Player Watch Player Watch - Lucas Moura

[greavesy461]

It was his lack of effort that really surprised me. He was just wandering around more often than not. Normally he at least puts a shift in. Very poor.

 

[wrd]

It was his lack of effort that really surprised me. He was just wandering around more often than not. Normally he at least puts a shift in. Very poor.

At least we have our answer about defensive output. He didn't seem to help Aurier one iota.

 

[thebenjamin]

He's pretty much dead weight now

 

[NickHSpurs]

I can’t remember him doing much of note since the CL semi. We’ll always appreciate what he did in that game but I dread seeing him start or come on now.

 

[VancouverSpur]

Forever have a soft spot for Lucas because of the Champions League vs Ajax. However he is so erratic its untrue and today was as bad a performance from him as I can remember. Has one good game to 5 bad ones and that is just unacceptable at this level.

 

[carpediem991]

Unpopular but I think he was better out there than Bergwijn. At least he won some header and a second ball here and there.

Tough set up to impress.

 

[SlotBadger]

Unpopular but I think he was better out there than Bergwijn. At least he won some header and a second ball here and there.

Tough set up to impress.

At least with Bergwijn, most people can see that it’s more the case that something isn’t clicking. He has the technique to come good. Lucas has possibly the most bizarre first touch I’ve ever seen.

He‘ll occasionally pluck balls out of the sky effortlessly, only to take a 10-yard touch from a 5-yard pass moments later. Bewildering.

 

[TEESSIDE1]

Moura and Bale out Bailey in would be my preference

 

[rossdapep]

Except we just drew with Crystal Palace? Even if you account for their goalkeeper saves, we barely created anything in the final third, particularly in the second half, and one of the main reasons for that is Bergwijn being a weak link.
I don't buy possession retention as an argument because we haven't been a possession team all season. The main argument for him being in the team is defensive contribution, but at the very least I would expect some degree of threat in the final third. Bergwijn has no pace, no final ball, no shot.
Lucas would put in the same defensive contribution, but I maintain he'd be far more damaging in the final third, even if his last 18 months haven't been the best.

When Mourinho won the title with Chelsea in 2015 with 87 points, he had Eden Hazard, Diego Costa, Willian and Oscar across the front 4. Bergwijn would get nowhere near that team, absolutely nowhere near it.

He's been in the league less than a year and had a stop start beginning with us. He needs time to build confidence in attack. It'll happen but he's been asked to stay disciplined.

I was encouraged tonight because he did well to get into those positions. He should have scored the second but the first was difficult because Williams stayed close and he couldn't shape his body to place it in. He needed to get around the ball but he couldn't.

 

[SamR]

He isn't a defensive minded player.
The way we setup, we're defensively solid all over the pitch.

It suits his game to stretch legs and attack.

I like him as a player, but if Jose persists with the tactics 90% of the time, i don't see him displacing Bergwijn anytime soon. Lamela has a shout in this first 11 though.

 

[Shadydan]

He isn't a defensive minded player.
The way we setup, we're defensively solid all over the pitch.

It suits his game to stretch legs and attack.

I like him as a player, but if Jose persists with the tactics 90% of the time, i don't see him displacing Bergwijn anytime soon. Lamela has a shout in this first 11 though.

I'd argue that he is, for example the NLD last season he produced something like 9 tackles and completely nullified their threat on the left hand side, I just think when he's off his game he completely stinks.

 

[Joely]

Wouldn't be averse to us moving him on tbh. See both him and Bergwijn as kind of similar as in both seem more instinctive type players who can put a shift in for the team but don't think there's a need for both. Makes sense keeping Bergwijn as he is younger and potentially has a higher ceiling.

Also with Son in his late 20s, think we need to be on the lookout for another wide forward who offers a genuine consistent attacking threat.

 

[John48]

Bergwijn seems to have become all hard work, but little of anything when he gets the ball.

Moura on the other hand is neither hard working or quality on the ball, so I'd move him on.

I'd rather see Dele come on than Moura.

 

[jonnyrotten]

I know bad moments tend to stick in the memory but has anyone got his overall pass completion percentage for the season? He’s had below 60% at least a couple of times but he must be approaching record-breaking figures for an attacking player.

Sofa score has him on 72% this season, his worst for us so far (best was 78%). Not sure where you got below 60% from?

 

[TEESSIDE1]

The problem with some of our attacking players is that they’re passed it and no longer a threat.

Moura - when he was at PSG for the large part he was a nightmare for defenders as he was rapid, direct, skilful and dangerous with both feet. Whereas these days he’s inconsistent at best and looks nothing more than an average squad player.

Bale - once unplayable and now beyond having good technique he’s lost both his pace, strength and ability to quickly move his feet to lose his man and get a shot away. I expected a drop in performance from the world class Bale but he’s dropped off the edge of a cliff instead.

Lamela - he was never prolific but he’s an absolute workhorse and has been gradually improving his offensive output. However he’s also forever injured and cannot be relied upon.

So we’ve got:

World Class - Kane, Son
Promising albeit not delivering - Bergwijn
Promise/struggling to make the squad - Vinicius
Rapidly in decline - Bale, Moura
Always injured - Lamela

Whether it be in Jan/next summer we need another reliable wide forward. Hopefully there’s something in the repeated links to Bailey. Albeit his form has really picked up = price will soar.

 

[SamR]

I'd argue that he is, for example the NLD last season he produced something like 9 tackles and completely nullified their threat on the left hand side, I just think when he's off his game he completely stinks.

A fair balanced counter argument

I just don't feel he is as accomplished in that department compared to a Lamela or Bergwijn.

Saying that, it must be hard to be at that peak intensity without a solid run of minutes.

 

[SlotBadger]

Sofa score has him on 72% this season, his worst for us so far (best was 78%). Not sure where you got below 60% from?

Below 60% in individual matches.

 

[jonnyrotten]

Below 60% in individual matches.

Ah understood. He was dogshit last night, i'll give you that.

 

[rossdapep]

Difficult game to come into. However, Lucas let's himself down with his consistency.

We all know what he has in his locker, unfortunately he too often mis touches his first/key touch, runs into traffic or gets in the way of other players.

I'm not even sure if he's as useful as a squad player at the minute because he's very much a confidence player.

I'd certainly be up for selling him if we can bring in someone like Neto.

 

[synththfc]

Difficult game to come into. However, Lucas let's himself down with his consistency.

We all know what he has in his locker, unfortunately he too often mis touches his first/key touch, runs into traffic or gets in the way of other players.

I'm not even sure if he's as useful as a squad player at the minute because he's very much a confidence player.

I'd certainly be up for selling him if we can bring in someone like Neto.

I know the other Wolves players get the headlines, but Neto is going straight to the top. Top, top player.