https://twitter.com/i/web/status/1369211858067087364 Finally, a manager has identified a role that allows Lucas to exploit his pace and ability to run past opposition defenders and open up space for others. Of course, it helps that he has 3 world class players in front of him. Please can we let him take some more free kicks.
A good friend of mine who is a lifelong Hammers fan tells me it originated in Docklands long ago: West Ham were the team supported by the dockworkers, but Spurs were supported by the wealthy dock-owners. So basically it was originally/historically a class issue. I think it is now reinforced by an unacceptable anti-semitic dimension among some of their fans. At one time (40 years ago) they were hosting a recruiting base for the NF behind the stand. It's very sad for this to be part of the reality, when they are also a genuine community-based/orientated club. Incidentally it is a Gooner friend (yeah - I know! - the company I keep, eh?!) who repeatedly posts anti-Irons stuff more than anyone else I know.
If I’m not wrong I think he started out as an attacking mid at São Paulo too. I’m sure back in my FM saves from way back that CAM was his primary position, lol. It’s so unconventional though, number tens/ CAMs are generally associated with being a playmaker (Eriksen, van der Vaart, Ozil, Coutinho, de Bruyne, Silva etc), yet the way Lucas makes the position work is via skill, pace and graft. Must have watched a few Kaka videos on YouTube lately.
It's a bit unconventional but I can see it working. Kane has the ability to drop and play the killer passes like a more conventional 10, while Lucas can take people on and his pace makes him a more effective presser than Kane. I also think being more involved in the middle is better for his game, it stops his drifting out of matches so much. He seems to play more on instinct and when he picks up the ball in wide areas he almost has too much time to think sometimes. Being more central means he is busier and more involved and I think this keeps him switched on.
Whether it proves to be the best long term solution who knows but it’s certainly working right now and it’s really enjoyable stuff from him alongside the other three. He’s found a lease of life that’s been missing since the CL semi final and I hope it continues, it’s long overdue to say the least. All four first choice attackers could be on the bench Thursday too which will be nice as it keeps them fresh for the NLD. Zagreb are a decent side but Vinicius, Bergwijn, Dele and Lamela should be able to put them to the sword.
In any normal circumstances that would be a MOTM performance. Incredible energy and indirectly involved in all 4 goals. A few errors when he overplayed things, one which ultimately led to their goal. But that's the sort of performance you'd pay good money to watch And I can't help thinking that JM's overt praise plus the change of set up has boosted his confidence.