Momentum took him into Howard, what was he supposed to do? Why did Howard even wait on his line? Either way, makes no difference. Brazil's kids are mauling the US. They need to get Klinsmann in there ASAP.
yeah he really brought the slicks and skills and jogo bonito for 90 minutes. Wonder if that will affect whether he plays on Sunday
i though he could only pass the ball sideways and backwards, didnt think he had a forward diagonal ball in his repertoire
People have got to stop demanding all this attacking skill from Lucas. The guy is best suited as a "shuttler". The game today was the perfect example of what his role should be.
This. I agree completely. Just cuz the dude is Brazilian does not mean he will be the next Ronaldinho, Socrates, Jarzinho, Garrincha, etc.
Holger Osieck Bob might know him. http://www.smh.com.au/sport/footbal...s-the-new-socceroos-coach-20100811-11z6p.html
Its not so much about demanding Lucas to attack, as that its expecting a CM partnership to offer much more going forward than Masch and Lucas did last season. If he's partnered with Poulson/Masch/Spearing than he's going to be expected to do a little bit more than 'shuttle', however if he's with Gerrard or Aquilani than there will be less pressure on him to attack.
Lucas had a quiet game last night against the US. His team on the other hand were out to have fun displaying their skill. Totally outplaying and embarrassing a schoolboy like US team. Much as I hate Donovan he was the best of the US, which is really sad.
disagree - I thought Lucas was excellent (and so did the annoying tandem of Harkes and JP Dellacamra? announcing). he was steady, broke up countless US attacks, distributed the ball fast (not necessarily forward a ton though he had a beautiful 45 yard diagonal late in the game) and was seemingly well liked and trusted by his teammates (cough carragher cough). On that garbage pitch - I thought he was very composed.
Exactly. That is what we saw in the Rubi game which is why our attack seem more fluid than in the past. When Masch was paired with Xabi, Xabi was the one starting the attacks, but last year when either Masch or Lucas were required make the incisive pass to start the attack we stuttered. Hopefully Roy has figured this out and we'll only see one of Masch/Lucas/Spearing/Poulson partnered with Gerrard/Aquilani in a deeper role.
So ridiculous to have a full slate of friendlies just over a month after the World Cup, and a couple days before the start of the EPL. Who do we have out on international duty? I'm glad Torres and Reina didn't go, but what about Babel, Kuyt, Masch, Skrtel, etc? I know Gerrard is captaining the England team and I assume Johnson's in the squad as well. In the U.S-Brazil game last night, I thought Lucas looked solid, if unspectacular. He broke up a bunch of attacks, including two which he tracked all the way back to help his central defenders when Jozy was on a break. And I agree w/ Kawklee - Bradley is a helluva prospect. And while he's not as seasoned as Poulsen, I think I'd rather we sign him, though Poulsen is one of Hodgson's boys, whom he trusts to do a job.
I think the Premier League is largely to blame for being so inflexible when it came to the starting date. Of course with so many games, the room for manoeuver is rather limited. A solution, of course, would be to reduce the number of teams from 20 (to 18) while redistributing the last two's share down the leagues (yeah right).
getting rid of the Careless Cup would also help w/ fixture congestion neither Kuyt nor babel are playing today (not sure if they traveled). Masch starts in Ireland, Maxi does not (not sure if he's on the bench) not sure yet on Skrtel or Jovanovic v Kyrgiakos
I didn't say he was BAD! I just said he had a quiet game. Most of the Brazil game was in attacking, Lucas did contribute by taking the ball from inept US forwards when they came his way and putting his attack back on track. I thought I heard Harkes and JPD talk about the match at one time instead of the year in review gossip....but I was probably wrong.
Gerrard really pulled one of his old fashioned "we're winning this game whether you bastards like it or not!" Brilliant goals, especially the 2nd.
Here are Gerrard's goals; second one is pure instinct. [ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=11KGhqp-5Jc"]YouTube- England 1-1 Hungary‎[/ame] [ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RjsqGq1JWVo"]YouTube- England 2-1 Hungary‎[/ame]
but it's a friendly! you know capello will keep those two guys in each other's way when real time comes along.