Lucas + Johnson - the axis of awful

[Rosco]

For me these are one of the biggest reasons we've been so rubbish for so long. And the Villa game was another perfect example.

The theory is that Johnson is at his best going forward, and because of the gaps he leaves we need Lucas to cover.

And it does work that way, except not in our favour. Lucas made five tackles and a couple of clearances down our right side (where a right back would be) at the weekend.

The problem is Johnson created 0 chances, had 0 crosses. He took on one player and lost possession. He had one shot that was a mile wide.

Johnson is of little benefit to us in defending, and only occasionally effective going forward. His presence in the team necessitates Lucas.

The problem with Lucas is that while he works hard, he's a very limited on the ball. His passing is accurate but it never gets us anywhere. He created 0 chances, had 0 shots. He's a total non entity in attack.

Given the main reason we need Lucas is to accomodate Johnson, why play the ineffective full back and compound that mistake by playing the non entity in midfield ?

Surely we'd be better off with an orthodox right back, and a proper midfielder ?

 

[LeTallecWiz]

Oh shit ... Ryan and Andy are going to be all over you ... Maybe even Mamma will lambast you.

 

[keniget]

I wish we had've signed Adriano before Barca got there. He'd be perfect.

As for Lucas, attacking fullbacks period necessitate his presence.

 

[LarryHagman]

I reckon if I could pack my job in and train solid for 3 weeks, I wouldn't be any worse than Lucas.

 

[nealmac]

I thought both of them played well against Stoke. Villa was different. Lucas did ok I thought, but like Ross said, he created fuck all from an offensive point of view. Johnson was fucking atrocious. It's been widely said, that even on one of his good days, Johnson can be immense going forward, but completely clueless when it comes to defending. Against Villa he was useless at both. I lost count of how many times he gave the ball away. He's not consistent enough. I think there's a real opportunity coming up for either Kelly or Wisdom to make a name for themselves.

 

[Dreambeliever]

Agger is more of a problem these days

 

[Woland]

Don't get me fucking started

 

[red_maradona]

All of this analysis after our best start in god knows how many years and two clean sheets?

 

[Modo]

Again with this bullshit.

 

[Woland]

I reckon when you haven't created jack shit against Villa for an hour it's worth discussing why that might be.

 

[jexykrodic]

Johnson and Lucas have been involved in keeping 9 clean sheets in the last 15 competitive matches haven't they?

Decent defending that.

 

[Modo]

Coutinho had problems creating chances against Villa so did Gerrard. We had one shot on goal.
Why are we having a discussion about the defensive midfielder?

 

[Woland]

Coz he's shite

 

[Modo]

Coz he's shite

Didn't see that coming 🙄

 

[dantes]

The problem with Lucas is that while he works hard, he's a very limited on the ball. His passing is accurate but it never gets us anywhere. He created 0 chances, had 0 shots. He's a total non entity in attack.

You could not wish for a more perfect player for Rodgers. The first half was bordering on serenity. I've never felt more relaxed and calm watching us play. There was zero danger, none, zilch. And you just knew the shameless cunt would continue bouncing the ball back and forth with the defence all day long.

Away from home, when our goal these days is not to lose, Lucas was perfect.

 

[ArneSlot4PM]

With the transfer window still open, i'm worried that a few clubs are going to be coming in for Lucas.

Doncaster and Swindon deffo need a new CM.

 

[Mamma Mia]

Oh shit ... Ryan and Andy are going to be all over you ... Maybe even Mamma will lambast you.

Not me. I may not agree with Ross all the time, but at least he's not in the hyperbolic "Lucas is shite" camp of ignorance. There's a discussion to be had here.

I agree with Keni, it's the system that necessitates a Lucas type player, not the individuals.

 

[Ryan]

For me these are one of the biggest reasons we've been so rubbish for so long. And the Villa game was another perfect example.

The theory is that Johnson is at his best going forward, and because of the gaps he leaves we need Lucas to cover.

And it does work that way, except not in our favour. Lucas made five tackles and a couple of clearances down our right side (where a right back would be) at the weekend.

The problem is Johnson created 0 chances, had 0 crosses. He took on one player and lost possession. He had one shot that was a mile wide.

Johnson is of little benefit to us in defending, and only occasionally effective going forward. His presence in the team necessitates Lucas.

The problem with Lucas is that while he works hard, he's a very limited on the ball. His passing is accurate but it never gets us anywhere. He created 0 chances, had 0 shots. He's a total non entity in attack.

Given the main reason we need Lucas is to accomodate Johnson, why play the ineffective full back and compound that mistake by playing the non entity in midfield ?

Surely we'd be better off with an orthodox right back, and a proper midfielder ?

The above is the equivalent if me watching a coiple of episodes of Ally McBeal and thinking I could practice law.

I particularly liked the use of some selective stats to hammer home the points too.

Ironymuch?

 

[the_khl]

He's not bad. He's just not really good either.

The amount of possession lost due to Lucas' inability on the ball and poor decision making against Villa was truly amazing. I don't think he's normally that bad but it still believe he's one of the weakest links in the team, and against better teams we will be severely punished by his mistakes too.

 

[mark1975]

Johnson might fulfill his potential one day, ditto Lucas. And I don't think Rosco was saying he wants to be a right back, so the Ally McBeal analogy doesn't really work.

Neither have given us enough consistency, only a blind oaf would sugggest otherwise. WE NEED BETTER.

 

[dantes]

Lucas looked bad because he had more of the ball than any other player. If we buy a typical defensive midfielder, the last fucking thing the team would want to do is keep giving him the ball. Defensive midfielders are generally shit with the ball.

Lucas is average with it, which is almost unheard of for a player in his position. You have to be very careful about who you put in there to replace him. Allen would do well. Some son of Makelele would have us in the relegation zone.

 

[LeTallecWiz]

Not me. I may not agree with Ross all the time, but at least he's not in the hyperbolic "Lucas is shite" camp of ignorance. There's a discussion to be had here.

I agree with Keni, it's the system that necessitates a Lucas type player, not the individuals.

Tbh, all the discussions have put me squarely on the fence with Lucas. I have no idea anymore, nor do I care. If we win, I'm happy though and don't need a scapegoat! 🙂

 

[the_khl]

The above is the equivalent if me watching a coiple of episodes of Ally McBeal and thinking I could practice law.

I particularly liked the use of some selective stats to hammer home the points too.

Ironymuch?

Out of curiosity Ryan, given your admiration of Lucas and Allen both, would you, if you were our manager pick a CM consisting of the two?

 

[RedStar]

In 5 years hes had 1 good season, why are people surprised when he performs poorly, thats his normal level. There are lots of players who play well 20% of the time, the trick is to realise this and move them on before everybody else cops it, we've missed the boat on this one by at least 2 years

 

[the_khl]

Tbh, all the discussions have put me squarely on the fence with Lucas. I have no idea anymore, nor do I care. If we win, I'm happy though and don't need a scapegoat! 🙂

No need, you should just listen less to Ryan on the Lucas-subject, and more to the ones airing their concerns over his shortcomings, as they are blatant and obvious to almost everyone.

 

[the_khl]

Lucas looked bad because he had more of the ball than any other player. If we buy a typical defensive midfielder, the last fucking thing the team would want to do is keep giving him the ball. Defensive midfielders are generally shit with the ball.

Lucas is average with it, which is almost unheard of for a player in his position. You have to be very careful about who you put in there to replace him. Allen would do well. Some son of Makelele would have us in the relegation zone.

Oh how I would absolutely love to have a Makelele in the team over Lucas.

 

[dantes]

Oh how I would absolutely love to have a Makelele in the team over Lucas.

Then the first half against Villa could never happen. Lucas is an average defender and average passer. You can compromise on the former and back your team to never ever lose the ball. But if you compromise on the latter we'd need a new manager.

 

[keniget]

Is Lars Bender out of reach?

 

[Fabio]

Is Lars Bender out of reach?

I'd imagine so

Shame. Hes a boss

 

[the_khl]

Then the first half against Villa could never happen. Lucas is an average defender and average passer. You can compromise on the former and back your team to never ever lose the ball. But if you compromise on the latter we'd need a new manager.

Makelele had no problem finding a team mate. He may have been less interested hitting the longer passes but he was a quite fine footballer overall as well as midfield enforcer.