Central midfield

[fuchsntf]

2 hours ago, Col city fan said:

Yes of course we are. Why do you think I've kept banging on about the central midfield? It's a very important part of any successful team. We finally seem to have got the best two.

That said, we just look a different side right across the field. Sacking Ranieri should have come sooner.

Just a question,...

When would of you, decided enough is enough for Claudio, and what game was the Last straw in your eyes.???

 

[NotTheMarketLeader]

48 minutes ago, Col city fan said:

Yes of course we are. Why do you think I've kept banging on about the central midfield? It's a very important part of any successful team. We finally seem to have got the best two.

That said, we just look a different side right across the field. Sacking Ranieri should have come sooner.

Yes re: the midfield pairing. 

 

Although I didn't think Drinks had his best game today, and while not wanting to be disrespectful to Amartey, Ndidi is a proper PL midfielder - something that Drinky has been needing to assist him all season. 

 

Summary: hopeful, as long as Hodgson doesn't get the gig anytime; whether it be this season or ever.  

[FoxInBlue]

In my opinion Drinkwater thrives when he has someone who does the majority breaking up of opposition play. Last season it was Kante and now its Ndidi. It seems to allow him to find little spaces which means when he gets the ball he's free to push forward. Drinkwater and Ndidi look a good paring and hopefully they'll continue to develop and build that CM partnership.

[Guest Col city fan]

10 minutes ago, FoxInBlue said:

In my opinion Drinkwater thrives when he has someone who does the majority breaking up of opposition play. Last season it was Kante and now its Ndidi. It seems to allow him to find little spaces which means when he gets the ball he's free to push forward. Drinkwater and Ndidi look a good paring and hopefully they'll continue to develop and build that CM partnership.

Spot on. Completely agree. It's clear to see mate.

[fazzyfox]

It's been encouraging to see them getting in and around the opposition box and Drinky getting his goal, at times this season they'd barely get into the final third other than Kingy making the occasional run into space.  Ndidi has settled very quickly and looks a real assett, some of his stretching challenges do look like a penalty waiting to happen but they're more awkward on the eye than anything else. For his age he's showing great maturity and has already added some more big occasions to his CV (Seville away, the pressure game Vs Liverpool) and a combination of his presence and the current turnaround indeed seems to have revitalised Drinky. This will be noticed by other clubs so staying up is even more crucial and perhaps for Mendy having the pressure of expectation taken off him will help him too if and when he's called upon. 

[Thracian]

46 minutes ago, Vardinio'sCat said:

 

I'd like to see Mendy or Amartey (who was improving before AFCON) in the 'new' Leicester side, at some point, before we write them off.

 

Ndidi is looking like the man at the moment anyway, even if he wasn't at his best today. Goals from midfield are so important.

As I've mentioned before - a couple of AFCON absentees is the most we can risk in our squad. If Ndidi and Slim are with us next season that'd mean "no vacancies" as far as I'd be concerned.

 

If we're going to be seriously ambitious we can't afford to be hosting part-timers. We didn't win a League game during AFCON and that should never happen again.

 

Yes, Amartey was beginning to make some progress up to Christmas. But he's no use to us if he's not available. Yes, our best players would be missed too. But exception can and always will be made for the best. But not the rest. They're so easily replaced it's not necessary.       

[coolhandfox]

Drinkwater wnd Ndidi look a good pairing, Ndidi has a lot more to he's game then Amartey, passing range and goal treat!!

 

[murphy]

Ndidi is what the team has been crying out for all season.  Delighted that we signed him.

 

Telling that our other big spends - Mendy and Musa don't even make the bench for Shakespeare's team.

[Thracian]

31 minutes ago, FoxInBlue said:

In my opinion Drinkwater thrives when he has someone who does the majority breaking up of opposition play. Last season it was Kante and now its Ndidi. It seems to allow him to find little spaces which means when he gets the ball he's free to push forward. Drinkwater and Ndidi look a good paring and hopefully they'll continue to develop and build that CM partnership.

I agree. The blokes a workaholic and wants to be involved in everything. Unfortunately that tendency's backfired on him this season. He's tried to shoulder so much and in such a negative environment even his high standards have been compromised to the point where he looked knackered and frustrated by the time Ranieri left.

 

With Ndidi's settling into the team so rapidly he's found an equally energetic and trustworthy partner to share some of the load and, within the positive environment now prevailing, he's quickly regained his edge and his energy.

 

An added bonus is that both are showing themselves willing - or more willing - to get forward and make some attacking impact. Not irresponsibly but quite enough to be appreciated and add to our threat.      

[FoxInBlue]

1 minute ago, Thracian said:

I agree. The blokes a workaholic and wants to be involved in everything. Unfortunately that tendency's backfired on him this season. He's tried to shoulder so much and in such a negative environment even his high standards have been compromised to the point where he looked knackered and frustrated by the time Ranieri left.

 

With Ndidi's settling into the team so rapidly he's found an equally energetic and trustworthy partner to share some of the load and, within the positive environment now prevailing, he's quickly regained his edge and his energy.

 

An added bonus is that both are showing themselves willing - or more willing - to get forward and make some attacking impact. Not irresponsibly but quite enough to be appreciated and add to our threat.      

 And I agree with you, particularly the bit about them getting forward. Them seem to share the responsibilities for defending/ breaking up play and then allowing the other to break forward and support the attackers.  

[Sol thewall Bamba]

The best set of centre midfield options we've had in a long time.

[Bob Weasel Fox]

2 hours ago, Col city fan said:

Yes of course we are. Why do you think I've kept banging on about the central midfield? It's a very important part of any successful team. We finally seem to have got the best two.

That said, we just look a different side right across the field. Sacking Ranieri should have come sooner.

How sad Col that the players are only now putting effort in AFTER sacking Ranners

 

now don't get me wrong thank fvck but it shouldn't of needed to of come to that

[HighPeakFox]

Just now, Bob Weasel Fox said:

How sad Col that the players are only now putting effort in AFTER sacking Ranners

 

now don't get me wrong thank fvck but it shouldn't of needed to of come to that

 I don't wish to antagonise you, as you're perfectly entitled to this point of view, but for me, the argument that it's just about putting in effort is way too simplistic for me.

[Bob Weasel Fox]

Just now, HighPeakFox said:

 I don't wish to antagonise you, as you're perfectly entitled to this point of view, but for me, the argument that it's just about putting in effort is way too simplistic for me.

Obviously it isn't only effort bud but you know where I'm coming from none the less. 

[HighPeakFox]

Just now, Bob Weasel Fox said:

Obviously it isn't only effort bud but you know where I'm coming from none the less. 

I do. I just think the players were confused and unhappy, and things have/had gone badly awry behind the scenes.

[Thracian]

7 minutes ago, murphy said:

Ndidi is what the team has been crying out for all season.  Delighted that we signed him.

 

Telling that our other big spends - Mendy and Musa don't even make the bench for Shakespeare's team.

I'm not sure we should be assuming anything about Mendy and Musa just yet.

Shaky's simply picked the best team as far as I can see.

Maybe he sees a future for Mendy and Musa and maybe he doesn't.

I did read somewhere that Mendy's agent might be looking for an alternative club which might point to an early departure and there was talk of Musa returning to Russia.

But meanwhile what would you be doing as one of the players?

I'd be trying to prove the manager wrong and doing all it takes to improve whatever shortcomings had been made apparent by my failings in the Premiership.

Then maybe at least one of them might take a new opportunity should it arise.

No I wouldn't bet on it. Like most people I think their days here are numbered.

But I don't think it's a certainty just yet.

Musa, for instance, is the definition of frustrating. But he does have explosive short-term pace and an ability to finish if he can ever control the ball consistently or at all when under pressure. Will the coach in Shakespeare believe it worth trying to evolve that ability or not. Is Musa the kind to learn quickly or is he just one of the many continentals who flatter to deceive? I'm not completely sure yet because I don't know Musa like Shakespeare does. But maybe he's worth the effort of trying at least until the end of the season. It doesn't often happen, but some people surprise you.           

[Bob Weasel Fox]

Just now, HighPeakFox said:

I do. I just think the players were confused and unhappy, and things have/had gone badly awry behind the scenes.

Just think it is sad personally, for all Ranieri s faults he didn't deserve to be treated this way imho 

 

however that said onwards and upwards you super Foxes

[Thracian]

9 minutes ago, Sol thewall Bamba said:

The best set of centre midfield options we've had in a long time.

I'd be amazed if anyone disputes it at the moment. 

[HighPeakFox]

1 minute ago, Bob Weasel Fox said:

Just think it is sad personally, for all Ranieri s faults he didn't deserve to be treated this way imho 

 

however that said onwards and upwards you super Foxes

Yes, I think most people are sad. 

[Thracian]

3 minutes ago, Bob Weasel Fox said:

Just think it is sad personally, for all Ranieri s faults he didn't deserve to be treated this way imho 

 

however that said onwards and upwards you super Foxes

Ranieri was the architect of his own downfall in many ways. Just like Pearson but in a different manner. A £3million pay-off for his mistakes should be enough to keep any tears at bay.   

[Clever Fox]

I totally agree with Col we do need that quality Ball playing midfielder who's both comfortable on the Ball and can make a quality pass.

Why we didn't sign one last summer was puzzling to a lot of us.

[Hammo]

I would love to have a proper creative attacking midfielder added to the squad as I think we still lack precision and ingenuity in that central area (as opposed to on the flanks). Drinkwater's passing is still too hit and miss for my liking. But I guess it's getting that balance right and in a 4-4-2, which the players obviously favour, there isn't really room for such a player in the starting XI.

[Spudulike]

I thought that Wilf was a bit sloppy on occasions today and was at fault for the Hull goal. He's still young and learning but has massive potential. I think he's gonna be a good 'un for us.

[Bob Weasel Fox]

2 hours ago, Thracian said:

Ranieri was the architect of his own downfall in many ways. Just like Pearson but in a different manner. A £3million pay-off for his mistakes should be enough to keep any tears at bay.   

Yep I am sure he has been looked after money wise and I'm not shedding a tear personally

 

player power stinks though having said that

[worthosoriginals]

5 hours ago, TJB-fox said:

Although Ndidi didn't have his best game today he just makes amartey look so limited. Drinkwater coming into his own now, thought he was excellent today 

Is that you, Col?