Lucas

[RedLars]

More and more recently I find myself annoyed that Lucas too often opts for the simple and safe 5 yards sideways or backwards pass. And yes I know he had a very nice pass to Torres in the build-up to our second goal on Sunday, but for me that’s the exception. We become very predictable whenever he has the ball.

 

If you agree, do you think it’s a lack of ability of Lucas side, lack of movement in the team or actually by design from Rafa?

 

just wish

Edited March 1, 2010 by RedLars

[cymrococh]

He's proven on many occasions that he can pick a good pass, it's definitely movement.

[carrafan]

I dont remember seeing him make an aerial pass though.

 

I think his passing range is definitely restricted. He makes the odd forward pass in a game but chooses to take the easier option with the ball even when he has some space. Its something he needs to work on.

[Sion]

annoyed me they didn't mention it on MOTD. If it was Fabregas/Modric/Scholes they'd be touching themselves

[richwilks]

He's probably scared of attempting the killer ball because all the c**** on here would slag him off.

[John am Rhein]

The safe pass is a good one because it's less likely to lose possession of the ball

[Zoob]

annoyed me they didn't mention it on MOTD. If it was Fabregas/Modric/Scholes they'd be touching themselves

 

Indeed. And it was the sort of quick first time forward pass that's been badly missing in our play for too much of the season. He does need to do it more often though, but it's interesting that since Torres and Benayoun (not the quickest, but among our most intelligent players) have returned, Lucas has been involved in the moves that have lead to our last 3 goals

[Leo No.8]

Funny time to start this thread really - I've been frustrated with his crab-like passing all season, then he plays an absolutely world class through ball yesterday which lead to a goal and here we are slagging off his passing.

 

I think several things have contributed to him not getting forward effectively enough. Its a mixture of him not having the pace to get forward more quickly and join attacks, a lack of confidence and instruction from the manager. He's not dynamic enough a runner to do what Gerrard did from midfield yesterday for the goal though.

Edited March 1, 2010 by Leo No.8

[Zoob]

Funny time to start this thread really - I've been frustrated with his crab-like passing all season, then he plays an absolutely world class through ball yesterday which lead to a goal and here we are slagging off his passing.

 

I think several things have contributed to him not getting forward effectively enough. Its a mixture of him not having the pace to get forward more quickly and join attacks, a lack of confidence and instruction from the manager. He's not dynamic enough a runner to do what Gerrard did from midfield yesterday for the goal though.

 

the pass the other day was no fluke. In the first couple minutes on Thursday he threaded an eye of the needle ball though to Gerrard whose shot was parried by the keeper, and then late in the game he broke forward well and passed to Benayoun who set up Gerrard. His role, lack of movement, and lack of confidence are why we've not seen it more often. He does get into decent goal scoring positions, and he just needs a bit of composure - then I can see him scoring a few goals...

[CarraLegend]

I'll always remember a pass he done away to Arsenal that put Voronin through and the c*** f***ed it up, it was an incredible pass and took about 3 people completely out of the game.

 

That one for Gerrard at Newcastle was brilliant aswell. He's definitely got some great passing in him mainly through balls rather than 40 yard pinged passes across the field.

[D.Boon]

Funny watching the re run of the game tonight he seems to have an eye for a pass that gets cente halfs turned, Torres back will obviously help here. He still far too often plays it safe though. Im starting to think that there is actually a player in there who for some reason doesnt have the drive or confidence to really stamp himself on the game.

[Redwire]

the pass the other day was no fluke. In the first couple minutes on Thursday he threaded an eye of the needle ball though to Gerrard whose shot was parried by the keeper, and then late in the game he broke forward well and passed to Benayoun who set up Gerrard. His role, lack of movement, and lack of confidence are why we've not seen it more often. He does get into decent goal scoring positions, and he just needs a bit of composure - then I can see him scoring a few goals...

 

I've noticed in the last couple of home games that he's becoming more confident on the pitch, directing others in their positioning and geeing up his team mates. He was ordering Masch about at one stage on Sunday.

[carrafan]

Did Masch tell him to f*** off?

[Leo No.8]

the pass the other day was no fluke. In the first couple minutes on Thursday he threaded an eye of the needle ball though to Gerrard whose shot was parried by the keeper, and then late in the game he broke forward well and passed to Benayoun who set up Gerrard. His role, lack of movement, and lack of confidence are why we've not seen it more often. He does get into decent goal scoring positions, and he just needs a bit of composure - then I can see him scoring a few goals...

 

Definitely no fluke as I've seen him play that ball (one of the hardest passes in football, threaded through players and anticipating the runner) three or four times.

 

Carralegend pointed one of them out at Newcastle for Gerrard's goal, yesterday, the one at Arsenal and I've seen him play a very similar pass to that one on Sunday in a game at Anfield (even to the extent of it being from the same side and area of the pitch) once before but can't remember against who.

 

I don't think his passing is the problem - his main issues are confidence and lack of pace and strength. I actually think that he must be working hard in the gym bulking up to address the last issue, as he looks a lot broader than he did when he arrived at the club to me.

 

Right now I don't think he does enough to warrant playing every week, I think his role last year was about right. But he has a good attitude and because of that will probably continue to get better while Rafa is the manager. If he does I'll give him the credit he deserves.

Edited March 1, 2010 by Leo No.8

[David Hodgson]

I'll always remember a pass he done away to Arsenal that put Voronin through and the c*** f***ed it up, it was an incredible pass and took about 3 people completely out of the game.

 

That one for Gerrard at Newcastle was brilliant aswell. He's definitely got some great passing in him mainly through balls rather than 40 yard pinged passes across the field.

 

Which is an incredibly hard skill. Which he does once a year.

[Nerik]

35 out of 38 passes complete yesterday if I read well.

[Maldini]

He's a weird one Lucas, it's like he's playing within himself. I'm still hoping that one of these days something clicks in his head and he becomes more aggressive on and off the ball. Going to the World Cup might give him a bit more confidence, it's not outside the realms of possibility that he'll be a starter for Brazil.

[Frosty Jack]

Played a few great passes on thursday that didn't seem to be mentioned too

[KD07]

Got caught in possession a few times as Xabi used to, opposition were trying to prevent him from launching any attack. I thought he took the rough house tactics well, brushed himself off and continued to make himself available. Except for that one time which almost led to a Blackburn goal.

[David Hodgson]

He's a weird one Lucas, it's like he's playing within himself. I'm still hoping that one of these days something clicks in his head and he becomes more aggressive on and off the ball. Going to the World Cup might give him a bit more confidence, it's not outside the realms of possibility that he'll be a starter for Brazil.

 

All very true.

[Ramón Benítez Hernández]

If his name was Lucaldo or Lucasinho. . .

[Redkop]

Wasn't he top of some stats posted recently for midfielders?

[Earl Hafler]

Wasn't he top of some stats posted recently for midfielders?

 

I think it was in the top 5 on passes and tackles made, but on the latter he was up to 20% lower in success rate than the other four.

[Hassony]

Lucas is a good player, who has kept working on and improving his game ever since he came to england, a very useful squad player to have, and he isn't afraid to mix it with the likes of blackburn and stoke.

 

Hopefully he'll get the chance to work on his finishing/ heading in the summer with Brazil.

[Flight]

Passers Team Passes Accuracy

 

Fabregas Arsenal 1458 80%

 

Mascherano Liverpool 1453 83%

 

Terry Chelsea 1351 89%

 

Huddlestone Tottenham 1341 80%

 

Lucas Liverpool 1336 84%

 

 

 

Current stats.