Leandro Bacuna - Sold

[supertom]

Bit of a bump for Leandro. What we reckon folks? He's been a snip at (apparently) just under a million.

5 goals and counting. He's fitted in well where-ever he's been asked to play. He did have a poor spell at right back around Nov-Dec time, but at his age and in a secondary position that will happen. That said he's looked good again since the turn of the year. Defensively his pace has helped him cover up for any positional issues, but he's also got forward well at times.

We had several discussions raging a few weeks back about most of Lamberts cheap signings not turning a profit. However I don't think anyone could argue that Bacuna's value has probably skyrocketed. He's adaptable, he's a goal threat, quick and works very hard.  He's probably a £5 mill player now and counting.

Hope he keeps it up for the remainder of this season and into next. The funny thing is I don't think Lambert may have expected Bacuna to feature quite so predominently in his first season. He seemed to be a young utility player who could cover for the absences of players in 2-3 positions. As it happens, Lowtons poor start has seen Bacuna feature a lot and he's risen to it well. In all honesty I think he's been better this season than Lowton was last.

That goal was brilliantly taken as well it must be said.

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I think he is a good player with the promise to be very good. He is quick, has good technique and has done really well to bag 5 goals from full back.

I think he is more a midfielder though. His pace helps him out of a lot of trouble, but I would like to see him wide or in the hole.

A good signing and perhps typifies the risk in buying £1 million players; Tonev and Luna look quite poor at the moment, where as Bacuna has done very well. For every Bacuna and Westwood who are up to it, there will be three or four who aren't.

[Meanwood Villa]

I thought he took the goal very well yesterday. Nice to have a full back/midfielder who can finish.

[paul_e]

Very early in the summer I called him as the summer signing who'd have the biggest impact, there was just something I liked about the footage I'd seen of him and I thought he'd adapt well.  I also loved his early interviews, he seemed so happy to be here.  I'm really pleased for him that things have gone so well and I like having someone who we can genuinely move into 2-3 positions and get a good performance.

[eastie]

I thought he took the goal very well yesterday. Nice to have a full back/midfielder who can finish.

Versatile and also chipping in with a few goals and set pieces - excellent value for money - delighted .

[Dante Lavelli]

I reckon between Lowton and Bacuna we could have the right back slot sorted for the next 5 years.  Neither is perfect but they're likely to improve due to their age and experience.  Not bad for about 2-3m quid.

Hopefully the competition between the pair will push them both forward.  Alternatively if Lowton has the hump for whatever reason we could cash in for a small profit.  It's an area where Lambert has done well.

[Clampy]

What did he cost us, £1.5m? He's not always looked totally convincing in some games but that's to be expected in his first season in English football. I think he's been a super buy for the money.

[Chris Smith]

Seems to be improving week by week and probably has the best first touch at the club.

[N'ZMAV]

I'd rather see Lowton at RB and Bacuna RM. We'd see the best out of both of them. And it would mean Weimann not playing out of position.
Bacuna is good, especially going forward, not sure about him as defensively.

[N'ZMAV]

Bacuna is one we would make a profit on.

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He is only 22 as well isn't he? He looks a good prospect indeeed. His goal yesterday was really well taken.

[BoskoDjembaSalifou]

I like him going forward but I'm not a huge fan of his defensively. We definitely need a new right back, Bacuna can play further up then.

One thing that annoys me, and it's probably a criticism of Lambert too, is his tendency to hoof it aimlessly. I've noticed a few times where he's just smacked it up the pitch to no-one in particular. Really gets on my nerves!

[eastie]

I'd rather see Lowton at RB and Bacuna RM. We'd see the best out of both of them. And it would mean Weimann not playing out of position.
Bacuna is good, especially going forward, not sure about him as defensively.

Me too but it seems Lowton is not involved recently - last season I thought Lowton was very good but seems to have lost his way somewhat - the Lowton bacuna right sided combination is a potent threat.

[bobdylan]

Yer get Lowton in for me, marginally better than KEA.

[Dante Lavelli]

I like him going forward but I'm not a huge fan of his defensively. We definitely need a new right back, Bacuna can play further up then.

It would be well down on my list of priorities.  Both are likely to improve and getting anyone in ahead of them will only hamper their progress.