Lineker's Lugs

I’ve heard of a captain’s innings. This is a captain’s injury!

The idea is to create a buzz around a bunch of games at the same time in a Soccer Saturday style around-the-grounds kind of way. It doesn’t work as there will only be three or four games at a time, usually missing at least two of the top teams as they will be in live games on Friday nights or later on Sunday. It also means kids who play on Sunday mornings will have to choose between playing or going to a game. And people like me who like to watch every game can no longer do so. It’s badly thought out nonsense. The women’s game has always suffered from this rubbish.

Normally it does but this year the top division is being expanded so two up automatically then a play off between WSL1 12th and WSL2 3rd.

Whoever finishes 3rd in WSL2.

But other than the keeper, defence, midfield and attack it’s all good.

All WSL1 on Sky or BBC with a few of those also on YouTube - none there this weekend according to the website I use (live-footballontv.com). Two games next weekend are on YT, including Leicester v Liverpool, with both also on Sky.

They have a top 5 squad at least. They might not hit the ground running with all the new signings but they will be up there and will only get better and better in the future. Champions League qualification is unlikely but not impossible this year. Geyoro is definitely a big name in women’s football. Her signing also weakens PSG which is good news for Lyon, another of Michele Kang’s teams. Geyoro gets to play in the strongest league in the world for a progressive club. It’s a win all round for LCL, Kang and Geyoro.

I saw her play as a youngster for Chelsea and her name stuck in my head so I’ve been aware of her for a while and she’s one of those players you want to be better than they are. She certainly isn’t a bad player but I’m not convinced she’s what Leicester need. Rantala aside I’m not convinced by any of Leicester’s attacking players though and I’d be very happy for Ayane to prove me wrong. Or any of the others for that matter!

It would have taken even less to do that when they were first promoted and there was still a positive feel around the club as a whole. A massive missed opportunity. I remember Emile Heskey appearing on Sky at the start of that season and saying that Leicester weren’t there to make up the numbers. Turns out they were.

A lot of those 76 would have been sub appearances I think, but even so. Ayane is a classic example of an England youth international who has never really kicked on in the senior game. Plenty of opportunities but not much result. It wasn’t a surprise when Spurs released her. Positive spin would be it’s another attacking player to protect against an injury crisis like last season.

This one has always impressed me in England age group teams. She’s certainly a great prospect but I’m not sure she’s ready for WSL1. As a centre-half she’ll get plenty of practice at Leicester though!

Leicester are in a bit of a Groucho Marx situation now - any player willing to join is probably not worth signing. No (permanent) manager and two of the three best players sold from a squad that was already consistent relegation battlers. What self-respecting player of any quality would fancy that? Still, let’s see what/who tomorrow brings.

I had the same thought but I think Beard believes in giving female coaches opportunities on his staff. Beard and Passmoor would be a bit of a prehistoric combination.

I remember Rick Passmoor as manager of Lincoln/Notts County when I used to go and watch them regularly. He really micro-managed what happened on the pitch, telling players to move two yards to the left or whatever, even when that player was the then England captain Casey Stoney. One of those coaches that never shuts up and probably ends up being ignored as his constant instructions become background noise. That’s quite a few years ago now though, maybe he’s mellowed. And in fairness, he was reasonably successful. Do we think Matt Beard is really twiddling his thumbs, or is he (in a ‘nothing to see here, guv’ kind of way) having a say in preparations with Rick Passmoor as his proxy?

Window closes 11pm on Thursday. Four days to prove the club gives a toss about the women's team, or confirm that it doesn't.

That would certainly explain the bizarre timing. I already thought Leicester were destined for 12th. Now I think they'd struggle to win the play off with the WSL2 runners up.

I put it on Digital Spy, so if you heard it on the radio it was someone else of the same opinion. I think Greenwood adds so much at centre back so either Carter or Charles has to go to left back. Neither is a great option. We’ll see how they actually line up very shortly.

That someone is here actually!

Spain don’t play like Sweden or France, I think Carter will be fine. She should be at LB rather than CB though, so Greenwood can play in her best role - we’ll see later if Sarina sees it the same way.

I wasn't suggesting you don't have a wider understanding of the league, just that as you are more invested in Leicester doing well you might be more inclined to look for positives than I am.

I apologise if the correction has offended you in any way. I just liked the irony given Leicester's experience of losing. Clearly I take the opposite view to you regarding the team, possibly because I just take an interest in women's football generally rather than supporting Leicester. I'd have loved the club to have pushed the boat out when they were first promoted as if wouldn't have taken much to build a very competitive side. But other than giving them Belvoir Drive it seems to have always been a case of doing the bare minimum and now they've been left behind and seemingly have no interest in catching up. Fair point about London City at the moment, but the point is they have shown intent. If Leicester did the same the pessimism would lift, although what's happened with the men's team does cast a shadow over the women's side as well. Player for player the squad is just poor and Rantala is the only injured player that would make a difference (if she stays). Leitzig is the only retained player from that announcement last week that would have been a loss in my opinion. I think pessimism is realism where this team is concerned, but time will tell and I'd be happy to be wrong.

Again you’re using the word ‘expect’. They can hope to get something from those matches but they can’t expect to as Leicester have a weaker squad than all three of those teams. London City haven’t strengthened enough yet, but almost certainly will and if they do Leicester are firmly destined for 12th and a relegation play off unless they upgrade many positions in the starting XI. Also, and sorry to be that person, but it’s lose not loose. Leicester fans should know how to spell lose!

Leicester could get points in any game, but as it stands there is no fixture you can say they should get something from.

Aren’t they all still in negotiation? It says contracts offered rather than agreed/signed. Or am I missing something?

It was the Olympics last year and the WSL started 2 weeks later than it will this year. Transfers probably will step up after the Euros though. Putting the telly on is probably the amount of effort Leicester are putting in to scouting.