StriderHiryu

Not sure about this, but I think there is a team that has done that and it's none other than... (drum roll)... Leicester City 2014/15! Can't remember the exact sequence, but prior to winning 7 of our last 9, didn't we lose 5 (or more possibly) before that? I do remember a really shocking draw with Hull somewhere in that sequence, but it must be something like that.

So question for you all. With Benalouane showing signs of being decent, how many CB's do we need to recruit in the summer? Though it's early to tell, he looks like a competent replacement for an average Premier League game. Many say we need replacements for both Morgan and Huth, but realisitically they are going to keep their places given our revival. If we do sign two CB's then it will leave players not playing and getting rusty on the sidelines, which is not good for their morale or performances. And what about Amartey? He continues to be used as a DCM but could he play CB for us? Personally I don't know right now, so would continue to scout multiple CB's and make decisions on how many are needed in the summer. Do Genk have any we can steal? The last two players they sold (Bailey and Ndidi) seem pretty good!

Had a good game today, much like every game he's had for us during this recent run. He's quite a different player to Kante and not quite the same midfield beast. He doesn't cover as much ground in the central areas or make as many challenges, but in exchange you get incredible ability to win aerial duels, a better range of passing and of course some blockbuster strikes from long-range! He's already scored more goals than Kante in just 8 appearances for us which is extremely good going. For his age he is very impressive. How many other 20 year olds across Europe are first choice for their team in central midfield? Only Dele Alli comes to mind right now. He only arrived here in January yet already looks miles better than Mendy, Amartey, King, etc. I think Ndidi's challenge is to start bossing games by himself. When you look back at Vieria, Keane, Yaya Toure (at his peak), they all had that ability to grab a game by the scruff of it's neck and dominate. Looking at him, he strikes me as having the potential to do that as he has a combination of athletism, height, a range of passing and good reading of the game. Whereas Kante is a destroyer, I would put Ndidi in more of the box-to-box category. Well potentially at least. Our signings have rightly come under fire this season, but you'd have to say that this is another masterpiece from the scouting team. In fact I would personally go as far as saying that despite only having signed in January, he could well be in the top 10 or top 5 signings made by any club this season. He is already one of our best players, and has the potential to be one of the best players in the league.

Yeah Shinji really is quite unique across the league. He oddly enough reminds me of Emile Heskey for England in that he doesn't score many or get assists but the team did better with him in the team. In the last couple of games when he's been subbed off his stats show that he runs an extra 1km or more than anyone else. With Shakespeare switching to a higher press, Shinji is worth his weight in gold for us. A real team player! We would all love it if he could score more and stay on his feet but he's been great for us and I think finding a replacement is a very difficult task. Maybe Gylfi Sigurddson could do it as he is in the top 5 in the league for distance covered and currently the best in Europe for assists. However, barring us winning the CL I couldn't see us getting him.

^ That's a great post! Awesome stats.

Leicester Council have just announced a new attraction for all budding tourists. Only available for viewing August-May. Discounted rate for all LCFC season ticket holders.

Played his part yesterday with Vardy by harassing the opposition all night. They make an unorthodox but potent combination. Will play a crucial part for the rest of the season.

Leicester's Player of the Season by an absolute country mile. Essentially he scored twice for us over both legs against Seville, expect it was better than that because it denied the opposition away goals. He's improved in virtually every way this season compared to last, and he was pretty good last season! He's now proving himself at the elite level of European competition. Because of his name and pedigree, big clubs will come calling in the summer. I just hope we can tie hm down again because just like his father, he belongs in the Champions League. I'd give him a contract for the rest of his career. An absolute leader on and off the pitch.

Is this out of all PL players, or just Leicester players?

If he can get back to the form he showed during the great escape he's welcome back! Glad he's doing well!

Given the choice of Ndidi and Pogba, I would honestly choose Ndidi! Not only does he lack an ego, I think he also offers more to the team. Pogba has so much going for him on paper, but I never really see him dominate games. You could literally have got Kante, Ndidi and Gundogan and had change left for what they paid for Pogba. At that price he should be Viera / Keane / Scholes / Iniesta / Xavi level of good.

I thought this was his worst game for us, although overall he was OK. His mistake was pretty bad but didn't prove to be costly this time round. Although rattled by that mistake initially, I think he grew into the game. If you think about it, he has played less than 10 games as a CM in the Premier League but he looks very much at home. That is a huge compliment for someone that is so young and adjusting to a new league. Though he made the mistake, you can see that he has the self belief to try things and that is the exciting thing about some of our youngsters. When they get more experience and confidence they could end up being incredible players. Ndidi has benefited from Drinkwater's return to form (or has Drinkwater prospered because of Ndidi?). They compliment each other well and it's good to see them clicking.

Not yet but he's going to be world class for sure. Improving with every game. Scary to think he's just 20. As as the Genk fans told us, he's amazing and is destined for the very top. Great to to see him at the club.

Very interesting read! You've got to say that letting your top sports psychologist go and then seeing angry and resentful players not that long after seems like a clear case of cause and effect. Without a way to air or vent concerns, these things can easily fester as evidenced with current predicament. We all criticise sports pros pros because of the obscene money they earn but they are under immense pressure. Leo Messi has yet to really do it at a major tournament (I know he won player of the tournament in Brazil but there were at least 5 players who deserved it more) and I'm sure one reason is that the entirety of Argentina is expecting him to deliver. So having help with the mental side can be important.

I feel a bit sorry for Musa as I can't blame him for not trying. He's been shocking like many in the team and clearly lacking in confidence. However, he's had a fair bite of the cherry and when you consider that he's started more games than Gray, he's not delivered. Today he likely played because of his Champions League experience, but was again underwhelming to be polite. Personally I'd write him off as one that didn't work out and look to move him on in the summer, regardless of which division we are in.

Stinks of desperation. However, the last time he played for us, I thought the consensus was that he was "OK" but nothing special? If he's going to be used in the FA Cup and non PL ties, might not be the end of the world. Recruitment over the last 12 months has been a complete shambles though.Literally missed the chance of a lifetime...

Would love to see the full game to see his display. Sounds like the more time he has to settle in a new country and a new league, the better he will get. I imagine having his friend and countryman Ndidi here will help both players a lot! He's clearly very inconsistent, something the CSKA fans said when we signed him, which given he is 24 (though he looks more like 34!) is to be expected. Time will tell how good he will end up being, but his pace is frightening and it's clear there is something to him. If the coaching team can help him deliver good performances consistently, he could be great for us. Remember that Vardy also took quite a time to settle in. In our great escape season (which was his 3rd season I believe?) he showed a lot of promise at first, but went disappearing for a long time too. But he learnt the league and developed his game and returned the following season as an absolute monster week-in, week-out. I think it would help him a lot to focus on just one position. He's been OK on the wing, but I think his pace is so scary that we should use him as a 2nd Jamie Vardy!

It's always interesting to see how opinions can be so divided sometimes! I agree with what you've put here, he's been solid for us over the last 5 or so games and is maybe even the hungriest player we seem to have at the moment. He chases a lot and gets stuck in, even if he does concede a fair number of fouls. I think the coaching team have to help him decide what type of player he is going to be. Will he be a tidy CDM that holds position and distributes sideways or be more of a box-to-box destroyer in the Viera mould? He's neither one nor the other at the moment and think a destroyer is where he could shine. Also want to point out that the guy is 22. Do you know what N'Golo Kante was doing at 22? He was playing for Caen in Ligue 2 and a total unknown to any of us. Will Amartey ever be better or even as good as Kante? Highly unlikely, but as of today he's scored the same number of goals as Kante, played in our win versus Porto, and showing signs of improvement.

Bumping this thread because this thread (and the Man City vs Leicester 1-3 match thread) are my favourite ever threads on Foxes Talk! Reasons to be optimistic in 2017: - We are going to Sevilla to see the Foxes play in the last 16 of the Champions League! - Claudio has shown he's willing to try systems other than 4-4-2, and those systems have shown potential themselves. - The emergence of Ben Chilwell. - Demari Gray has started the last two games and will get a longer run in the team with Mahrez away. - A potential midfield beast in Wilfred Ndidi will be joining soon to patch up the Kante sized hole left in Midfield. - Our owners continue to be fabulous in looking after our club and fans. - Amartey, Gray, Chilwell Musa, Ndidi are all under the age of 24 and are in and around the first team. If Kaputska ever gets a game, you can add another one to that list! - We are still the CHAMPIONS for another 5 months at least :).

I think the whole team has been timid this year! Today showed me more than anything what an ANGRY Leicester can do. Its like today we decided to stick a massive middle finger up at Football in general and it turned us back into that never say die powerhouse! I do agree though that Amartey when he ha a bee in his bonnet. If I compare him to Kante, sometimes even the mighty N'Golo made mistakes like getting booked or giving the ball away. The difference was that he forgot about it and 3 minutes later either won it back or intercepted the ball again! He just didn't let it bother him. Hopefully Amartey gets more confident and plays more of his own game.

Gonna leave this here: https://streamable.com/gowbr Love the way he kissed the badge and you can see what it means to him. Anyone who shows that much passion for the shirt is alright by me!

A gift for you all! Okazaki emoji's from LINE. Surely we need some of these on the forums!

Pick players based on current form rather than reputation! Vardy is a legend but he's off the boil right now. Shinji and Slimani for now please and no doubt Vardy will raise his game and be back in soon enough. Competition for places should be great. I don't think it's coincidence that King has raised his game after seeing Amartey take his place. The same could be said for Simpson too. One thing that Ranieri is great at is picking who is performing over an ego. He signed both Benny and Inler last season but dropped them after seeing others played better.

Will always be a legend to me. Would say he's good not great but consistent for us and has a good season so far. He he would be world class with better decision making. His distribution is also a bit of a paradox. In terms of raw power and distance I can't think of anyone else in the league who is better. But he often puts it out of play by mistake. Comparing him to his father, that's an area where he is obviously weaker. Still I have enormous respect for him. He's literally the son of a god in his homeland. Whilst he probably had a very comfortable life growing up, imagine how it must feel to always be in the shadow... Kasper is one of the very few examples of a son of a legend who became a legend in his own right. I just feel sorry for his son - that will be impossible to follow!

Anyone planning on driving up on the 18th for the Copenhagen game? I got the train last time, so looking into arrangements for this game.