Brighton Post Match 2-0

[desertfox2]

11 hours ago, Koke said:

 

They looked so out of their depth. We barely got out of second gear and they were toothless up front. 

 

They got Watford and West Brom next. Wouldn't be surprised if they still got 0 points by match day 5.

Spot on. Don't see a way they can win games. Might be able to stop a few teams playing. But no match winners. We are a good prem side and it shows 

[Guest]

It was great to watch us outclass an opponent, even if at 1-0 I didn't feel very secure. Maguire was excellent at both ends, I knew he was going to score from that corner and he threatens to every set piece. Hopefully we have Maguire and Huth playing against Manu, they will be bricking set pieces.

 

Other than Maguire I wasn't overly impressed with our defence. It needed Kasper to be aware and on his game at all times. He was, excellent game by him.

 

Wes, tries his best and got in some great blocks but it's obvious to everyone his time is winding down, isn't it , Shakey?

 

Thankfully Simpson and Fuchs didn't have much to do defensively because what they did wasn't too good. Thankfully Brighton didn't have a striker - maybe they'll buy Ulloa this week.

 

In Midfield, I thought James and Ndidi were really starting to get it together and Ndidi, in particular, had a very good game. it'll be difficult for Shakey to Drop James for Drinky at this rate. Albrighton was his usual hard working majestic self but like Okazaki he dies after 65 - 70 minutes. Shakey needs to have a plan then. I think he was frightened to make subs (other than Okazaki) yesterday. Mahrez was majestic, best game in ages, Mahrevelation. Playing like that we need to keep him and top 6 is the goal.

 

In attack, Okazaki again ran his socks off  - and scored again - what can I say? Well done young man. Vardy put in great effort and played well but today he didn't convert his chances - doesn't matter when there is an alternative. Slimani came on for the last 20 and looked very good. I don't think Vardy is injured - he seemed to be milking it and the trainer was having a good laugh, but if he is Slim and Iheanacho will work. As it is I think Vardy is fine and Vardy and Okazaki is working so let it continue.

 

Finally Shakey, got the win. I think he was frightened to make substitutions after messing it up last week. It was okay this week as Brighton are nothing much but albrighton tends to die in the last 20 minutes and needs to be replaced, Mahrez didn't need replacing this week. I found his effort and tracking back outstanding.

 

Great win, looking forward to Manure game but we really need to get a couple of good defensive transfers in, please!

[st albans fox]

5 minutes ago, FIF said:

 

In attack, Okazaki again ran his socks off  - and scored again - what can I say? Well done young man. Vardy put in great effort and played well but today he didn't convert his chances - doesn't matter when there is an alternative. Slimani came on for the last 20 and looked very good. I don't think Vardy is injured - he seemed to be milking it and the trainer was having a good laugh, but if he is Slim and Iheanacho will work. As it is I think Vardy is fine and Vardy and Okazaki is working so let it continue.

 

Kelechi isn't able to get 100% fit until his toe is sorted. Not an option currently. 

 

Riyad's performance reminded me of Burnley early last season. If teams turn up without a plan to double up on him then he will run them ragged. 

[Nick]

I hope nobody gets sold this week!

 

I'm a bit concerned that Man U will tear us apart - I'd love to get something from that game but the idea of starting it without Wes / Huth, Vardy & Mahrez is a distinctly crappy prospect!

[SemperEadem]

Nice touch from Union FS to nod to 15 years at Filbert Way.

[Babylon]

15 hours ago, Hammo said:

Positives:

- three points

- Maguire (gives our game a new dimension; and he scored)

- Okazaki (lots of neat touches; and he scored)

- Mahrez (style AND substance)

- the reception for Knockaert (he didn't show it but he must have been moved)

 

Negatives:

- James (a plodder at this level)

- Vardy's injury

I find that bizarre about James, he did everything that was asked of him. They didn't get a sniff in the middle with him and N'didi there.

 

We were in cruise control the entire game, so I'm not sure anyone can be judged one way or another on games like that, but he did nothing wrong.

 

[Ted Maul]

16 hours ago, Sol thewall Bamba said:

Easiest game since our return to the prem. 

I was thinking this myself, but that 3-0 vs Newcastle will take some beating! They were atrocious that day.

[Parafox]

I was working at the game, sitting in front of SK1. Not a great game tbf. Not helped by Brighton being so toothless.

 

It was like they'd never seen Mahrez play before. He mesmerized them. He had the room to do his tricks and flicks and the dummy cross near the end was just brilliant.

[kushiro]

13 minutes ago, Ted Maul said:

I was thinking this myself, but that 3-0 vs Newcastle will take some beating! They were atrocious that day.

Yeah  - I was thinking Newcastle too. Possibly my favourite ever foxestalk post appeared in the post match thread. The guy who'd been in the Leicester end said that every time Newcastle got the ball someone next to him shouted 'Get him Kante' - and he always did.

[Parafox]

13 hours ago, Kitchandro said:

Sounds like I'd agree with him somewhat, except playing with more flair increases your chances of winning.

 

We were clearly far better than Brighton and were never in danger of dropping points today. It would have been nice for us to try and entertain a bit.

 

The first 20 minutes were good, after that it was a total non-event. 

 

If we'd have tried to score a few more we would have. At 2-0 some teams might get a dodgy penalty or a deflection and then we look silly trying to hang on. It's not an advisable way of closing a game out.

 

Besides, there's no glory finishing mid table whilst boring the fans to death.

I kind of agree, at times it was like watching a team managed by Roy Hodgson. Sideways, sideways, back, sideways, crossfield long pass. Not criticising, because we didn't need to push on after the first goal. We never looked challenged in any area of the pitch, Kasper had to lie down for one catch and the rest was like a training game for him. Although Morgan looked a bit suspect and slow. I wouldn't be surprised to see McGuire captain in a seasons time. 

[dynamark]

Next week I think the Bard might have to do something really radical .

Manu will be fizzing it all over the midfield .By all means start with Shinzi but an early change to fill up the midfield may be required depending on how we are going.

Id like to see possibly Chillwell on the left Albrighton right and Mahrez central behind Vardy.Maybe even Mahrez off and Iborra -kill the midfield with numbers.

[NotTheMarketLeader]

38 minutes ago, Babylon said:

I find that bizarre about James, he did everything that was asked of him. They didn't get a sniff in the middle with him and N'didi there.

 

We were in cruise control the entire game, so I'm not sure anyone can be judged one way or another on games like that, but he did nothing wrong.

 

Yes people asked me how James did. 

 

My summary was; Nothing fancy, protected the back four which enabled an occasional forward gallop from Ndiddi. He hardly ever gives the ball away or makes mistakes. 

 

Hes not Kante, but his ball retention for the team in a game where we 'shut the opposition down' was exactly what was needed in a pretty boring game.

 

You can bet your arse he did exactly what Shakey wanted him to do.

[st albans fox]

15 minutes ago, kushiro said:

Yeah  - I was thinking Newcastle too. Possibly my favourite ever foxestalk post appeared in the post match thread. The guy who'd been in the Leicester end said that every time Newcastle got the ball someone next to him shouted 'Get him Kante' - and he always did.

??

 

not wishing to pee on your parade but with kante we won 1-0 with shinj's o/head kick. Ragfa's first game and they were trying hard that night.

 

Their terrible 3-0 under carver was the great escape ??

[Bert]

44 minutes ago, baker11 said:

Nice touch from Union FS to nod to 15 years at Filbert Way.

Don't think anyone noticed this tbh. 

[The Doctor]

2 minutes ago, st albans fox said:

??

 

not wishing to pee on your parade but with kante we won 1-0 with shinj's o/head kick. Ragfa's first game and they were trying hard that night.

 

Their terrible 3-0 under carver was the great escape ??

Won 3-0 at st James park November of the title winning season, when Vardy matched van nistelrooys record.

[st albans fox]

Re MJ - drinkwater is very vocal in the middle. Matty doesn't  seem so. Wilf definitely isn't yet and Iborra will possibly take some time to become so.  This is an area where drinky takes precedent - so much so yesterday that even riyad was organising them from out wide at times in the first half. 

 

I just want to see DD back and fit to make an informed judgement !!

[kushiro]

Just now, st albans fox said:

??

 

not wishing to pee on your parade but with kante we won 1-0 with shinj's o/head kick. Ragfa's first game and they were trying hard that night.

 

Their terrible 3-0 under carver was the great escape ??

Not wishing to see someone's pee rebound embarrassingly back on their own trousers, but you need to read the post properly before you respond. It's clear that I'm referring to the 3-0 away at Newcastle.

 

 

[Koke]

A 20 minutes highlights of the game for anyone who's interested.

 

https://www.lcfc.com/tv/456771

 

Matty James isn't a plodder. He's a good solid player. It helps that we have Maguire who takes initiative with the ball which allows James to be further forward. Drinkwater never had that luxury. 

 

[st albans fox]

3 minutes ago, The Doctor said:

Won 3-0 at st James park November of the title winning season, when Vardy matched van nistelrooys record.

Oh away - sorry 

[whoareyaaa]

1 hour ago, Swan Lesta said:

I hope nobody gets sold this week!

 

I'm a bit concerned that Man U will tear us apart - I'd love to get something from that game but the idea of starting it without Wes / Huth, Vardy & Mahrez is a distinctly crappy prospect!

Could be a bit of a bluff from us to give Jose something to think about. (regarding Vardy n Kelchi)

 

[st albans fox]

3 minutes ago, kushiro said:

Not wishing to see someone's pee rebound embarrassingly back on their own trousers, but you need to read the post properly before you respond. It's clear that I'm referring to the 3-0 away at Newcastle.

I reckon ted was referring to the home game which is why i misunderstood - anyway, the washing machine is ready and waiting.

[kushiro]

Just now, st albans fox said:

I reckon ted was referring to the home game which is why i misunderstood - anyway, the washing machine is ready and waiting.

Yeah - he could well have been referring to the home game. They were awful that day too. 

[fazzyfox]

On the pre-match thread I predicted 2-0 with a Maguire goal but Brighton didn't offer as much as I'd expected so it should have been more, maybe the post Arsenal discussions about game management were a factor but the last 20 minutes or so of both halves seemed like going through the paces, doing the right things and seeing out the game.

 

For all their neat and tidy build up Brighton created very little particularly from wide positions (a fit Knocky for 90 minutes will help improve that) and then they might do OK against the likes of Hiddersfield and Newcastle, Swansea perhaps, you sense they're not up and running properly yet with transfers and injuries but they'll still be a couple of years (of transfer windows and experience) behind Bournemouth and Burnley.

 

As Shinji predicted pre-match it was different for us to have to break an opponent down rather than counter attack them and so to get the win, the points, some confidence and hopefully (Vardy?) no injuries, with a few players unavailable, is a welcome outcome, it's just frustrating that we didn't see more goals, if ever a team was there for a four or five goal beating it was them. To know we are once again capable of having a professional head on and doing the "Right things" is something that you come away from this game with and should stand us in good stead for future tighter games but smashing them 4 or 5 nil is more desirable in an entertainment (and goal-difference) sense. The last 20 minutes of the first half was particularly flat, like watching a chess match as both sides squeezed each other tightly, struggling to find spaces and thankfully we have the skill of Mahrez and Shinji and Vardys pace to force the issue and make something happen in these situations.

[yorkie1999]

Noticed we had the horizontal stripes on the pitch to aid the linesmen...

[Hammo]

55 minutes ago, Babylon said:

I find that bizarre about James, he did everything that was asked of him. They didn't get a sniff in the middle with him and N'didi there.

 

We were in cruise control the entire game, so I'm not sure anyone can be judged one way or another on games like that, but he did nothing wrong.

 

If James' remit was to receive the ball from the defenders and then pass it back to them, then no, he did nothing wrong.

 

Against a team as weak as Brighton, it was a disappointment that he offered zero creativity going forward, but my main problem with him is that (unlike Ndidi) he is too slow to cover ground and make those important tackles and interceptions that regain possession. Midfields of greater quality than Brighton's (e.g. Man United's next weekend) will have studied how easy it is to bypass him, and that is a worry.