Licuria

[shuveradda_41]

Paul licuria has long been heralded as one of our best players and still very well could be. But his form this past three weeks has been dismal and painful to watch because everytime he gets it it looks like a turnover is about to happen.

He runs about as slow as a turtle and looks to be jogging on the spot while he is actually using all his pace. Has been caught many times, His kicking has never been his strength but has been attrocius this year, failing to hit targets or even the general area of the player. Also his takcles are failing to stick.

How do we asses this? i say a few more games for him but it may be time to move on from licuria? hes just not a "modern day footballer"

 

[Lonie_from_50]

Yeah, his career is suddenly becoming dead very quickley. His skills have been shown when he isn't getting the ball out of the middle, and he looks very slow.

 

[joshieboy]

Ball skills are horrific at the moment. Even he knows it!! Example by giving away that goal to leon.

But, this is all that is wrong with his game at the moment. His work off the ball to run to position is as good as anyone. The only reason he looks slow at the moment is due to his second guessing on his foot skills. Surely at this level of football it will not take a 2 time club b & F winner to gain some confidance back in his kicking. Use Tarrant as an example..

 

[hotpie]

He is carrying an injury, probably the ankle he hurt in the preseason. Quality players dont just lose it overnight.

 

[Coin_Toss]

He is carrying an injury, probably the ankle he hurt in the preseason. Quality players dont just lose it overnight.

Exactly. Couldn't have said it better myself, if I tried.

 

[guess_who]

Injury or not, give him a rest or play him in the magoos either way make way for Sir Scott Burns.

 

[Jabso]

Dismal is a going a over the top. He is still contributing in form of what he does off the ball and his work on the deck, not to mention his clearances.
Sending Licuria to the magoos will accomplish nothing.

 

[pocketrocket#24]

he'll still be playing, no chance of him getting dropped as i read a quote from malthouse's press conference that said, "as long as paul licuria is breathing air he will be in my team every time". that leads me to believe he might be carrying some niggles, as mick seems fine with him at the moment...

 

[Jabso]

I think this is a matter of high expectations. Licuria is playing ok, but below his standards. If Swan played the way Lica has been playing this year noone would worry as Swan is just a 2nd tier player.

 

[lfc23679]

Maybe the injury he is carrying is a result of why he is not playing in the guts of the team.

 

[Cyclops]

Licca is a super hard worker and a first class team man. He's in the side because of those qualities even though he's injured. Hopefully he can play through the injury and come good. Think of this: he's contributing (just) enough to keep his spot and he's only half fit.

Licca will do better and better as the year wears on.

 

[Ekulman]

Might be an idea to give him a few games in the reserves
he'll get back into form though, no doubt about it

 

[magpies42]

i was also under the impression that he was playing injured, dunno why they are playing him when there a heaps of players that deserve a spot in the 1's. Could this be the week pendelbury gets his debut? A few players have got there debuts on anzac day so maybe it is pendelbury's turn?!

 

[Nesian]

I remember back in 2004 when licca had some injury pretty sure, had a slow start to the season but he came back and found the form he need when it counted and just go back to his best. I have a feel it will be the same so maybe after rnd 5 or 6 u can start to worry but not just yet. Dont right off a great like licca just yet. I'm pretty sure in the NAB cup before he was injured he was playing awesome and kicked a few goals, so i believe its only a matter of time when he gets back to that.

 

[Lonie_from_50]

Licuria has never really had the skills though has he? He does though have an extreme work ethic and sense of leadership aswell as great reflexes. The reason why it looks like he has lost skills is simply because they are revealed, because he isn't getting the contested ball as much. He is playing off the flank, and then will occassionally play onball, where it was 80-90% onball.

 

[WhyWilliams]

It is interesting that Licuria is playing out of the middle but I do like him around the forward line because he keeps the ball in and is as we can see really hard at it. For his size he is a very strong one on one mark. So I am happy to see him resting in the forward line.

But I am happy he feeds off to Leon etc rather than kick at goal.

 

[Vinnie Vegas]

Realistically, one has to wonder, with Burns itching to get his spot back, Ben Davies and Scott Pendlebury absolutely knocking the door down with their form in the reserves, and Rhyce Shaw still to return from injury, it will be a very, very, very tough ask to keep Licuria in the side if he doesn't improve his form.

Essentially, if anybody in our midfield plays a couple of bad games, or gets injured, there is going to be an absolute surge for opportunities.

 

[hotpie]

Realistically, one has to wonder, with Burns itching to get his spot back, Ben Davies and Scott Pendlebury absolutely knocking the door down with their form in the reserves, and Rhyce Shaw still to return from injury, it will be a very, very, very tough ask to keep Licuria in the side if he doesn't improve his form..

Thats assuming:
1. Licuria does not improve
2. The form of Lockyer Davis Lonie O'Bree etc does not drop off.
History has shown that Licuria gets better while the others get worse, as the season wears on.
3. We dont get any injuries
4. Thomas's form does not drop off. He's small young and skinny, and will tire quickly as the year progresses.

I cant see Licuria dropped soon - rested due to injury maybe, but not droppped.