Lucas Leiva returns to the first-team squad this weekend after a one match suspension, and many - including Anfield legend Mark Lawrenson - believe he should go straight back into the first XI. If that happens, it will probably be Jordan Henderson who has to make way, but does he deserve to be dropped?
In his Friday column for the Daily Post, Lawro argued that Lucas must come back into the team. He explained:
"He [Lucas] forms a better partnership with Steven Gerrard in central midfield than Jordan Henderson.
"Henderson may have a great engine, but Lucas is a better player and is more cute in that position".
Is Lucas a better player in the defensive midfield role? Looking at this season stats:
* Tackles won: Hendo 65% | Lucas 66%
* Clearances: Hendo 7 | Lucas 10
* Interceptions: Hendo 3 | L ucas 18
* Blocks: Hendo 4 | Lucas 3
* Duels won: Hendo 51.9 | Lucas 59.8%
* Aerial duels won: Hendo 33.3% | Lucas 71.4%
* Recoveries: Hendo 39 | Lucas 41
* Passing accuracy: Hendo 85% | Lucas 89%
Stats: OPTA
Overall, Lucas may be slightly better at the defensive side of the game, but that is practically all the Brazilian offers. Henderson - described yesterday by Brendan Rodgers as 'brilliant' and 'first-class - is faster; more athletic; (arguably) has superior stamina, and offers something in attack. Additionally, Hendo delivered a great performance in the 3-1 victory over Crystal Palace, and doesn't (IMO) deserve to be dropped.
Why change a winning team? To his credit, Rodgers tends to keep winning teams together, and I personally hope the manager sticks to that philosophy against Newcastle. If Daniel Agger can't regain his place straight away, why should Lucas? Let him fight for his place like everyone else.
On the subject of Agger - Lawro expects the Dane to remain on the bench for the Newcastle game:
"It may be more difficult for Daniel Agger. If you are in possession of the shirt and playing well, you play. And the three other centre-backs haven’t put a foot wrong yet".
Strange that Lawro doesn't apply this approach to Henderson, who is playing well at the moment.
Should Agger and Lucas come back into the team, or should Rodgers stick with Hendo and Sakho...?
Author: Jaimie K
In his Friday column for the Daily Post, Lawro argued that Lucas must come back into the team. He explained:
"He [Lucas] forms a better partnership with Steven Gerrard in central midfield than Jordan Henderson.
"Henderson may have a great engine, but Lucas is a better player and is more cute in that position".
Is Lucas a better player in the defensive midfield role? Looking at this season stats:
* Tackles won: Hendo 65% | Lucas 66%
* Clearances: Hendo 7 | Lucas 10
* Interceptions: Hendo 3 | L ucas 18
* Blocks: Hendo 4 | Lucas 3
* Duels won: Hendo 51.9 | Lucas 59.8%
* Aerial duels won: Hendo 33.3% | Lucas 71.4%
* Recoveries: Hendo 39 | Lucas 41
* Passing accuracy: Hendo 85% | Lucas 89%
Stats: OPTA
Overall, Lucas may be slightly better at the defensive side of the game, but that is practically all the Brazilian offers. Henderson - described yesterday by Brendan Rodgers as 'brilliant' and 'first-class - is faster; more athletic; (arguably) has superior stamina, and offers something in attack. Additionally, Hendo delivered a great performance in the 3-1 victory over Crystal Palace, and doesn't (IMO) deserve to be dropped.
Why change a winning team? To his credit, Rodgers tends to keep winning teams together, and I personally hope the manager sticks to that philosophy against Newcastle. If Daniel Agger can't regain his place straight away, why should Lucas? Let him fight for his place like everyone else.
On the subject of Agger - Lawro expects the Dane to remain on the bench for the Newcastle game:
"It may be more difficult for Daniel Agger. If you are in possession of the shirt and playing well, you play. And the three other centre-backs haven’t put a foot wrong yet".
Strange that Lawro doesn't apply this approach to Henderson, who is playing well at the moment.
Should Agger and Lucas come back into the team, or should Rodgers stick with Hendo and Sakho...?
Author: Jaimie K
Given that Lucas is a Defensive Midfielder and Henderson is not, those stats would obviously be in Lucas's favour. In my opinion, Henderson is better compared to Steven Gerrard, or possibly coutinho in the first team. At present he does not affect the game aswell as those two. Realistically we dont have "true" cover for Lucas, instead we have players "who can play there"(gerrard, allen, henderson).
ReplyDeleteWhile I like henderson (he will only improve) and I am comfortable with him in teh team, Lucas provides the defensive ballance needed to release Coutinho and Gerrard. Therefore, Lucas benefits teh team more at present.
In regard to Agger, he should comeback into the team if he is fit, no question, he is our best defender by a country mile.
I agree, why change a winning combination. They haven't done anything to warrant being dropped.
ReplyDeleteHang on : in every defensive statistic Lucas is better. OK, in some it is marginal, but in two it is significant (Interceptions 18 vs 3; and Aerial duels won :71% vs 33%). In truth you do need to know both the numbers and percentages as these will be affected by their position.
ReplyDeleteWhile I agree that Lucas can be "out-muscled" the stats indicate that unless the opposition has a big muscly midfielder, Lucas should start as Defensive Midfielder. If he is being out-muscled, then switch / bring on Hendo to that position.
I think its more the fact that defensively they are very similar, but offensively Henderson can offer more in terms of goals/assists.
ReplyDeleteSahko starts again no doubt bout time some1 took aggressive place he must b worst centre half at heading ball from set pieces in the league I'd say Lucas will start as we're away from home and Newcastle are a tricky tie
ReplyDeleteHow about playing Hendo and Lucas together and bringing Gerrard for Hendo in the second half?
ReplyDeleteHow about playin Lucas the same way he was played in Brazil as half cb half dm and drop one of three cb's ?
ReplyDeleteDo we need to play a defensive midfielder if we have three centre backs? I'd rather see Hendo in the team due to his mobility and more all round game. I like Lucas, but he's making me increasingly nervous with all the free kicks he's giving away.
ReplyDeleteYes, we do need a DM even if we play 3 CBs. Why? Because the two WBs are more of wingers that play upfront and have less defensive duties where the DM has to become the 4th CB with the LCB and RCB shifting wide.
ReplyDeleteI'd prefer Hendo over Lucas even if it comes to being a DM because that guy has what our midfield needs to an extent even though not ideal.
Hendo plays in all positions in the midfield, and he does it very, very good. Our best mid three is Hendo , Gerrard and Couthinho.
ReplyDeleteWe should play Gerrard behind attackers, at least untill Coutinho returns. and when he does, try with him on the wing exchanging places with Steven. Gerrard would contribute more, and rest more.
ReplyDeleteAnd I saw opta for Palace game, you are right..
ReplyDeleteAre you sure Pops? What you smoking over there?
ReplyDeleteLet's play Henderson in the exact same role as Lucas and see if he still provides the offensive possibilities.
ReplyDeleteLucas does not move forward because that is not his role. He isn't there to score goals... he's there to help prevent them and he's doing a very good job of it.
Henderson has steadily become a very good player for us, and I want to see him continue to play. His strongest position is in central midfield. I think he should be used in rotation with Lucas.
No, Gerrard isn't the same as he was two or three seasons back with him threading the ball. More of a link up between defenders and attackers so I don't think the right position for him is to play next to Lucas. Playing Moses in No.10 too much will give Chelsea a very much improved player which we shouldn't be doing right now but rather play him out wide for which he was brought.
ReplyDeleteI think Hendo should start over Lucas, based on his last performance. Then again, Glen might not be judged fully fit and then Hendo would go to right-back and Lucas would slide in to his usual role.
ReplyDeleteeven in 4-4-2 full backs are wingbacks these days. the defensive midfield role was invented to stop the two centre backs being cut apart by "bergkamp" style passes. if you have three there it shouldn't be an issue. i dont get why you want 4 centre backs?
ReplyDeletegerrard still has it mate. the only weakness versus a few years ago is when he gets turnedand can't catch up with the play - not an issue if he's further forward
ReplyDeleteWell, I think BR knows it better than us and that's the reason why he's playing him further deep. If Gerrard really wanted I can see him even playing as a GK :P
ReplyDeleteIts not exactly 4 CBs for me. I see the LCB and RCB going wide when the attack comes from either flanks which has to be done so as to stop them but then what if the ball is crossed into center? We aren't great when a counter attack starts on us and that's the reason BR plays 3 CBs with a DM or else why would he?
ReplyDeleteWe'll have to agree to disagree on the need for so many defensive players :-) Rodgers is trying to keep the important payers happy IMO because we're not playing his brand of football right now.
ReplyDeleteAll those stats show a conclusive win for Lucas, the only thing we can say for Henderson is that he's "athletic" and "dynamic" and "offers an offensive threat". They're all vague clichéd assessments that don't mean a whole lot. In a DM role there is no question that Lucas is the better player so if that's the role to be filled then Lucas should get the nod. It's odd that so often you talk about square pegs in round holes, playing aces in their places, but in this situation you completely abandon that philosophy. Lucas is the best DM, Henderson is not. Lucas has not been injured and should be refreshed which to me suggests he'll have been working hard to ensure he's ready. The only argument that says Henderson should be preferred is that he's now maintained a spot in a winning side and he is, of course, playing well. I'd guess Rodgers will prefer to get him to adapt to some other role rather than prevent Lucas from coming back. What I'd like to see is Gerrard take the 10 role with Henderson behind him, probably pushing Moses further forward or to the bench. We could go all-out attack and play Moses on the left flank of a 5 man midfield, Johnson on the right. That's probably my pick for the team.
ReplyDeleteNot the same in terms of stamina of course. But I think he should still play the AM rather than deep lying midfielder especially having seen him score the 2nd goal for England.
ReplyDeleteAs I said earlier, BR considers others a better shot over him.
ReplyDeleteexcatly..
ReplyDelete