says you! Allen is mediocre. His passes are mostly sideways or back so he adds very little to our forward creativity. His tackling is poor so he adds even less to our defensive cover. We paid too much for his limited skills and should recoup just as soon as possible.
That is one of the most balanced views of where our midfield is at. Like you I don't see why people are getting at Lucas. One of his continuing finest assets is that he goes about his business quietly and unobtrusively. If he were as poor as some on here claim then why is he picked for the Brazillian squad in a WC year? I don't see why Gerrard cannot be moved forward. It would, as you say, help to maximise the effectiveness of his passing and crossing skills. The true problem lies with Rodgers and his rigid thinking about how our midfield should operate.
First things first, great post TGOA RE: Lucas... I think he gets criticism for two reasons: 1) How well he was performing prior to his injuries raising the expectation potentially above and beyond his current day reach. He may get back to that level but it is a tall order. 1) The way BR likes us to play. He doesn't normally like the midfielders to track runners into the defenders areas. He doesn't like his defenders to step out either. This obviously leaves big holes inbetween where most of us expect Lucas to be but I think he's been told to do otherwise bar the bigger games such as yesterday. I like Lucas and I do admire any player in the DM role too, I loved Mascherano! I also supported Lucas from very early on despite him getting stick from a lot of fans as I could see he had energy, a die for never give up attitude and he had ability that could be nurtured too, he just needed to learn the deeper position and English game. Prior to his injury he was getting the better of players such as Yaya Toure but since his injury he seems a yard off the pace. This could be down to point two above, especially since he performed so well yesterday. If it is point two then I'm not convinced Lucas is the right man for BR (certainly not in a partnership with Gerrard but you would need a Mascherano type for that to work) but he certainly is a very good option to have.
Not saying Allen is our saviour or anything - as DF said, the whole midfield is not up to scratch. Lucas has been poor IMO - his positioning is quite poor which leaves our defence wide open. There were a number of times against Everton where one ball bypassed our midfield and led to one and one chances. The Everton match was an extreme example but similar situations have happened in a lot of our games this season. He is also easily beaten as well - there are a number of times when both he and Gerrard got beaten with a simple drop of the shoulder, leaving the defence exposed. Personally, move Gerrard to the right wing or AM. He's not a central midfielder. He's a natural attacking mid. My logic for playing him on the wing is simply because he can put in great crosses. Nothing more, nothing less.
This is just wrong though mate, Allen has been back for a little while - he was selected because Sturridge could not start and he had a MOTM performance for Wales. He is not being automatically selected. Why would Moses justify going straight in instead?
If we intend to play with attacking full backs we need a mobile and intelligent midfielder that can support the attack but be positionally aware enough to get back and support the DM when countered. At the minute those qualities are spilt between the three CM's. Hendo has the engine but not the brain, Gerrard has the ability to support the attack but not the legs and Allen has the Brain but little else. Alternatively we need 2 midfielders in the mould of what Allen was supposed to be, highly technical, calm players who play the ball to death with Suarez and Coutinho filling the spaces. Which, with our current funds would be easier to get. What player that we can afford has the qualities to fill the current hole? Or is it the all out attacking full backs that's the problem? If we had more defensive FB's and one more Wideman would it stabalise the midfield. Would this makes us too static though?
Yann M'Vila is a serious target - big physical DM but with very good technical qualities. Matic would be ideal but concerns over his price tag. As you say, our 3 midfield options are good individually but are completely inflexible and rigid as a partnership.
I have my doubts regarding the modern African type Big Unit midfielders. This is in no way racist but I don't see the majority of that type of player being consistent over the long term in the Premiership.
I see your point but M'Vila is more than just a big unit. Plays with intelligence, reads the game, good passing etc.
Jimmy, I don't know enough about the lad to make any definitive judgement so my comment was not personal. But if you look at the Premiership the 'lesser' sides appear to favour this type of player whilst the 'top' echelon sides all choose more fluid patterns. Now I did hear some rumours that he was at the Derby. But, surely unless we had some form of pre-contract agreement we would be foolish to have him there - even if not officially.?
