Ranieri Has Been Backstabbed.

[inckley fox]

I don't believe he's been stabbed in the back, nor that players are deliberately not winning. It's very easy to mistake a lack of belief for a lack of effort, and both may have played their part.

 

As for the players and how they respond to Claudio, I suppose they could have lost faith in him at various points. If the trouble began back in March then that's hard to make sense of, though I wonder what Talksport classes as 'trouble'. If it's a few players questioning the boss on the training ground, then every manager in the Premiership comes across the same issue day-in-out. The biggest footballing fairy-tale ever draws a much closer analysis.

 

But if the trouble began after May 2nd, then it's easy to guess at the bones of contention, even without knowing what has gone on behind the scenes.

 

The extent to which we encouraged the players' and manager's celebrity status would be a starting-point. Ranieri was, in fairness, unsure about the new cars, even if he courted Bocelli and so on. But the impact of this attention has obviously had an effect, and may have contributed towards some egos swelling in the dressing room.

 

The pre-season programme, which left us short on fitness and on confidence was another obvious mess. Whether we blame the board or the boss, it got us off on the wrong foot.

 

The summer signings, one of which has already gone despite a lack of cover for him, and another of which has barely played, were an expensive shambles. Some are yet to make an impact, some have caused disruption (the supposed 'broken promise' to Ulloa, at Slimani's signing, for instance). Above all, the failure to promptly replace Kante or find defensive cover has screwed us.

 

The loss of Walsh. Say what you will about some of his recommendations, but it's down to the manager to green-light them. Whether he was perfect or not, a lot of people won't have wanted to see him go.

 

The failure to wrap up the contract situations quickly and decisively. This rumbled on into the season and some players were left out of the raft of new deals, which people were bound to consider unfair, rightly or wrongly.

 

The failure to give opportunities to some players (Gray, Chilwell, Hernandez, Ulloa etc.) may have upset one set of people; the eventual, unavoidable decision to drop others would have done likewise.

 

Setting the bar low. You don't spend the sort of money we have, or offer the sort of contracts we have, for a relegation dogfight. And yet we were focusing on how few points we needed, as opposed to how many we wanted, as early as August. It was hardly inspiring stuff.

 

Prioritising the Champions League publicly, and to an extent which surprised most pundits. That's all very well and good if you're getting by in the league, but we weren't. 

 

The negativity of the tactics. I see some rumours suggest players were uncertain about our more continental tactics towards the end of last season. You get away with it when you win the league, but standing off players and opting not to press (which Ranieri has admitted asking Vardy not to do so much at times) doesn't look so good when you're in a relegation scrap.

 

The craziness of his tinkering after the Everton game. Just when it looked like some momentum had been regained with the 4-2-3-1, he ripped up the rule book and plunged us into pure chaos. When you see players visibly baffled on the pitch, it's easy to imagine that a few old feuds could have resurfaced in the aftermath.

 

So it's easy to come out and say things like 'Ranieri has been back-stabbed', without any real evidence, and largely because we don't like to see well-paid pros creating tension when we're doing badly. But Ranieri is a well-paid pro too. The players, like him, won the league for us. I'm sure some of those players feel that they've been back-stabbed or let down, and they probably feel he's as lousy off the pitch in his capacity as they are on it. It's impossible and pointless to take a side and I don't think we'll get over this issue until all talk of 'back-stabs' is put to one side.

 

Hopefully that can be with Ranieri, though the loss of faith in his decision-making, or ability to take us forward, makes that seem increasingly unlikely. Personally I feel the same about him as I did everyone else who took us to our best ever moment - that he's bound to leave one day and I hope it can be with dignity. If it can't be (as seems to be the case) then we don't need to make it any uglier an affair than it already is.

 

Quite a rant, that, wasn't it? Oh dear.

[Guy]

Agreed with the OP every step of the way with his excellent and meaningful post, it's true that most of us have been/are too quick to judge Ranieri in these trying times - it's not entirely his fault but it is still deeply mystifying at how one minute we are world beaters, the next potential relegation fodder in less than a few months. Everyone basically feels so frustrated as well as bemused by this unprecedented negative turn around of events in no time at all. 

 

Sadly the buck does inevitably stop with the man in charge, no matter what. It did so with Pearson too lest we forget after his son's misbehaving - and after he'd not only overseen a great escape miracle of epic proportions but laid great foundations that would eventually ensure we won the  Premier League last season!! As for the present negativity directed towards Claudio in particular then I think most of us are simply fearful of a repeat of a return to the decade of absolute dross (the 00s), should we be relegated back into the most competitive league in the world with a set of players that won us the ultimate prize a year prior to this!! We could then easily end up as the next Villa or Blackburn should that happen - all after having worked so hard to avoid that in the two years since, when after last season it looked like we could become an established, as well as very successful Premier League team - which is something we've never been before in our history until the absolute miracle of last season happened of course! 

[Karlos-da-gr8-Fox]

As much as i love Ranieri

he brought this on himself when he should have dropped certain players and rotated long before he did

 

players display was awful and still started the following game so there was bo real drive to improve performance so sorry but he is as much to blame for this drop in player form and results but hope he can turn it round rather than replace him 

[Greg2607]

19 hours ago, Struwwelpeter60 said:

The other half of this forum is blaming Ranieri for changing formations

and tactics too often.

Great.

Maybe try a 4-4-2 with okazaki and slimani then. Okazaki as the workhorse, slimani to get goals from crosses. 

 

But just don't continue to look for a long ball in behind when the defence sits deep. 

 

With vardy in the team that's the temptation as it worked last year to great effect. This year. It doesn't. 

[NeilLCFC]

easy to blame the players but Claudio has turned us into a joke off field also. Do we blame the players for this as well or are we just blaming anyone but Claudio?

[Donut]

1 hour ago, NeilLCFC said:

easy to blame the players but Claudio has turned us into a joke off field also. Do we blame the players for this as well or are we just blaming anyone but Claudio?

Blame the players for turning themselves into a joke.

 

A blind man could see there have been mistakes on all sides and that includes claudio.

 

But placing all the blame on claudio enhances your ridiculous agenda even though its blatantly not all his fault.

 

I suppose your solution is to hire a manager that agrees to do everything exactly the same way pearson did as part of his contract. Invluding all the bad stuff too.

 

And if when playing similar tactics the players magically actually run and give something you can cheer them like your little minature heroes again and completely ignore the fact theyve mugged a title winning manager and all the fans off for 6 months

 

[Guest Col city fan]

4 minutes ago, Donut said:

Blame the players for turning themselves into a joke.

 

A blind man could see there have been mistakes on all sides and that includes claudio.

 

But placing all the blame on claudio enhances your ridiculous agenda even though its blatantly not all his fault.

 

I suppose your solution is to hire a manager that agrees to do everything exactly the same way pearson did as part of his contract. Invluding all the bad stuff too.

 

And if when playing similar tactics the players magically actually run and give something you can cheer them like your little minature heroes again and completely ignore the fact theyve mugged a title winning manager and all the fans off for 6 months

 

I wouldn't talk about agendas Donut, yours is very clear. 

Personally, I think it's both at fault. Ranieri has become pretty clueless and the players haven't looked up for any sort of scrap.

Both are culpable. The worrying thing is that the players don't seem to enjoying playing for the manager anymore. Worrying sign that.

[TheSomersetFox]

15 minutes ago, Donut said:

Blame the players for turning themselves into a joke.

 

A blind man could see there have been mistakes on all sides and that includes claudio.

 

But placing all the blame on claudio enhances your ridiculous agenda even though its blatantly not all his fault.

 

I suppose your solution is to hire a manager that agrees to do everything exactly the same way pearson did as part of his contract. Invluding all the bad stuff too.

 

And if when playing similar tactics the players magically actually run and give something you can cheer them like your little minature heroes again and completely ignore the fact theyve mugged a title winning manager and all the fans off for 6 months

 

What do you mean the players aren't running? Of course they are. They're not pressing because they're clearly being told not too, we've played like this all year and Claudio has constantly come out and said how happy he's been with the performance. He has allowed our standards to drop massively and he's clearly not coaching the players well enough. The players have been poor but I put that down to them not having a clue what to do when they're out there apart from sit in a defensive shape and hoof it long, along with their confidence being absolutely shot. 

 

The amount of likes the OP got is a joke. Ranieri is getting away with this far too easily..

[Donut]

45 minutes ago, Col city fan said:

I wouldn't talk about agendas Donut, yours is very clear. 

Personally, I think it's both at fault. Ranieri has become pretty clueless and the players haven't looked up for any sort of scrap.

Both are culpable. The worrying thing is that the players don't seem to enjoying playing for the manager anymore. Worrying sign that.

My agenda is whats best for leicester city.

 

Yeah i get it wrong sometimes. I called for pearson to be sacked. Got it wrong. Im not too proud to admit i got it wrong.

 

But i dont believe the right decision is to sack ranieri. He is not the bigger issue for me.

[Guest Col city fan]

Just now, Donut said:

My agenda is whats best for leicester city.

 

Yeah i get it wrong sometimes. I called for pearson to be sacked. Got it wrong. Im not too proud to admit i got it wrong.

 

But i dont believe the right decision is to sack ranieri. He is not the bigger issue for me.

That's everyone else's agenda too. At least I should hope so.

There are many who believe Ranieri had become clueless, has lost the respect of his players, has signed some rubbish and should have been sacked in early Jan.

Therefore, they will believe that getting rid is what is best for the club.

We'll see who is right and who isn't, I guess.

[Guest Bob Hazels shorts]

On 2/1/2017 at 20:09, coolhandfox said:

1) CR has been found wanting tactual has been like a rabbit in the headlights. Doesn't know his best formation or 11.

 

2) Who ever is in charge of recruitment has has failed, we haven't brought one player who strengthen our starting 11. Ndidi, Musa and Mendy aren't PL class.

 

3) We have brought poorly, we have brought players from second rate league! 

 

4) We brought two strikers who can't play with our spearhead striker

 

5) CR should have realised teams would adapt and drop of to negate our style of play, we need a creative no 10 to make use of the extra space.

 

6) We went into the season with 3 aging centre backs! 

 

7) Last year took a lot out of the players, they put everything on the line. Motivation has been poor, the player are at fault, but Wenger, Fergie had to deal with this year in year out, CR has failed to get a tune out of he's best players! They know when to replace and move players on! 

 

 

 

Only one real departure in Kante.

 

Need to give these guys time. You can't comment on Ndidi yet surely, he's arrived late but seems to be the closest we have to filling the vacant midfield slot.

 

We need/ needed support for our defense as priority.Just sprinted a marathon and are expected to do it again.

 

The regular 10 players last season (ex Kante) have either not or not been allowed to perform. Other than midfield, the new players once setlled should supplement the side and slot in as needed.

 

Wenger and Fergie had far better players that we have who didn't get drunk on success. Ours went understandably delirious, but are still on a cloud. Quality know they can aim for it again, our players are still bewildered and are unsure or forgotten what it takes.

[Guest Foxin_mad]

Does anyone actually know what kind of football Ranieri is trying to play? What tactics, what style what philosophy, what formation? Since Man City/Liverpool last year we seem to have descended into a mindless hoofball team who cant string 3 passes together.

 

I have absolutely no idea 1 1/2 years down the line how he wants to play, what his stamp is? so how the players would know I don't know. The players need a leader and direction for me Ranieri is just a nice man. Im not even sure some of them are intentionally miss performing they just don't understand what is being asked of them and that is a big problem!

 

[NeilLCFC]

7 hours ago, Donut said:

My agenda is whats best for leicester city.

 

And if you think that is Claudio Ranieri, you need to go and have your head checked. I appreciate you want to stay loyal to him as in your opinion, he laid the foundations for the title win, however we could be on the verge of financial ruin and CR is most definitely not the man to turn this round.

[Kendal Fox]

On 31/01/2017 at 22:27, Donut said:

Ranieri is attracting a lot of criticism. Hes made mistakes this season and thats clear.

 

But before his seemingly inevitable departure from the club, i want to get this off my chest:

 

1) This club has treated these players like royalty off the back of what they did last season. And have they given anything back? anything at all? Course they havent. Because they are the epitome of the modern footballer, self centred, selfish, arrogant and detached. Happy as larry one moment, throwing toys out the pram the next

 

2) The post match interviews. All Ranieri has ever done, is try to protect the players, never dig anyone out, and keep a positive atmosphere around the club. Again, have the players appreciated this? have they fvck. And yet, if he started digging people out which he should have done long ago, youd have plenty of people on here complaining he shouldnt have done that.

 

3) The senior players. Could you be bothered to stand up and be counted? course you couldnt. Players who were clamouring for an opportunity to play, have you staked your claim? course you havent. Youve got the perfect excuse for all your failings, hide behind the man who helped you win the league, when you could be bothered.

 

4) The man inspired Leicester to win the league. We bin him off, we bin off a man capable of winning the league. We probably wont ever have a manager of that quality ever. Or certainly for a long, long time.

 

5) Claudio is obviously left carrying the can for everyones failings behind the scenes. HE IS NOT BLAMELESS, lets be clear on that. But Shakespeare, Stowell, Benetti, the sports scientists, WALSH (for some of his recommendations). Claudio is going to carry all of your blame.

 

6) Those shouting their heads off for Claudio to go have about as much respect as the players. There is absolutely no need for the level of vitriol Claudio has attracted. It is way over the top. You can call for a manager to go in a dignified way, and when youre talking about a man whos given you the best days of your Leicester supporting lives, you should show this man significantly more respect than he receives from this forum.

 

 

Pretty much my feelings on the subject. As for the players, there are a few like Shinji, KIng, Albrighton who I feel are trying their best, but for the most part I agree with you there.

 

Also, the FA really have shitted on Claudio/us for winning the league, I don't care what anyone says, the players have been poor and prima donna-ish, but we have also been battling the Puppet Masters to an extent, which hasn't helped things at all.

[fairbanksh]

CR unfortunately really has a history of being a one hit wonder

He will always be remembered for last season but he needs to go in a dignified manner before the whole shebang implodes

It is a crisis and it needs immediate remedial action from top to bottom 

[Chico1958]

 

 

Put your own players face to the gif

 

I've got two, three or maybe four

 

Then remember the happy time

 

[HighPeakFox]

19 hours ago, Kendal Fox said:

Also, the FA really have shitted on Claudio/us for winning the league, I don't care what anyone says, but we have also been battling the Puppet Masters to an extent, which hasn't helped things at all.

Explain?

[st albans fox]

8 minutes ago, HighPeakFox said:

Explain?

Conspiracy theories.

 

i dont have time for them - we have real stuff to worry about

[HighPeakFox]

Just now, st albans fox said:

Conspiracy theories.

 

i dont have time for them - we have real stuff to worry about

True, my porridge is starting to stick...

[sm1]

Have to agree with the sentiment that nobody has stabbed anybody in the back because everybody, players & Ranieri, are all equally responsible for this mess. If players are in poor form or not performing then its Claudio's job either to improve confidence or drop players. Equally if players are confused & can't understand tactics, they need to clarify and communicate their concerns with Claudio. I don't have any sympathy with any of them, there all responsible and open to critiscm.

[volpeazzurro]

20 hours ago, NeilLCFC said:

And if you think that is Claudio Ranieri, you need to go and have your head checked. I appreciate you want to stay loyal to him as in your opinion, he laid the foundations for the title win, however we could be on the verge of financial ruin and CR is most definitely not the man to turn this round.

How pretentious. You see Donut, you're not allowed an opinion, in fact 'you need your head checking' because this world renowned footballing oracle' is definitely right...because he says so!

[coolhandfox]

On 03/02/2017 at 09:33, Bob Hazels shorts said:

 

Only one real departure in Kante.

 

Need to give these guys time. You can't comment on Ndidi yet surely, he's arrived late but seems to be the closest we have to filling the vacant midfield slot.

 

We need/ needed support for our defense as priority.Just sprinted a marathon and are expected to do it again.

 

The regular 10 players last season (ex Kante) have either not or not been allowed to perform. Other than midfield, the new players once setlled should supplement the side and slot in as needed.

 

Wenger and Fergie had far better players that we have who didn't get drunk on success. Ours went understandably delirious, but are still on a cloud. Quality know they can aim for it again, our players are still bewildered and are unsure or forgotten what it takes.

 

We will never be as attractive as we were this summer, we got players who need to develop and get experience. Bournemouth got Jack Wilshere and Stoke got Joe Allen, both established Premier League players, they would have been prefect to aid to or squad.

 

We got Slim 30 million, we could have for Deeney for a similar figure.

 

We needed a centre half or 2, we got no one!

 

We needed to develop a game plan for deep laying defences, using players who can use the ball better! Our ball retention has got worse!

 

Do you think Fergie or Wenger never had a player drunk on success? Of course they did, but they sorted them out or moved them on. 

 

I'm not saying we should be challenging, but we should have been comfortable top 10 but if CR takes the praise for last year, he has to take the criticism for this year.

 

Are planning for this year has be atrocious! 

[robski]

On 31/01/2017 at 22:27, Donut said:

Ranieri is attracting a lot of criticism. Hes made mistakes this season and thats clear.

 

But before his seemingly inevitable departure from the club, i want to get this off my chest:

 

1) This club has treated these players like royalty off the back of what they did last season. And have they given anything back? anything at all? Course they havent. Because they are the epitome of the modern footballer, self centred, selfish, arrogant and detached. Happy as larry one moment, throwing toys out the pram the next

 

2) The post match interviews. All Ranieri has ever done, is try to protect the players, never dig anyone out, and keep a positive atmosphere around the club. Again, have the players appreciated this? have they fvck. And yet, if he started digging people out which he should have done long ago, youd have plenty of people on here complaining he shouldnt have done that.

 

3) The senior players. Could you be bothered to stand up and be counted? course you couldnt. Players who were clamouring for an opportunity to play, have you staked your claim? course you havent. Youve got the perfect excuse for all your failings, hide behind the man who helped you win the league, when you could be bothered.

 

4) The man inspired Leicester to win the league. We bin him off, we bin off a man capable of winning the league. We probably wont ever have a manager of that quality ever. Or certainly for a long, long time.

 

5) Claudio is obviously left carrying the can for everyones failings behind the scenes. HE IS NOT BLAMELESS, lets be clear on that. But Shakespeare, Stowell, Benetti, the sports scientists, WALSH (for some of his recommendations). Claudio is going to carry all of your blame.

 

6) Those shouting their heads off for Claudio to go have about as much respect as the players. There is absolutely no need for the level of vitriol Claudio has attracted. It is way over the top. You can call for a manager to go in a dignified way, and when youre talking about a man whos given you the best days of your Leicester supporting lives, you should show this man significantly more respect than he receives from this forum.

 

 

Claudio Ranieri is totally responsible for the way the team has performed and it is wrong to suggest that he deserves greater respect.

The achievements of last season were instigated by Pearson achieving the greatest ever escape the Premiership will ever witness and Ranieri came in and inherited a team that was in the form of its life for

Gods sake.

What we have witnessed this season is truly appalling and he will be sending us down into the Championship for sure.

I made this claim in November and got banned from this forum for stating the blithering obvious and we are now doomed with a manager who has managed to suck every bit of confidence and form out of these players.

Remember he was sacked by Greece for shocking results and it will take us years to get out of this mess and back into the Premiership again.

I'm find any support for the man incomprehensible and the sooner the majority of fans wake up to this the better.

By the way there was an interesting article in the Times today which made reference to Ken Way who was our sports psychologist who was dismissed by Ranieri in September.

How they may wish he was back now to install some self belief into these shell shocked players of ours. 

[daddylonglegs]

Still believe the OP and today emphasised that. The players have given up. 

 

It is no coincidence that the two players who still have something to do and could go on to better things (Ndidi & Grey) are the only two getting any credit today. The rest are not trying. 

[dylanlegend]

On the subject of Claudio being backstabbed. Maybe many of the players feel the same? 

 

Make no mistake, the players performed out of their skin last season they would die for the cause, maybe what has happened since then (new contracts for some, promises changed- Ulloa, players replaced) has made the players think... hang on, CR is getting all the praise what do we get?

 

its like when you are un-appreciated at work by the boss etc. 

 

I dont get the constant bumming of CR. He was lucky to get the LCFC when he did (Just signed a world class player in Kante, had a solid team with fantastic team spirit, high on confidence following the 14-15 season)

 

I mean the man relegated Athletico Madrid after having a good season the year before. he's not as good (certainly long term) as many fans like to think