hull post match (5-4 pens) 1-1 aet

[Guest MattP]

But the flip side is that it is important playing time for the likes of Inler, Kramaric, Wasilewski, Benalouane and a chance for young talent like Chilwell and Dodoo to play, if we don't use them in the cup and we don't use them in the league then they will stagnate, they had an opportunity to stake a claim for the first team, Ranieri showed with Dodoo that if  you do well in these games you will get your chance in the league. It is also a chance for Ranieri to learn more about the rest of the squad.

 

The only selection I disagreed with was Schwarzer, Kasper doesn't need resting why not give a youth goalie a game. 

 

The team we put out had 4 current internationals in Okazaki, Inler, Kramaric, King, 4 former internationals in Schwarzer, Benalouane, RDL and Wasilewski, 2 promising youth prospects, one who had already scored 4 in the competition, and Albrighton who has been a big part of the first team this season. It is not comparable to the side Pearson played against Shrewsbury last season, that was an  appalling side. The team last night should have been enough to play better against Hull, no guarantee on beating them, but the performance is more disappointing than the result.

 

Of course we want to win the game and the cup but we need to manage the squad, keep players fit and fresh and ready to step in to the first team should we have injuries.

 

Isn't this why we have a development squad/youth team is for though? To try and keep these players fit, although from the posts of people who went it sounded like a fair portion of them couldn't be arsed and saw it as a chore anyway last night. I don't think a spell against Hull is going to have much baring on a players fitness if he's needed in the first team six weeks later either.

 

I'm all for "giving people a game" but I'm even more up for making sure we give ourselves the best chance of winning trophies, we should have plenty of time towards the end of the season to blood some youth as we should be in a safe mid table position by March time, I'd rather do that then than in games where we are a couple of matches from cup finals.

[CharlieCharles]

Kasper should of been in net, and i reckon we should of made 3-4 changes top to the team that beat Palace. 

 

We had a real shot at getting to Wembley (made easier with Arsenal and Chelsea out) but due to team selections failed to progress.

 

Not a knock at Ranieri but he should a put out a stronger 11 imo.

[ThaiFox]

But the flip side is that it is important playing time for the likes of Inler, Kramaric, Wasilewski, Benalouane and a chance for young talent like Chilwell and Dodoo to play, if we don't use them in the cup and we don't use them in the league then they will stagnate, they had an opportunity to stake a claim for the first team, Ranieri showed with Dodoo that if  you do well in these games you will get your chance in the league. It is also a chance for Ranieri to learn more about the rest of the squad.

 

The only selection I disagreed with was Schwarzer, Kasper doesn't need resting why not give a youth goalie a game. 

 

The team we put out had 4 current internationals in Okazaki, Inler, Kramaric, King, 4 former internationals in Schwarzer, Benalouane, RDL and Wasilewski, 2 promising youth prospects, one who had already scored 4 in the competition, and Albrighton who has been a big part of the first team this season. It is not comparable to the side Pearson played against Shrewsbury last season, that was an  appalling side. The team last night should have been enough to play better against Hull, no guarantee on beating them, but the performance is more disappointing than the result.

 

Of course we want to win the game and the cup but we need to manage the squad, keep players fit and fresh and ready to step in to the first team should we have injuries.

 

Poor match. Real opportunity lost as so few top sides take this seriously.

 

Agree with Captain on most of this. Only problem playing Kasper is potential injury....not only to him in this match, but to keep Schwarzer in some sort of sharpness (haha) in case Kasper gets injured during a PL match and MS comes on as a sub. But it's now obvious (if it wasn't before) we really need a top back up keeper who will push Kasper, although I certainly don't solely blame MS for last night.

 

Last nights team should have been good enough to win that match and it's sad the likes of Chilwell, Dodoo, and maybe even Wasyl may have played their last first team games this season, not to mention the chance of silver and Europe guaranteed next season.

[Captain...]

Well, looking back at the game yesterday, it was a chore and nothing really pretty to watch. Apart from our back four, I could see little to nothing creative or with intent coming from our midfield four and/or our so-called strikeforce, even after Drinkwater and Vardy came on.

The substitution of Mahrez had potential, but it was too late in the game in my opinion.

 

2/3 of our squad yesterday cared little, had no impetus and were lacking much-needed urgency, precision and simplicity going forward.

Also, there was no proper build-up play from the back, most of our moves going forward were erratic and fruitless to say the least. Count the amount of times our midfield or strikers gave the ball away needlessly.

 

This is the danger of having a settled first team and a reserve team in the cup, I think for some after three months of the season they will feel that they are now second string so only being wheeled out for the cup games,  but I can only think of Was, Schwarzer and Chilwell who haven't played any premier league games from that side, but if you pick a reserve team you may end up with the intensity of a reserve match... Dunno it is a juggling act with so much quality and experience in the squad and only 11 players in a side there is no magic formula for keeping everyone happy and motivated.

[Ric Flair]

Are fans really desperate to see those players play more? I want us to play our best team in order to try and win things. Fair point re Fuchs but most people didn't really need to see a cup game to prove he was better than Schulpp at left back, his pedigree made that quite clear.

 

I can't believe anyone would be pissed off with Ranieri if he decided to play his strongest team, Bury away I think was fine as we clearly still have a reserve team far better than them, West Ham game could have gone either way but yeah, if we weren't taking it too seriously then so be it, last night we're in the last 16 though and we are flying high in the league, surely that's the point to say maybe this is something we can have a go at, let's say we had won, would you still use the reserve team in the QF? SF? Would you still be playing Dodoo, Schwarzer etc in the final? I very much doubt it.

 

I get the logic of doing this very early but back end of October with a QF place at stake? Not for me. It looks even worse now with Chelsea and Arsenal going out. Man City have actually put a first team out in this competition early rounds and they have to put up with playing Champions League football as well while most of the division is resting, they are sitting top of the league.

 

We should be sat here today one game away from having two of those magnificent electric semi final nights and maybe even two away from a trip to Wembley and three away from a three stop tour of Europe, had we played our best team last night I'm almost sure we would be.

 

I understand your point and you're entitled to be frustrated but I might be in the minority of fans who are slightly worried about squad harmony. We are flying high and that means opportunities for the fringe players to get any minutes in the PL right now is miniscule. I might be being too soft on the ego's of our players but I have concerns that the likes of Inler, Benalouane, Wasyl etc will not be amused in not playing at all even in cups and should we need to call upon them at any point through injuries, suspensions or lack of form then I worry they'll be ill equipped physically and possibly mentally. Ranieri has been anything but the tinkerman this season in the league and I applaud him for that but whereas Pearson would make subs for the sake of making subs it did at least mean he kept a lot of his squad reletively happy as they stood a chance of coming on in games. If you're a striker or centre half that's not first choice at the minute then you're not making any meaningful appearances in the PL right now.

 

This might all be irrelevant worry but i'm perhaps not as bothered about the League Cup this season as some fans.

Kasper definitely should have played, no question about that. Schwarzer is gone, bust.

[lgfualol]

Last nights team should have been good enough to win that match and it's sad the likes of Chilwell, Dodoo, and maybe even Wasyl may have played their last first team games this season, not to mention the chance of silver and Europe guaranteed next season.

Dont forget we have the FA Cup to go. I'm sure they will play again if we face a conference north team or something.

[Dan]

We HAVE to focus on the league more than a cup. 

 

Premier league survival is worth £100,000,000+ in kept revenue, Just because we are 5th does not mean we can not still end up in a survival scrap (although I doubt it now this season we look pretty safe) 

 

Give it another season then I'll care about cups, although this was a fantastic opportunity with arsenal and chelsea out. 

 

Utter nonsense. You'll be uttering the same again next year. We were playing a weakened Championship side and have missed out on potentially playing Stoke, Sheff Weds, Everton, Southampton/Villa at home in the quarter final, despite being probably about six wins from safety by October. There is literally not a single excuse for not going for things (why on earth people actually excuse losing to dross I've no idea).

[M0901]

What happened to that bearded chap we have, Ben something... heard he was okay whenever he played for us last season?

 

43 year old as a second choice keeper. As I've seen on this thread he's taken away from this team, as opposed to improving it.

[Guest MattP]

I understand your point and you're entitled to be frustrated but I might be in the minority of fans who are slightly worried about squad harmony. We are flying high and that means opportunities for the fringe players to get any minutes in the PL right now is miniscule. I might be being too soft on the ego's of our players but I have concerns that the likes of Inler, Benalouane, Wasyl etc will not be amused in not playing at all even in cups and should we need to call upon them at any point through injuries, suspensions or lack of form then I worry they'll be ill equipped physically and possibly mentally. Ranieri has been anything but the tinkerman this season in the league and I applaud him for that but whereas Pearson would make subs for the sake of making subs it did at least mean he kept a lot of his squad reletively happy as they stood a chance of coming on in games. If you're a striker or centre half that's not first choice at the minute then you're not making any meaningful appearances in the PL right now.

 

This might all be irrelevant worry but i'm perhaps not as bothered about the League Cup this season as some fans.

Kasper definitely should have played, no question about that. Schwarzer is gone, bust.

 

I firmly believe if a player is going to get the arse about not getting Premier League minutes then being shoved out for a midweek cup game at Hull isn't going to have too much effect, they should wait their turn and realise opportunities will come eventually and if they do they have to be good enough to take them, Inler, Benaloune and Kramaric simply haven't taken them so far so can't really have any cause for complaint, Inler was getting game time when he was playing absolutely awful so he can fcuk right off if he gets the arse about not getting game time now.

 

Is the League Cup a priority at the start of the season? No, I agree, should it be one when we are 6th and on the verge of a QF place? Absolutely I think it should be, a huge chance to get into Europe far more likely than through the FA Cup or league position.

 

I think the mix and match most managers go with in the latter rounds is better than a complete change.

 

Kasper

RDL

Wasyl

Bena

Chilwell

Kante

King

Albrighton

Mahrez

Vardy

Kramaric

 

I think a team like that would be fine, give some minutes to the fringe and keep the backbone of what makes us successful.

[ImBlue]

The sickener will come when hull get Wednesday at home.

A bit like watching a garbage villa side pur weakened team lost to making 2 Wembley appearances.

[ImBlue]

What happened to that bearded chap we have, Ben something... heard he was okay whenever he played for us last season?

43 year old as a second choice keeper. As I've seen on this thread he's taken away from this team, as opposed to improving it.

Well, he makes schwarzer look good in terms of distribution. No thanks.

[M0901]

Well, he makes schwarzer look good in terms of distribution. No thanks.

 

I didn't think his distribution was that bad. Schwarzer didn't cover himself in glory last night with his kicking.

 

Hamer proved he can be a decent number 2 when Kasper was out last season.

[Socks]

Maybe for you, we're pretty much already safe so I actually wouldn't mind trying to win something, that's actually the idea of the sport.

 

Oh so we have 40+ points already do we ??

 

Not safe yet by a long mile

[catfordfox]

Utter nonsense. You'll be uttering the same again next year. We were playing a weakened Championship side and have missed out on potentially playing Stoke, Sheff Weds, Everton, Southampton/Villa at home in the quarter final, despite being probably about six wins from safety by October. There is literally not a single excuse for not going for things (why on earth people actually excuse losing to dross I've no idea).

 

Think its pretty clear that if we lost Vardy, Mahrez or Drinkwater through injury the spine of the team would collapse. We've got to keep those players fit and free from injury. We just don't have the strength in depth atm. The Prem has to be the priority, especially with the big money kicking in at the end of the season. It's not 1997 anymore. Can totally understand why he's picking the second string for the League Cup, and then bringing on our top players at the end to try to win it. If we'd nicked it 1-0 last night, no one would be moaning.

[ImBlue]

The game was screaming out for Kante breaking up things in there.

[Voll Blau]

Utter nonsense. You'll be uttering the same again next year. We were playing a weakened Championship side and have missed out on potentially playing Stoke, Sheff Weds, Everton, Southampton/Villa at home in the quarter final, despite being probably about six wins from safety by October. There is literally not a single excuse for not going for things (why on earth people actually excuse losing to dross I've no idea).

 

Exactly. So weird to think there are supporters who don't think we should be trying to win things every season. Why do they even follow football?

[st albans fox]

There is a lack of patience on this thread. Keep building the team and the cups and European excursions will follow. Rome wasn't built in a day

Try to do it too quickly and you'll become Portsmouth.

[Guest MattP]

Think its pretty clear that if we lost Vardy, Mahrez or Drinkwater through injury the spine of the team would collapse. We've got to keep those players fit and free from injury. We just don't have the strength in depth atm. The Prem has to be the priority, especially with the big money kicking in at the end of the season. It's not 1997 anymore. Can totally understand why he's picking the second string for the League Cup, and then bringing on our top players at the end to try to win it. If we'd nicked it 1-0 last night, no one would be moaning.

 

It's a huge shame it's not, that was a time when fans used to talk about winning things rather than being ok with losing as it (apparantly) gives us more chance of staying up and making sure we ( )  get the "big money" that kicks in at the end of the season.

 

Which actually in reality is pointless to us as while we get big money the bigger clubs in this division get even bigger money, it just means that instead of us paying 6million for Benaloune we'll be paying 10million and on and on and on. It doesn't end up in our pockets, it ends up in the already bulging pockets of agents, players and owners, our pockets get lighter as ticket prices and sky subcriptions continue to rise despite the ever increasing obscene amount of billions fly into the league.

 

Trying our best to win trophies still isn't too much to ask in my opinion and I hope most supporters still feel the same.

[EGBFitness]

I find it amazing that when we field basically the same team in the cup against a non-changed strong West Ham it's how great CR is and how it's important to rotate/give squad members a chance to shine etc but when we go out in the next round by penalties it's how CR has got it all wrong etc

The thing is we have a big squad here, we have probably one of the most competitive squads we have ever had and on paper you would like to think that the team played last night could of finished Hull off.

It has given some regulars an important rest as we have some big league games coming up soon (WBA didn't play last night, so if we turn up Saturday and looked tired from playing 120 mins of football would you moan that we have big squad and should of rotated!!??)

Or what if some of our starters had got injured? Arsenal lost the Ox and Walcott last night. What if Vardy and Kante got injured playing against Hull, would you say then that league cup should of taken priority?

Like any fan I would love to see Leicester and Wembley and lifting a trophy but unfortunately you can't have it all. With the squad we have they also need game time and a chance to shine, some have stated a claim for more of a chance next game and some have failed to prove anything.

I have a friend who's a Birmingham fan, before they won the League Cup I asked if they would take Trophy or Prem. he said trophy, look where they are now

[RonnieTodger]

Think its pretty clear that if we lost Vardy, Mahrez or Drinkwater through injury the spine of the team would collapse. We've got to keep those players fit and free from injury. We just don't have the strength in depth atm. The Prem has to be the priority, especially with the big money kicking in at the end of the season. It's not 1997 anymore. Can totally understand why he's picking the second string for the League Cup, and then bringing on our top players at the end to try to win it. If we'd nicked it 1-0 last night, no one would be moaning.

 

Then what? It goes up again? Then it's even more important that we prioritise the league? I don't blame Ranieri in particular, because it seems everyone has this mindset, but it's getting very tiresome. It makes you wonder what the point is in going to games in earlier rounds if we're still going to do it when we have half a shot at getting far. 

[nettle]

What I can't understand last night is when Drinkwater came on they played him behind Vardy. Surely they should have pushed King further up and played Danny in his preferred position because I think the midfield was where it was lost last night. Inler was shocking last night and with him and King in midfield we were just weak.

[Guest MattP]

I have a friend who's a Birmingham fan, before they won the League Cup I asked if they would take Trophy or Prem. he said trophy, look where they are now

 

Do you think winning that trophy got them relegated? Whether they won or lost that final it wouldn't have mattered anyway given what happened to their chairman soon afterwards. Had he chosen Prem to your question he would still be sat watching a Championship team now, he just wouldn't have had the trips to Europe and the League Cup win to go with it.

You don't seriously think that had they decided to go out the early rounds that with a reserve team they would still have PL status now surely?

[EGBFitness]

What also makes people think that if we beat Hull last night we was going to win it? There is still potentially Man Utd, Liverpool, Stoke, Everton, Southampton and Man City to play?

[catfordfox]

It's a huge shame it's not, that was a time when fans used to talk about winning things rather than being ok with losing as it (apparantly) gives us more chance of staying up and making sure we ( )  get the "big money" that kicks in at the end of the season.

 

Which actually in reality is pointless to us as while we get big money the bigger clubs in this division get even bigger money, it just means that instead of us paying 6million for Benaloune we'll be paying 10million and on and on and on. It doesn't end up in our pockets, it ends up in the already bulging pockets of agents, players and owners, our pockets get lighter as ticket prices and sky subcriptions continue to rise despite the ever increasing obscene amount of billions fly into the league.

 

Trying our best to win trophies still isn't too much to ask in my opinion and I hope most supporters still feel the same.

 

Like it or not, money matters - its not about the gap within the Prem, its about the gap between the Prem and the championship. If we went down this season by playing our best team in every game, including the league cup, so that our top players get injured and we're forced to play a second string in the league, it would be pretty irresponsible in terms of the club's long term financial position. We've been in adminstation once thanks to getting relegated just as we'd built a new ground.

 

Totally agree with the above comment about taking it slowly, building up over time. A championship club can afford to throw everything at a League cup game against the 'big boys' - we are one of the 'big boys' now, or should be aiming to be, and part of that is using the resources at yr disposal tactically. As I said, if we'd scraped a 1-0, noone would be moaning.

[AKCJ]

Well, looking back at the game yesterday, it was a chore and nothing really pretty to watch. Apart from our back four, I could see little to nothing creative or with intent coming from our midfield four and/or our so-called strikeforce, even after Drinkwater and Vardy came on.

The substitution of Mahrez had potential, but it was too late in the game in my opinion.

 

2/3 of our squad yesterday cared little, had no impetus and were lacking much-needed urgency, precision and simplicity going forward.

Also, there was no proper build-up play from the back, most of our moves going forward were erratic and fruitless to say the least. Count the amount of times our midfield or strikers gave the ball away needlessly.

 

 

If we'd have played the exact same game against someone like Man United and drawn 0-0 we'd have been singing their praises.

 

Fact is it takes two to tango. Hull deserved to take it to penalties.

 

I just think it's naive and easy to say "oh they obviously don't care". We were poor and rusty on the night. Ranieri got the team selection wrong and we underestimated a side that's unbeaten in a long while.