Leicester vs Barcelona - Match Thread

[Guest Col city fan]

I've tried to remain relatively positive through the thread, but this thing about 'not being concerned about shipping goals', I can't agree with.

Football is a very psychological sport and we built our foundation, last season, on having one of the meanest defences in the league. We had that run of one nils, I recall, where Morgan and Huth were just about unbeatable. We basically knew that if we scored, we'd win...we were never gonna concede.

In the last two games, albeit against top opposition, we've shipped 8 goals. The defence has looked amateurish at times and we've been cut apart at will. Tonight's game could easily have been 6-2 at half time. Even though it's a friendly, this isn't good. The players will have it in their minds that they now can concede. I looked closely at Morgan after the Munir goal went it and he was frustrated as fook...throwing his arms to his side as if to say wtf!

Its imperative we now shut up shop (or at least not concede many) on Sunday cos a lack of defensive confidence quickly becomes endemic. Whether this is due to the standard of opposition, fitness levels, or the lack of such a quality midfielder as Kante, shielding the back four, remains to be seen. What is clear now though, is that we must get back to being the defensively solid side we built our success on. Another three or four goals conceded on Sunday against Utd won't be good for confidence.

[Bluetintedspecs]

A lot more positives than negatives,  our attacking options look frightening.

[Max Power]

The one thing I will never, ever doubt in this group after the last season is their mental strength. No way their confidence gets even slightly dented by shipping a few goals to Messi, Di Maria, Suarez and co.

[limeydale]

18 minutes ago, foxaholic said:

hope you had a bet on correct score

I live in the "land of the free" mate, Illegal for me to bet unless I'm in Nevada or New Jersey.

[weller54]

We only lost 1-0 to them in 2003!

[Kitchandro]

2 minutes ago, Col city fan said:

I've tried to remain relatively positive through the thread, but this thing about 'not being concerned about shipping goals', I can't agree with.

Football is a very psychological sport and we built our foundation, last season, on having one of the meanest defences in the league. We had that run of one nils, I recall, where Morgan and Huth were just about unbeatable. We basically knew that if we scored, we'd win...we were never gonna concede.

In the last two games, albeit against top opposition, we've shipped 8 goals. The defence has looked amateurish at times and we've been cut apart at will. Tonight's game could easily have been 6-2 at half time. Even though it's a friendly, this isn't good. The players will have it in their minds that they now can concede. I looked closely at Morgan after the Munir goal went it and he was frustrated as fook...throwing his arms to his side as if to say wtf!

Its imperative we now shut up shop (or at least not concede many) on Sunday cos a lack of defensive confidence quickly becomes endemic. Whether this is due to the standard of opposition, fitness levels, or the lack of such a quality midfielder as Kante, shielding the back four, remains to be seen. What is clear now though, is that we must get back to being the defensively solid side we built our success on. Another three or four goals conceded on Sunday against Utd won't be good for confidence.

I agree to an extent and we do need to make provisions for the fact we no longer have Kante, make no mistake he made the defence's job easier. Buut we can still do better than we have done pre-season no doubt.

 

Having said that, let's not forget we started last season leaking goals all over the place and I was happy as Larry, even then we were still on course for a place in Europe before we even managed to keep a clean sheet.

 

It's not about 'shutting up shop' as such, we need to find a way of plugging the holes at the back without taking away from our attack minded philosophy. We managed to find the right balance last season but what we mustn't do is getting drawn into playing negatively to protect the back 4, that's the mistake Pearson made and that's why we underachieved 2 seasons ago.

 

Reliance on nicking 1-0s has it's own problems and in any case I'd rather win 5-4 than 1-0. We built our success on a lot of things and being defensively solid was just one of them. It certainly wasn't the starting point, it was what turned us from a top 6 side into title challengers.

 

We need to remember who we're playing here as well, like I said I don't think English teams are anywhere near the level of Barcelona and maybe PSG too. But there's no doubt we've been defensively poor, which obviously needs addressing in one way or another.

[los dedos]

1 minute ago, weller54 said:

We only lost 1-0 to them in 2003!

That's nice

[matty2702]

No doubting our offensive potential, very exciting. I don't think he'll ever take the plaudits until he scores on a more regular basis and one swallow doesn't make a summer, but if shinji can turn in a few more performances like that in competitive games he could have some second season. 

Agree that defensively improvements can be made, but much more encouraging overall 

[Callabinho]

Further to Cols post, the goals apart from Suarez's were nothing short of defensive calamities. And it's not like it was blinding skill either, simple balls into the box knotted Morgan and Huth. Simpson made the most school boy of errors for his goal, it's the kind of defending you see on a Sunday morning....the "it's only a friendly" tag won't was for long, we've got a match on Sunday against united which is a glorified friendly and  then it's to business. 

 

I feel that we've been far too exposed at the back, that was a Barca side built up of mainly fringe players with a few first team starters sprinkled in, we were being pulled apart at times by reserves....as champions of England, that concerns me. However in attack we look formidable...jury is still out on Mendy, he from what I've seen he can't cut it in a two man midfield, and every pass seems to lack conviction....anyway bring on Saturday and let's see where we are really at! 

[Arriba Los Zorros]

2 hours ago, lgfualol said:

Probably watching Derby's pre season games with Nige

Bore off, I'm entitled to my opinion that Musa is poor and he'll cost us more points than he wins. this game was ideal for him, but he'll be no use against any sort of defence thats not on the half way line. Anyway at the end of the day the most important thing is that we do well rather than being proved right so I hope to be wrong and quoted by people on here next season

[Jakemoore]

I'm certain that the boys know that they weren't great tonight, defensively. And im sure we will sort it out by the time we play Hull in the way we did last season. My biggest concern is how we are going to lineup without Kante. It is clear to me that Mendy isn't like for like. I'm not saying he isn't good enough, he's just different. I worry that maybe playing 2 in the middle of the park won't work without Kante. 

 

Biggest highlight is our attacking threat. I think we could play any one of our strikers and wingers and have a good game. They all look great, and they're pretty much all rapid! 

Looks like we could be in for some cricket scores at the KP this season

[GeorgeTheFox]

Thought Okazaki showed his importance today. Reminds me of Nugent in that he doesn't seem to be much of a threat yet we are always better when he plays. That second half was very promising indeed. Thought Was and Hernandez looked very good together. Loved Marcin's slide tackle on Suarez in particular... How good must he have been in his prime? Also Kapustka looked fairly promising, played with no fear

[jaqo88]

8 minutes ago, Arriba Los Zorros said:

Bore off, I'm entitled to my opinion that Musa is poor and he'll cost us more points than he wins. this game was ideal for him, but he'll be no use against any sort of defence thats not on the half way line. Anyway at the end of the day the most important thing is that we do well rather than being proved right so I hope to be wrong and quoted by people on here next season

The thing is, that he will be critical especially when we play in Europe and against teams where we can play with our speedy style. As shown today he could provide the key difference for us in these games against top opposition. 

 

That's why we also have the likes of Mahrez, Gray and now Kaputska. So that if we struggle we still find a way. Have no doubt that Musa will give us moments where you realise what a player he really is and why we need him. 

[ScouseFox]

musa scored probs the greatest brace in football history an people care that we lost, come on 

[Brooksy]

18 minutes ago, Arriba Los Zorros said:

Bore off, I'm entitled to my opinion that Musa is poor and he'll cost us more points than he wins. this game was ideal for him, but he'll be no use against any sort of defence thats not on the half way line. Anyway at the end of the day the most important thing is that we do well rather than being proved right so I hope to be wrong and quoted by people on here next season

Are you gonna celebrate when he scores in a competitive match or do you hate him that much?

[Miquel The Work Geordie]

Kaputska looks fantastic and chuffed Musa got off the mark after some on here (a tiny, tiny minority, I know) were writing him off off the back of a couple of pre season games. Mendy looked up to speed and Drinkwater looks like he's very ready for this season. 

 

Jeff and Shinji were class too.

[easilee]

Even with this loss I am buzzing at the prospect of what we can do this season. We are taking on the best teams in the world and despite the deceptive scorelines, doing OK.

Most of the goals we have conceded pre-season have been 50/50's in terms of skill and accuracy.

Top teams like Barca and PSG are deadly at finishing off half chances.

We held our own in the last two matches and it was only for the want of that deadly finishing, that we didn't get more from them.

Very proud and excited for our boys. They are quick learners.

[Foxymcoxy]

25 minutes ago, ScouseFox said:

musa scored probs the greatest brace in football history an people care that we lost, come on 

I dunno mate, Knockart v huddersfield was pretty tidy.

[easilee]

2 hours ago, Arriba Los Zorros said:

Bore off, I'm entitled to my opinion that Musa is poor and he'll cost us more points than he wins. this game was ideal for him, but he'll be no use against any sort of defence thats not on the half way line. Anyway at the end of the day the most important thing is that we do well rather than being proved right so I hope to be wrong and quoted by people on here next season

....and Leicester should have become English Champions by 12 points. Don't host any birthday parties you miserable git.

[TJB-fox]

Can see Hernandez starting sooner rather than later once he settles down in regards to his actual defending. On the ball he's the best centre half we've got, Morgan and Huth are superb defensively and I fully expect them to start against Hull but long term Hernandez (and more of the ball) will be beneficial- especially in the CL

[Jattdogg]

Thought we were okay at best first half. Second  half was much better from the boys. 

 

This game definitely  showed me that we still have that "its not over" mentality which is huge. 

 

We did have some defensive lapses the last 2 games but have to take some of it with a grain of salt as it was preseason.  Would be nice to have another stud back there (although leaving was on the goal line staring opponents down could be more than enough).

 

I know some people are passionate and hate to see us lose even if its just some silly friendly.   Im sure weve all been  debbie downers and made some depressing over reaction comments before but its just the passion talking. Think we can all agre that we just want our boys to thrash every team (yup even barca). Lol.

 

Looking forward to see what formation  we settle on this season. We have some good options available.

 

Lets smash united now!

[Monsell1976]

Did anybody expect us to beat Barcelona, I certainly didn't.

Watching that performance, it's what I expected, some players not up with the pace yet, silly mistakes, and players who look like they could be good signings.

Overall I'm excited about the season, when we field our strongest 11, we have a very strong team, and have good players pushing for a starting place, if the players who start don't perform.

Bored of the summer without decent football, so bring on the new season.

[Charl91]

2 hours ago, ScouseFox said:

musa scored probs the greatest brace in football history an people care that we lost, come on 

 

1 hour ago, Foxymcoxy said:

I dunno mate, Knockart v huddersfield was pretty tidy.

 

Other notable braces

 

 

Bruma vs. Watford (2011 - 4 - 2)

 

Or Paul Gallagher vs. Palace

 

 

 

[HoustonFox]

Just watched the game after getting home from work and avoiding all social media all day. 

 

I didn't expect us to win and really glad we showed some fighting spirit to make a go of the comeback. 

 

Musa and Shinji were a really lively front two and most importantly, showed we have some depth up there. Kapy's debut was also encouraging as were Was and Hernandez. 

 

On on to the "areas for improvement" or opportunities (I'm trying to be positive). We let in some soft goals and the boys will know this. Some naieve defending from Simpson tonight kind of took us back to conceding goals we did in the 13/14 season. Just sloppy. Especially after being so solid on the back end of last season it's a little disappointing the nature of goals we have conceded. However, we did just play PSG and then Barcelona so hoping that it is a combination of wonderful movement and passing (some of the Messi passing was sublime tonight) and our players being knackered rather than ill disciplined. A couple of days off to refresh and get ready for Sunday but that again is a friendly.

 

The real game to be ready for is the 13th...

[ScouseFox]

6 hours ago, Foxymcoxy said:

I dunno mate, Knockart v huddersfield was pretty tidy.

 

4 hours ago, Charl91 said:

 

 

Other notable braces

 

 

Bruma vs. Watford (2011 - 4 - 2)

 

Or Paul Gallagher vs. Palace

 

 

 

Huddersfield, palace, Watford... Barcelona lids