I should share this with all you Lucas-watchers.
Tuesday night for me is always football night. Under the floodlights, on the astro. You can't beat it. Anyway, last night after we'd finished I had a quick catch-up with one of the lads on the team who I know is a 'Pool fan. There was lots to talk about! Oddly, though, conversation quickly got round to Lucas and his role in Kenny's team. My teammate didn't rate him. Lucas wasn't dynamic enough, he didn't do enough, he was too soft etc etc. I knew his broad opinion already because he'd told me at the start of the season that he was no good. But I was a bit disappointed he hadn't shifted his position after all we've seen over the last 5 months.
Fuck me, I thought, and then I had an idea. Leaving this lad, I went off to a group of other players who are also members of my team. They were in a huddle after the game as they always are - they're the youngest members of the team (between 18 and 24 or so) and they're all from western Africa (Nigeria, Senegal, Ivory Coast). They're all good players. None of them, so far as I know supports Liverpool.
"Right", I said, "I'd like to do a test on you". They all look slightly alarmed. "It's a football test". They relax. "You all know Lucas Leiva of Liverpool, right?". There's nods and yesses. "I have a theory about him", I say, "And I want to ask you all the same question". And that's what I do. One by one I ask them simply, "Is Lucas Leiva any good?". (Not one of them knows my own opinion by the way). And one by one, some with real enthusiasm, all without hesitation, say "Yes". The last lad, who's the best player of the lot and a bit of an individualist, looks momentarily like he's about to break ranks and disagree with his mates. I know he wants to, just for the hell of it. But he too says 'Yes, he's very good'. Then I say "Thank you lads. You've just proved my theory". Dramatic pause. "People who know about footy always rate Lucas".
Of course they loved that! And, then suddenly, everyone's outdoing the others, telling me WHY Lucas is so good. The doubting 'Pool fan, who's an Englishman by the way, looks at me like I've just performed a magical trick. "They know about football mate" I say.