We could show Mahrez we want him to stay

[UPinCarolina]

I think we expect things from Mahrez we don't expect of others, particularly because we have seen how brilliant he can be. The bar was raised so high that now we see even decent performances as falling short.

[volpeazzurro]

12 hours ago, Foxxed said:

I was worried when he held his head in his hands after being taken off yesterday.

 

I feel like a bloody worried girlfriend!

 

He may have dips in form, and he's currently not even our best winger, but everyone saw him last season and the idea he'll never reach that again flies against experience, and the idea we'll sign or develop another balloon d'or winger is the kind of optimism which may get its head heavily bloodied by reality fairly soon.

 

All players, including Messi have dips in form, it's to be expected, so we shouldn't be too suprised when it happens to one of ours,  though Riyadh has been out of form for the best part of a season. I'm sure he'll bounce back though.  However, if you are a player that is out of form you shouldn't complain too much when you're taken off, it's not all about the individual it's about the team. In Riyadh 's case it's not always about form either, like Okazaki he runs out of steam and in some games it's just about getting some fresh legs on, there's no shame in that. If he did go to a so called big team, he'll have to get very used to that and he'd have to work a lot harder on his fitness than he does here.

[Foxxed]

48 minutes ago, volpeazzurro said:

All players, including Messi have dips in form, it's to be expected, so we shouldn't be too suprised when it happens to one of ours,  though Riyadh has been out of form for the best part of a season. I'm sure he'll bounce back though.  However, if you are a player that is out of form you shouldn't complain too much when you're taken off, it's not all about the individual it's about the team. In Riyadh 's case it's not always about form either, like Okazaki he runs out of steam and in some games it's just about getting some fresh legs on, there's no shame in that. If he did go to a so called big team, he'll have to get very used to that and he'd have to work a lot harder on his fitness than he does here.

Well yes I agree, but he'd scored earlier in the match and seemed to be coming good. I only mention it, though, as an example of the extent of my own stupid worrying, akin to worrying if we sing his song enough,  than a condemnation of the substitution itself. Although I'm not against some more singing if it helps him bag us some more goals.

[fuchsntf]

9 hours ago, Jakemoore said:

What if we don't want him to stay? I personally think he's holding Gray back. And his attitude still hasn't improved despite the fact that the rest of the squad seem to be bang on it. I'd take a large offer if it came our way..

What attitude...??  

Some Fans aLways have a misapprehension over players like Mahrez

They caress the field, they glide through the game, they dont mix it, and their

body language is automatically laxidasical.

When its not going right Players like Mahrez, they look appethitic, or lazy...but they are not.!!!

Gray is also a battler, so one tends to see his style in a positive vain.

The fans also forget, even this season hes had his moments, but in the same game, hes not beat his man,

or failed to get a pass in, then the team loses, it looks like such players are not trying, but they forget those

Couple of moments, where he produces a few fine runs and little touches, that then fade out because another

Teammate didnt pick up on them...

Some fans call such players a luxus, IMHO  we need at least 2 such players in any squad, where one is a major star,

and in the knowledge, he may rides through some games, because the team is under pressure, and he just cant get

into the game, but might just have that moment...just maybe he has, then the team blows it, or 2nd phase he blows it.

Those type of players, I want in my team..akka  last seasons triumph,

Albrighton , Musa, Gray, Vardy ....are just different, but still have their own strengths (Musa not a good 1st season),

but can still produce and deliver , those deft touches, in their Style.......

without that other magic touch or that  ' je ne sais quio' that he alone has.

 

Attitude, clouded spectacles from many fans who believe such players have to at least show fight,

expressing it from their body language through any game.....Such players just dont have that facade..

 

Ps...fk his defensive duties, IT AINT HIS JOB..

[MC Prussian]

7 hours ago, UPinCarolina said:

I think we expect things from Mahrez we don't expect of others, particularly because we have seen how brilliant he can be. The bar was raised so high that now we see even decent performances as falling short.

That's the thing. We all know he can play much, much better. But for whatever reason, it hasn't clicked this season. Like I mentioned in another thread, most players have gone back to "normal" mode since Ranieri got sacked, Riyad is one of a few that has flattered to deceive so far (next to Drinkwater, Okazaki, Musa or, to an extent, Slimani).

 

We can speculate as much as we want - there are probably many factors coming together. Maybe he doesn't feel as appreciated, maybe it's simply personal (family matters), maybe he's got troubles coping with the expectations, maybe his head got turned by his agent and/or transfer talk, ...

Having Mahrez at this club is a gift that should be appreciated. One of the best and most talented players I've ever seen in a Leicester shirt and his impact has been immense.

I'm not overly sad or negative about the fact that he may leave the club at some stage or even this summer, it always had to be expected after last season's exploit. He's deserved a crack at a bigger and better club, preferably in Spain.

 

However, we really need to make sure we don't cock up our transfer window in July/August in case we have to look at a suitable replacement (which in itself is a demanding task).

No matter whom's going to take Riyad's place somewhere down the line, he'll always be measured against him.

[theessexfox]

I think it's blatantly not true to suggest that Riyad is lazy or doesn't track back. He is still a phenomenal player, he has had a tough year though. People are too quick to jump on his every mistake. 

[MC Prussian]

3 hours ago, volpeazzurro said:

All players, including Messi have dips in form, it's to be expected, so we shouldn't be too suprised when it happens to one of ours,  though Riyadh has been out of form for the best part of a season. I'm sure he'll bounce back though.  However, if you are a player that is out of form you shouldn't complain too much when you're taken off, it's not all about the individual it's about the team. In Riyadh 's case it's not always about form either, like Okazaki he runs out of steam and in some games it's just about getting some fresh legs on, there's no shame in that. If he did go to a so called big team, he'll have to get very used to that and he'd have to work a lot harder on his fitness than he does here.

Difference is, Messi for instance plays in a team full of superstars (or ones in the making) and in a league dominated by two, three teams, with the rest playing catching up. In that regard, I find the Premier League much more competitive, because of the amount of talent spread across almost all teams.

The comparison doesn't quite hold up, although it's clear no footballer can maintain such a fine form over a prolonged period of time, and players such as Messi or Ronaldo need to be regarded as the exception, not the norm.

[volpeazzurro]

1 minute ago, MC Prussian said:

Difference is, Messi for instance plays in a team full of superstars (or ones in the making) and in a league dominated by two, three teams, with the rest playing catching up. In that regard, I find the Premier League much more competitive, because of the amount of talent spread across almost all teams.

The comparison doesn't quite hold up, although it's clear no footballer can maintain such a fine form over a prolonged period of time, and players such as Messi or Ronaldo need to be regarded as the exception, not the norm.

Absolutely,  Ronaldo and Messi are quite the exception and the rest of are lesser mortals. Ronaldo though is thoroughly dedicated and takes his training and preparation to extremes. Love him or hate him you have to admire that. The best sometimes have to adapt their games and I think Riyadh is just starting to come good again I think. The last couple of games he is starting to pass more and be a little less predictable. He'll be back I'm sure  (for whoever).

[shen]

18 hours ago, Ric Flair said:

I've been arguing all morning on Facebook with prats who genuinely think Gray is better than him. I like Gray but I hate our fans. Get fcuked.

 

But he's a foreigner who's taking proper Englishman Gray's place in the team...

 

 

[Devonfox1884]

Watching Gray throughout the season has actually made me appreciate Riyad more. At the start of the season, I was on the Gray 'bandwagon', but having seen him continually disappoint (apart from the Stoke game) to be blunt, due to his selfishness and overwhelming self gratification, it makes me realise that Riyad, who seems a simple man with little ego about him is sometimes harshly treated by fans due to the expectation we have on him. Sometimes he tries a little too much, granted, but if there's an obvious pass on I'd trust him to play it, I wouldn't trust Gray - that's the difference.

 

Anybody who'd play Gray over him is nuts, imo.

[Nick]

Mahrez's feet and first touch and shot power from so little foot recoil - makes his ability on his day - world class. Grays a good player but a replacement for the practically irreplaceable- no.

[shen]

15 minutes ago, Devonfox1884 said:

Watching Gray throughout the season has actually made me appreciate Riyad more. At the start of the season, I was on the Gray 'bandwagon', but having seen him continually disappoint (apart from the Stoke game) to be blunt, due to his selfishness and overwhelming self gratification, it makes me realise that Riyad, who seems a simple man with little ego about him is sometimes harshly treated by fans due to the expectation we have on him. Sometimes he tries a little too much, granted, but if there's an obvious pass on I'd trust him to play it, I wouldn't trust Gray - that's the difference.

 

Anybody who'd play Gray over him is nuts, imo.

Selfishness is sometimes a good thing for a forward player and I can see the argument that it's fine for Gray to try and be direct and have shots even from distance. With our counter-attacking style we rarely commit many people forward anyway, so having a player that can go past an opponent or two and finish an attack is a plus for us.

 

However, he has a lot to learn from Albrighton, Mahrez and Vardy in particular when it comes to his decision-making and off the ball play. For the foreseeable future, I think Gray will be limited to sporadic starts and sub appearances and justifiably so in my opinion. He needs to show progress in training and on the pitch to earn more game time.

[Devonfox1884]

1 minute ago, shen said:

Selfishness is sometimes a good thing for a forward player and I can see the argument that it's fine for Gray to try and be direct and have shots even from distance. With our counter-attacking style we rarely commit many people forward anyway, so having a player that can go past an opponent or two and finish an attack is a plus for us. However, he has a lot to learn from Albrighton, Mahrez and Vardy in particular when it comes to his decision-making and off the ball play. For the foreseeable future, I think Gray will be limited to sporadic starts and sub appearances and justifiably so in my opinion. He needs to show progress in training and on the pitch to earn more game time.

Yeah, I have no problem with Gray taking on shots and trying to go past opponents etc... obviously they can be/are often good things! But what frustrates me is how he'll often do these things when there are better options on. 9/10 times Riyad will have three players on him, meaning he often has to dribble his way out of trouble, and therefore gets caught in possession a fair amount. Gray doesn't have this problem and is just as guilty, if not more so, than Riyad, which is where the frustration lies. 

[foxy boxing]

Mahrez knows how much the club and the fans want him to stay, he is totally loved here as he is our most gifted player who has that bit of magic every fan wants to see but ultimately it will be his and his family's decision whether he stays or goes. he like other players here are ambitious and want to do the best and reach as high as possible in their careers. at the end of the day only the fans kiss the badge and truly mean it and if Riyad wants to move on to better things I wish him well and thank him for the special moments he gave us and will always remember him as one of the truly great Leicester players that I have been fortunate to see.

[leicesterlad1989]

I personally don't want him to go but I've become resigned to the fact that he's likely to leave. There's only so much we can offer him as a club and as fans, so if we can't match his ambitions and he does leave then so be it.

 

All this nonsense of us singing his name, isn't going to make him want to stay. Whether he is here next season will come down to what clubs are interested in him. I have the same views on Kasper too. I am sure that both love being at Leicester but when a boyhood club or a mega club are interested in you, it's likely your head will turn. United being Kasper's team and maybe Barca for Mahrez.

 

Arguably you could say that the big clubs may have been put off buying Mahrez due to a very up and down season. At the same time you could say he would blossom in a team where he isn't reliant on tracking back and having more freedom.

 

People talk about him having a bad attitude based on how he reacts to being substituted but I think that shows the fact that he wants to be on the pitch giving his all, even if his body language doesn't always show that at times.

 

He's a very gifted footballer and probably one of the best I've ever seen in a Leicester shirt. I'd love to see him here next year but I suppose there's only so many times you can say "one more season" to a player that could be destined to great things.

[Mickyblueeyes]

22 hours ago, st albans fox said:

Take your point of sorts that not forcing an exit shows some loyalty but is it really to be lauded ?? He only signed a new contract the previous august. he was told he couldn't leave so he had a choice of behaving like payet or knuckling down and taking the 100k/week

 

as far as Spurs wages are concerned - that's a potential problem for them. The youngsters will only get the six figure salaries at Man U, citeh or chelsea. Mahrez is mid twenties and will command the area I referenced if a CL club want to tempt him away - there's always the chunky s/o fee to cover the difference

Yes, agreed. Which is why Spurs will always be the nearly there boys. The question is for th big boys, is Riyad Mahrez a) worth the large sum we are well within our rights to demand; and b) is he worth placing on that salary. I for one, hope not. Riyad is a big fish here. Let him swim, he will only get better in my view and his reactions lately suggest he has the same high standards we all set him. This club, is and always will be better of with a Riyad Mahrez on the pitch. You don't double mark a one season wonder. 

[marbles]

Sorry, I dont want him to stay.

Shows flashes of brilliance, but also disappears for long stretches.

 

[Babylon]

1 minute ago, marbles said:

Sorry, I dont want him to stay.

Shows flashes of brilliance, but also disappears for long stretches.

 

You've lost your...

[Countryfox]

1 minute ago, marbles said:

Sorry, I dont want him to stay.

Shows flashes of brilliance, but also disappears for long stretches.

 

Do they call you Marbles cus you've lost them ? ...

[Countryfox]

Just now, Babylon said:

You've lost your...

 

You've got a very fast trigger finger Babs ...   

[Izzy]

29 minutes ago, marbles said:

Sorry, I dont want him to stay.

Shows flashes of brilliance, but also disappears for long stretches.

 

Then next season when we're struggling to create and score goals, you and others will be crying that you wish we had a player like Mahrez in the team to change the game 

[Thracian]

On 07/05/2017 at 12:06, seenitall said:

Wanting rid of Mahrez is a bit like wanting Brexit - you think there is a better way out there and howl until you get it and only when you eventually have it and it is worse than what you had before will you want to turn the clock back to the 'good old days'. It's why football fans and the electorate should never be listened to on anything important.....but sadly they are.

i'd turn the clock back in terms of the EU anytime so mixing political views and the Mahrez debate is pretty unconvincing.

 

Relating to Mahrez few deny that he's made a massive contribution to our success - and to our Great Escape as well as our late-season recovery under Shakespeare.         

 

Latterly he's been inconsistent but still a creative danger as emphasised by his continued contribution of both goals and assists whether he's otherwise played badly or not.

 

The other thing is that Mahrez has to be marked - usually by one defender plus cover - and that takes some pressure off us defensively and off others venturing forward

 

But only he can decide if he wants to stay here and I've no doubt we could find every bit as good an alternative if Mahrez was in the wrong frame of mind though I'd probably say the same about any player.

 

So basically, if he wants out, take the money and go again. If he wants in and with a committed attitude, fine. I'll sing along with the rest of the fans quite happily.

 

       

[Thracian]

7 hours ago, Devonfox1884 said:

Watching Gray throughout the season has actually made me appreciate Riyad more. At the start of the season, I was on the Gray 'bandwagon', but having seen him continually disappoint (apart from the Stoke game) to be blunt, due to his selfishness and overwhelming self gratification, it makes me realise that Riyad, who seems a simple man with little ego about him is sometimes harshly treated by fans due to the expectation we have on him. Sometimes he tries a little too much, granted, but if there's an obvious pass on I'd trust him to play it, I wouldn't trust Gray - that's the difference.

 

Anybody who'd play Gray over him is nuts, imo.

 

Re Gray:- I don't know about "nuts", they might be his parents, friends or agent!   

[volpeazzurro]

11 hours ago, fuchsntf said:

What attitude...??  

Some Fans aLways have a misapprehension over players like Mahrez

They caress the field, they glide through the game, they dont mix it, and their

body language is automatically laxidasical.

When its not going right Players like Mahrez, they look appethitic, or lazy...but they are not.!!!

Gray is also a battler, so one tends to see his style in a positive vain.

The fans also forget, even this season hes had his moments, but in the same game, hes not beat his man,

or failed to get a pass in, then the team loses, it looks like such players are not trying, but they forget those

Couple of moments, where he produces a few fine runs and little touches, that then fade out because another

Teammate didnt pick up on them...

Some fans call such players a luxus, IMHO  we need at least 2 such players in any squad, where one is a major star,

and in the knowledge, he may rides through some games, because the team is under pressure, and he just cant get

into the game, but might just have that moment...just maybe he has, then the team blows it, or 2nd phase he blows it.

Those type of players, I want in my team..akka  last seasons triumph,

Albrighton , Musa, Gray, Vardy ....are just different, but still have their own strengths (Musa not a good 1st season),

but can still produce and deliver , those deft touches, in their Style.......

without that other magic touch or that  ' je ne sais quio' that he alone has.

 

Attitude, clouded spectacles from many fans who believe such players have to at least show fight,

expressing it from their body language through any game.....Such players just dont have that facade..

 

Ps...fk his defensive duties, IT AINT HIS JOB..

Possibly the fan you're berating is referring to things like him being persistently late to training (albeit he pays his fines). This was disrespectful to the owners who pay him huge money, the manager and his team mates that do manage to get there on time. He's also not the most industrious when he is there.  Perhaps also his apparent lack of fitness when he appears out of breath and buggered 10 minutes before half time when he's hardly put a shift in compared to other players. After a half time breather he then used to only last until about the 65 minute mark.

This in fairness appears to have disapated somewhat over the last few weeks and spookily now he's putting a bit more effort in, his form appears to be returning. 

He is hugely talented yet temperamental. If if went somewhere like Liverpool, as is just a rumour,  he would have to up his work rate rapidly under Kopp! 

[fleckneymike]

With Mahrez you can have the unpredictability of genius; without him you have to accept the certainty of mediocrity.