Commentary on the games through the season....

[Edward224]

Left home at 20 years of age to play for us and was wanted around Europe at the time.

Struggled to settle and get a regular game, when he did play he was below par

Derided by 85%+ of our "fans" who wouldn't of done the same had he been a home grown.

BUT has had the strength of mind and will to ignore the criticism of reds and the "we are always right" football media to forge himself at a career at the club.

Rafa: "We believe he has the mentality and the character you need to do well in England."

Never once moaned in public.

Never hear of him in the press.

Model pro who feels privileged to be part of our club.

Improved beyond belief in the last 18 months.

Oh and Martin you are talking complete and utter bull crap about Lucas.

My proof.

http://www.anfieldindex.com/1895/lucas-passes-sideways.html

[Ageing Stick Insect]

Excellent points Edward. 

[Tes]

As a chap who's name once hung above the manager's door at Anfield once said, 'if you're not sure what to do with the ball, pass it to the nearest red shirt.' No caveat was inserted as to whether the pass was to be forwards, backwards or sideways.

Without the ball you can't score, keeping possession will always increase the chances of a goal being scored.

Foreign players are taught from an early age not to 'get stuck in' but to keep possession at all costs. Watching some of the lesser teams in the UEFA Cup this season, it's interesting to see how adept they are at keeping the ball, rather than the average chain of five passess then hit it hopefully over the top that you see repeated at most Premier League grounds on a depressingly regular basis.

In terms of mentality, if we had a squad full of Dirks and Lucases (sp?) then 19 would be significant to us for rather more positive reasons.

[Ageing Stick Insect]

Tes, I hate to question the accuracy of your quote but I thought Shankly said to a striker "if you're not sure what to do with the ball put it in the net and we'll discuss it afterwards". Or words very similar to that.

Of course I could be wrong. I was wrong once before. 1985 I believe. 

[Tes]

Tes, I hate to question the accuracy of your quote but I thought Shankly said to a striker "if you're not sure what to do with the ball put it in the net and we'll discuss it afterwards". Or words very similar to that.

Of course I could be wrong. I was wrong once before. 1985 I believe. 

That was Paisley to Rushie.

[Ageing Stick Insect]

Tes, you are the font of all knowledge. That's twice I've been wrong. Damn!