Lucas on farming, future & psychiatry

The midfielder covered a wide range of topics during his conversation with the national broadsheet - and we've picked out some of the best bits for you to enjoy below...

Lucas on growing up in Brazil...

"I was fortunate to grow up in the ideal environment to help me. Every summer when I was a youngster I would go to my grandfather's farm in Brazil to work there. He made his life around the farm so I used to go there for months during the holidays. As a kid it was something I really enjoyed and a chance to see a way of living outside of the city. My brother took it over some years later and is still there looking after it so I can still go back at the end of every season. We have everything there, all the cattle, cows and bulls. It is different from the pressure of English football, that is for sure. A real contrast. It is not normal, maybe, for people in England to imagine it but when I go there I make sure I play my part and do the work. I like to remember how I spent my weekends and holidays there. Many years ago we would go and be completely cut off, with no electricity. We've changed it a lot since then and had the internet connected, but when I go after the season is over I still try to forget about the world and relax."

On his family's strong footballing tradition...

"I was lucky because my dad loved football, and my uncle played, so in my family I was able to go away with my dad, watch and play and be around the Brazilian national team watching the likes of Romario, Bebeto and Ronaldo and then spend time away from all this when I wanted to be on the farm. That's the environment where I grew up.

I know kids look to players as heroes and will follow what we as players do on and off the pitch and I know I have a responsibility, but I do not feel pressure with that. If you live in the right way, it happens normally. As footballers we always want to send positive messages and sport is a way of developing your confidence and character, particularly football."

On Dr Stephen Peters...

"I met Dr Peters a few times. My wife and my mother-in-law are psychologists so I do have some experience of this at home, but obviously it's hard to talk about it so much with your family. I've always been interested in this because I can see where the benefits are. It's important for people to try everything. The players, the staff and everyone should do all the club offers. Dr Peters has worked with successful athletes and I worked with him a lot when I was injured, especially my second injury. Some players do not feel they need it, but it has worked for me. Next season we will work with him even more because he is helping. He teaches you to block all negative messages in your mind and that when there is something bad in your head, you can deal with that. Coming back from injuries you can have doubts, but he made me believe the good times will come around again. He insists on not giving any importance to negative thoughts."

On the 2012-13 campaign...

"It's been another difficult season because a new manager came in again and there were more players coming and going. Next season is our first season for a while where we have a manager going into a second full season. The second half of the season was not bad but the start has cost us. Next season with the structure settled we know the manager, how he wants us to play and if we need to find the consistency to have a better chance. The chances of success are always higher when you are stable which is why I think next season will good for us."