Now that the mundane, stalemate of a Merseyside Derby is now consigned to the history books, there’s but one question being touted on various forms of social media. How do you solve a problem like Romelu Lukaku?

Lukaku’s contribution to the 224th Merseyside Derby was somewhat non-existent. Admittedly, the blame cannot entirely be left at the door of the Belgian front man. The £28 million record signing has managed 10 league goals in all competitions this term, but some have grown frustrated at the inconsistency of his performances. However let’s be honest, he was never going to make an impact as an attacking winger now was he.

Roberto Martinez has to shoulder some of the responsibility as to why Lukaku has failed to make the impact expected. His failure to realise that Lukaku is a goal scorer, is costing the team dearly on many fronts. Lukaku works best, as said, as a goal scorer. The spearhead of a starting eleven. Put the ball into the area and there’s an extremely high likelihood he will guide it past a dumbfounded keeper into the back of the net. So why play him as a winger in arguably our biggest game of the season? I think Martinez attempts to be far too shrewd at times. You only have to look at his failed efforts to integrate Leighton Baines into the centre of midfield. I personally suspect Class A substances must have been involved during that period.

He tries too hard to install the template of “tikka takka” into the side. A problem that has infected clubs worldwide. The “Barca style of play” seems to be the only way nowadays, as the way football was played prior to 2008 is simply forgotten. Sam Allardyce recently dismissed what he described as the “tippy tappy” style of play.

“All this tippy-tappy stuff – everybody keeps on going about the right way to play football – is all a load of b******s sometimes. Getting the ball into the opposition box as quickly as you can with quality is definitely sometimes the best way forward.”

I firmly believe Romelu Lukaku is most effective in the box, with balls being played to him directly. Roberto’s inability to play established wide men at various points in the season has assisted the toxic run of form we’ve had to endure this campaign. Admittedly the service itself, even from the more renowned wide men, has been nothing short of terrible. I get the feeling this may not be top of the agenda at Finch Farm in terms of training though, as passing is so obviously the nucleus of everything Roberto Martinez.

Romelu Lukaku himself is not exempt from criticism however, as there is more the 21 year old can do to address the situation. The issue I have personally with the Belgian is his work rate. Yes, I have stated previously we should be providing Lukaku with a service for him to feed on, but that isn’t to say he can’t generate some of his own chances himself. He’s a big lad, with a big frame, which he needs to use more. He simply allowed Martin Skrtel to ease him off the ball at any given opportunity on Saturday night. Which provoked the Sky Sports pundits to describe him as “a big friendly giant”.

I don’t expect him to run and run and run for 90 minutes, but if the service isn’t there, he needs to do more to make chances for himself. He seldom chases down a defender, nor presses the keeper. Rom has also been caught offside on a staggering 28 times this season, topping the list for offside’s in the Premier League. Someone needs to reiterate to Rom the tools he has to bully defences across Europe, and to become a match winner on a consistent basis. If things aren’t going on your way on the pitch, sometimes a bit of desire can create that half a chance required to gain an advantage. His frame for 21 year old could be used to a real advantage, as I gaze with a degree of longing at my own 21 year old frame. He needs to use it. He’s a big lad, who needs to put himself about a bit.

So, how do you solve a problem like Lukaku?

Encourage the lad, deploy him on the field correctly, and for the Lords sake Bobby, take advantage of the boys strength.

Ben Williams

follow me on twitter @bcwilloww