Player Watch Player Watch - Lucas Moura

[Cochise]

He was our outball in the first half and every time he came for it it just bounced off him. TBH it was a bit of a square peg, round hole thing where we needed a player there who could hold it up. I thought he was better in the second half, but if I'm honest he's not someone that I think is good enough to be a regular starter.

 

[Tucker]

He does lose the ball a lot, but he also tries things that others don’t. I’ve no problem with him running at the opposition defence and trying to make things happen. Many times he’s going to lose the ball doing this, other times he’ll draw fouls, get players booked, and get us free kicks in dangerous areas.

The winning goal yesterday was from Lucas getting fouled on the edge of their box.

I do understand the frustration some fans feel towards him, but for me he’s one of the only ones who tries to make things happen right now, and he brings something to the team no one else can.

 

[cjbyid]

Terrible first touch it has to be said.

But apart from that you can't fault the guy. Runs his socks off and attacks the opposition.

Chatting to a few leeds on the way home last night and he was the standout for them. Said their LB was given a runaround.

 

[CoopsieDeadpool]

He does lose the ball a lot, but he also tries things that others don’t. I’ve no problem with him running at the opposition defence and trying to make things happen. Many times he’s going to lose the ball doing this, other times he’ll draw fouls, get players booked, and get us free kicks in dangerous areas.

The winning goal yesterday was from Lucas getting fouled on the edge of their box.

I do understand the frustration some fans feel towards him, but for me he’s one of the only ones who tries to make things happen right now, and he brings something to the team no one else can.

Can be a very, very frustrating player but he gets my respect because he doesn't hide. He doesn't stop trying things even if they've failed previously. And most importantly, he cares & you can tell he plays for the shirt.

You only have to watch the YouTube clip of the boys doing the SkyWalk, him leaning over the edge of the rail and screaming COYS at the public below.

The guy may have his limitations, and yeah we could probably (almost certainly) upgrade if the opportunity were to present itself. But he's one of us & just as was the case with Lamela. If the whole squad had his mentality we'd be better for it.

 

[ShelfWatcher]

Overall, had a good game. Crucial input for both goals. Conte is right to pick him.
Would play him next Sunday too, and no worries if he plays Thursday as well, as he seems full of energy

 

[BringBack_leGin]

At halftime I wanted him off. Then he goes and wins us B the game. His awareness, composure and control for the equaliser was exceptional.

 

[Aphex]

I get what people saying when they say he was our mostr lively player, but he's so far off the level we need and should aspire to.

He is wildly inconsistent.

I think it shows how low people's expectations are now. He's an impact sub at best. He was a squad player in previous seasons and now is starting, and it's not because he's improved, it's because the squad has been allowed to decline.

It's same with Davies, who actually has played reasonably well at LCB but it still miles off the quality we need.

 

[Meercat]

What I thought was interesting was the relative position re first and second half that they showed in the post match analysis - how in the first half Moura was pretty much in the middle of the pack with four or five players in more advanced positions, then in the second half he was our most advanced player, with an average position well ahead of Kane and Son. I think that tactical shift of pushing him further up probably played quite a large part in his game improving and our eventual win. I’ll freely admit a lot of the more intricate tactical decisions pass me by (it’s why I hate FM these days hahah) but those graphics were fascinating - how PEH moved ahead of Winks, and only Dier held the same relative position across the whole game…

 

[EQP]

He does lose the ball a lot, but he also tries things that others don’t. I’ve no problem with him running at the opposition defence and trying to make things happen. Many times he’s going to lose the ball doing this, other times he’ll draw fouls, get players booked, and get us free kicks in dangerous areas.

The winning goal yesterday was from Lucas getting fouled on the edge of their box.

I do understand the frustration some fans feel towards him, but for me he’s one of the only ones who tries to make things happen right now, and he brings something to the team no one else can.

I have no issue with him driving the ball at the opposition and losing the ball to well timed tackles, his biggest fault is that he cannot control any low pass with his back to the goal. I know Conte had to work with Lukaku to improve that aspect of his game, maybe he can do the same with Lucas.

 

[Strikeb4ck]

Considering our team has really struggled to create chances (how many times have we heard "not a single shot on target" this season?), I'd prefer to see someone take risks and create than play it safe and not create.

Sure. But there's a difference between taking calculated risks and losing the ball in key areas that lead to dangerous moments for the opposition.

 

[Dannyspur]

I have no issue with him driving the ball at the opposition and losing the ball to well timed tackles, his biggest fault is that he cannot control any low pass with his back to the goal. I know Conte had to work with Lukaku to improve that aspect of his game, maybe he can do the same with Lucas.

It seemed like the only tactic for the first half was to hit the ball to Lucas with his back to their goal, every time he tried to flick it round the defender to spin off him but the defender came out on top on almost all occasions. His control is terrible in that situation. When he runs at defenders he can be devastating but all too often, he doesn't get his head up to look for a pass, or he runs straight into the third defender and ends up on his arse.

 

[Neon_Knight_]

For me he doesn't score enough goals to be effective in this formation. When you have a midfield that won't be scoring much then the front 3 need to be scoring regularly.

Tricky on the ball and can be a thorn in the opposition's side but ultimately doesn't produce enough to justify his place.

Impact sub for me.

If it wasn't for Lucas, we not only wouldn't have scored any goals against Leeds, but wouldn't have had any of our four best chances (two of which resulted in goals). That seems like justification of his place for now.

 

[Neon_Knight_]

I have no issue with him driving the ball at the opposition and losing the ball to well timed tackles, his biggest fault is that he cannot control any low pass with his back to the goal. I know Conte had to work with Lukaku to improve that aspect of his game, maybe he can do the same with Lucas.

Until this season, most people were too busy laying into Sissoko's first touch to notice Moura's. ?

 

[HNIM]

Well, if Conte can improve Moura's first touch and passing accuracy, he'll certainly have a player. I love the guy, but the ball comes off him like he's a trampoline.

 

[slartibartfast]

Was a stupid fkin ball to play to Moura in the first place. That's what needs to be looked at. He had a player clipping his heels everytime and he's running full speed in the wrong direction. Was he supposed to control it, turn around and do something?
I rather our midfield made themselves available and the defence pass to someone who is unmarked. Hard to do when,as we did the first half, they just fuckin stand still.

 

[Pekoni]

I think Lucas is best used as a sub around 70-80 mins and just have him run at tired players. Reckon he could do well in that role.

 

[gavspur]

I like his directness, but I think trying to shoehorn him, Kane, and Son in the team is a bit much. It should be Son or Moura up top with Kane, and a no10 behind them, seeing as we have no creativity in midfield.

 

[stevenqoz]

Why not just put Lucas in behind Kane and Son. He can help the cm2 while carrying the ball forwards finding the front 2 with short passes.

Doesn't address the major problem....Moura is not a creative passing player...he is a runner. Kane and Son need a passer to find them. A benefit you will we with Son actually up top is that he doesn't get wasted doing left-side donkey work. Missing out on Grealish still bugs me....he would be great in a Ten role

 

[Bluto Blutarsky]

The most Lucas Moura Picture ever?

 

[Bluto Blutarsky]