I just found out that Lucas will be suspended for the weekend because he has had 5 yellow cards this season. We have only had 6 games. 5 yellow cards in 6 games! Is Lucas turning in to Mascerano? And who do we play in midfield for this weekends game?
No disrespect to Palace but he was bound to miss one of the next few games - so in a way it's not a bad thing. I expect if Allen is fit he'll slot in - personally I'd like to see Alberto, maybe meaning Henderson slots back to DM?? But it depends on who's available and whether we stick to the new formation or not..
I wouldn't mind Henderson going back to DM and seeing how he copes in that position. Think Allen will probably come in and play in the AM role that he did in pre-season.
Im pissed off with him for this, he plays in a position were he does a lot of challenges, accepted. But, he's playing like a schoolboy a bit at the min and has picked up needless bookings
It's 7 games rather than 6 (Unitd in the COC counted) but still not too good. Mean's hes got another 30odd games and if he gets 5 more then he'll miss 2 games!
It's 7 games rather than 6 (Unitd in the COC counted) but still not too good. Mean's hes got another 30odd games and if he gets 5 more then he'll miss 2 games!
With three CB's do we need a DM? Add Agger back in and we have an extra passing player at the back (who can also break into midfield if needed). ---------Mignolet--------- ----Toure-Sakho-Agger--- Henderson-Gerrard-Enrique ------------Allen--------- --Suarez-Sturridge-Moses
We've had eight games; Stoke, Villa, Notts County, Man Utd, Swansea, Southampton, Man Utd and then Sunderland
Do cup games count in this then? I suppose it must do if a PL red card can see you miss a cup game. 5 in 8 is still bad for Lucas. Sturridge on the other hand has a great 5 in 8 record.
FFS It's not Lucas's problem, it's the way that the Refs are interpreting the tackle rules. Look at the tackle that he got carded for against Sunderland. There was absolutely no foul committed! There has to be more reviews available rather than this blanket acceptance of yellow card awards.
Lucas has to calm down a little. He's playing well and it shows, but he makes late game challenges that are unnecessary sometimes. He doesn't need to be like Mascherano. Take David Pizzaro last year at Fiorentina. End of last season he had picked up so many yellows that if he got a few more each would have been a suspension! This lead to him not playing as much and playing more cautiously, which hurt them. Same with Lucas. Other players need to do more defensively when not in possession though. I understand SAS and Ford not tracking back as they need to be ready for a counter, but Hendo and Gerrard need to press the opposition to protect Lucas. He in turn protects the back 4. We can't afford too many games out at the tail end of the season for a player of that importance.
Lucas and Gerrard are not protecting the defence though. Sunderland had around 20 shots on goal! In fact, Mignolet has made the most saves this season in the entire league.
