What Claudio Should Know.

[Manwell Pablo]

13 minutes ago, artursteppe said:

Haven't you noticed, we have lost Kante and just conceded four goals against a team playing three in central midfield DOH!

 

Yeah, I replied to that the first time you posted it. Wakey wakey.

[seenitall]

1 hour ago, sylofox said:

Wow 4 games in and our players and manager are shite. Kante has gone but he was a part of out title winning side not the title winner. What next the return of seenitall. Some of our fans need to get real batter the Belgium's this week we will be Champions league winners. We can all say told you so but it is not always possible to get what you want.

I'm waiting.......we haven't played well since the Everton game really but I'm sure it will come

[Gazza M]

I agree. I think we need three for these big matches in midfield.

[NotTheMarketLeader]

13 minutes ago, seenitall said:

I'm waiting.......we haven't played well since the Everton game really but I'm sure it will come

Are you taking the piss? 

 

We we have been awful against Hull and even worse against Liverpool, in performances that are relegation calibre. 

 

What at is staggering is that your comment seems to imply we didn't play well in the victory over Swansea or the draw against Arsenal.  We battered Swansea in a game were the score line very much flattered them, and held our own / were robbed of victory against the Gunners by appauling officiating. 

 

I have to assume you didn't see either of those games? 

 

If if you did I severely question your perspective / sanity. 

 

 

[crazyleicester]

Hi All

 

Please be gentle its my first post LOL. I have been checking the site out for a while now but like a lurker from behind the curtain but reading some of the things I have since the start of the season I couldnt help but open an account up and make a post. Grab a pillow or a pint as it may be a long one!

 

Right, I`ll start with performance. We have struggled this season but IMO there are major reasons for this. You will all recall last season we had a nice normal set of pre-season friendlies coming off the back of some amazing late season form. We almost got used to winning and it didnt seem strange like it does to most sides in the bottom 8 of the prem table. We then achieved the unthinkable of winning the league on merit. Nothing to do with how the others under-performed, we won it thanks to some classy performances. Unfortunately it then went baps up. Our players stayed back to go on with the title celebrations. After that a load of them were flown to Thailand to celebrate with our owners. Now this is a team that is physically and mentally fooked. Loads went to play in various International comps. Again these lads are buggered. They then get flown around the world to play world class teams, some of them in advanced stages of their pre-season as at times us without star players and we get beaten badly along the way. Now they are knackered and down after losing. They IMO were not ready for the kick off at Hull. They have had a long post season and pre-season is about winning as well as getting match fit. Running after the ball for most games doesnt boost confidence. The whole planning from going Thailand to the States to Sweden playing that calibre of competition was piss poor. I hope we learn from this for future seasons.

 

Going forward. We are now a side that can not only attract top players but its been so positive in the retention of most of our players. Anyone of the likes of Vardy, Drinky, Kasper, Mahrez in any other season would have moved on. We also kept Chilwell and other players loosely linked to other clubs from Simpson to Fuchs, Gray to Ulloa. That in itself should give us all the belief that this club has made some real giant strides. Most of the players Ive mentioned would have strolled out to other clubs with no fear and we would have all been disappointed but expected their decision. The only one that left was one who had been quoted as being an ambitious player who wanted to play for a massive team. We only sold him because we had to due to the clause in his contract. Again, we have learned and are not placing silly release clauses in our deals. Then the new players. We have added depth to the squad which is great and have players for the future. We now have players like Chilwell, Gray, Kapustka and Musa to play a big role when we have players missing and i cant wait to see them in action. I dont want to see Musa behind Vardy but either on the left of a 3. Musa playing behind Vardy is not going to get his best form. Id go as far as to rotate him with Vardy over what will be a long season as he will cause all sorts of problems if in a more selfish direct position. The future is really bright with the players we have. And how about the players we missed! We missed out on Adrien Silva but amazingly he wanted to leave his boyhood team to come to us. Also Steven N`Zonzi was a reported target and we had a bid turned down. Either one would have filled the gap Kante has left us. Forget gap, its a void but shit happens.

 

Pay back time: Our owners who are amazing people have done the kind of thing that employees should do but almost not in the real world known as football. I love the donations to the hospital, thats great but I cant fathom the buying of supercars to super rich players. Also, giving so many players contracts may have also made the players a tad complacent. Again, they will learn too. They are just rewarding last season but I think our lads have gone a bit soft. It reminds me of a Rocky film after being protected and fighting all them bums LOL. I cannot accept the levels of running our lads are doing this season. Forget Kante for a second, all our players gave it there all. All our players over achieved last season. So far this season, they are all under-performing. Its time these lads started putting the effort in. Our pressing at times has been good but overall  we are not playing at our best. They need to find that performance level and IMO we are only a couple of wins away from that happening. Our confidence is on its ass after that terrible post and pre-season and we havent recovered.

 

The good news. We have had a poor start, we all know that. However, we are unbeaten at home drawing against Arsenal along the way. We beat Swansea and it would have been a lot more comfortable had the heavens not opened. We looked really good there. Hull was an opening day shocker but they have shown they are no push overs in other matches and currently slip down to 7th. Even the Liverpool game yesterday that was woeful for so many reasons gave me a little optimism. How can a side who played so crap, in front of a record Liverpool crowd opening up their shiny new stand who smacked 4 past Arsenal, still be 3 inches away from making it 2-2 when Huths header hit the bar and later on could have been 3-2 down when Vardy had a simple one on one chance against their keeper. We created quite a few other half chances and that was by a team that looked woeful all over the pitch. We also welcome a real quality striker in Slimani to the squad that will give us all a boost. As soon as Drinky, Mahrez and Vardy find their form, Slimani makes an impact and Wes/Huth remember how to defend again I think we will be just fine.

 

I urge my fellow City fans to chill the fudge up, be patient and support the lads to give them the confidence to get a win or two under their belts. Lets not panic and we will come good Im sure of it. Also lets give Amartey a chance at Centre Mid. Our one major error was not landing a Kante replacement but lets give this 21 year old the backing to do his best for us and who knows, he may save us 30m come January by making the position his own. 

[Spiritwalker]

38 minutes ago, crazyleicester said:

Hi All

 

Please be gentle its my first post LOL. I have been checking the site out for a while now but like a lurker from behind the curtain but reading some of the things I have since the start of the season I couldnt help but open an account up and make a post. Grab a pillow or a pint as it may be a long one!

 

Right, I`ll start with performance. We have struggled this season but IMO there are major reasons for this. You will all recall last season we had a nice normal set of pre-season friendlies coming off the back of some amazing late season form. We almost got used to winning and it didnt seem strange like it does to most sides in the bottom 8 of the prem table. We then achieved the unthinkable of winning the league on merit. Nothing to do with how the others under-performed, we won it thanks to some classy performances. Unfortunately it then went baps up. Our players stayed back to go on with the title celebrations. After that a load of them were flown to Thailand to celebrate with our owners. Now this is a team that is physically and mentally fooked. Loads went to play in various International comps. Again these lads are buggered. They then get flown around the world to play world class teams, some of them in advanced stages of their pre-season as at times us without star players and we get beaten badly along the way. Now they are knackered and down after losing. They IMO were not ready for the kick off at Hull. They have had a long post season and pre-season is about winning as well as getting match fit. Running after the ball for most games doesnt boost confidence. The whole planning from going Thailand to the States to Sweden playing that calibre of competition was piss poor. I hope we learn from this for future seasons.

 

Going forward. We are now a side that can not only attract top players but its been so positive in the retention of most of our players. Anyone of the likes of Vardy, Drinky, Kasper, Mahrez in any other season would have moved on. We also kept Chilwell and other players loosely linked to other clubs from Simpson to Fuchs, Gray to Ulloa. That in itself should give us all the belief that this club has made some real giant strides. Most of the players Ive mentioned would have strolled out to other clubs with no fear and we would have all been disappointed but expected their decision. The only one that left was one who had been quoted as being an ambitious player who wanted to play for a massive team. We only sold him because we had to due to the clause in his contract. Again, we have learned and are not placing silly release clauses in our deals. Then the new players. We have added depth to the squad which is great and have players for the future. We now have players like Chilwell, Gray, Kapustka and Musa to play a big role when we have players missing and i cant wait to see them in action. I dont want to see Musa behind Vardy but either on the left of a 3. Musa playing behind Vardy is not going to get his best form. Id go as far as to rotate him with Vardy over what will be a long season as he will cause all sorts of problems if in a more selfish direct position. The future is really bright with the players we have. And how about the players we missed! We missed out on Adrien Silva but amazingly he wanted to leave his boyhood team to come to us. Also Steven N`Zonzi was a reported target and we had a bid turned down. Either one would have filled the gap Kante has left us. Forget gap, its a void but shit happens.

 

Pay back time: Our owners who are amazing people have done the kind of thing that employees should do but almost not in the real world known as football. I love the donations to the hospital, thats great but I cant fathom the buying of supercars to super rich players. Also, giving so many players contracts may have also made the players a tad complacent. Again, they will learn too. They are just rewarding last season but I think our lads have gone a bit soft. It reminds me of a Rocky film after being protected and fighting all them bums LOL. I cannot accept the levels of running our lads are doing this season. Forget Kante for a second, all our players gave it there all. All our players over achieved last season. So far this season, they are all under-performing. Its time these lads started putting the effort in. Our pressing at times has been good but overall  we are not playing at our best. They need to find that performance level and IMO we are only a couple of wins away from that happening. Our confidence is on its ass after that terrible post and pre-season and we havent recovered.

 

The good news. We have had a poor start, we all know that. However, we are unbeaten at home drawing against Arsenal along the way. We beat Swansea and it would have been a lot more comfortable had the heavens not opened. We looked really good there. Hull was an opening day shocker but they have shown they are no push overs in other matches and currently slip down to 7th. Even the Liverpool game yesterday that was woeful for so many reasons gave me a little optimism. How can a side who played so crap, in front of a record Liverpool crowd opening up their shiny new stand who smacked 4 past Arsenal, still be 3 inches away from making it 2-2 when Huths header hit the bar and later on could have been 3-2 down when Vardy had a simple one on one chance against their keeper. We created quite a few other half chances and that was by a team that looked woeful all over the pitch. We also welcome a real quality striker in Slimani to the squad that will give us all a boost. As soon as Drinky, Mahrez and Vardy find their form, Slimani makes an impact and Wes/Huth remember how to defend again I think we will be just fine.

 

I urge my fellow City fans to chill the fudge up, be patient and support the lads to give them the confidence to get a win or two under their belts. Lets not panic and we will come good Im sure of it. Also lets give Amartey a chance at Centre Mid. Our one major error was not landing a Kante replacement but lets give this 21 year old the backing to do his best for us and who knows, he may save us 30m come January by making the position his own. 

Welcome. This may be  the longest 1st post ever.

[dayday]

I would say after hindsight lets not panic just yet, the system we play doesn't work always, as proved last year at Anfield, what I do think is that Ranieri has to start changing the formation for certain sides, that is a must for not buying a similar player to Kante.

 

Also as Liverpool fans said yesterday, even though Leicester was shit they still looked dangerous, that is respect 

 

[Ian S]

11 minutes ago, Vader said:

Welcome. This may be  the longest 1st post ever.

And a very sensible one at that.Dont agree with it all but beats the crap out of the knee jerk nonsense being spouted all over the forum.

[AlgerianFox]

Claudio should know...that I can get him a very jolie 3 bedroom chalet on 1 acre in catania with direct "viw sur mer"...for around £200.000 .

[hatasi]

"Albrighton in a central role "

you mean in central midfield ?

sounds a good but strange idea for me

[Clever Fox]

There's not doubt Claudio made a huge mistake in not signing a quality midfielder in the Summer, Regardless of Kante staying or leaving because we still need a Ball playing Midfielder. We signed Mendy to replace Kante so we still have the same problem.

As for the formation. If you stand still in football then you will quickly fall behind. We've moved the squad forward but not necessarily the Team. We now need to utilise the squad differently. 

[sylofox]

1 hour ago, seenitall said:

I'm waiting.......we haven't played well since the Everton game really but I'm sure it will come

The return of the anti Christ. It will only go down hill now. To all the new members you will now see the grim reaper. But he will soon fvck off when we win a few

[Trav Le Bleu]

Last week everyone was all over Amartey, the new Kante. This week he wasn't. But as I remember, it took N'golo a while to establish himself as the ever reliable rock who shouldn't be dropped.

 

So far on like for like games, we have exactly the same points tally. Could have been the same if those four games had been our first four last season.

 

Yeah, we were awful yesterday... though Liverpool were very good too, but last week we tore Swansea apart (ok, so the score doesn't reflect that), the same Swansea who drew with Chelsea today? We also held Arsenal, the only team to really embarrass us last season. 

 

So whilst we can certainly improve and changes will need making, it's hardly panic stations.

[Captain...]

9 hours ago, artursteppe said:

Claudio should have known that without Kante we are not strong enough in the centre of the park with just two. It Is so obvious, I am very disappointed with Claudio.. Good as Drinky is, without Kante our two will not beat the three that the top teams will play. It can happen against the dross perhaps, but not very often. Drinky with Mendy and one other, Amartey, King, maybe even Albrighton or Schlupp, with three in front interchanging positions, from Vardy, Mahrez, Slimani, Gray, Ulloa, Okazaki, Musa and the young Polish lad backing either.

I would drop Shinji, keep Albrighton in a central role, and pick three from Musa, Vardy, Slimani and Mahrez in Belgium. 

Fuchs and Mahrez must be getting close to being dropped. Shape up or get dropped and sell in January!

Oh bugger off back under your rock you were up there with seenitall and anothershitseason as the kind of reactionary twonk that you could guarantee would show up after every bad game with your helpful "suggestions".

[Nalis]

To be brutally honest we probably would have suffered a narrow defeat if we packed the midfield as Liverpool were very impressive. Also, Saturday wasnt the day to experiment.

 

The 'relegation form' b0llocks being spouted is embarrassing too.

[foxy boxing]

it is one thing knowing and another thing trying to get the players in to fix the problem

[RedSoxUK]

I think Ranieri knows what he's doing, and i'm glad he played and lined up that way. There was no reason to suggest otherwise going our 4-4-2, perhaps we as a team underestimated Liverpool's quality, especially after showing them up at our place last year. I don't think this is a Kante problem or a Ranieri problem to be honest, and if there's one thing I don't want us to do, it's to play and concentrate on the opponent rather than ourselves. We saw how Pearson made that mistake a few years back and we paid for it massively right up until our streak at the end. 

 

If you start concentrating and matching up an opponent, that's when you've thrown in the towel. We're Leicester City, champions of England, teams change shape and structure to contain us - not the other way around. Go 4-4-2 vs Brugge, show them how it's done, go 4-4-2 against Burnley and move on. It's just an unfortunate loss, the focus should be on our defensive worries not the weakened partnership in midfield. Our shape all over the pitch suffered yesterday and Liverpool exploited so many gaps and weaknesses we've had for years.

 

 

[potter3]

On 9/11/2016 at 16:04, sylofox said:

more to the point had we beaten Hull and Liverpool we would be second. All the moaners would be saying its a 2 horse race or it's in the bag. We have played 4 games ffs.

 

While that's true I think it's the nature of the performances in those two games that is causing the reaction. It's not like we played well and were unlucky or robbed, we were completely outplayed on Saturday and while we had the chances to have beaten Hull, the performance was not a good one.

[crazyleicester]

Some times some of the posts in here crack me up. Why are we getting all excited after 4 games? I hope last seasons title hasnt turned some fans into them delusional Newcastle, Liverpool and Arsenal fans who latch on to yesteryear and expect everything and forget what everyone else is doing. There is hardly a Liverpool fan that I know who doesnt mention how great they are and that they will win the title. Arsenal fans are some of the dumbest I have ever met with their expectations and some crazy Newcastle fans still remember one season years ago and even that one they foooked up.

 

This is a new season where everyone has spent a lot of money and have improved. We are now the side that everyone wants to beat but we need to be at our best to get results against the best teams. We all agree we havent started so well but its still early days and the players arent up to full speed.

 

Lets not rant after 4 games and see what happens 10 games in before the knees start to jerk so violently. 

[yorkie1999]

To me, the important game is Wednesday, win that and we're on our way in the champions league and i'm sure that's what the players' focus is on. We looked shit on saturday, but maybe that's what happens if the players have been told to ease back and not burn themselves out or pick up injuries. With how the big clubs have strengthened, we're not going to win the league so, as i see it, it's try and win our home games, get a few results away from home, as and when, and go for the champions league. We've won the league, there's a bigger prize to go for now.

[seenitall]

On 11 September 2016 at 17:12, NotTheMarketLeader said:

Are you taking the piss? 

 

We we have been awful against Hull and even worse against Liverpool, in performances that are relegation calibre. 

 

What at is staggering is that your comment seems to imply we didn't play well in the victory over Swansea or the draw against Arsenal.  We battered Swansea in a game were the score line very much flattered them, and held our own / were robbed of victory against the Gunners by appauling officiating. 

 

I have to assume you didn't see either of those games? 

 

If if you did I severely question your perspective / sanity. 

 

 

I would have to severely question whether you watched any of last season at all?????

 

There is an energy and desire missing this season that I am sure will return - while Amartey had a good game against Swansea and Mendy looked OK against Arse until he went off we have struggled to hit teams with the intensity of last season - buy a DVD and take a look, it's night and day last season to this.

 

And don't be rude

[Nick]

Every time I read the thread title it makes me cringe - arrogance doesn't even cover it @artursteppe

[artursteppe]

2 hours ago, Swan Lesta said:

Every time I read the thread title it makes me cringe - arrogance doesn't even cover it @artursteppe

Don't read the title thread. Point I was making was that Claudio, before the match against Liverpool had worked with the players for quite some weeks, been in charge of team selection for seven or eight matches, should know that without Kante, who is unique, we would struggle with just having a young Amartey in Kante's role with Drinkwater, in a two man central midfield, competing against high quality sides who outnumber our midfield. Call it arrogance if ypou like, but I am sorry, to me it's bloody obvious that we could struggle.against good sides who outnumber our 'engine room'.

[artursteppe]

On 9/11/2016 at 22:58, Captain... said:

Oh bugger off back under your rock you were up there with seenitall and anothershitseason as the kind of reactionary twonk that you could guarantee would show up after every bad game with your helpful "suggestions".

Does insulting people who have an opinion which they have every right to make available, turn you on in some bizarre way. Do you need therapy perhaps?

[Captain...]

13 minutes ago, artursteppe said:

Does insulting people who have an opinion which they have every right to make available, turn you on in some bizarre way. Do you need therapy perhaps?

Does starting a new thread to show everyone how you know better than Ranieri turn you on? You were always on Pearson's back and now we have a few bad games you suddenly know better than the man that brought us the title.

 

Should Ranieri ignore your advise and go on to have a successful season, will you be on here to apologise? No you will be back under your rock waiting for another to chance to show what a footballing genius you are. You want to express your opinion put it in the Liverpool post match thread, or the Bruges pre-match thread, don't start new threads claiming to know better than the man in charge.

 

The only thing I need is to add you to the ignore list...

 

...aaahh that's better.