crazyleicester Posted 30 October 2016 Posted 30 October 2016 I know it sounds daft but it seems we play much better with a 451 which includes one out and out striker and Okazaki just behind. Playing with almost 5 in midfield allows the likes of King and DD to not be outnumbered and for us to play a more attacking option on the left in Musa (or Gray for the future) instead of having the insurance of the more workmanlike Albrighton there. So, to the question in hand. Slimani and Vardy are out and out strikers. I could see Vardy playing from the right (Mahrez position) as he has the energy but Im not sure thats his strength. I could also see Slimani playing where Okazaki plays at the moment as he has good energy but does that utilise his strengths? Whenever we have played both in a 442 we look so weak in midfield that we are getting overrun and not playing our natural game. So, can we play them both again or are they resigned to sharing the solitary out and out striking berth like they have done in the last two matches?
Sampson Posted 30 October 2016 Posted 30 October 2016 Of course in the future there's no reason why we couldn't get them going together. But Okazaki is our most in form attacking player and should be one of the first names on the team sheet right now.
The Doctor Posted 30 October 2016 Posted 30 October 2016 Worked fine against Burnley; shinji offers a lot but vardy-slim isn't a bad partnership when we're likely to be dominant. Or a three striker formation with shinji bropping back into the number 10
stevelcfc Posted 30 October 2016 Posted 30 October 2016 We can get away with both of them against weaker teams but I can't see how they both work together in a 442 against the stronger teams as neither want or have the skills to drop deep and play as an extra mid like Shinji and to a lesser extent Leo do when in the 442.
Guest the fox Posted 30 October 2016 Posted 30 October 2016 With king playing as a box to box CM. And closing the huge gap in the midfield. We could play them both
STUHILL Posted 30 October 2016 Posted 30 October 2016 I don't currently see Slimani and Vardy as a compatible pairing in a 442. They're both at their best when they are the single focal point and making runs across the final 3rd into channels or through the middle. Different in style and strengths, but similar in their work rate and leading the team from the front. I was hoping Claudio could figure a way of playing them together, as it would be great to get our two best strikers on the pitch, but unless Vardy can play the role Musa did yesterday or Slimani can drop deeper as Okazaki does, then I think we will see this type of rotation go on for the time being. It's not ideal, but as long as we perform well and win games, then rotating the two it will have to be.
ScouseFox Posted 30 October 2016 Posted 30 October 2016 what about the three champions league games they've started as a pair and we have donned
CosbehFox Posted 31 October 2016 Posted 31 October 2016 All different options - for us to progress, we need different options and combinations. The old fashioned strike force has worked a lot better against European teams. It's also been easier to play sides what allow the strikers to turn and get the ball out wide - for example, Burnley, Copenhagen seem more conceded about Vardy's pace. They would retreat when we won the ball in their third.
Babylon Posted 31 October 2016 Posted 31 October 2016 10 hours ago, ScouseFox said: what about the three champions league games they've started as a pair and we have donned Do you think we played particularly well? Personally the results mask pretty average performances. Slimani and Vardy can play together, but I think it's probably fairly obvious when we need to play Okazaki and that's against the better ball playing teams. With two up top and him not dropping back they have so much more time and space to just pass it around us.
lgfualol Posted 31 October 2016 Posted 31 October 2016 They can play together, but for most games this season (league mainly) Vardy has barely broken out of a jog when playing with Slim.
Beliall Posted 31 October 2016 Posted 31 October 2016 Vardy is a great idea to play on the right, i think he could do it, and given how Mahrez has played recently, he needs to be shown there are others who can do his job
Koke Posted 31 October 2016 Posted 31 October 2016 They played as a pair against Burnley and we won 3-0 and dominated them. Against weaker teams we can do it but against top half ball playing sides we need Okazaki in there.
themightyfin Posted 31 October 2016 Posted 31 October 2016 Of course they can play together have you not been watching the champions league?
Manwell Pablo Posted 31 October 2016 Posted 31 October 2016 2 hours ago, Babylon said: Do you think we played particularly well? Personally the results mask pretty average performances. Slimani and Vardy can play together, but I think it's probably fairly obvious when we need to play Okazaki and that's against the better ball playing teams. With two up top and him not dropping back they have so much more time and space to just pass it around us. Think we were fortunate in both home games but I think we played well enough to take something in both of them. Bruges was a massacre.
crazyleicester Posted 31 October 2016 Author Posted 31 October 2016 On 30/10/2016 at 20:38, Sampson said: Of course in the future there's no reason why we couldn't get them going together. But Okazaki is our most in form attacking player and should be one of the first names on the team sheet right now. I dont think Oka playing is because of form, just because of position. Last season he ran around like a maniac harassing defenders and even midfielders before before hauled off (sometimes looking like he needed carrying off) after 60-70 mins. However, he isnt the same goal threat of Slimani and is playing in a 451. Maybe if Slimani was asked to play that role he may too excel but it would need to be in a 451 On 30/10/2016 at 21:03, The Doctor said: Worked fine against Burnley; shinji offers a lot but vardy-slim isn't a bad partnership when we're likely to be dominant. Or a three striker formation with shinji bropping back into the number 10 Them three in the same side and wingers like Musa and Mahrez IMO would be way too lightweight. Im not knocking Slimani or Vardy as players but have raised the question because we won the title by largely playing a 451 and that freed our wingers to get forward. We started playing a more orthodox 442 to accommodate Slimani but whenever we have played them in the league we seem over run in the midfield. On 30/10/2016 at 21:04, stevelcfc said: We can get away with both of them against weaker teams but I can't see how they both work together in a 442 against the stronger teams as neither want or have the skills to drop deep and play as an extra mid like Shinji and to a lesser extent Leo do when in the 442. Thats might thoughts on it. Maybe against weaker sides at home we could for for it as we try to put sides under more pressure as they play deeper. On 30/10/2016 at 21:06, the fox said: With king playing as a box to box CM. And closing the huge gap in the midfield. We could play them both King has been outstanding keeping things simple as showing great energy, but only when Okazaki has played. He looks lost when he has featured in a genuine 442 and cant cover with bigger spaces IMO. On 30/10/2016 at 21:54, ScouseFox said: what about the three champions league games they've started as a pair and we have donned Its a good point but the quality we have faced is poor. If we play Copenhagen away with a 442 against them at there place I feel we would struggle. If you look at our overall performances this season with Slim and Vardy up front, especially in the premier league, we just look disjointed. We have only found our form playing a 451 with a striker in Shinji who spends a lot of time in midfield boosting numbers and covering space.
yag101 Posted 1 November 2016 Posted 1 November 2016 Nobody plays two out and out strikers in a 4-4-2, it just doesn't work. One always drops short or comes deep. Ask Fergie. Atletico Madrid is our blueprint team.
UPinCarolina Posted 1 November 2016 Posted 1 November 2016 I would like to see matches where both are able to play, but I am agreeing with those would rather see them rotate or replace each other for the time being. We're seeming to hit our stride and I'd not break that now.
foxy boxing Posted 1 November 2016 Posted 1 November 2016 there will be matches when we can play both of them together and many times they may well have to play together either through suspension or injury. i don't think either of them will be happy to be the other one's replacement as both would want to start matches. it is about what all the strikers offer us and how best to use what they can offer to our advantage ie Vardy with his quick turn of pace and Slimani with his heading ability and Okazaki his link up play and Ulloa his height
crazyleicester Posted 1 November 2016 Author Posted 1 November 2016 15 hours ago, yag101 said: Nobody plays two out and out strikers in a 4-4-2, it just doesn't work. One always drops short or comes deep. Ask Fergie. Atletico Madrid is our blueprint team. Its one of the reasons I raised the question. Fergie used to play Sheriingham behind a striker in the old no 10 role, then there was Yorke behind Cole etc. Vardy and Slimani is like having to Andy Coles. They are both number 9s. I think Slimani is capable of dropping deeper and trying that role as he has the energy and would be good at being first to the ball out of defence or midfield to hold the ball up and let the midfield run on but It would be yet another brave CR move to convince him to change position at the age of 28. He has been brave with the Musa change for Albrighton, dropping Vardy, King back in the side despite a couple of below par efforts, resisting the call to launch Gray, taking the heat off of Amartey including dropping him at home vrs Copenhagen etc etc. He makes calls and doesn't mind changing if he has to. With that, Slimani playing in the Okazaki role as an option could work as long as he keeps the discipline that Oka does.
Captain... Posted 1 November 2016 Posted 1 November 2016 According to Lisbon fans Slimani played for Lisbon in the Okazaki role, he was energetic and closed people down and played behind the main striker, and he does that for us, but isn't as fast and energetic as Shinji and is still adjusting to the PL and this team. When playing that role he doesn't drop as deep as Shinji, so offers more of an attacking threat but he also offers a high hoof as an outlet which we seem too willing to take. Vardy's energy only really works if we are pressing as a team, if Slimani, Musa and Mahrez are not chasing down defenders, or at least not at the same rate then there is no point Vardy running himself into the ground chasing lost causes. Vardy hasn't been on top form this season, Slimani has looked better, but Okazaki offers us so much more in terms of balance, it Vardy and Slimani are to play together some needs drop in and link with the midfield. This could mean Vardy as the number 10 bombing forwards to support Slim, but he can he provide the link up, or Vardy playing the wide role with Okazaki as number 10. Or a formation change 433 with Mahrez Vardy and Slimani as an attacking trio or 532. Or we just give Slimani a little more time to gel with the team and Vardy and play that number 10 role in the same way Ulloa did last season when playing up front with JV.
crazyleicester Posted 10 December 2016 Author Posted 10 December 2016 Without doubt their best performance together. I must admit I really struggled to see how we could play them both in the same side but Slimani playing deeper and knocking the ball on and playing some lovely passes to Vards today was outstanding. Mahrez linking up and keeping it simple was great as well. I know many will crow about City being so poor defensively but if we keep it simple and play to our strengths and that amazing trio hit some form we will be fine.
Milo Posted 10 December 2016 Posted 10 December 2016 On 10/30/2016 at 20:33, crazyleicester said: So, can we play them both again Apparently...yes!
foxy boxing Posted 11 December 2016 Posted 11 December 2016 Some great touches from Slimani yesterday particularly for two of the goals.if he isn't scoring goals good to see him being involved and working for the team and linking up with Vardy and mahrez
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