MITO's Block of Four...

Lucas played in the role Hendo/Allen type role earlier in the season, why couldn't he do that with Gerrard sitting still?

 

I don't think Lucas is mobile enough, he can be quite slow to react and look quite lethargic. And with Gerrard in the midfield, we cannot have another player who can't move quickly.

Allen and Henderson compliment Gerrard.

 

Being slow to react surely means he'd be better off in one of the CM roles rather than the DM position anyway?

TBF, I've said for a while that I don't think Lucas is good enough to be a first choice pick in a title challenging side so if that's where we're aiming for then I don't see him as much more than a squad player.

If we recruit a central midfielder in the summer, I suspect it will be Allen that joins Lucas on the bench.

 

Don't see why Lucas couldn't play ahead of Gerrard in that midfield 3. He used to play that role before he came to us and I'm sure BR played him higher up at the start of the season or in pre-season. He might not be the bet player there, but in a game where we are ahead and need to control the game a midfield 3 of Gerrard/Allen/Lucas would be pretty handy to have.

 

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Mine was better as it was more detailed

 

Mine was to the point and said the same.

 

I dont think Gerrard should go near the DM role. The quality of play with Lucas alone in that role is a lot higher than when Gerrard is there too.

He is too slow in turns and tackles vs. smaller teams to play as anything but a restrained, playmaking CM (where he has excelled this season).

Lucas struggles without anyone ahead of him to pass to, which is what happens when Stevie is next to him. The lack of space hinders his movement too IMO.

As for Agger, he has as many clean sheets in 15 league appearances (11 apps with 90 minutes) as Skrtel in 30 odd games.

He calms the defense down and we are a better side with him in the team.
As for Sterling, he wasn't incredibly effective vs. United so tactically we could switch him and Coutinho on occasion. A break might do him good again.

 

s'not a dm role its holding... if i've a straight choice between lucas who look like he can't run anymore and gerrard who's not got the disipline but might have enough legs to hold.. then its gerrard for me all day.

i'm sick of lucas slapping into the abck of guys faces their own half and giving cheap free kicks

As for agger? meh i'm easy. yes clean sheets but also a lot of issues. Agger or shako? whoever plays better.

sterling can't pass it well enough for AM but has energy and pace. the tactic is indeed to switch between coutinho and him cos sturrdige and suarez are too good.

 

There seemed to be a lot of praise for Sterling in the media in the central role against Utd, but I thought he was far less effective there.
He's a winger, and that's where he should stay, imo.
I think being played out of position was what took the edge off his game. He's been one of the best players for the last few months- I don't think it would be wise to drop him.

 

I don't think it's about Agger Vs Skrtel. I think they're both ok, neither are anything special, neither are poor. I think they just work well together. Long term, we should be looking to replace them; Sakho is obviously the natural successor on the LCB, we need to find the right side now.

For now, it's whoever plays better.

Same for midfield, it's either Lucas or Gerrard. One sits back and controls the game with passing or launching attacks, the other will sit deep and really break up play. Depends on the game. Much like Allen or Coutinho does.

 

Also the disparity between Agger's clean sheets and Skrtel's could be explained by them being better when paired together. Skrtel has been the only constant and has had to deal with everything and everyone. As I've said before, I think part of his difficulty has been trying to do everything by himself.
I still think he's done a decent job.

 

I thought Sterling was very good against Man Utd. He got involved and tracked back. His offensive game suffered a bit and I prefer him on the right but good performance all the same.

 

I don't think he played badly at all, I just think he's more effective, and more exhilarating, on the wing, and I prefer him there.

 

His work rate in the middle was great but I agree I prefer him as the 3rd attacker in a 4-3-3

 

Agreed.

I will add that Raheem comtinues to impress me. He's played RW, LW, CF, AM & RB and nothing seems to phase him.

 

Yep. He's proving himself to be a lot more than a head-down speed merchant.
He even puts himself about a bit, even though he only weighs about three stone and runs like a girl.

 

raheem was good its just the passing and vision in a positive sense that he is not as good as coutinho is so it showed.

every good point in his performance i whole heartedly agree with!

 

I agree, he is turning into quite the player and I don't want to drop him completely. Sit him on the bench and have him come on halfway through sometimes though. I'd hate to drop Coutinho as well. He needs the game time to get back to his best. He hasn't been incredible this season, useful and clever certainly but needs to mature a little in terms of shooting and passing earlier.

I really don't know why you think "Lucas can't run anymore" MITO, if anyone's legs are giving in it's Gerrard's. Our defenders suffer without a defensive midfielder (the only effective one in that position is Lucas) and a holding player isn't enough. In fact, holding the ball can inhibit free-flowing counter-attacking football if not done right or too far back. How many times did we criticise our fearless leader this season for letting play bypass him? He looked lethargic at times and often gave up on closing down players early. I'm not being overly critical - his role isn't to break up play and the role he is in now is proving to be a great one for him. But that defensive midfielder role is needed as a safety net for our defenders to be more secure.

Both can play, Allen can come on later - for me he hasn't earned a spot in the 11 despite having a slight improvement.

 

yes gerrards are not going to last much longer but i fear for lucas. he is not mobile any more like he was and he's slow to get to things. I think gerrard has developed int the role as i was critical when he was not the holding guy. he was bascially going forward and not getting back. now he's holding back and being in a better position. My thing is simply this.

if i had a choice between pirlo and makelele i'd choose pirlo. that's just me. apply that to gerrard and lucas and yeah lucas when fit would be better defensively but the positivity in gerrard's outlook... the first thought is forward pass, the range of passing is astounding as always. so if he's not quite as good defensively.... Well ok.

I'd rather gerrard standing between the two cbs AS LONG as he does so. as recently as the swansea game i was seeing him basically not willing to drop in as a cb went a wandering but v utd... drops in no fuss and allows agger to stride up. Rodgers wants a regista...

thats just my opinion of course. lucas can provide accurate short passing and used to at least cove rthe gorund and make himself available and move it but right now he has been a shadow of his former self.