Lukaku

[blue4eva77]

Don't think he's bulky so much as unbalanced.I remember reading years ago that Emanuel Stewart spent months in the gym sorting out Lennox Lewis's balance issues because of his big feet.Maybe Roms size 13s are working against him.

Were last seasons size 13's borrowed then ?

 

[Paulie]

Tired on hearing the excuse about his age now. Its honestly no excuse. These are the basics in football which seperate a pro player, to semi-pro and amateur.

His errors are the basics and his age is no excuse. I can just about live with his poor control from time to time but what really riles me with him, is his movement (or lack of) in the box; his anticipation and his inability to create a yard of space off the ball in the box. Unless a cross is inch perfect, he wont move.

You cant tell me that playing all these years as a striker, for top clubs that he hasnt been taught this. Its basic knowledge this... watch all the top top strikers in world football and its there movement off the ball that does the most damage. Really gets under my skin watching him standing around.

It could be said there isnt any through balls for him to latch onto because he doesnt give an option for one. Sammy played one in for Seamus yesterday because he GAVE the option, he made the run into space behind the backline.

Aside from his terrible touch it's this that gets to me as well. He either makes a poor run were it doesn't give the player with the ball the option to pass to him, is offside or doesn't attempt a run at all.

 

[davids]

Were last seasons size 13's borrowed then ?

He's a growing boy he was only a 12.5 last season.

 

[Loz]

Yes, it is time we stopped hearing the "he's young" excuse. At 21 he should be able to trap a ball and he can't....that's basic skill and you can either do it or you can't.
Having said that, Lukaku is at his best (and very good then) with the ball in front of him, not played into feet with his back to goal. I would actually play Eto'o in front of him...for two reasons. Firstly, Eto'o has a good enough first touch and turn to create his own space and shoot (which is what we are trying to do with Lukaku but it doesn't work). Secondly, Eto'o is clever and his movement will create spaces for us to put the ball into for Lukaku to run on to...with the ball and the goal in front of him he will start scoring goals again. He will also be able to see Eto'o's movement and my learn from it.

 

[Khalekan]

You know, maybe we are looking at Lukaku in the wrong light.

His reputation is that of a raging bull....a powerful forward in the Drogba or Benzema style.

But maybe is more a poacher....a Johnny on the spot type of striker like Owen.

 

[davids]

Yes, it is time we stopped hearing the "he's young" excuse. At 21 he should be able to trap a ball and he can't....that's basic skill and you can either do it or you can't.
Having said that, Lukaku is at his best (and very good then) with the ball in front of him, not played into feet with his back to goal. I would actually play Eto'o in front of him...for two reasons. Firstly, Eto'o has a good enough first touch and turn to create his own space and shoot (which is what we are trying to do with Lukaku but it doesn't work). Secondly, Eto'o is clever and his movement will create spaces for us to put the ball into for Lukaku to run on to...with the ball and the goal in front of him he will start scoring goals again. He will also be able to see Eto'o's movement and my learn from it.

It's odd, held it up well V Lille, Sunday back to normal

 

[Goat]

Play to his strengths you stupid Catalan Clown.

Stop trying to be clever you complete WEAPON.

 

[LinekersLegs]

Yes, it is time we stopped hearing the "he's young" excuse. At 21 he should be able to trap a ball and he can't....that's basic skill and you can either do it or you can't.
Having said that, Lukaku is at his best (and very good then) with the ball in front of him, not played into feet with his back to goal. I would actually play Eto'o in front of him...for two reasons. Firstly, Eto'o has a good enough first touch and turn to create his own space and shoot (which is what we are trying to do with Lukaku but it doesn't work). Secondly, Eto'o is clever and his movement will create spaces for us to put the ball into for Lukaku to run on to...with the ball and the goal in front of him he will start scoring goals again. He will also be able to see Eto'o's movement and my learn from it.

But he can trap the ball, he showed that in the Lille match.

Against Burnley he also did well for the majority of the game apart from the awful mistake that lead to their goal. But then there is Sunderland where the ball constantly bounces off him.

 

[KevMirallas]

I swear I was watching a different game to you blokes. Who was it that played those one-twos with Eto'o in the opening minutes then, because I could have sworn it was this supposed cart horse.

 

[blue4eva77]

I swear I was watching a different game to you blokes. Who was it that played those one-twos with Eto'o in the opening minutes then, because I could have sworn it was this supposed cart horse.

and the other 88 ?

Where is his movement when we are in possession ? why does he not gives options ? Almost every pass into Lukaku these days has him with his back to goal. This screams one thing to me and thats that he stands still and doesn't give an option. Why isn't he making it difficult for defenders to mark him and pulling players out of position ? Why has he been no where near ANY crosses this season or does he get attempt to get on the end of anything ?

 

[KevMirallas]

and the other 88 ?

Where is his movement when we are in possession ? why does he not gives options ? Almost every pass into Lukaku these days has him with his back to goal. This screams one thing to me and thats that he stands still and doesn't give an option. Why isn't he making it difficult for defenders to mark him and pulling players out of position ? Why has he been no where near ANY crosses this season or does he get attempt to get on the end of anything ?

He plays with his back to goal because that's his role. It's why Naismith has scored five goals. I'm not sure if you would prefer him to be standing up top making constant runs in behind in the hope that our array of non-creative midfielders can pick out a perfect through pass. He's not getting near crosses because we barely put any effing crosses in. And when we do, it's five minutes too late, and Rom is the only player in there with three defenders on him.

He's been injured, tired and out of form. But he is quite obviously improving each week, and I really am surprised that his touch and link up play from yesterday is being criticised so heavily, as I really didn't see much wrong with, bar one or two missed passes. I understand judging him harshly not because of what we paid, but because of what he is capable of, but we also need to judge him fairly. Many of our most creative players are missing, and he - and the rest of the team - is still scoring goals. And the good news is there is room for improvement.

I mean, come on. Someone compared him to Jelavic. Seriously.

 

[marty mcfly]

Berahino had a summer break and doesn't play twice a week. Notice Barkley isn't really lighting it up either this season either. Both will adjust, but it might take a little while.

This is what happens with young players. Sterling isn't exactly lighting it up either. We just need to show patience.

I fully expect both to start hitting the heights we know they can pretty soon. There was good signs for Lukaku against Lille and Barkley had a couple of his barnstorming runs against Sunderland too.

 

[blue4eva77]

He plays with his back to goal because that's his role. It's why Naismith has scored five goals. I'm not sure if you would prefer him to be standing up top making constant runs in behind in the hope that our array of non-creative midfielders can pick out a perfect through pass. He's not getting near crosses because we barely put any effing crosses in. And when we do, it's five minutes too late, and Rom is the only player in there with three defenders on him.

He's been injured, tired and out of form. But he is quite obviously improving each week, and I really am surprised that his touch and link up play from yesterday is being criticised so heavily, as I really didn't see much wrong with, bar one or two missed passes. I understand judging him harshly not because of what we paid, but because of what he is capable of, but we also need to judge him fairly. Many of our most creative players are missing, and he - and the rest of the team - is still scoring goals. And the good news is there is room for improvement.

I mean, come on. Someone compared him to Jelavic. Seriously.

Our side is full of players who can pick out a pass if it's there on offer. Eto'o picked Coleman out yesterday because Seamus gave him the option of running behind the backline. If it's there, a pass will be played in. Lukaku for whatever reason gives no option and his movement is non existent and so of course we look a bit clueless around the opponents D. It's also maybe another reason why we constantly have to play it out wide and why our play is slowed down. Players on the ball are basically screaming ' give me another option MOVE '.

It's played into Lukaku and then what ? when he does actually control the ball, his only option is to play it back to the same person or turn and play it wide anyway. How many times do we as a team have the ball infront of their back 4 and look pretty clueless ? It's because there is no movement.

I don't expect him to constantly make runs but likewise i don't expect him to be so static and predictable either. Standing with his back to goal with a defender breathing down his earhole isn't offering us anything.

 

[marty mcfly]

Tired on hearing the excuse about his age now. Its honestly no excuse. These are the basics in football which seperate a pro player, to semi-pro and amateur.

His errors are the basics and his age is no excuse. I can just about live with his poor control from time to time but what really riles me with him, is his movement (or lack of) in the box; his anticipation and his inability to create a yard of space off the ball in the box. Unless a cross is inch perfect, he wont move.

You cant tell me that playing all these years as a striker, for top clubs that he hasnt been taught this. Its basic knowledge this... watch all the top top strikers in world football and its their movement off the ball that does the most damage. Really gets under my skin watching him standing around.

It could be said there isnt any through balls for him to latch onto because he doesnt give an option for one. Sammy played one in for Seamus yesterday because he GAVE the option, he made the run into space behind the backline.

It was actually Rom's run to go deep that took their CB away from the position that Coleman ran into.

 

[KevMirallas]

Our side is full of players who can pick out a pass if it's there on offer. Eto'o picked Coleman out yesterday because Seamus gave him the option of running behind the backline. If it's there, a pass will be played in. Lukaku for whatever reason gives no option and his movement is non existent and so of course we look a bit clueless around the opponents D. It's also maybe another reason why we constantly have to play it out wide and why our play is slowed down. Players on the ball are basically screaming ' give me another option MOVE '.

It's played into Lukaku and then what ? when he does actually control the ball, his only option is to play it back to the same person or turn and play it wide anyway. How many times do we as a team have the ball infront of their back 4 and look pretty clueless ? It's because there is no movement.

I don't expect him to constantly make runs but likewise i don't expect him to be so static and predictable either. Standing with his back to goal with a defender breathing down his earhole isn't offering us anything.

The thing is, he is obviously capable of creating space for himself cleverly. He did it countless times last season, but for whatever reason he is finding space hard to come by this time round. I think he is playing a different role this season - whether that's Martinez's doing or just the fact that defenders are wising up, I'm not sure. But he is getting involved, he is making space for Naismith and co, and he has been scoring goals. The dominant, barnstorming form will come, and I think it will coincide with us getting some natural width back and not playing four central players in his space the whole time.