Douglas Luiz - coming back?

[brontebilly]

Christ...he was probably our best player tonight! McGinn looked like he had won a competition to play next to him...We have to play with 3 in midfield.

You do realise that we have to play with 3 in midfield because Luiz is too lightweight to command the midfield don't you?

McGinn can't play in a 2 either. Very few teams in the league successfully play with 2 in midfield these days. Luiz can improve but out of all the things wrong with the team, it's a long way down the list. Our midfield fell apart when he went off v Wolves.

[London Villan]

We knew in the summer (and for the past 2 years) we havent got the players for a 2 man midfield.

[Scott Nielsen]

Christ...he was probably our best player tonight! McGinn looked like he had won a competition to play next to him...We have to play with 3 in midfield.

You do realise that we have to play with 3 in midfield because Luiz is too lightweight to command the midfield don't you?

McGinn can't play in a 2 either. Very few teams in the league successfully play with 2 in midfield these days. Luiz can improve but out of all the things wrong with the team, it's a long way down the list. Our midfield fell apart when he went off v Wolves.

I think Luiz might be a little overrated by us but I do agree he is nowhere near the top of the many problems we face. And, likely, he might not be a problem to solve at all in a different formation.

[Demitri_C]

Its all on smith. We all said in summer we desperately need a bissouma type player in the middle and behold look where we look very weak.

Nakamba cant do it week in week out.JJ is young and inconsistent. Sanson injury prone. We desperately  need one to play alongside luiz and mcginn

[supertom]

Doug needs time out. He's to casual on the ball sometimes. It's either safe sideways passes, or he hits it forward, straight to an opposition player or dwells on the ball.
It's difficult too because honestly, our system for the most part this season has made it hard for the midfield to get control of the ball. The energy of Ramsey and McGinn has helped us through a few times. But it's more bluster than precision.

For a start we've got to get back to playing a 4-3-3 and start working on our movement. Players are firing the ball straight to the opposition because they have no movement ahead. That's been particularly evident in the back 3 system. We can't seem to get the ball moving quick enough and two front men don't know how to play together up top, and are almost marked out the game easily.

So gun that fucking pain in the arse system, and see where we go. We need players like Bailey and Traore who can carry the ball and work the channels, or come infield. No one draws the defenders out to create space for the midfield or front men.

McGinn, Nakamba (holding) and Ramsey for me at the moment, and Sanson to come in and compete. Douglas needs a rocket because I think he's resting a little on being a Brazilian international.

[ROBBO]

Yes Luiz needs a rest, he never seems to make a mark in the game.

[Ads]

Luiz resting so much that after he came off against the Dingles our midfield completely evaporated. McGinn cost us two goals on Friday and is as much a problem as anybody else.

[Steve67]

I agree Ads.  Both McGinn AND Luiz can do the nice things but defensively they are shocking.

[Brazilian Villain]

It would appear his favourite Villa player is Alisha Lehmann.

[Ozzjim]

Think it's probably best if we leave that discussion there.

[Risso]

Think it's probably best if we leave that discussion there.

It's official isn't it, both posted it on Instagram apparently.

[SoccerHQ]

SGood for him.

Surprised at the comments above that, actually think he's been comfortably our best outfield player this season.

Just look at the results generally when he does/dosen't play:

Watford away- n/a, abysmal in midfield.

Newcastle home- played, comfortable win and clean sheet.

Brentford home- played at base of very makeshift midfield, decent performance against team who started season very strongly.

Chelsea away- Can't remember if he played or not with the internationals but despite scoreline we were excellent for an hour in the midfield.

Everton and Man. United- two good midfield performances.

Spurs- disappointing like the rest of them.

Wolves- came back straight off the plane. Subbed at 2-0 up on 70 minutes. Think if he hadn't had international call up DS would still be in a job as we wouldn't have lost that.

Arsenal- Poor like the rest of them.

West Ham and Southampton- Injured.

So I'd say that's a strong body of work in a difficult season. Our only clean sheets have come with him on the pitch aswell. Massive downgrade when Nakamba is at the base in all aspects and I'd like to think Gerrard will clock that straight away.

We need to sort a new contract out for him aswell so think him dating a player from our ladies team could be good news there as he could comfortably play for a europa league side.

[Ozzjim]

I don't think his personal life will have an effect on contact talks.

Gerrard confirmed he's out this weekend.

[adrenachrome]

I don't think his personal life will have an effect on contact talks.

Gerrard confirmed he's out this weekend.

You are quite correct; contact talks should not involve whether he prefers Swiss Rolls to, say, Turkish Delight.

[Demitri_C]

Is out for brighton.

God not mcginn JJ and nakamba please

I would rather go with tuanzebe at dm than nakamba.

I dont think he will go with chuk and jj