Captain... Posted 4 January 2016 Posted 4 January 2016 Never said it did. We'd be more attractive than Southampton, Everton, Palace, Stoke, Watford though, and they're the clubs that are similar to us in terms of size and ambition. We won't be more attractive than Everton and doubtful it we would be more attractive than Southampton, regardless of CL or FA Cup, one good season doesn't suddenly make us a top prospect, Palace and Watford, we will be, but that will be the case regardless. They're pretty terrible examples. We're part of a much stronger league and able to offer much better wages to top players. Even now, I'd fancy us to be able to beat teams like those you have named to players signatures. We won't be able to attract the top elite players, but I don't see any reason we wouldn't be able to attract players in the tier below. I'd say we'd have probably signed Aranguiz if we were guaranteed champions league football this season. They are not terrible examples, in terms of the CL they are much more experienced than us, we are venturing into the CL for the first time with no experience, nobody will sign for any of them just because they are in the CL qualifying pot, and nobody will sign for us because of that. People will sign for us because we are a team on the up and winning the FA Cup/finishing in the top four will indicate that, but prove nothing. Players will sign for Chelsea, Spurs, Man United, Liverpool ahead of us because they have more European pedigree and have proved to not be a one season wonder, we haven't yet. The significance of the CL is being over played by people on here and the truth is it is probably way too soon for us, we may give a Bate Borisov a game, but we could also very easily lose to them or face a good Spanish/French/Italian/German side we have no European ranking so will not be seeded and then we end up in the Europa League. If we are to end up in the Europa League I would much rather have the FA Cup in our trophy cabinet.
Raw Dykes Posted 4 January 2016 Posted 4 January 2016 I would absolutely love to see us finally lifting the FA cup, and I think that's become a very real possibility now, considering our increased status, and also how the competition isn't quite as prestigious as it once was. However, as others have pointed out, we get a go at it every season, whereas this season, we actually have a realistic chance of reaching the Champions' League, and maybe even a go at a PL title. How many of us would have ever thought we'd say that in our lifetimes? I think it would be foolish to take the FA cup seriously this season. We also have key players who have looked a bit jaded recently, and plenty of squad players who need match practice. I'd treat this match as if it was a League Cup tie against minnows.
Captain... Posted 4 January 2016 Posted 4 January 2016 I've always been an advocate of us winning a FA Cup, mainly because I never thought I would see us win the top flight. This season has potentially changed that, however it is still very unlikely we will win the League. So for me it boils down to this. We have to finish top 3. Or have a go at the Cup. How will we feel if we finish 4th and in go out in the qualifying round? Or we could slip to 5th and end up in the same place as we would but with the FA cup to our name. It's as if people think that going out the cup goes hand in hand with staying up where we are in the league. I said the same when we were top of the championship, does anyone really believe had we taken the FA cup seriously we would have fell away to 7th again? I accept some of our players do need a rest, Vardy looks knackered, Wes has been playing football for about 17 months straight now. So changes are going to happen, but please, please give it ago, by that I mean Kasper in goal, 2 decent CB which we have and play 2 upfront and have ago at winning this 1st tie. Or finish top 3 and get spanked by everyone in the CL group stage and finish bottom with 0 points and nothing but weary legs and a lot of airmiles to show for it? The CL would be an amazing experience but it could damage our season as much as it helps our bank balance. I'm not saying we should try not to qualify for it, but this belief that it will be the start of something special bugs me, we have a game on Sunday, Wednesday and Saturday whatever our long term goals we should aim to win all 3 games, which includes resting tired legs, managing injuries and giving squad members a go, but it doesn't mean sending in the reserves (specifically old man Schwarzer) to be beaten by Spurs. I am actually a little disappointed Ranieri hasn't tinkered that much, 3-0 up against Swansea and Newcastle should have been time for Inler, Benalouane, Dyer, Krama resting Wes, Kante, Vardy, Mahrez not the same subs in every game or waiting far too long to make subs as he has started to do. I see no reason why not to play RDL, Benny, Huth, Fuchs against Spurs in the Cup, Simpson, Morgan, Benny, Schlupp? (is he still injured) in the league and then our strongest back 4 against Villa. Likewise Dyer, Drinkwater, Inler, Albrighton, then Mahrez, Kante, King, Albrighton, then Mahrez, Kante, Drinkwater, Dyer for Villa.
Voll Blau Posted 4 January 2016 Posted 4 January 2016 I would absolutely love to see us finally lifting the FA cup, and I think that's become a very real possibility now, considering our increased status, and also how the competition isn't quite as prestigious as it once was. However, as others have pointed out, we get a go at it every season, whereas this season, we actually have a realistic chance of reaching the Champions' League, and maybe even a go at a PL title. How many of us would have ever thought we'd say that in our lifetimes? I think it would be foolish to take the FA cup seriously this season. We also have key players who have looked a bit jaded recently, and plenty of squad players who need match practice. I'd treat this match as if it was a League Cup tie against minnows. That line seems to be trotted out every year though, regardless of our situation. When is the ideal time? When you're aiming to finish 10th every year or what?
Footballwipe Posted 4 January 2016 Posted 4 January 2016 I can see each side of the argument for this, though why some would actively want us to lose is questionable. I'd be quite happy with the second string getting us through rounds three, four and even five. By round five we'll have a good idea of whether we've fallen away or if we really have a chance of making it to the top four. The only issue I have is the argument of "We can go for the FA Cup every season" two years ago everyone was glad we lost cause we were chasing promotion, last year because we were battling relegation. This year it's because we're looking good for the top four. What if we're suddenlty battling for the top 6 positions every season and somehow became an upper-echelon club? When do we start then? It always seems to be acceptable not to go on a run, like the FA or League Cup are only acceptable to try and win when we're neither being brilliant or being terrible? Either that's an indictment on the competitions or fan mentality. I know we're Leicester City and top four isn't something we will be looking at every season but some of these posts do sound a bit Arsene Wenger in terms of position over trophies. EDIT: Voll just made exactly my point in one sentence. Standard
Guest claude_leic Posted 4 January 2016 Posted 4 January 2016 Personally, I would rather win the FA cup over qualifying for the champions league. I think winning the biggest trophy in our history at Wembley would trump losing 3-0 at home to Barcelona in the champions league group stage. I'm more than happy for Ranieri to rest a few players but we should definitely be taking the FA cup seriously. This is one of our best chances of winning the competition and we could knock out one of the best teams in the third round.
Guest MattP Posted 4 January 2016 Posted 4 January 2016 I don't understand how people can think it's one or the other. As for the question though of course we go for the FA Cup, it's a huge piece missing from our history.
Bunyip Posted 4 January 2016 Posted 4 January 2016 Don't know what the financial rewards are , but I would imagine a top four finish and playing in the champions league would far outweigh the money garnered from a F.A cup win . And sadly money is everything in football nowadays .
ozleicester Posted 4 January 2016 Author Posted 4 January 2016 Don't know what the financial rewards are , but I would imagine a top four finish and playing in the champions league would far outweigh the money garnered from a F.A cup win . And sadly money is everything in football nowadays . +1 for the username. But no... not to me at least, playing great football and winning things is what football is all about for me... finishing fourth or third or even second....is not winning something
Captain... Posted 4 January 2016 Posted 4 January 2016 Don't know what the financial rewards are , but I would imagine a top four finish and playing in the champions league would far outweigh the money garnered from a F.A cup win . And sadly money is everything in football nowadays . FA Cup prize money is, well, sweet F.A. http://www.thefa.com/thefacup/more/prize-fund Especially when compared to the Premier League TV money and CL http://www.totalsportek.com/money/uefa-champions-league-prize-money/ But CL money is only if you get to the group stage Europa League isn't much either when compared to PL, and in there lies the problem a few positions in the PL nets a good few million, the Europa League costs you a few places, so unless you win it you could end up losing money by being involved. http://www.livesportsreviews.com/prize-money-uefa-europa-league-2015-16/
Bayfox Posted 4 January 2016 Posted 4 January 2016 Or finish top 3 and get spanked by everyone in the CL group stage and finish bottom with 0 points and nothing but weary legs and a lot of airmiles to show for it? The CL would be an amazing experience but it could damage our season as much as it helps our bank balance. I'm not saying we should try not to qualify for it, but this belief that it will be the start of something special bugs me, we have a game on Sunday, Wednesday and Saturday whatever our long term goals we should aim to win all 3 games, which includes resting tired legs, managing injuries and giving squad members a go, but it doesn't mean sending in the reserves (specifically old man Schwarzer) to be beaten by Spurs. I am actually a little disappointed Ranieri hasn't tinkered that much, 3-0 up against Swansea and Newcastle should have been time for Inler, Benalouane, Dyer, Krama resting Wes, Kante, Vardy, Mahrez not the same subs in every game or waiting far too long to make subs as he has started to do. I see no reason why not to play RDL, Benny, Huth, Fuchs against Spurs in the Cup, Simpson, Morgan, Benny, Schlupp? (is he still injured) in the league and then our strongest back 4 against Villa. Likewise Dyer, Drinkwater, Inler, Albrighton, then Mahrez, Kante, King, Albrighton, then Mahrez, Kante, Drinkwater, Dyer for Villa. I guess it goes against what I am saying but if you gave me 3rd now and 3 away ties in the champions league I'd take it and if we got spanked in all 3, i'd still want to enjoy the chance. I guess it depends if you believe this success can be sustained or improved on for the next few years and this isn't our only shot at the top 4. I would hazard a guess that over the next 5 or 6 seasons, the main battle will still be to stay in the League. If your are of the believe that we can build "slowly slowly" then maybe a top half and a shot at the FA cup would not be a bad return this season, however I expect the owners would love to crack the top 3 this season and have all that exposure, let's be honest if we are a champions league club we could attract some decent players. I guess the problem is, as a Leicester fan we want 1 or the other and will no doubt end up with either.
Voll Blau Posted 4 January 2016 Posted 4 January 2016 Don't know what the financial rewards are , but I would imagine a top four finish and playing in the champions league would far outweigh the money garnered from a F.A cup win . And sadly money is everything in football nowadays . I doubt I'll be telling my grandkids about Leicester's amazing bank balance at the end of the 16/17 financial year if I'm honest.
Captain... Posted 4 January 2016 Posted 4 January 2016 I guess it goes against what I am saying but if you gave me 3rd now and 3 away ties in the champions league I'd take it and if we got spanked in all 3, i'd still want to enjoy the chance. I guess it depends if you believe this success can be sustained or improved on for the next few years and this isn't our only shot at the top 4. I would hazard a guess that over the next 5 or 6 seasons, the main battle will still be to stay in the League. If your are of the believe that we can build "slowly slowly" then maybe a top half and a shot at the FA cup would not be a bad return this season, however I expect the owners would love to crack the top 3 this season and have all that exposure, let's be honest if we are a champions league club we could attract some decent players. I guess the problem is, as a Leicester fan we want 1 or the other and will no doubt end up with neither. Have to agree with the last line, this is why we shouldn't write off the game against Spurs though, because it isn't either or, at the moment it is all possibility, we have the best chance we have ever had at this stage of the season to win the league or finish top four, or finish our highest ever position in the PL and the same chance at this stage of winning the FA cup as next season, or the season after, or the season after. All that is, though, is chance, and playing our best team against Spurs doesn't instantly reduce those chances and playing our reserve side doesn't increase those chances. Winning breeds confidence, and not winning can be equally addictive.
Manwell Pablo Posted 4 January 2016 Posted 4 January 2016 When it comes to the FA cup I urge us to play our best team year after year, I view it as something I'd love to see us win and I get seriously frustrated when it's viewed as an after thought. But this year even I think we should bin it off. Key players looked burnt out and I'll be surprised if we ever have this amount of points at this stage in the season again. Play the stiffs.
Bunyip Posted 4 January 2016 Posted 4 January 2016 Agreed Voll. I would love us just to win the F.A cup just the once. But you may be telling your grandkids that a top four finish and a place in the champions league in 2016 allowed us to entice and pay for quality players the like of which we have never had at this club before. I think it's all about a bigger picture these days than the F.A cup , and that's why a lot of the top clubs give it scant regard.
AKCJ Posted 4 January 2016 Posted 4 January 2016 Schmeichel Simpson Morgan Benalouane Fuchs Inler King Gray Kramaric Dodoo Ulloa
Oxfordfox83 Posted 4 January 2016 Posted 4 January 2016 Reserve team for Spurs please. Not that I want to lose particularly, but we are showing clear signs of fatigue and 10 days off would do our best players the world of good, especially before a horrible set of fixtures in February. It might also give the backups a chance to prove their worth. Two points to the 'Same XI all year" brigade: 1. It's no less ambitious to keep ourselves in the hunt for the title and see if we can really compete in April/May, as it would be to try to get to the semis of the FA Cup and see if we can win the last two games. 2. If we thrash the horses all year long and the team are shagged out for the FA Cup final (which our 1st team will apparently walk us into) that won't do us any good in either competition. I suppose the main thing is we're doing unfeasibly well in the league this year and are in second place half way through. We haven't started the FA Cup yet so it makes sense to put your money on the horse that's already winning, i.e. prioritise the league. For the record, I fancy our reserves to beat Spurs's anyway...
Raw Dykes Posted 4 January 2016 Posted 4 January 2016 That line seems to be trotted out every year though, regardless of our situation. When is the ideal time? When you're aiming to finish 10th every year or what? The ideal time is when you can afford to, i.e. when there's nothing to play for in the league or you have a big enough squad to handle the league and cup at the same time. This could well be a chance in a lifetime to get into the Champions' League. The FA Cup is just a distraction at the moment.
Voll Blau Posted 4 January 2016 Posted 4 January 2016 The ideal time is when you can afford to, i.e. when there's nothing to play for in the league or you have a big enough squad to handle the league and cup at the same time. This could well be a chance in a lifetime to get into the Champions' League. The FA Cup is just a distraction at the moment. Nobody knows that there's nothing to play for in the league in January though? You're either looking upwards at the table dreaming of Europe etc or downwards not counting your chickens. If everyone had the attitude of some of our fans you might as well scrap the thing altogether because it'd be in nobody's interest to try and win it. It's silverware, which is potentially six games from our grasp in a crazy season for English football. Surely competing to win stuff is the reason football exists?
Bayfox Posted 4 January 2016 Posted 4 January 2016 Schmeichel Simpson Morgan Benalouane Fuchs Inler King Gray Kramaric Dodoo Ulloa How many times does this have to be said, Joe Dodoo is cuptied, he played for Bury away at Rochdale in the 2nd round. http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/34956420 replaced in the 2nd half.
Oxfordfox83 Posted 4 January 2016 Posted 4 January 2016 Nobody knows that there's nothing to play for in the league in January though? You're either looking upwards at the table dreaming of Europe etc or downwards not counting your chickens. If everyone had the attitude of some of our fans you might as well scrap the thing altogether because it'd be in nobody's interest to try and win it. It's silverware, which is potentially six games from our grasp in a crazy season for English football. Surely competing to win stuff is the reason football exists? Of course it is, and like Manwell above I'm normally all for prioritising the Cup. But this year we stand a chance, however slim, of winning the Premier League. We are in an absolutely unique position in post-silly-money football of upsetting the biggest of apple carts. So we don't bin it off exactly, but while we're fighting at this end of the league we rest our knackered best players and we play our decent or unproven reserve players. Why? To give them a run out and give the best players a rest. We still stand a good chance against Spurs who will be thinking similarly. The alternative is we keep playing the same 13/14 players all season long as they get increasingly tired/injured/mentally spent, because none of the reserves has any game time and they can't be trusted to come in for a crucial game, whether that's the Cup or the League. So the performances tail off, we have no plan b and we're out of both competitions. It isn't giving in, it's giving us a decent chance of performing in the latter stages of both competitions, rather than guaranteeing we can't play in either.
Captain... Posted 4 January 2016 Posted 4 January 2016 Reserve team for Spurs please. Not that I want to lose particularly, but we are showing clear signs of fatigue and 10 days off would do our best players the world of good, especially before a horrible set of fixtures in February. It might also give the backups a chance to prove their worth. Two points to the 'Same XI all year" brigade: 1. It's no less ambitious to keep ourselves in the hunt for the title and see if we can really compete in April/May, as it would be to try to get to the semis of the FA Cup and see if we can win the last two games. 2. If we thrash the horses all year long and the team are shagged out for the FA Cup final (which our 1st team will apparently walk us into) that won't do us any good in either competition. I suppose the main thing is we're doing unfeasibly well in the league this year and are in second place half way through. We haven't started the FA Cup yet so it makes sense to put your money on the horse that's already winning, i.e. prioritise the league. For the record, I fancy our reserves to beat Spurs's anyway... We don't need to thrash the horse all year long, we have a very talented squad of 25 players, we can mix and match to perform in all games, not just the league, we can burn out by flogging the same 11 players in the league for 38 games. I would certainly make changes for the Cup game, but I don't agree with putting a completely second string 11, it would benefit us more in the long run to have a full squad that we can use, rather than a first 11 and a second 11 for cup games. If we only play one way with the same players taking the burden then when it doesn't work we have nowhere to go.
Oxfordfox83 Posted 4 January 2016 Posted 4 January 2016 We don't need to thrash the horse all year long, we have a very talented squad of 25 players, we can mix and match to perform in all games, not just the league, we can burn out by flogging the same 11 players in the league for 38 games. I would certainly make changes for the Cup game, but I don't agree with putting a completely second string 11, it would benefit us more in the long run to have a full squad that we can use, rather than a first 11 and a second 11 for cup games. If we only play one way with the same players taking the burden then when it doesn't work we have nowhere to go. Well, that's probably put my stance better than I could. Except that however you look at it, you still end up changing with maybe 3 regular first teamers. For my money: Kasper RDL Was Benny (we could play Huth, but Benny needs gametime to get gametime, and Morgan had no summer break) Chilwell (with Fuchs coming on if the game suits) Dyer (find out if Villa Dyer or Bournemouth dyer was the real player) Kante King Gray (No choice here-RM and MA have run themselves into the ground, and Mahrez in particular needs a rest). Kram (at 10) Shinji (9) Would you go much different?
Bayfox Posted 4 January 2016 Posted 4 January 2016 Well, that's probably put my stance better than I could. Except that however you look at it, you still end up changing with maybe 3 regular first teamers. For my money: Kasper RDL Was Benny (we could play Huth, but Benny needs gametime to get gametime, and Morgan had no summer break) Chilwell (with Fuchs coming on if the game suits) Dyer (find out if Villa Dyer or Bournemouth dyer was the real player) Kante King Gray (No choice here-RM and MA have run themselves into the ground, and Mahrez in particular needs a rest). Kram (at 10) Shinji (9) Would you go much different? Wouldn't be far away, however I want to see Krammy up front with Leo, actually having someone to play off and around, he was sold a bad deal last year when nige played him upfront on his own is games such as Arsenal and Man City.
PaulW Posted 4 January 2016 Posted 4 January 2016 When it comes to the FA cup I urge us to play our best team year after year, I view it as something I'd love to see us win and I get seriously frustrated when it's viewed as an after thought. But this year even I think we should bin it off. Key players looked burnt out and I'll be surprised if we ever have this amount of points at this stage in the season again. Play the stiffs. " Play the stiffs." Ha!........haven't heard them called that for ages!! Incidentally, the generally perceived wisdom is that you need two players for each position when in the Prem. Now is the time for the players to show that that is what we have. we have
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