Since Xabi Alonso left, fans have alternated between cries of "Gerrard's not an orthodox central midfielder" and "Lucas and X are too defensive." And there's truth in both statements. Lucas/Mascherano was too defensive at times. Lucas/Poulsen was definitely too defensive, with the added bonus of Poulsen being so far over the hill he's on flat ground. Two managers have been mostly unwilling to play Meireles in a central midfield pairing with Lucas, aside from a two-week stretch against Spurs, Villa, and Newcastle. But the Lucas/Spearing partnership hasn't as defensive as initially feared.
Spearing's passing chalkboards and heat maps from the last four games illustrate his development and abilities well.
Passing Chalkboards:
Heat Maps:
Click on the images. Trying a new plug-in; they should open full-size in a Javascript box. Let me know if there are any problems with this. My CSS knowledge is both dangerous and limited.
Unsurprisingly, the home match against City was his most-attacking performance of the four, if not the all-around best. It also happened to be Liverpool's largest win. He completed 18 more passes than against West Brom – his second-highest total of the four – and was more active according to the heat map. Liverpool bossed that game; it's no surprise to see Spearing's so influential.
But we can also see progression from Sunderland to West Brom to City to Arsenal. Despite his won penalty – another example of how he can get forward – the away match against Sunderland was his most "defensive" performance, evidenced by the heat map which shows his focus on the center circle area. Out-numbered in midfield against West Brom, in what was easily Liverpool's worst performance of the four, Spearing still attempted to prod Albion's defense down the left, shown in the passing chalkboard.
But the heat map and chalkboard from City and Arsenal show a player who's looking to link midfield and attack, highly-mobile and almost always on the run. Against both clubs, despite Liverpool's different strategies in the two matches, Spearing's heat maps show as much time spent in the opposition half as Liverpool's own – even against Arsenal, where Liverpool were frequently pegged back, but Spearing could have won another first-half spot kick.
I've been fighting the "Lucas is too defensive" stereotype since 2007. But Lucas is the defensive midfielder these days, and that's the area of his game which has most improved. He does rarely get forward, although still doesn't get enough credit for when he does – scoring against Benfica last year and Steaua this year, among others. No matter how he was billed when joining the club, the fact is that Lucas has become unarguably better when deployed deeper.
However, Spearing is more of a link player, and has become important to Liverpool's attack over the last month. Bustling, busy, and full of running, but still willing to get forward. These traits make him an ideal partner for Lucas.
The pairing still limits Liverpool in certain regards. Spearing doesn't have huge range of passing – Liverpool's weakness in this area explains Dalglish's January pursuit of Charlie Adam – while neither he nor Lucas score with any semblance of regularity. But intelligence and endeavor go a long way. And Spearing's dramatic improvement since earning his starting place bodes well.
4 comments :
Good post. I liked what I saw from Spearing in the arsenal match.
His high work rate will always keep him in the match (much like Kuyt) and seems to inspire teammates in an under dog type way.
FYI, heat maps and chalkboard worked well...
in MOTD2 Lee Dixon picked out some of the best features of the game. He was RB for Arsenal and he was all praise for Flanagan defensively. But not so much in attack. But the fact that the young chaps can pass is no surprise considering the way the U18s play.
Spearing has a bit of Mascherano in him. He's not the biggest/strongest or most intelligent but fights hard. STamina is very high and thats very important to make up for the faults. Keeps trying eg. vs RvP in the right flank he was beaten 2 or 3 times but kept running back and finally got the ball - with no support.
There are rumours that Newcastle are demanding Spearing as part of the Enrique deal. I think he's a great squad player. And a better tackler than Lucas (who is surprisingly bad according to the chalkboards)
I remember watching Jay playing for the U-18s on an American tour 4 or 5 years back, and even then he looked like he had the lungs to run all day long. (Looking back now I also realize what an absolute shambles that side was, even coming off a Youth Cup win, compared to what we have now.)
He's turning himself into a useful player; never going to be part of the first-choice XI but happy to be in the squad and capable of doing a job when called on. So much better to develop that type from within than try to buy cut-rate veterans on the decline (err, Gary Mac excepted).
I do expect Conor Coady to put him out of a job in a few years' time though.
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