Slimani

[Babylon]

2 hours ago, eblair said:

you've got to be joking aside from ulloa he is before our slowest forward player and by quite some way, his acceleration is very slow. and did you watch this season his first touch and passing is really embarrassing for a 30m player, he can score goals crossing into the box but his all round game does not suit Leicester

His first touch and passing isn't that bad, if it was he wouldn't be our most creative striker (the stats are there). Yes, sometimes it looks absolutely woeful and they tend to stand out. But most of the time he's actually ok, I certainly think it's improved a bit and for the last month or so there have been far less of the shockers he was having in terms of control and passing.... and that's coming from someone who has been critical of both those things.

 

Of course there are questions of him fitting into our team and whether we can function as well with him in it. But there is no question about his ability to score and create as he's done it this season.

[Sol thewall Bamba]

2 hours ago, Redouane said:

So next season it could look like this:

 

               Slimani - Vardy

                     Okazaki

Gray                                  Albrighton

                       N'didi

Are you trying to kill Wilfred or what? 

[Eagle10]

1 hour ago, Babylon said:

His first touch and passing isn't that bad, if it was he wouldn't be our most creative striker (the stats are there). Yes, sometimes it looks absolutely woeful and they tend to stand out. But most of the time he's actually ok, I certainly think it's improved a bit and for the last month or so there have been far less of the shockers he was having in terms of control and passing.... and that's coming from someone who has been critical of both those things.

 

Of course there are questions of him fitting into our team and whether we can function as well with him in it. But there is no question about his ability to score and create as he's done it this season.

Spot on. The stats show that he is the striker that creates the most, he might not make beautiful dribbles or something, but I think his technique isn't bad. It is reasonable for me. Let's see what he does in next season without AFCON and hopefully doesn't have any injuries.

[Eagle10]

4 hours ago, eblair said:

you've got to be joking aside from ulloa he is before our slowest forward player and by quite some way, his acceleration is very slow. and did you watch this season his first touch and passing is really embarrassing for a 30m player, he can score goals crossing into the box but his all round game does not suit Leicester

Nah seriously, I still think you are talking about other player. He isn't slow for a player of his height understand that or you need a drawing? And by the way a couple of bad touches doesn't make you embarrassing, Vardy had a couple of bad touches and passing this season, and when I mean a couple I mean a lot of them and no one is saying he is embarrassing, because he isn't.

[Redouane]

32 minutes ago, Eagle10 said:

Nah seriously, I still think you are talking about other player. He isn't slow for a player of his height understand that or you need a drawing? And by the way a couple of bad touches doesn't make you embarrassing, Vardy had a couple of bad touches and passing this season, and when I mean a couple I mean a lot of them and no one is saying he is embarrassing, because he isn't.

Because Slimani hasn't proven himself yet and is the club's most expensive player? You can't compare the club's most beloved player with a newcomer that hasn't proven himself yet. I do hope that he stays and gets a chance next season though, as a long-time fan of Slim, I know he deserves it. 

[Detroit Blues]

15 minutes ago, Redouane said:

Because Slimani hasn't proven himself yet and is the club's most expensive player? You can't compare the club's most beloved player with a newcomer that hasn't proven himself yet. I do hope that he stays and gets a chance next season though, as a long-time fan of Slim, I know he deserves it. 

Of course you can compare them. They're both players that relatively struggled in their first premier league season, at about the same age. Slimani just has a higher pedigree (and therefore cost) coming from Sporting vs playing in the championship. 

 

The interesting thing is when you compare how they did this season in the premier league. Vardy played so poorly at the beginning of the season that Slimani actually has better stats on average (per 90 mins played):
 

Pass completion % - Vardy 63% - Slimani 71%

Key passes - Vardy 0.8 - Slimani 0.91

Assists - Vardy 0.16 - Slimani 0.28

Chances created - Vardy 0.96 - Slimani 1.19

Goals scored - Vardy 0.42 - Slimani 0.49

Tackles won - Vardy 0.42 - Slimani 0.63

Aerial duels won - Vardy 2.89 - Slimani 3.43

Where Vardy has Slimani beat is in possession and shot efficiency:

Shot Accuracy - Vardy 62% - Slimani 43%

Tackles Lost - Vardy 0.87 - Slimani 2.17

 

Clearly Vardy is still the better striker, given the form he was at the end of the season, but I think we could cut Slimani some slack. We were patient enough with Vardy scoring 5 goals in 23 premier league games under Ranieri this season because we knew he had it in from his past success. Slimani has a proven track record at Sporting, and he'll probably be fine here when he figures out how to fit into this team. 

[walkerleeds]

35 minutes ago, Redouane said:

Because Slimani hasn't proven himself yet and is the club's most expensive player? You can't compare the club's most beloved player with a newcomer that hasn't proven himself yet. I do hope that he stays and gets a chance next season though, as a long-time fan of Slim, I know he deserves it. 

 

Just out of interest. Has he always looked so miserable when playing for other clubs? He generally seems to look so unhappy whenever i've seen him play, or is that normal for him?

 

For the record, I think he's a really good player and would love it to click for him next season. Sadly for him I just cannot see how he fits in the team here though.

[brucey]

3 hours ago, walkerleeds said:

 

Just out of interest. Has he always looked so miserable when playing for other clubs? He generally seems to look so unhappy whenever i've seen him play, or is that normal for him?

 

For the record, I think he's a really good player and would love it to click for him next season. Sadly for him I just cannot see how he fits in the team here though.

He looks much happier in training the past few weeks compared to when he first joined, tbf.

 

Also there's a number of other players who seem to suffer from 'resting bitch face' syndrome and look miserable all the time, sometimes even after scoring. Ndidi, Gray, King come to mind.

[lgfualol]

16 minutes ago, brucey said:

He looks much happier in training the past few weeks compared to when he first joined, tbf.

I dont think he knew any English when he joined which would have been tough.

[David Hankey]

7 hours ago, goose2010 said:

 

If you have played football for over 40 years you would know that wasnt an easy chance.

 

Why should a price you pay for a player have anything to do with it? Its' not the player that is setting the price is it! NOT ONE of the players in the world are worth the price they are sold for its just business. A price tag doesnt increase your ability and you playing football for 40 years, should really know this.

The fact of the matter is that someone who has a £30m price tag should have the ability to perform to a high standard in the Premier League. I don't care what you or anyone else says but Slimani's ability to perform at this level has been and rightly so, questioned. The same goes for Musa plus one or two others.

[eblair]

7 hours ago, Eagle10 said:

Nah seriously, I still think you are talking about other player. He isn't slow for a player of his height understand that or you need a drawing? And by the way a couple of bad touches doesn't make you embarrassing, Vardy had a couple of bad touches and passing this season, and when I mean a couple I mean a lot of them and no one is saying he is embarrassing, because he isn't.

usain bolt is 6'4; slimani is slow for a premier league striker, this must be obvious to anyone who has ever watched him 

[Eagle10]

6 hours ago, walkerleeds said:

 

Just out of interest. Has he always looked so miserable when playing for other clubs? He generally seems to look so unhappy whenever i've seen him play, or is that normal for him?

 

For the record, I think he's a really good player and would love it to click for him next season. Sadly for him I just cannot see how he fits in the team here though.

No he hasn't. Only looked serious when referees had bad decisions or something like that, otherwise he always looked happy and ready to help the team. He was the most hard worker I have seen for a long time here in Sporting, dude just couldn't stop chasing the ball in the 90 minutes. He clearly looks different in Leicester, he doesn't chase not even half of what he chased in Sporting, it is strange but can't know what is going on.

[CosbehFox]

3 hours ago, David Hankey said:

The fact of the matter is that someone who has a £30m price tag should have the ability to perform to a high standard in the Premier League. I don't care what you or anyone else says but Slimani's ability to perform at this level has been and rightly so, questioned. The same goes for Musa plus one or two others.

Maybe a few years back but it's pretty clear the transfer fees in PL are so inflated, it's not worth using it as a rating of quality 

[Eagle10]

4 minutes ago, eblair said:

usain bolt is 6'4; slimani is slow for a premier league striker, this must be obvious to anyone who has ever watched him 

You are really comparing Bolt and Slimani? With that comment you instantly disqualified your arguments I'm sorry. He is slow if compared to Vardy, not if compared to strikers or players with his height.

[lfu]

Slimani's job isn't to be quick. If you want a player with height and speed, take a look at Yussuf Poulsen, maybe, but he's a different type of forward.

[Thracian]

6 hours ago, Detroit Blues said:

Of course you can compare them. They're both players that relatively struggled in their first premier league season, at about the same age. Slimani just has a higher pedigree (and therefore cost) coming from Sporting vs playing in the championship. 

 

The interesting thing is when you compare how they did this season in the premier league. Vardy played so poorly at the beginning of the season that Slimani actually has better stats on average (per 90 mins played):
 

Pass completion % - Vardy 63% - Slimani 71%

Key passes - Vardy 0.8 - Slimani 0.91

Assists - Vardy 0.16 - Slimani 0.28

Chances created - Vardy 0.96 - Slimani 1.19

Goals scored - Vardy 0.42 - Slimani 0.49

Tackles won - Vardy 0.42 - Slimani 0.63

Aerial duels won - Vardy 2.89 - Slimani 3.43

Where Vardy has Slimani beat is in possession and shot efficiency:

Shot Accuracy - Vardy 62% - Slimani 43%

Tackles Lost - Vardy 0.87 - Slimani 2.17

 

Clearly Vardy is still the better striker, given the form he was at the end of the season, but I think we could cut Slimani some slack. We were patient enough with Vardy scoring 5 goals in 23 premier league games under Ranieri this season because we knew he had it in from his past success. Slimani has a proven track record at Sporting, and he'll probably be fine here when he figures out how to fit into this team. 

 

 

But Vardy plays for longer at a time. Slimani's stats are mostly collected after coming on as a substitute and therefore being reasonably sharp throughout. Also there may be factors relating to marking.

 

That's not meant to discount Slimani's statistics - Slimani, to me, is a dangerous striker with the instincts of a goal poacher for all that he's missed two of the easiest chances I've ever seen squandered in professional football in fairly recent weeks.  

 

And there's part of the rub. I'm still not convinced he's either 100% sharp or at one with his colleagues. i noticed a bit of an exchange with Vardy last time out.

 

Sometimes it can be a sign of two players wanting to be winners. Sometimes it's a negative.Who knows for sure whether it's important. Most seem to gel perfectly with the group - there's just a small number who seem less than united.

 

Shakespeare needs to look at the situation and to find out the truth of the matter. And if there is an undercurrent he needs to sort it one way or another.  

 

       

 

   

[Clever Fox]

I feel a little sorry for Slimani, He came here with a big reputation. A Ranieri choice, I suspect part of his plan to change the way we play.

Then he gets injured and by the time he comes back Ranieri's gone and Shakey has the Team playing the old way and winning Matches.

Slim is only getting on as a Sub and mostly when we're already losing. His movement is quite good but our lack of a quality midfielder doesn't help us get the best from him.

I think both Vardy and Slim can play together provided they work on it preseason. But with Vardy predominantly playing the wide left role. If we're chasing games then we can bring on another Winger and Vardy can go inside closer to Goal.

With a full preseason behind him, Slim will be better-prepared to know and understand the demands of the premiership.

 

If we can sign a Ball playing midfielder like D Silva or Courtino then I feel we can get more out of Both Vardy and Slimani. But we have to find one of them from somewhere. 

We also need more Goals from midfield and for that reason surely Lawerence is worth a chance. Unlike DD he has long range Goals in him as well as a lot more pace and mobility. 

But I think, As Slimani is already here he is worth another season.

[Thracian]

15 hours ago, Clever Fox said:

I feel a little sorry for Slimani, He came here with a big reputation. A Ranieri choice, I suspect part of his plan to change the way we play.

Then he gets injured and by the time he comes back Ranieri's gone and Shakey has the Team playing the old way and winning Matches.

Slim is only getting on as a Sub and mostly when we're already losing. His movement is quite good but our lack of a quality midfielder doesn't help us get the best from him.

I think both Vardy and Slim can play together provided they work on it preseason. But with Vardy predominantly playing the wide left role. If we're chasing games then we can bring on another Winger and Vardy can go inside closer to Goal.

With a full preseason behind him, Slim will be better-prepared to know and understand the demands of the premiership.

 

If we can sign a Ball playing midfielder like D Silva or Courtino then I feel we can get more out of Both Vardy and Slimani. But we have to find one of them from somewhere. 

We also need more Goals from midfield and for that reason surely Lawerence is worth a chance. Unlike DD he has long range Goals in him as well as a lot more pace and mobility. 

But I think, As Slimani is already here he is worth another season.

I don't disagree with that, but does he want another season? I'm still not convinced he's especially happy here. Maybe that will improve as well.  

[Guest Col city fan]

What I do know about Slimani is that the two chances he fluffed on Sunday were sitters for ANY top rated striker. Happy or not with being here, playing with Vardy or whatever... (It's all speculation anyway) he was bought to the club to score goals. 

And he has done. He's also missed quite a few too. Particularly the header against Bournemouth should have been meat and drink to him. You could see just how upset he was afterwards.

The jury remains out. If we get offered silly dosh from some Chinese club, id sell him (as i said in Jan). If not, keep him.

[FoxinNotts]

1 hour ago, Col city fan said:

What I do know about Slimani is that the two chances he fluffed on Sunday were sitters for ANY top rated striker. Happy or not with being here, playing with Vardy or whatever... (It's all speculation anyway) he was bought to the club to score goals. 

And he has done. He's also missed quite a few too. Particularly the header against Bournemouth should have been meat and drink to him. You could see just how upset he was afterwards.

The jury remains out. If we get offered silly dosh from some Chinese club, id sell him (as i said in Jan). If not, keep him.

So what's your point?

[Clever Fox]

3 hours ago, Thracian said:

I don't disagree with that, but does he want another season? I'm still not convinced he's especially happy here. Maybe that will improve as well.  

I don't know if he's happy or not but I do think we will see a better return from him next season provided we supply a better service both from wide and through the Center. But I also agree with you , he has to hit the ground running, Otherwise, ship him out before the window closes.

[Clever Fox]

2 hours ago, Col city fan said:

What I do know about Slimani is that the two chances he fluffed on Sunday were sitters for ANY top rated striker. Happy or not with being here, playing with Vardy or whatever... (It's all speculation anyway) he was bought to the club to score goals. 

And he has done. He's also missed quite a few too. Particularly the header against Bournemouth should have been meat and drink to him. You could see just how upset he was afterwards.

The jury remains out. If we get offered silly dosh from some Chinese club, id sell him (as i said in Jan). If not, keep him.

I wouldn't be too down on him over those misses. Yes he should have scored but then you have to take account of the fact that he's coming back from injury and it can take a while to get your timing back. Happy or not I don't know are we talking about him being here, or unhappy he's not playing which I would expect from any player worth his salt. With a preseason behind him, he should do better, But I also agree if we can get our Money back then I'd take it and move on. Likewise with Musa.

[Wymsey]

On his day, he can be lethal as any centre forward can be imo.

However, the missed chance he had against Bournemouth  (where he headed wide in a great position, unmarked) - just shows he's been lacking in confidence recently.

Hope the Mahrez saga won't change his thoughts on staying.

[Clever Fox]

1 hour ago, Wymeswold fox said:

On his day, he can be lethal as any centre forward can be imo.

However, the missed chance he had against Bournemouth  (where he headed wide in a great position, unmarked) - just shows he's been lacking in confidence recently.

Hope the Mahrez saga won't change his thoughts on staying.

I wouldn't say it's a lack of confidence more a lack of sharpness and concentration as he's been out a while. 

[Callabinho]

He doesn't suite out style of play, and he never will unless we become more of a passing outfit looking to get crosses into the box. Technically he's not that good, first touch isn't great, he's not particularly strong for his size, and his hold up play isn't effective. He does a fair bit of donkey work but it isn't productive, Okazaki is far more effective at that job.

 

Slimani has one use, in the penalty area the one thing he is good at is finding the back of the net. However we've failed to utilise this, and subsequently he is wasted in our side...we either build our attack around him, or flog him to China for a few mill....personally I'd do the latter if we can find a replacement.