Match Ratings : Sunderland 0-2 Leicester City : Vote Now

[Captain...]

Did he really track back? I saw him lose his man again and again, or simply fail to commit to 50-50s. I've always defended him in the past but I think he needs dropping without further delay on that performance, and giving the bollocking of his life. Unless he's more bothered about how he looks on Youtube than whether his side wins a title. Very, very poor, and not for the first time of late. For me he needs a rest and a reality check, or he'll cost us serious points.

And do you seriously think sides are specifically targeting Okazaki? Surely he's benefited from space as a consequence of increased attention on Vardy and Mahrez, but simply fallen short of the physical requirements of the game lately. He's lost all of the 50-50s, failed to stay on his feet and offered precious little in terms of goalscoring or creative threat. Ulloa wasn't especially impressive but the very fact that he offered something was central to us winning the game, after almost an hour of Okazaki flinging himself around and failing to ever put any serious pressure on the ball.

According to the stats he made 4 tackles 3 were in his own half 2 successful, 2 unsuccessful.

He also made one block, more than Albrighton.

Teams are targeting Okazaki because they know they just need to be a bit physical with him and he falls over. That wasn't my point though, my point was that with Okazaki offering little it makes it easier to double up in Mahrez.

[Captain...]

https://twitter.com/Squawka/status/719270007650127872

Great stat, doesn't show his success rate, 6/14 take ons is 8 times he lost possession, his passing also wasn't great today, but he created 2 chances and made one for himself with an amazing run.

He wasn't at his best, but he wasn't a 3 as some people are rating him, I gave him a 6 and don't think he deserves the criticism he has got today.

[Bryn]

He just looks leggy and he's been marked out of games.

[Captain...]

He just looks leggy and he's been marked out of games.

You do wonder if it would benefit him to not start a game and come on later on when they are tired.

If we wanted to we could play Schlupp and Albrighton against West Ham double up on the flanks and stop their wide threat maybe Ulloa for Okazaki to combat their aerial threat...

... But can you really change this team?

[FireFox]

You do wonder if it would benefit him to not start a game and come on later on when they are tired.

If we wanted to we could play Schlupp and Albrighton against West Ham double up on the flanks and stop their wide threat maybe Ulloa for Okazaki to combat their aerial threat...

... But can you really change this team?

No.

[inckley fox]

According to the stats he made 4 tackles 3 were in his own half 2 successful, 2 unsuccessful.

He also made one block, more than Albrighton.

Teams are targeting Okazaki because they know they just need to be a bit physical with him and he falls over. That wasn't my point though, my point was that with Okazaki offering little it makes it easier to double up in Mahrez.

 

Okay, fair enough. I can't argue with that.

[fox93]

Kasper - 7

Simpson - 6

Morgan - 7

Huth - 8

Fuchs - 7

Drinkwater - 8

Albrighton - 7

Kante - 9

Mahrez - 5

Okazaki - 6

Vardy - 9

[The Blur]

Kasper - 7- Made some good saves/blocks. His positioning contributed to Rodwell's miss as he has to aim for far post which put him off.

 

Simpson - 7- Solid

Morgan - 7- Same as above

Huth - 8-  Barely put a foot wrong all game. MOTM as I would say he is the only player that is fully consistent in both half.

Fuchs - 7- Solid, I enjoyed his feud with Borini 

 

Drinkwater - 7- Quiet in first half but took advantage of gaping spaces in second to set Vardy up.

Albrighton - 7.5-  Our best attacking outlet in first half, shame that he did not really exploit spaces in second half otherwise I would have had him as MOTM. Brilliant determination to set Okazaki's chance/pen shout up

Kante - 8-  Sparked in life in second. I marked him down for some wayward passes but he did win the ball back 90% of times after making a mistake

Mahrez - 5.5-  Anonymous. Did well briefly before half time and in second half. I thought he should have drifted into centre to look for ball more in first half. 

 

Okazaki - 5.5-  Bambi on ice but he made far better runs than Vardy in first half. Just wish he have more composure on the ball.

Vardy - 8- Quiet in first half through no fault of his own.  Found form in second half and absolutely destroyed Sunderland on his own at times. 

 

Ulloa 6-  Made some good attacking runs but lacks confidence in his finishing.  

Amartery 7.5- Brilliant on the ball- shame he missed a fantastic chance to open his account.

Gray 7.5- Wonderful cameo and brilliant on the ball like Amartery. 

[drofmor56]

Agree almost entirely with The Blur comments above.

 

but thought that Albrightons crossing was poor,seems to want to get the ball in as early as possible and as a result the quality suffers.

 

Agree MOTM was Huth (just a fraction ahead of Vardy !) Defoe did not get a look in. Believe Troy Deeney said Huth was his toughest opponent this season

[Captain...]

 

Kasper - 7- Made some good saves/blocks. His positioning contributed to Rodwell's miss as he has to aim for far post which put him off.

 

Simpson - 7- Solid

Morgan - 7- Same as above

Huth - 8-  Barely put a foot wrong all game. MOTM as I would say he is the only player that is fully consistent in both half.

Fuchs - 7- Solid, I enjoyed his feud with Borini 

 

Drinkwater - 7- Quiet in first half but took advantage of gaping spaces in second to set Vardy up.

Albrighton - 7.5-  Our best attacking outlet in first half, shame that he did not really exploit spaces in second half otherwise I would have had him as MOTM. Brilliant determination to set Okazaki's chance/pen shout up

Kante - 8-  Sparked in life in second. I marked him down for some wayward passes but he did win the ball back 90% of times after making a mistake

Mahrez - 5.5-  Anonymous. Did well briefly before half time and in second half. I thought he should have drifted into centre to look for ball more in first half. 

 

Okazaki - 5.5-  Bambi on ice but he made far better runs than Vardy in first half. Just wish he have more composure on the ball.

Vardy - 8- Quiet in first half through no fault of his own.  Found form in second half and absolutely destroyed Sunderland on his own at times. 

 

Ulloa 6-  Made some good attacking runs but lacks confidence in his finishing.  

Amartery 7.5- Brilliant on the ball- shame he missed a fantastic chance to open his account.

Gray 7.5- Wonderful cameo and brilliant on the ball like Amartery. 

 

 

If  you round up those half marks, that is exactly the same as my ratings.

 

I do think that Kante sometimes gives the ball away just so he can win it back.

[Fox92]

Renieri 9

 

Kasper 7 - Distribution was shocking

Simpson 8

Morgan 8

Huth 8

Fuchs 8

 

Mahrez 3 - Very poor performance

Drinkwater 9 - He was class

Kante 9 - Yet again class, makes that extra width so well too, MOTM

Albrighton 8 - Typcial Albrighton, quietly effective

 

Vardy 9

Okazaki 7 - Aside from the standard falling over, he made very intelligent runs and opened up space

 

Amartey 6

Ulloa 7

Gray 7

 

Referee 6

Sunderland 3 - They were very poor

[raiden_dz]

Mahrez was aweful, worse than the Saints Game

I think this is coming after playing in Addis Ababa with us ( Ethiopia vs Algeria )

at 2600 meters of altitude, he was breathless in that game and since

I hope he'll recover soon

[ThaiFox]

Ranieri -9- Team picks itself, but he sets us up and the tactics were spot on again, as were the subs. 

 

Kasper -8- That deflected save was fantastic. Looks confident and full of his usual passion and spirit.

Simpson -8- Played well again. Looks very solid to me.
Huth -8- Another rock solid game.
Morgan -8- Another solid game. Missed a sitter which was a shame, but after last weeks goal, another would have been a bit much for him!
Fuchs -8- Still think he's the best left back I've ever seen at City in 50 years of watching them.

Mahrez -6- Nowhere near as bad as some make out. But is obviously finding it difficult at the moment.
Kante -8- I've run out of things to say about him!
Drinkwater -8- Another assist for Vardy and overall excellent performance again. Should be England's first choice midfielder.
Albrighton -8- Works so, so hard. Some nice touches and crosses. Need a goal or two from him please!

Okazaki -7- The guy has a lot of talent and never gives up, but I wish he'd stay on his feet more.
Vardy -9- MOTM. Quiet for much of the game, but two excellently taken goals which gets him past that 20 mark. Defenders just can't cope with him, even when he's quiet!

Subs:
Ulloa -6- Should have done better with a golden chance, but still fought hard.
Gray -7- Did very well and some lovely skill.
Amartey -6- Also had a golden chance , but did OK in his sub role.

 

Officials -5- Some strange decisions, but I say that most weeks! Glad he had the sense not to give a penalty for Huth's 'handball'. 

 

Sunderland -6- Played with some spirit for 60 minutes, but after we scored and they missed that sitter they almost gave up. If they go down it will be for that reason.

 

So on we go. Fantastic to achieve a top four place, but will be so disappointed now if we don't win the league, which is a strange feeling. West Ham up next. Another very tough match against a very good side. Hope the Man Ure replay takes a lot out of them! tottingham winning so easily against Man Ure was a bit disappointing (to say the least) so we need to win this to keep the pressure on them, but I expect another nerve racking Sunday.

[Chester Dontlie]

Kante and Vards 9 - Vardy was hibernating for most of the game, lulled them into a false sense of security, then banged - twice! As for Kante, there's no words, my MOTM.

 

Albrighton 8 - had a great game, 

 

Kasper 8 , Wes 8, Fuchs 8, Huth 8, Simpson 8 - they all were brilliant. When Sunderland had a chance to level the game, Holy Rach appeared over the goal and blinded their player so we could have another clean sheet. She also made Borini hit his face with ball, which brought a bit of comedy relief to this game.  

 

Drinky 7 -  what a brilliant long ball to assist Vardy

 

Gray 7 - well done lad, impressive display, showed he can keep a cool head and had an assist

 

Amartey 6, Leo 6 - they did alright, good at holding up and link up play,

 

Shinji 6, Mahrez 5 - Mahrez just had one of those off days. I do remember him backtracking at least couple times, but it's hard to praise his performance. He had one great run in the second half, but nothing came of it. That probably means he's going to score a worldie next game or game after that. 

 

Okazaki looked battered very early on, like he had a fitness problem (an effect of international break perhaps) or was carrying a slight injury. Hopefully he and Mahrez can regenerate and get their form back for West Ham game. 

 

CR 10 - Ranieri, ooooooh

 

I thought Sunderland were poor and the ref was rather poor as well but nowhere near as abysmal as Mr Atkin****

[The Blur]

Renieri 9

 

Kasper 7 - Distribution was shocking

Simpson 8

Morgan 8

Huth 8

Fuchs 8

 

Mahrez 3 - Very poor performance

Drinkwater 9 - He was class

Kante 9 - Yet again class, makes that extra width so well too, MOTM

Albrighton 8 - Typcial Albrighton, quietly effective

 

Vardy 9

Okazaki 7 - Aside from the standard falling over, he made very intelligent runs and opened up space

 

Amartey 6

Ulloa 7

Gray 7

 

Referee 6

Sunderland 3 - They were very poor

 

I thought 3 for Sunderland was harsh- they frustrated hell out of us before Vardy's goal and had better chances before their total collapse.  Their woeful finishing and lack of endurance is exactly why they are in trouble at the moment. 

[Fox92]

I thought 3 for Sunderland was harsh- they frustrated hell out of us before Vardy's goal and had better chances before their total collapse.  Their woeful finishing and lack of endurance is exactly why they are in trouble at the moment. 

 

I thought they were very poor. Defoe had no chance on his own. They were very physical and some of their players somehow escaped bookings but I didn't think they frustrated us. We could have easily scored four. Yes, Rodwell should have scored and you could argue Defoe would have scored but they offered very little.

[VIKTOR-LE5]

Mahrez was piss poor, he's easily read all he want's to do is cut in all the time needs to stop watching Messi videos and dreaming of Barca

[Autrichien]

I thought they were very poor. Defoe had no chance on his own. They were very physical and some of their players somehow escaped bookings but I didn't think they frustrated us. We could have easily scored four. Yes, Rodwell should have scored and you could argue Defoe would have scored but they offered very little.

 

 

Just try to be objective. If you would be an independent jugde, rating all players from Leicester with a mean of  8+ (which you actually did), you surely would'nt rate Sunderland players performance with a mean of 3... c'mon... ;o) 

[Fox92]

Just try to be objective. If you would be an independent jugde, rating all players from Leicester with a mean of  8+ (which you actually did), you surely would'nt rate Sunderland players performance with a mean of 3... c'mon... ;o) 

 

I've nothing against Sunderland. I actually don't mind them and certainly want them to stay up. So I am being objective. If they were good, I would have said but I just don't think they were.

[Autrichien]

I've nothing against Sunderland. I actually don't mind them and certainly want them to stay up. So I am being objective. If they were good, I would have said but I just don't think they were.

 

so you would rate them 5 grades worse than Leicester players. mhmm. But ok, it is up to you, of course. 

[NewquayFox]

Both teams were poor in the first half but Ranieri's HT team talk and his substitutions certainly did the trick.....

9s for Huth & Kante...

8s for Kasper, Simpson, Morgan, Fuchs, Drinkwater, Albrighton & Vardy...,,

6 for Okazaki.....

4 for Mahrez as i think he needs a stint in the oxygen tent to get him back on track...

Ranieri is a definite 10....

Sunderland a 5 and they looked down and out after Vardy got the opener.....

The officials a 7 as they tried to let the game flow with strong challenges flying in, also made the now obligitary mistakes....

Up the City.....

[Dickov22]

As usual some pure negative harsh drivel being spouted towards Mahrez. Yes, poor first half but he always keeps going and had one amazing run in the second half that could on any ther day have ended in a goal.

Haven't you all learnt yet? He's going to have games like that sometimes. More often than not, he's ****ing brilliant. Play him every game

[Harry96]

As usual some pure negative harsh drivel being spouted towards Mahrez. Yes, poor first half but he always keeps going and had one amazing run in the second half that could on any ther day have ended in a goal.

Haven't you all learnt yet? He's going to have games like that sometimes. More often than not, he's ****ing brilliant. Play him every game

well said

[Fox92]

As usual some pure negative harsh drivel being spouted towards Mahrez. Yes, poor first half but he always keeps going and had one amazing run in the second half that could on any ther day have ended in a goal.

Haven't you all learnt yet? He's going to have games like that sometimes. More often than not, he's ****ing brilliant. Play him every game

 

I don't think anybody has said don't play him every game. He was poor on Sunday though so deserves his negative comments - it's not just Mahrez because every player has the same. Thing that annoyed me is the fact he looked like he couldn't be bothered. I wouldn't put it past him to score the winner against West Ham though.

[NewquayFox]

Mahrez looks knackered and I don't think the international break did him any favours, we all know what he is capable of but he has been poor since he came back. He will score two against West Ham on Sunday, mark my words....

Up the City.....