Glorious Leicester Fan

I thought Ndidi and Barnes were particularly poor last night. Ndidi’s performance was arguably forgiveable, but Barnes. I felt sorry for Luke Thomas last night. Barnes gave him no support at all (especially in the first half). Thomas had to deal with Fulham’s RW & RB. Mitrović was also constantly drifting to the left side of the penalty box. A more experienced LB would of gave Barnes a bollocking and tell him to do his (defensive) job!!!! Also in the first half. Barnes was constantly facing the wrong way. He’s neither got the skill or strength to play with his back facing goal. It seemed to me that he wasn’t prepared to do the dirty work and run at their defence with the hope he’ll get a chance.

One of the key reasons why England has failed to win anything since 1966 is that we fail to produce midfielders who have the technique to receive the ball in tight spaces and on the half turn. We produce a player who is a master of doing this and there is a possibility the England manager won’t take him. Complete madnesses.

It’s completely surreal. I was watching a match around my mum’s house. She saw him on the TV and said why is the chap I talk to about gardening on the telly? She didn’t know who he was and nor did he tell her.

Although I don’t think he’ll sign a new contract, him and his family are really settled. He occasionally chats to my mum (both share a love of gardening) and often tells her how much his family love living in Quorn and the surrounding countryside.

Apologise if already posted. An interesting analysis:

Seems to have a strong personality and is happy to yell at his team mates. Looks like a leader.

Spending £273m on a bucket load of players and then sacking the manager a week later is arguably a definition of a club run like a circus.

Management R101.

This comment n today's post match interview is unforgiveable. "We have the players that we have, that have the skillset they have and we have to maximise what we can get out of them". You cannot publicly announce that your players (many who you signed) are shit and then later in the same interview bemoan their lack of confidence.

I’m not particularly a fan of BR, but arguing that he’s solely responsible for our current predicament seems both simplistic and counterfactual. I’m not sure how BR can be blamed for the increase in LCFC wages to turnover ratio. We have a few years to sort this out, but failed to do so (I assume we naïvely assumed continuous European football). I acknowledge his poor recruiting has exasperated the situation, but if he was given complete control, this in itself is a criticism of our senior management team.

The bid suggests that they either have serious doubts, or its aim is to potentially cause havoc and disrupt us (I suggest they block his agent's phone calls). It's now becoming a matter of principle: They have been told the price and you either pay it or...… Also, if we now capitulate and dance to Chelsea's tune, we'll lose all authourity when negotiating all future sells/buys,

Obviously BR has to take significant responsibility for the current omnishambles, and will most probably (rightly) lose his job. However, the ‘it’s all BR fault’ is a convenient narrative that allows other senior management off the hook.

Two years!!!!!

Apart from Youri and Vardy, I’m not sure I would want any of the players whose contracts expire in 2023 to sign extensions.

It’s going to take Newcastle considerably more than 5 years to get to Man City/Liverpool level. This is why I cannot see Maddison moving to Newcastle, even IF a bid is accepted. I think he’ll wait until some of the ‘big’ London clubs (most probably Spurs) start sniffing.

I know it’s early days, but it seems (so far at least) this summer’s transfer fees seem significantly lower than in recent years: https://www.skysports.com/transfer/news/12691/12625224/transfer-news-summer-transfer-window-2022-premier-league-ins-and-outs I suppose theoretically, this could mean Prem teams have a financial advantage over European teams. Although, we may have to reduce the asking price on that players we want to sell.

I don’t think it will happen (most probably feels a loyalty to Brentford), but I can see City being an attractive ‘middle’ option. I cannot see him getting his desired game time at Man United. He will obviously be a guaranteed starter at Brentford, but does he want to be involved in simply keeping a team in the premiership? At City, he’ll play alot. He also may have a shot of winning a cup and a top 6-8 finish.

This might sound contradictory, but I’m my experience ( I work as a data scientist), data folk are pretty cautious when championing the ‘power’ of statistics, especially in regards to predicting a players ability. At a basic/ descriptive level, they can help considerable. But some of the statistical/computational models I’ve seen to prove a player’s ability are crazy. I do think there’s an increasing tendency to see football as a science, which objective truth about a player can be extrapolated from a statistical analysis. This is obviously false. Also, I don’t think any of would actually want that. It’s the agency and subjectiveness that makes the game; two principles that statistical struggle with.

I think we underestimate the importance of this year’s World Cup. If offers are not forthcoming, then l imagine Youri’s agent would strongly encourage him to stick it out and leave on a free next year. But, City could justifiably put him on the bench or treat him as a squad player. And in doing so, jeopardise his World Cup prospects. A one year extension therefore makes a lot of sense for everyone.

I don’t we should or could (financially beyond us) replace him with a similar type player. If a key player leaves, the outstanding managers adapt their tactics/team according. Perhaps we should go for a more defensively minded player to accompany Ndidi and give other players more freedom (Maddison/Barnes/ KDH for example).

The role is definitely changing (consequence of the marauding left/right backs). I still maintain its a tall ask. Interestingly, we won the Premiership with an right sided attacker who was not renowned for his work rate and a right back who rarely crossed the half way line.

Then why haven’t we? I not saying it impossible, but BR’s requirements restrict the number of options.

I think this is the problem. BR either doesn’t know what he wants, or his requirements of the player are ludicrous. Can you imagine the scouting/data analysis meeting? Right team, we need a right sided player who is left footed. He must be able to play on the wing and cut inside. He needs to be able to support our midfield and ghost into the opposition’s penalty box and become a 2nd/3rd striker. And don’t forget his work rate is essential. He has to track back, support our marauding rightback (thus becoming a makeshift defender). Oh yeah, we have of budget of between 15-30 mil!!!!’

I don’t think BR wants our new right sided player to play on the wing. I assume he’s looking for someone who cuts inside with their left foot (thus overloading and overpowering the midfield/attack. If this is the case, Joel Piroe could be a sensible ( not necessary eye catching) purchase. https://totalfootballanalysis.com/player-analysis/joel-piroe-at-swansea-city-scout-report-tactical-analysis-tactics

crazy match. City vs Fulham (qtr finals of league cup 2000). 3-3 (won on penalties). https://fb.watch/caKC4s0nfI/