I'd have Lucas on my list, too. Never shirks his responsibilities, backs himself in a challenge, plays smart and always uses the ball effectively for what his role in the team dictates. He'll never put his team mate under pressure with a pass and happy to keep the ball himself until other players are ready to receive it.
Don't know if I've worded that right because I'm not trying to praise his ability but his mentality for the role. His role requires being brave and he is.
Great to see BR going for this quality. It adds character and determination to succeed to our squad.
I don't think what you describe in Lucas's game is necessarily what BR is talking about. The attributes you describe are pretty spot on re Lucas though. But BR talks of technical ability and using the ball in other areas where players normally wouldn't - nothing that comes under your description, that's not to say BR doesn't rate Lucas's game and require a player like Lucas in his side. I don't think Lucas fits into the taxonomy alongside players like Suarez, Coutinho, Gerrard, Johnson, Strurridge, & Agger. He'd be in the next category for me alongside the likes of Allen (who I think is technically superior to Lucas), Henderson and Enrique.
Using phrases like "efficient" aren't synonymous with 'using the ball in areas where others wouldn't', one's 'simple' and the other is 'risky-er', I remember (I think it was after a Skertel back-pass where Citeh scored?? IIRC) Rodgers refused to critisise Skertel for taking this option because many CB's could have just hoofed it clear to safety, he liked Skertel's intention and said he wouldn't critisise a player for trying to play a ball like that because possession would have been kept, I think BR is alluding to this kind of play where courage and risk are needed in a pass. Lucas's game is more about the percentage passes, as you say "efficiency". I really don't think people can have it both ways, whereby they say Lucas is in the side to do a "specific" job, one that is no thrills, yet are happy to try and place him alongside said players where using the ball to create or play less percentage passes IS required.
I'd say that if Lucas falls into this category then so do three quarters of the squad, as we try to re-define Rodgers's term to accommodate Lucas.
« Last Edit: Nov 19, 2013 10:29:54 pm by Beerbelly »
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