoubted limitations. As such, he was never going to get a game ahead of a fit and firing Masch, Alonso and Gerrard but was still likely to see plenty of action due to injuries, suspensions, styling etc. Still, he got tired of being a bit part player and sought pastures new. It's the double-edged sword of football at top clubs, IMO. We want to be chocker with quality right through the squad and we want players who are hungry and committed to the cause. Unfortunately, the kind of hungry, quality players that top clubs look to sign are also the ones that aren't happy sitting on the bench most weeks awaiting their chance. So, every top team needs the Fletchers, O'Shea's and Lucases--lads who accept that they're down the pecking order but who are prepared to provide the necessary cover without complaint.
-
Bad Bob - LFC Guru Member
- Posts: 11269
- Joined: Mon Mar 27, 2006 10:03 pm
- Location: Canada
by GYBS » Mon May 18, 2009 8:48 pm
Spot on mate - its why Players like Kuyt will be invaluable and maybe players like spearing can provide it for us as well . Its hard to keep people happy while not playing every week . Yossi this season has shown if you bide your time and fill in when needed you will get your chance - same with lucas who seems to be playing with a smile and enjoying himself a bit more these days . Unfortuantly people want and expect every back up to be just as good as the guys who start week in week out
Last edited by GYBS on Mon May 18, 2009 8:49 pm, edited 1 time in total.
-
GYBS - >> LFC Elite Member <<
- Posts: 8647
- Joined: Mon Jul 28, 2008 5:42 pm
- Location: Oxford
by JoeTerp » Fri Jun 12, 2009 10:10 am
from .tv
Lucas Leiva believes next season will be his best yet following a gruelling push to gain weight.
The Brazil international accepts he was too lightweight after making the move from Gremio two years ago.
He puts his improved form in the latter stages of last season down to piling on the pounds.
Lucas thinks he is now 100 per cent ready for the physical demands of the toughest league in the world.
"I have gained some weight this season and that has helped me be more prepared to play with the demands you face in England," he told LFC Magazine.
"I have gained four kilos since I arrived and that's a lot.
"In my first season, being very honest, I had a problem with physical games.
"Last season, with the extra weight, I felt I could challenge anyone physically and go from one box to the other like I did in Brazil.
"Maybe it has taken me 18 months to get my body physically into the shape that it needed to be in to play my best in England, but I feel that it is coming now for me and I am excited about my future prospects at Liverpool."
Another reason Lucas is confident of enjoying a superb 2009-10 is the fact he will partake in a full pre-season - something the Olympics denied him last term.
"I missed a lot of the pre-season last time with Liverpool because I was away at the Olympics with Brazil," he explained.
"That meant that I started the pre-season, then I went away, and when I came back to the club it was hard to catch up. I had missed a lot of the important work that the boys all did together.
"Next season I will be here for the whole of the pre-season programme and I believe that will help me play to the very best of my ability when we start again in August.
"I will enjoy a rest in the summer, but already I am looking at coming back and being a better player next season."
Lucas suffered mixed reviews from the press during his first 18 months in England, though never lost the support of his manager.
One of the turning points came when he received plaudits for a mature display in Liverpool's 4-1 win at Old Trafford.
The 22-year-old believes the ups and downs of his Anfield career have made him stronger mentally.
"As an individual player I feel that I have become a better player this season, definitely," he added.
"Everyone has bad days at the office when they feel that maybe they haven't played to 100 per cent of what they are capable of.
"I have had those days, too. Of course I have because we all have them.
"But through that I have made progress mentally and physically.
"I think this has been the season which has taught me the most about myself. I have had bad moments over the last year with the crowd.
"That has made it important for me to focus on my football and not be distracted by anything else going on around me.
"It was hard at times, but it will all be helpful for me in the long term.
"You get better through the hard times and not through the easy or good times. It gave me a challenge and I think I was able to rise to that.
"I knew I had the quality to be playing in this team, even through the difficult moments. I had the confidence of the manager and the players and even if some supporters were not sure I knew that others were behind me.
"Mentally I'm a better player. I've had the tough times and I've coped well with it and come through the other side.
"I wasn't worried about silencing people. In football you will always have your critics but you have to just keep going and hopefully when they see that you are playing well, trying hard and always doing your best, they will come onto your side.
"From my point of view, next season will be my best for Liverpool. I feel better physically and mentally at this moment than I have felt before at Liverpool."
Lucas Leiva believes next season will be his best yet following a gruelling push to gain weight.
The Brazil international accepts he was too lightweight after making the move from Gremio two years ago.
He puts his improved form in the latter stages of last season down to piling on the pounds.
Lucas thinks he is now 100 per cent ready for the physical demands of the toughest league in the world.
"I have gained some weight this season and that has helped me be more prepared to play with the demands you face in England," he told LFC Magazine.
"I have gained four kilos since I arrived and that's a lot.
"In my first season, being very honest, I had a problem with physical games.
"Last season, with the extra weight, I felt I could challenge anyone physically and go from one box to the other like I did in Brazil.
"Maybe it has taken me 18 months to get my body physically into the shape that it needed to be in to play my best in England, but I feel that it is coming now for me and I am excited about my future prospects at Liverpool."
Another reason Lucas is confident of enjoying a superb 2009-10 is the fact he will partake in a full pre-season - something the Olympics denied him last term.
"I missed a lot of the pre-season last time with Liverpool because I was away at the Olympics with Brazil," he explained.
"That meant that I started the pre-season, then I went away, and when I came back to the club it was hard to catch up. I had missed a lot of the important work that the boys all did together.
"Next season I will be here for the whole of the pre-season programme and I believe that will help me play to the very best of my ability when we start again in August.
"I will enjoy a rest in the summer, but already I am looking at coming back and being a better player next season."
Lucas suffered mixed reviews from the press during his first 18 months in England, though never lost the support of his manager.
One of the turning points came when he received plaudits for a mature display in Liverpool's 4-1 win at Old Trafford.
The 22-year-old believes the ups and downs of his Anfield career have made him stronger mentally.
"As an individual player I feel that I have become a better player this season, definitely," he added.
"Everyone has bad days at the office when they feel that maybe they haven't played to 100 per cent of what they are capable of.
"I have had those days, too. Of course I have because we all have them.
"But through that I have made progress mentally and physically.
"I think this has been the season which has taught me the most about myself. I have had bad moments over the last year with the crowd.
"That has made it important for me to focus on my football and not be distracted by anything else going on around me.
"It was hard at times, but it will all be helpful for me in the long term.
"You get better through the hard times and not through the easy or good times. It gave me a challenge and I think I was able to rise to that.
"I knew I had the quality to be playing in this team, even through the difficult moments. I had the confidence of the manager and the players and even if some supporters were not sure I knew that others were behind me.
"Mentally I'm a better player. I've had the tough times and I've coped well with it and come through the other side.
"I wasn't worried about silencing people. In football you will always have your critics but you have to just keep going and hopefully when they see that you are playing well, trying hard and always doing your best, they will come onto your side.
"From my point of view, next season will be my best for Liverpool. I feel better physically and mentally at this moment than I have felt before at Liverpool."
-
JoeTerp - Posts: 5191
- Joined: Fri Jul 21, 2006 6:38 am
- Location: Boston, MA
by tubby » Fri Jun 12, 2009 10:30 am
I think definatley towards the end of the season he seemed to be able to hold his own more. That would surley be down to more experience and the extra training he has been doing to help adapt. Hopefully he can go from strength to strength, especially as Xabi could be on his way out.
-
tubby - >> LFC Elite Member <<
- Posts: 22442
- Joined: Mon Jun 27, 2005 2:05 pm
by stmichael » Fri Jun 12, 2009 11:29 am
JoeTerp wrote:from .tv
Lucas Leiva believes next season will be his best yet following a gruelling push to gain weight.
The Brazil international accepts he was too lightweight after making the move from Gremio two years ago.
He puts his improved form in the latter stages of last season down to piling on the pounds.
Lucas thinks he is now 100 per cent ready for the physical demands of the toughest league in the world.
"I have gained some weight this season and that has helped me be more prepared to play with the demands you face in England," he told LFC Magazine.
"I have gained four kilos since I arrived and that's a lot.
"In my first season, being very honest, I had a problem with physical games.
"Last season, with the extra weight, I felt I could challenge anyone physically and go from one box to the other like I did in Brazil.
"Maybe it has taken me 18 months to get my body physically into the shape that it needed to be in to play my best in England, but I feel that it is coming now for me and I am excited about my future prospects at Liverpool."
Another reason Lucas is confident of enjoying a superb 2009-10 is the fact he will partake in a full pre-season - something the Olympics denied him last term.
"I missed a lot of the pre-season last time with Liverpool because I was away at the Olympics with Brazil," he explained.
"That meant that I started the pre-season, then I went away, and when I came back to the club it was hard to catch up. I had missed a lot of the important work that the boys all did together.
"Next season I will be here for the whole of the pre-season programme and I believe that will help me play to the very best of my ability when we start again in August.
"I will enjoy a rest in the summer, but already I am looking at coming back and being a better player next season."
Lucas suffered mixed reviews from the press during his first 18 months in England, though never lost the support of his manager.
One of the turning points came when he received plaudits for a mature display in Liverpool's 4-1 win at Old Trafford.
The 22-year-old believes the ups and downs of his Anfield career have made him stronger mentally.
"As an individual player I feel that I have become a better player this season, definitely," he added.
"Everyone has bad days at the office when they feel that maybe they haven't played to 100 per cent of what they are capable of.
"I have had those days, too. Of course I have because we all have them.
"But through that I have made progress mentally and physically.
"I think this has been the season which has taught me the most about myself. I have had bad moments over the last year with the crowd.
"That has made it important for me to focus on my football and not be distracted by anything else going on around me.
"It was hard at times, but it will all be helpful for me in the long term.
"You get better through the hard times and not through the easy or good times. It gave me a challenge and I think I was able to rise to that.
"I knew I had the quality to be playing in this team, even through the difficult moments. I had the confidence of the manager and the players and even if some supporters were not sure I knew that others were behind me.
"Mentally I'm a better player. I've had the tough times and I've coped well with it and come through the other side.
"I wasn't worried about silencing people. In football you will always have your critics but you have to just keep going and hopefully when they see that you are playing well, trying hard and always doing your best, they will come onto your side.
"From my point of view, next season will be my best for Liverpool. I feel better physically and mentally at this moment than I have felt before at Liverpool."
His attitude is spot on. It's apparent that he has the trust of Rafa and his teammates. I'm so glad the booing hasn't destroyed his commitment to our cause. I wouldn't have been surprised if he'd asked to leave after smoe of the
he got from our so called "fans".-
stmichael - Forum Moderator
- Posts: 22644
- Joined: Tue Feb 10, 2004 3:06 pm
- Location: Middlesbrough
by DrPepe » Fri Jun 12, 2009 11:34 am
Alex G. wrote:I hope he has gained a pair of balls too.
i reckon he has a lot of balls - unlike some players (babel, riera, keane) he comes off having always put in a full shift of work
whether or not he will ever be good enough to step into first team shoes is debatable
"If I put a player in another position, suddenly 20 experts are going on about it. Experts of what, though? I don't know." - Rafa
-
DrPepe - LFC Super Member
- Posts: 828
- Joined: Thu Sep 11, 2008 10:41 pm
- Location: Bristol
Return to Liverpool FC - General Discussion
-
- Related topics
- Replies
- Views
- Last post
-
- Official milan thread
by A.B. » Wed May 04, 2005 9:49 pm - 11 Replies
- 4059 Views
- Last post by A.B.
Thu May 05, 2005 1:22 am
- Official milan thread
by Who is online
Users browsing this forum: No registered users and 124 guests
-
- Advertisement