Man, you should have seen these forums. If you think the stick Henderson got is bad, I'd say he is getting off much lighter than Lucas, who was practically vilified for every touch.
I can see some similarities - both were asked to play in out of their pet positions. Lucas was a box to box player and Rafa changed him to a strict DM. Henderson is a natural CM and somewhat box to box and Steve Bruce and KD persisted in playing him as a RM
I'm fully aware of the stick Lucas & Insua got & it was disgraceful to our club & our club behaved disgracefully toward Robbie Keane & Paul Koncheskey who were even more unjustifiably scapegoated .
But to try to argue that a 20 year old is a set in stone one position player is ridiculous .
They are good enough to play in the roles they are given just like the senior Pros , for example Kuyt playing on our wing when he is a career long Centre Forward or Martin Kelly playing at RB instead of his more natural CB .
Carra must have played every position on the pitch for us apart from GK at one time or another & Gerrard has played RB RM CM & CF for us at one time or another .
Now if Lucas was a 30 year old who has won what Gerrard has won & you tried to tell me about him playing out of position I might listen to it , but only might , because the simple truth is that good players play well together & good players can play any position they are asked to .
Would Ian rush have been the best LB in the League ?
No .
But he would have played there & he would have played well because he was willing to work his way into the starting 11 & thank God he did because he scored a hell of a lotta goals for us & played in teams that won us a hell of a lotta silverware .
Bottom line is the standard of performance Lucas is giving us is just above the line of acceptability .
The boy is a battler , a tough nut to mentally crack & that is admirable but bottom line is we have to progress & if he doesnt keep up with the progression he will have to be moved on for the good of the club & personal feelings dont come into it .
