[Sandikan]

Was going a bit wide, quite some way from goal, with a defender fairly level by the time he was taken down.
Can see why it wasn't a red.

If he'd got a more central run he'd have been well clear of the covering man and it could have been different.
Although that rule about valid attempts at challenges only being yellow has now made it grey?

 

[Sandikan]

Issue I find with Rom is a real lack of technique when applying his strength.

For example, I think he is a stronger than Drogba. Yet I feel Drogba was better at pining his CB and holding up the ball. This is more to do with body position, angle, shape, touch etc. He has all of this massive strength but so many times smaller players just nip past him or barge past him and get in front of him.

I feel if he can work on backing in, (old school) holding the defenders up, he'll really help the team more when we need to work ourselves up the pitch.

The video with Carragher showed he's worked on holding and rolling into the space behind, but that's not always the available option.

I remember the Everton fan in the summer giving his take on him, pros and cons.

Not using his strength like you'd expect was definitely an area for improvement.

 

[NinjaFletch]

Was going a bit wide, quite some way from goal, with a super quick Bellerin fairly level.
Can see why it wasn't a red.

The only reason Bellerin is as close though or that Lukaku has been 'going wide' is because Koscielny is fouling him.

The foul starts here:

I find it really hard to believe that Lukaku wouldn't have gone on to have a shot at goal, regardless of Bellerin's pace (which we shouldn't be considering according to the letter of the law), had he not been fouled.

I'm not going to argue that it was clear cut, but I don't think there could be any complaints about a DOGSO dismissal there.

 

[lem8sh]

Yeah about that.... Did you watch Benzema and Suarez this season?

What does that mean exactly? That Barca or Madrid would trade for Lukaku?

 

[Super Hans]

It's beginning to look like Everton absolutely fleeced us. Just imagine, for a bit more we could have signed Griezmann.

 

[IrishRedDevil]

It's beginning to look like Everton absolutely fleeced us. Just imagine, for a bit more we could have signed Griezmann.

What a totally absurd comment.

12 goals and 4 assists in 22 games is a very solid return. Also games like yesterday he was vital to the play leading to the goals.
Of course he can improve further, and I'm sure he will, but when fullbacks now go for £50m then £75m for Lukaku was good business.

 

[Gary_Walsh_Nou_Camp_Hell]

It's beginning to look like Everton absolutely fleeced us. Just imagine, for a bit more we could have signed Griezmann.

United tend to get fleeced on transfers, so Lukaku is no different. No point thinking about the fee.

Lukaku played his part yesterday, very important in the third goal + would likely of scored if he hadn't been taken out by Koscielny.

United needed a striker badly and he must of been the best the club could get and he will get plenty of goals in the PL

 

[Eddy_JukeZ]

It's beginning to look like Everton absolutely fleeced us. Just imagine, for a bit more we could have signed Griezmann.

We'd still need a striker, because I seriously doubt Jose would use Griezmann as a lone striker.

Unless you wanted to give the reigns to Rashford.

 

[Super Hans]

What a totally absurd comment.

12 goals and 4 assists in 22 games is a very solid return. Also games like yesterday he was vital to the play leading to the goals.
Of course he can improve further, and I'm sure he will, but when fullbacks now go for £50m then £75m for Lukaku was good business.

Fair points. Look the guy has an incredible physique which is the main reason he's scored a few goals. But his finishing has been disappointing overall for me, and his first touch has been very poor. Will it improve? Hopefully. It just feels like we paid for a world class striker and I don't see that in Lukaku.

 

[Josep Dowling]

My real issue with him is that he can do no wrong under the manager.

The last 3 games Martial has played really well and subbed off in the 60-70th minute. You could see the real frustration when he was subbed in the Arsenal game.

Lukaku is not holding up the ball and not scoring goals. Against Basel he moved Lukaku wide right to accommodate Zlatan when a like for like substitution made much more sense.

 

[breakout67]

Fair points. Look the guy has an incredible physique which is the main reason he's scored a few goals. But his finishing has been disappointing overall for me, and his first touch has been very poor. Will it improve? Hopefully. It just feels like we paid for a world class striker and I don't see that in Lukaku.

World Class players cost £150m+ now. You can thank PSG for that

 

[whatwha]

What a totally absurd comment.

12 goals and 4 assists in 22 games is a very solid return. Also games like yesterday he was vital to the play leading to the goals.
Of course he can improve further, and I'm sure he will, but when fullbacks now go for £50m then £75m for Lukaku was good business.

Up to £90m, in fact. A pretty extortionate price for someone with his limitations.

 

[Super Hans]

World Class players cost £150m+ now. You can thank PSG for that

Yup

 

[VivaObertan]

Thanks man. OMG how was that a yellow card?!

 

[el3mel]

It's beginning to look like Everton absolutely fleeced us. Just imagine, for a bit more we could have signed Griezmann.

What ? 75m for him is a bargain, and if we paid the adds on it will mean his transfer was even more successful. He could have costed us even more.

He has his problems, but he was one of the best and most consistent strikers of the league when we got him.

 

[whatwha]

What ? 75m for him is a bargain, and if we paid the adds on it will mean his transfer was even more successful. He could have costed us even more.

He has his problems, but he was one of the best and most consistent strikers of the league when we got him.

A bargain

 

[el3mel]

A bargain

Didn't think I said a joke.

Yes 75m for one of the best and most consistent strikers in the league is a bargain. Another striker could have easily costed us +100m in the current crazy market.

 

[ValenciasDrilledCrosses]

Lacazette was a menace yesterday but I've seen so much from rival fans about how the game proved he's better than Lukaku. What I saw was Lacazette having some nice touches and tons of service and then missing or whiffing on about 4-5 sitters. He scored the easiest chance of the game. Lukaku was completely isolated through no fault of his own and had some shaky touches but helped in the build up for two goals. Needs to get back to his goalscoring ways but I don't think there was much more he could have done yesterday.

 

[MadMike]

He’s been a bit meh lately, but I thought he was excellent against Arsenal. Heavily involved in two goals, won a ton of aerial duels and more than anything his movement and link up play were fantastic.

He will be backs amongst th goals soon no doubt. Hopefully against City.

 

[Dante]

We've scored more goals this season than last. Lukaku helps us function better as an attacking unit than Ibrahimovic ever did. After 15 games in 2016, Zlatan had 9 goals and the team had scored 20. This season, Lukaku has 8 goals, but we've netted 35 overall.

Drogba often had seasons where he hardly got onto the scoresheet under Mourinho, but his contribution was always massive. Video games and the cult of Messi/Ronaldo has changed the way people look at football. Lukaku's been very good if you look past the individual numbers.

 

[roonster09]

I watched the full game again, can't understand the shit he was getting here (well expected from some posters who can't wait to shit post).

He linked up really well and lost the ball when hoofed and he was surrounded by 2-3 players. When played on the ground he played nice one touch passes and also held the ball well. We had just 25% possession and defended all game (can't blame team either as we had 2-0 lead), so he saw limited ball and did really well.

Also read so many posts saying how he doesn't win any aerial duels, well he won 11 out of 15 he contested and 1 time he was fouled. It's like some people watch completely different game.

 

[Bwuk]

Don't understand the Lukaku/Drogba comparison.

If you offered me a prime Drogba or Lukaku it's Drogba every time. Much better player.

 

[haram]

I watched the full game again, can't understand the shit he was getting here (well expected from some posters who can't wait to shit post).

He linked up really well and lost the ball when hoofed and he was surrounded by 2-3 players. When played on the ground he played nice one touch passes and also held the ball well. We had just 25% possession and defended all game (can't blame team either as we had 2-0 lead), so he saw limited ball and did really well.

Also read so many posts saying how he doesn't win any aerial duels, well he won 11 out of 15 he contested and 1 time he was fouled. It's like some people watch completely different game.

They go into watching games expecting him to be bad, that's all it is.

 

[InfiniteBoredom]

Don't understand the Lukaku/Drogba comparison.

If you offered me a prime Drogba or Lukaku it's Drogba every time. Much better player.

Drogba scored over 20 goals in the league only once iirc. He was a monster of a big game player but had plenty of inconsistencies. We tend not to notice that since Lampard scored a ton of goals but if the attackers behind him didn't have a good time then Drogba wasn't the most reliable week in week out, hence the two transfers of Sheva and Torres.

I'm not fully convinced with Lukaku, never was, always wanted a forward with more guile but it's too early yet to draw the above conclusion. Prime Lukaku imo might be the opposite of Drogba who's a reliable flat track bully but goes missing in big games I.e Higuain, not that we'd want that but it doesn't mean that type of player is inferior to peak Drogba.

 

[roonster09]

Don't understand the Lukaku/Drogba comparison.

If you offered me a prime Drogba or Lukaku it's Drogba every time. Much better player.

Lukaku Drogba comparison fails from the word go. Both completely different players and have different play style and strengths. Comparisons ends at both are strikers. That's it.

 

[Werder Herzog]

Played really well on Saturday. Link up play was much improved and was a constant threat whenever we broke.

 

[11101]

Was going a bit wide, quite some way from goal, with a defender fairly level by the time he was taken down.
Can see why it wasn't a red.

If he'd got a more central run he'd have been well clear of the covering man and it could have been different.
Although that rule about valid attempts at challenges only being yellow has now made it grey?

The contact started centrally and they were both miles ahead of Bellerin. If that wasn't a red then the last man/direct opportunity rule is finished. They will always be yellow from now on.

 

[James Peril]

Lukaku was finally very close to scoring a goal against one of the supposed top sides! Granted it was a shot at our own goal, but I guess it’s progress no the less?

 

[Luciano Venturini]

There's more to being a striker than scoring goals. His link up play, hold up play and aerial ability have improved massively. I get it that he needs to score goals as that is his primary purpose but his movement and link up has also allowed Lingard/Rashford/Martial to have space. Some are quick to forget it was Lukaku sprinting down the line and crossing for Rashford at Huddersfield and Lukaku flicking on for Martial vs Spurs. People calling for him to be dropped are mental.

 

[Siorac]

There's more to being a striker than scoring goals. His link up play, hold up play and aerial ability have improved massively. I get it that he needs to score goals as that is his primary purpose but his movement and link up has also allowed Lingard/Rashford/Martial to have space. Some are quick to forget it was Lukaku sprinting down the line and crossing for Rashford at Huddersfield and Lukaku flicking on for Martial vs Spurs. People calling for him to be dropped are mental.

This is just so needlessly antagonistic. There's nothing mental about questioning the inclusion of a centre-forward who scored one goal in 12 games. His all-round play has improved since regularly playing with Martial but there are problems still.

I'm not saying he should definitely be dropped - and I certainly don't expect him to be, anyway - but it's hardly a crazy suggestion.

 

[haram]

I'd rather him contribute to two of our goals than miss 3 chances and score from 6 yards like Lacazette did.

 

[Sandikan]

The contact started centrally and they were both miles ahead of Bellerin. If that wasn't a red then the last man/direct opportunity rule is finished. They will always be yellow from now on.

That far out, with the ball going wide once he'd been fouled, with a super quick player in cover. I don';t really see how it was ever going to be red to be honest.

Would have needed to have been clean through and then fouled. The ball sprung wide upon the foul being made.

 

[Sandikan]

It's beginning to look like Everton absolutely fleeced us. Just imagine, for a bit more we could have signed Griezmann.

Are you the ultimate knee jerker?
Have you forgotten his start to the season?

Haver you forgotten Ibra ended on 28 goals last year and had a massive drought himself?

 

[Ekeke]

Don't understand the Lukaku/Drogba comparison.

If you offered me a prime Drogba or Lukaku it's Drogba every time. Much better player.

Doesnt that go for pretty much every striker of that type? Drogba was also a lot older when he came to prominence, while Lukaku was scoring in the europa league at 16.

 

[Hammondo]

You gotta ask what does he do that other strikers in the PL do? and where is the cut off? bottom pl strikers? mid table pl strikers? top pl strikers? Personally I think mid table. People are praising him for basic stuff that you would expect bottom table strikers do every week.

 

[Brightonian]

I watched the full game again, can't understand the shit he was getting here (well expected from some posters who can't wait to shit post).

He linked up really well and lost the ball when hoofed and he was surrounded by 2-3 players. When played on the ground he played nice one touch passes and also held the ball well. We had just 25% possession and defended all game (can't blame team either as we had 2-0 lead), so he saw limited ball and did really well.

Also read so many posts saying how he doesn't win any aerial duels, well he won 11 out of 15 he contested and 1 time he was fouled. It's like some people watch completely different game.

It's mental. I thought he was really good.

And everyone seems to be ignoring that he was the man with arguably the key contribution to two of our three goalscoring counter attacks. The little skip past Mustafi and pass to Martial for our second, and the lay off to Lingard for the third.

 

[Jim Beam]

I noticed something. Spend my summer in Morata thread, but the people who really wanted Morata, defend Lukaku the most.

Just the observation.

 

[Brightonian]

This. As long as other players score and he facilitates more than scores I'm fine with that. The criticism when we got him from some was that he s nothing but a target man and doesn't contribute much other than goals. He s proving people wrong. Hopefully it rebuilds his confidence, which I'm sure has taken a bit of a hit.

I'm actually not too worried about this. He's had dry spells at Everton exactly like this before, but we're now seeing just how key he was to their attack whether scoring successfully or not. He'll have developed ways to cope with the goal droughts, both mentally and tactically, and he'll also know that no dry spell ever did much harm to his seasonal numbers, which were consistently strong.

 

[Z2United]

I'm actually not too worried about this. He's had dry spells at Everton exactly like this before, but we're now seeing just how key he was to their attack whether scoring successfully or not. He'll have developed ways to cope with the goal droughts, both mentally and tactically, and he'll also know that no dry spell ever did much harm to his seasonal numbers, which were consistently strong.

But his spot was more or less unchallenged there + the ambition was much lower. Here he has a whole nother level of pressure. He knows if he does not pick it up here he will get benched. Sooner or later. Think in his next to last game when he missed the open goal it was a pretty clear case of lost confidence. Any striker who goes 1 in 12 is gonna suffer and i think Lukaku is in a tougher spot to dig himself out then he has been in before due to different circumstances. But the goals will eventually come, he is playing in a currently very strong united after all.

 

[Ali Dia]

I thought he was better against arsenal and he's going to improve a bit more too. He's not going to turn into a mad skilful player all of a sudden but he will hit us 20 plus goals a season every season.