Lucas Left

[Hassony]

He's been brilliant this season, after being written off, The Lucas renaissance, seems to be coping with two matches a week as well

 

never mind selling him in the summer, we need to offer him a new contract, with Gerrard leaving, him and Skrtel are the senior members of the squad

[Conrad]

Must confess I was thinking earlier in the season he looked shot, but his overall reading of the game is so good that it helps make up for a lack of legs.

 

He's so much better in that position than anyone else we have (including Gerrard), that I agree we should keep him. Although I'd like us to sign his eventual replacement this summer. Schneiderlin ideally.

[Chili Palmer]

He's been brilliant this season, after being written off, The Lucas renaissance, seems to be coping with two matches a week as well

 

never mind selling him in the summer, we need to offer him a new contract, with Gerrard leaving, him and Skrtel are the senior members of the squad

 

Totally agree, he was brilliant last night against a top midfield. I always thought he was roughly the same age as Gerrard but he's only 28 (?) and that position isn't about speed, its about positioning. He knows the job well.

[Dan]

Looks to be back to pre injury performance levels. Did his knee at an away leg league cup match at Chelsea as well didn't he? Could be a cathartic moment next week when he scores the winner.

[JRC]

Looks to be back to pre injury performance levels. Did his knee at an away leg league cup match at Chelsea as well didn't he? Could be a cathartic moment next week when he scores the winner.

 

The nicely symmetrical embodiment of the Leivaissance.

[Swipe]

He's been just brilliant lately.

 

His return to the starting XI really seems to have started our resurgence.

[Barnesy_10]

I love him..... if we let him go then heads should roll... His energy levels look back to where they should be for this league... last season that was a major doubt hanging over him but he fits perfectly in this team... Love he puts himself about and has spats at opposition and stands up to them

[McBain]

I was calling loud for his sale in the summer. Arguing he wouldn't get any games

 

Yea that was daft

[Tones]

Brilliant last night, and a big part in our improved recent form

[Earl Hafler]

He's been brilliant this season, after being written off, The Lucas renaissance, seems to be coping with two matches a week as well

 

never mind selling him in the summer, we need to offer him a new contract, with Gerrard leaving, him and Skrtel are the senior members of the squad

 

Aye, particularly with Gerrard leaving.

 

Seems to have progressed through a period where he was struggling the second and third game back after an absence and, even more than Henderson, plays better when Gerrard isn't 10 yards away from him. The same could be said for the defence - they all look more comfortable without Gerrard stood 5 yards away from them. Sakho stepping out of defence last night, hitting lovely passes through to Coutinho or Sterling. Skrtel's less of a mad head.

 

Deserves a new contract.

[JRC]

I love him..... if we let him go then heads should roll... His energy levels look back to where they should be for this league... last season that was a major doubt hanging over him but he fits perfectly in this team... Love he puts himself about and has spats at opposition and stands up to them

 

A potential unexpected consequence of Gerrard's (extended) departure? A few have noted it from last night (Lucas, Henderson, Markovic, Can)

 

Whilst we all know Gerrard was never one to shy away from a midfield football/physical battle, there have often been complaints/suggestions that we are less in-your-face confrontational and intimidating than other teams - either with Refs or opposition players directly - and that has, maybe, been a reflection of Gerrard's personal style, as our main, go-to man. I know he was playing last night, but even his imminent departure could bring about the required mindset change in the others.

 

* Still nostalgic for the thousand-yard 'I've got your number' stare (and capacity to back it up) of a Smith, Case, Souness or - much underrated for this quality - Whelan.

Edited January 21, 2015 by JRC

[Raj]

Must confess I was thinking earlier in the season he looked shot, but his overall reading of the game is so good that it helps make up for a lack of legs.

 

He's so much better in that position than anyone else we have (including Gerrard), that I agree we should keep him. Although I'd like us to sign his eventual replacement this summer. Schneiderlin ideally.

 

I'd rather keep him in the squad and buy another defensive midfielder, so that we have the option of both.

[fred milne]

He's been brilliant this season, after being written off, The Lucas renaissance, seems to be coping with two matches a week as well

 

never mind selling him in the summer, we need to offer him a new contract, with Gerrard leaving, him and Skrtel are the senior members of the squad

Well said. Securing his long-term future at the club should be a priority.

[RedHarvest]

Yes we need to keep him for maybe 2 more seasons, buy a moneyballer understudy for him in the summer and see where we are after that.

 

The added bonus is that it will be encouraging for his bezzy wee Phil Coutinho to stick around and become a legend with the tricky reds

[Jiggy Hates Jazz]

My man love for Lucas has gone to new heights after the last couple of months (especially the Lambert goal celebration)

 

 

I'd rather keep him in the squad and buy another defensive midfielder, so that we have the option of both.

 

Agreed - need options and cover

[Sir Tokyo Sexwale]

he needs a new f***ing contract

[Paddy T.]

My man love for Lucas has gone to new heights after the last couple of months (especially the Lambert goal celebration)

 

 

Agreed - need options and cover

 

 

The way he fell off the pile on his first attempt, took a step back, went round a steward trying to get in his way and launched himself into a bulk of fans made me giggle with happiness :-)

[kenny7]

Looks to be back to pre injury performance levels. Did his knee at an away leg league cup match at Chelsea as well didn't he? Could be a cathartic moment next week when he scores the winner.

 

Was in not Man City

[Billy Talbot]

Well he's looked miles better since I slagged him off for his performance vs Swansea.

 

Looked brilliant last night.

[Dan]

 

Was in not Man City

 

No. He'd bossed Yaya Toure a few days earlier at Anfield though.

Edited January 21, 2015 by Dan

[dorgie]

He was brilliant last night, against a very big physical midfield.

[Hus]

Awesome last night - considering who we were playing, he worked his ass off.

 

Should be getting a new contract in the summer but I think he will be off i.e. its too late, we tried to flog him in the summer

[sangria]

Someone did a comparison between Lucas and the most lauded DMs in the league, plus Gerrard and Henderson as a further comparison within the squad.

 

http://i.imgur.com/pNxTm9m.png

 

Defensively, Lucas tops the list in every category (both in total and as successful actions) except fouls committed, where Schneiderlin commits 0.3 more fouls per 90 minutes than Lucas. When all the contested actions are put together as "defensive actions", Matic and Schneiderlin average 16.5-17 "defensive actions" per 90 minutes. Lucas averages 22. The guy who posted the stats (before last night's game) concluded that Lucas must be a nightmare to play against.

 

[cymrococh]

This thread title is doing my head in.

[Dan]

This thread title is doing my head in.

 

I keep trying to say it in my head when I see it. It never sounds right.