We've got the best midfield in the world

[David Hodgson]

Again.

 

Gerrard and Allen,

Sahin and Lucas

Hendo and Jonjo-oh-whoah

[Zoob]

Haha,

 

Nothing quite like getting carried away, but our midfield is now so hugely improved on last year, with the way we're trying to play also a significant factor (i.e. picking 3 of the above will yield so much more than a midfield with 4 of Downing, Gerrard, Henderson, Adam and Kuyt, which is what we had for most of last season...)

[Ombudsam]

I think Sahin or Hendo goes for a more natural Lucas cover

[surf]

well, sahin goes cause he's on loan.

 

 

and apparently he's on 120k at madrid, so even if we do feel like keeping him it's going to be hard to fit him into our wage structure

[Earl Hafler]

Our squad has been more suited to this formation since Rafa was here.

[matty]

well, sahin goes cause he's on loan.

 

 

and apparently he's on 120k at madrid, so even if we do feel like keeping him it's going to be hard to fit him into our wage structure

f*** the wage structure. Jesus I hate football turning into cocking accountancy.

[muleskinner]

well, sahin goes cause he's on loan.

 

 

and apparently he's on 120k at madrid, so even if we do feel like keeping him it's going to be hard to fit him into our wage structure

Cole out Şahin in

[Rimbeux]

well, sahin goes cause he's on loan.

 

 

and apparently he's on 120k at madrid, so even if we do feel like keeping him it's going to be hard to fit him into our wage structure

 

What wage structure, I was unaware we had one

[Maldini]

Again.

 

Gerrard and Allen,

Sahin and Lucas

Hendo and Jonjo-oh-whoah

 

[MFletcher]

Surely it should be:

 

Gerrard and Allen,

Lucas and Sahin

Hendo and Jonjo-oh-whoah

 

On account of rhyming a lot better.

[fred milne]

I think Sahin or Hendo goes for a more natural Lucas cover

It will be interesting to see what happens when Lucas is fit again. I like the current set up and not convinced we will necessarily look a better side with Lucas anchoring and Allen playing further forward. Nice problem to have, though.

[Clay Davis]

It will be interesting to see what happens when Lucas is fit again. I like the current set up and not convinced we will necessarily look a better side with Lucas anchoring and Allen playing further forward. Nice problem to have, though.

All dependent on whether Lucas comes back the same player, and whether there are any other injuries for him in the pipeline.I think in the 'big games' we'll need a Lucas in there for sure for extra solidity.

[Swan Red]

I think we concede fewer

[Ronnie#5]

Again.

 

Gerrard and Allen,

Sahin and Lucas

Hendo and Jonjo-oh-whoah

 

Amen brother! It's f***ing great!

 

Surely it should be:

 

Gerrard and Allen,

Lucas and Sahin

Hendo and Jonjo-oh-whoah

 

On account of rhyming a lot better.

 

Pedant! ... But yeah you're right it goes go better

[Frosty Jack]

Gerrard and Suso,

Lucas and Hendo,

Sahin, Allen & Jonjo-oh-whoah.

[Clay Davis]

Gerrard and Suso,

Lucas and Hendo,

Sahin, Allen & Jonjo-oh-whoah.

'kin ell lad, the syncopated Kop.

[Kid Klopp]

It will be interesting to see what happens when Lucas is fit again. I like the current set up and not convinced we will necessarily look a better side with Lucas anchoring and Allen playing further forward. Nice problem to have, though.

 

If Lucas coming back means more protection for the backfour, I am all for whatever we may lose by playing him in the holding role instead of Allen. It's a major deficiency currently and one it'd be well worth sacrificing a bit of attacking valour to address.

[Earl Hafler]

All dependent on whether Lucas comes back the same player, and whether there are any other injuries for him in the pipeline.I think in the 'big games' we'll need a Lucas in there for sure for extra solidity.

 

Aside from a defensive error and a d****ead referee, we should have beaten both Manc clubs without him. And with what we've seen over the last couple of weeks, we have the players to ensure Lucas isn't starting every game when he returns. Had he returned now, i'd like to think Rodgers wouldn't have risked him as he did against City

 

We need a couple of players in January to bolster the squad and take pressure off the youngsters.

Edited September 30, 2012 by Earl Hafler

[Ombudsam]

It will be interesting to see what happens when Lucas is fit again. I like the current set up and not convinced we will necessarily look a better side with Lucas anchoring and Allen playing further forward. Nice problem to have, though.

 

Great problem to have. I think Lucas' pre injury level gets him in. Don't know where but Sahin has put togrther about 130 decent minutes of football for us so let's see what happens there.

[Metro]

Again.

 

Gerrard and Allen,

Sahin and Lucas

Hendo and Jonjo-oh-whoah

 

 

Jeez!!

[fred milne]

Great problem to have. I think Lucas' pre injury level gets him in. Don't know where but Sahin has put togrther about 130 decent minutes of football for us so let's see what happens there.

For me, Lucas's pre-injury form was built up a bit too much on here. He played well and was certainly missed in the 2nd half of the season, but you'd have thought he was the Brazilian Souness going off here.

 

We might look more resilient defensively with him anchoring but I think we will lose some fluency in recycling the ball as he doesn't show for the ball as well as Allen and doesn't have quite the same footballing brain.

[Swan Red]

Watch Lucas in the game against Manchester City last season.

 

We'll be improved when he's back and it'll be an interesting quandary to have

[Zoob]

For me, Lucas's pre-injury form was built up a bit too much on here. He played well and was certainly missed in the 2nd half of the season, but you'd have thought he was the Brazilian Souness going off here.

 

We might look more resilient defensively with him anchoring but I think we will lose some fluency in recycling the ball as he doesn't show for the ball as well as Allen and doesn't have quite the same footballing brain.

 

Don't agree with that at all. He was one of the best tacklers in the league and also had a fantastic pass completion rate (and no, they weren't all backwards and sideways passes). His reading of the game is excellent, and I think he'll absolutely thrive in our current system.

[fred milne]

Watch Lucas in the game against Manchester City last season.

I don't need to - I watched it in the flesh and then again on TV. He played very well - probably his best display in a red shirt - the highlight being him robbing Yaya Toure.

 

I still wonder whether playing him and Allen in the majority of games gives us the right balance. Time will tell.

[Swan Red]

I don't need to - I watched it in the flesh and then again on TV. He played very well - probably his best display in a red shirt - the highlight being him robbing Yaya Toure.

 

I still wonder whether playing him and Allen in the majority of games gives us the right balance. Time will tell.

 

That display shows just how much he can offer the team. It was an excellent performance. If we're to believe Rodgers that we get more from Allen further forward he seems like the ideal player to have behind. It's not like he can't pick a pass. We've had a couple of good games from Sahin and Gerrard's been good and average. Accommodating Lucas isn't really going to be a problem. You just have to listen to Rodgers on Lucas to get the impression he's excited by having them all available I don't know why we wouldn't be.