82 | Rico Lewis - 2025/26

[Draikin]

He is apparently the weakest, smallest and least physical fullback in the premier League. Yet the errors are almost always coming off the other side.

You say Rico is not the solution at RB. Ok. Thats one way to look at it. Another way to look at it is that the breakdown, almost always happens on the other side.

Isn't that the easiest way to a goal for the opposition ? When they break on Rico's opposing side they just have to pass the ball in Rico's area and expect him to fuck up. If they break on Rico's side they still have another real defender to beat

 

[BluestBlue]

1. People have pointed out the fact that Stones made the mistake - the high line overall has been pointed out as suicidal but that is on the manager and coaching team as well.

2. The problem doesnt simply sit with that one goal - its the fact that Lewis actually makes this error consistently...we have seen this goal before. He actually started ahead of the attacker but still didnt get to the ball, went at the ball with his wrong foot (put a amateur footballer in that position at that exact moment and they use their left foot to hook it into the stands in the direction of where it comes from)...he made the ame mistake last season.

His lack of physicality in all aspects of his game is a huge problem...lack of pace, strength are a huge hinderance to him

His other errors are consistent as well and they constantly cause or lead to the other team getting chances on the break:
Giving the ball away on the edge of the opponents penalty area
Being poor in physical battle in the mid third of the pitch, losing the ball which then leads to an attack for the opponents
being poor receiving the ball facing his own goal - just gets bullied

It aint one game - it was half a season of it (until he was dropped for Nunes) and its already there this season

I get it, he is a young local lad, but he isnt and never will be that top level of player.....we need better.

Is he the only one with serious questions against him - no certainly not. You could add to that list Dias, Nico G, Doku, Sav at present as well so the scapegoat argument goes out the window

my biggest issue with him isn’t that he’s short or is weak. Is that he always loses his man. His marketing or defensive awareness is so poor. It makes him defensively sound as Cancelo or Zinchenko.

And he’s getting a long term contract extension

We can only play him against small teams. Not sure how important he is.

 

[Dax777]

Yeah mate, right back in fact. And if my centre half played a man onside whilst trying to adjust their body to play him off (when he was on) and in doing so causes himself to slip and be out of position, I’d hold that man responsible. It’s funny how everyone is battering Lewis for not recovering in time to cover stones mistake. It shows the double standards of this forum and I am someone who wants Lewis nowhere near the first team

The guy who makes the mistake doesn't matter, what matters is what could Lewis have done to save it. And his failure to do whatever that was makes him at fault.

Isn't that the easiest way to a goal for the opposition ? When they break on Rico's opposing side they just have to pass the ball in Rico's area and expect him to fuck up. If they break on Rico's side they still have another real defender to beat

Two. Things,

1. Why are they breaking on the opposite side so often? Who's job is it to stop that from happening?

2. On the rare occasion when they break on Lewis side ( and it is fucking rare) the real defender they have to beat is a Center back. Not the fullback on the other side.

Your ability to defend a cross depends on space you have to cover. If the breakaway crosser has no one to even challenge his cross, it doesn't matter where Rico is when he decides to cross, he simply wil pick out his man. There were zero defenders between the crosser and the scorer.

Granted Johnson was quicker than Rico. But it wouldn't have mattered if Rico was faster. Johnson would have simply trailed off and let Rico run deeper past him and cut in front of him or behind him. He'd have simply gone wherever in the 18 yard box Rico didn't run to.

How people seem to not get this is baffling. To defend that properly (and perhaps Rico would still have failed) another defender had to be closer to the crosser forcing him to make a choice on where he can cross to, then Rico can read where the likely open area will be and try to defend that.

The original error makes defending the box hard. Granted the crosser could make a mistake and give the defender a chance, but he is unlikely to with zero pressure on his cross.

 

[thegoatsthegoat]

The guy who makes the mistake doesn't matter, what matters is what could Lewis have done to save it. And his failure to do whatever that was makes him at fault.

Two. Things,

1. Why are they breaking on the opposite side so often? Who's job is it to stop that from happening?

2. On the rare occasion when they break on Lewis side ( and it is fucking rare) the real defender they have to beat is a Center back. Not the fullback on the other side.

Your ability to defend a cross depends on space you have to cover. If the breakaway crosser has no one to even challenge his cross, it doesn't matter where Rico is when he decides to cross, he simply wil pick out his man. There were zero defenders between the crosser and the scorer.

Granted Johnson was quicker than Rico. But it wouldn't have mattered if Rico was faster. Johnson would have simply trailed off and let Rico run deeper past him and cut in front of him or behind him. He'd have simply gone wherever in the 18 yard box Rico didn't run to.

How people seem to not get this is baffling. To defend that properly (and perhaps Rico would still have failed) another defender had to be closer to the crosser forcing him to make a choice on where he can cross to, then Rico can read where the likely open area will be and try to defend that.

The original error makes defending the box hard. Granted the crosser could make a mistake and give the defender a chance, but he is unlikely to with zero pressure on his cross.

“The guy who makes the mistake doesn’t matter”

What a load of shite

 

[HorlockofFiretopMountain]

The guy who makes the mistake doesn't matter, what matters is what could Lewis have done to save it. And his failure to do whatever that was makes him at fault.

Two. Things,

1. Why are they breaking on the opposite side so often? Who's job is it to stop that from happening?

2. On the rare occasion when they break on Lewis side ( and it is fucking rare) the real defender they have to beat is a Center back. Not the fullback on the other side.

Your ability to defend a cross depends on space you have to cover. If the breakaway crosser has no one to even challenge his cross, it doesn't matter where Rico is when he decides to cross, he simply wil pick out his man. There were zero defenders between the crosser and the scorer.

Granted Johnson was quicker than Rico. But it wouldn't have mattered if Rico was faster. Johnson would have simply trailed off and let Rico run deeper past him and cut in front of him or behind him. He'd have simply gone wherever in the 18 yard box Rico didn't run to.

How people seem to not get this is baffling. To defend that properly (and perhaps Rico would still have failed) another defender had to be closer to the crosser forcing him to make a choice on where he can cross to, then Rico can read where the likely open area will be and try to defend that.

The original error makes defending the box hard. Granted the crosser could make a mistake and give the defender a chance, but he is unlikely to with zero pressure on his cross.

We conceded a very similar goal against Chelsea in 23/24 when Sterling scored. That time Walker was caught in no man's land.

 

[Dax777]

“The guy who makes the mistake doesn’t matter”

What a load of shite

Lol

 

[mattcity5]

You are preaching to the converted. I don’t rate Lewis, I don’t want him to play another single minute. He isn’t good enough. But stones caused that first goal very simple. Nobody else. Whilst you can question Lewis afterwards it’s harsh to lay blame solely at Lewis for not being in position to clean up stones mistake. Many in here are ignoring stones part which was the reason we conceded that goal. His misjudgement was the catalyst.

Agree about Stones part, but what about Dias losing that header? If we had a proper dominant centre-back (Juma Bah?), they'd have won that header in the first place. But we play a very high line, lose headers, don't track back quick enough.

This goal will happen again, and again at the moment.

 

[BlueMonkey79]

“The guy who makes the mistake doesn’t matter”

What a load of shite

That spurs goal was littered with mistakes.

Our pressing was a mistake. Either press as a unit (in this case front 4) or don't bother. What's the point in Haaland running from man to man to try and get the ball back.

Then Dias should have won the header or just taken their player into touch. (Tactical foul).

Stones slipping (is that a mistake?). Maybe argue he should read the play a bit better and step up early?

Then Rico strolling back after having 15/20 yards head start on the goalscorer. Instead of getting in line with the ball and intercepting the cross.

 

[HorlockofFiretopMountain]

That spurs goal was littered with mistakes.

Our pressing was a mistake. Either press as a unit (in this case front 4) or don't bother. What's the point in Haaland running from man to man to try and get the ball back.

Then Dias should have won the header or just taken their player into touch. (Tactical foul).

Stones slipping (is that a mistake?). Maybe argue he should read the play a bit better and step up early?

Then Rico strolling back after having 15/20 yards head start on the goalscorer. Instead of getting in line with the ball and intercepting the cross.

Johnson did the same thing last year for Spurs 4th goal. That time it was on out left and he outsprinted Josko, Gundo and Ake, all of who had a significant head start.

 

[mattcity5]

That spurs goal was littered with mistakes.

Our pressing was a mistake. Either press as a unit (in this case front 4) or don't bother. What's the point in Haaland running from man to man to try and get the ball back.

Then Dias should have won the header or just taken their player into touch. (Tactical foul).

Stones slipping (is that a mistake?). Maybe argue he should read the play a bit better and step up early?

Then Rico strolling back after having 15/20 yards head start on the goalscorer. Instead of getting in line with the ball and intercepting the cross.

You can add Ake getting dragged into the Spurs half. Might not be a mistake, more of a decision, but it's what Spurs wanted to happen. If he'd let Kudus drop deep instead and held his position as left-back it also wouldn't have happened.

 

[Saddleworth2]

The guy who makes the mistake doesn't matter, what matters is what could Lewis have done to save it. And his failure to do whatever that was makes him at fault.

Two. Things,

1. Why are they breaking on the opposite side so often? Who's job is it to stop that from happening?

2. On the rare occasion when they break on Lewis side ( and it is fucking rare) the real defender they have to beat is a Center back. Not the fullback on the other side.

Your ability to defend a cross depends on space you have to cover. If the breakaway crosser has no one to even challenge his cross, it doesn't matter where Rico is when he decides to cross, he simply wil pick out his man. There were zero defenders between the crosser and the scorer.

Granted Johnson was quicker than Rico. But it wouldn't have mattered if Rico was faster. Johnson would have simply trailed off and let Rico run deeper past him and cut in front of him or behind him. He'd have simply gone wherever in the 18 yard box Rico didn't run to.

How people seem to not get this is baffling. To defend that properly (and perhaps Rico would still have failed) another defender had to be closer to the crosser forcing him to make a choice on where he can cross to, then Rico can read where the likely open area will be and try to defend that.

The original error makes defending the box hard. Granted the crosser could make a mistake and give the defender a chance, but he is unlikely to with zero pressure on his cross.

Exactly. The number of unopposed crosses from that side is criminal.

 

[Dax777]

Johnson did the same thing last year for Spurs 4th goal. That time it was on out left and he outsprinted Josko, Gundo and Ake, all of who had a significant head start.

Johnson is fast and has great instincts. Reminds me of prime Sterling

 

[thegoatsthegoat]

Lol

So I take it Trafford wasn’t at fault, as he recovered well and tipped the ball away. I presume that goal falls solely at our defence for reacting so slowly to the rebound? Absolute fucking nonsense.

That spurs goal was littered with mistakes.

Our pressing was a mistake. Either press as a unit (in this case front 4) or don't bother. What's the point in Haaland running from man to man to try and get the ball back.

Then Dias should have won the header or just taken their player into touch. (Tactical foul).

Stones slipping (is that a mistake?). Maybe argue he should read the play a bit better and step up early?

Then Rico strolling back after having 15/20 yards head start on the goalscorer. Instead of getting in line with the ball and intercepting the cross.

For the millionth time, stones slipping isn’t a mistake. Him trying to play someone offside who is onside is the mistake, which then results in him slipping and out of position.

Agree about Stones part, but what about Dias losing that header? If we had a proper dominant centre-back (Juma Bah?), they'd have won that header in the first place. But we play a very high line, lose headers, don't track back quick enough.

This goal will happen again, and again at the moment.

I think you could look at most of the defenders in isolation and where they could have done better. I just find it mad this thread ignores stones involvement which for me was the worst out the lot. I agree with Dias and don’t think he’s good enough

 

[Dax777]

So I take it Trafford wasn’t at fault, as he recovered well and tipped the ball away. I presume that goal falls solely at our defence for reacting so slowly to the rebound? Absolute fucking nonsense.

Relax mate. Yikes! I was being sarcastic. I guess it came off too well. . :) The idea that folks want to blame the player who couldn't make up for someone else's error is hilarious.

For the millionth time, stones slipping isn’t a mistake. Him trying to play someone offside who is onside is the mistake, which then results in him slipping and out of position.

Correct!

I think you could look at most of the defenders in isolation and where they could have done better. I just find it mad this thread ignores stones involvement which for me was the worst out the lot. I agree with Dias and don’t think he’s good enough

Correct.

 

[thegoatsthegoat]

Relax mate. Yikes! I was being sarcastic. I guess it came off too well. . :) The idea that folks want to blame the player who couldn't make up for someone else's error is hilarious.


Correct!

Correct.

Apologies mate, some of the lunacy I have seen on here I thought it was someone else defending stones. My bad

 

[KDBPLGOAT]

my biggest issue with him isn’t that he’s short or is weak. Is that he always loses his man. His marketing or defensive awareness is so poor. It makes him defensively sound as Cancelo or Zinchenko.

And he’s getting a long term contract extension

We can only play him against small teams. Not sure how important he is.

hes waaaay worse than Zinchenko and Cancelo defensively. That’s so disrespectful to those two. I’ve seen Zinchenko have masterclasses against Mbappe and Neymar in 2021. Rico is like having Leroy Sane as a RB defensively and that’s in central midfield or RB. You think his performance against Spurs in 2025 was bad, watch his other performance vs Spurs in 2025. Somehow even worse playing as a CM btw

 

[HorlockofFiretopMountain]

Johnson is fast and has great instincts. Reminds me of prime Sterling

He does seem to have that ability to get himself in the right space at the right time. Can help but thinking though, if we had been able to do more to hinder the progress of the ball then he woukd have had to check his run. Fernandinho was brilliant at getting in the way and slowing opposition attacks and Rodri is also excellent in doing this, but they didn't/didn't work in isolation. We seem to have lost the ability to do this.

 

[Zabbasbeard]

Playing a high line is a problem that keeps catching us out and our back line go too far forward. If we are going play a high line we need pace and that means Khusanov or buying a quick right back.

 

[St.Pauli support]

Playing a high line is a problem that keeps catching us out and our back line go too far forward. If we are going play a high line we need pace and that means Khusanov or buying a quick right back.

Pep doesn't want to change, as he just has insisted.

Dias and Aké or top defenders in a flat 4, but not if they are pressing in spurs' half (!) like we've seen pre the 1st goal. They are too slow, opponents are aware and we are kindly inviting them.

Pep also doesn't care about Lewis who has his qualities in the mid 'in small pockets' - but not in a high line as defender. Bollocks.

Ah, we're going in circles. Pep is playing his standard system with the wrong players, and he will not change. Period.

I thought a good manager will find the best system for the players he has and a system that hurts the actual opponent most.
Pep does neither.

I've given up on that point.

 

[2bluejacko]

Sick of OUR players slipping
GET SOME STUDS IN YOUR BOOTS FFS

And they still water the pitch at half time