That Slimani shot

[Guest seanfox778]

At the time I was screaming for the pass the Vardy but watching MOTD it was quite a clever little pass to Slim, another day he could've scored but it was a good save. I would've left Slim on for 10/15 mins in the 2nd half to see if we could've picked up any momentum and try to find a way back into the game. Didn't think we were too bad in the first half and the changes came too early but hey ho, nothing can be done now. Hopefully we will pick up a win at Huddersfield.

[FoxinNotts]

13 minutes ago, chicagofox said:

Agreed.

 

But now I've read the match and post-match thread I'm convinced that Slimani and King were the only ones responsible for the defeat.

I was at the match yesterday. Slimani and laterally King (position replaced in the end by Ian Nacho) both highlighted how much our system relies on the leg work of Okazaki. He'll be straight back in for the next game, make no mistake.

[Gerard]

3 minutes ago, Bluetintedspecs said:

Personally I feel Kasper has been lucky to escape more harsh criticism. He's excellent but that shot from Kante should have been saved.

 

If one of the "whipping boys" had made that error the forum would be pitchfork in hands.

 

Kasper doesn't make many errors but as soon as that was hit I had no concerns whatsoever, I haven't seen a replay yet so I'm still not sure how that went in. 

[Bluetintedspecs]

Just now, Gerard said:

 

If one of the "whipping boys" had made that error the forum would be pitchfork in hands.

 

Kasper doesn't make many errors but as soon as that was hit I had no concerns whatsoever, I haven't seen a replay yet so I'm still not sure how that went in. 

It looks worse on the replay, he went down in stages! Love Kasper but terrible error and I agree.

[Gerard]

1 minute ago, Bluetintedspecs said:

It looks worse on the replay, he went down in stages! Love Kasper but terrible error and I agree.

 

It looked terrible live so that can't be good viewing. 

[turtmcfly]

4 hours ago, ttfn said:

I can't be the only one wondering what people are talking about with "he should have passed to Vardy".

 

The pass to Vardy was not there, even for a tenth of a second. From the moment Mahrez picks up the ball Azpilicueta's positioning is perfect - it forces Mahrez to carry it forward. Slimani's support run is perfectly timed, the weight of the pass is good from Mahrez and the shot from Slimani (it's not a "dink" is it - he connects with it well) is going in the far corner. Courtois' positioning, body shape and reactions are spot on.

 

A chipped pass over Azpilicueta would likely have skipped away from Vardy, a through ball would have had to have been absolutely inch perfect to even give him a chance of reaching it before Azpi (who is quick) or Courtois.

 

Chelsea defended a really difficult situation perfectly, full marks to Azpilicueta and Courtois.

This. The pass Vardy needed, 5 yards in front of him, wasn't on. The pass that was on would have meant Vardy having to check his run. Mahrez delivered a great chance to score to one of our strikers, which I'd call job done. I'd note that people seem to be forgetting Vardy's pretty woeful effort when Riyad released him earlier in the game.

[Bluetintedspecs]

1 minute ago, Gerard said:

 

It looked terrible live so that can't be good viewing. 

Yeah in the ground my lad and I just turned to each other with a bemused look on our faces. It doesn't happen often and I hate witch hunts, it was more the point others have been slated because of who they are. Your pitchfork analogy is spot on.

[CORNFOX68]

7 hours ago, Vacamion said:

 

It was more "that Mahrez decision not to pass to Vardy in space' than "that Slimani shot".

 

Slimani worked hard but he had nothing like the threat, presence or impact on the game that Vardy did.

 

On form and impact, Okazaki should be above him in the pecking order, and (although it's difficult to tell) you would think Nacho is ahead of him, too.

Dont know why okazaki didn't play must be injured or fatigued he would have been a nailed on starter, Nacho its well documented hes not fully fit, im confident they are 

top of pecking order above slimani and ulloa

[The Doctor]

7 hours ago, Col city fan said:

I'm far more pissed off by the amazing amount of time given to Kante to be able to pick his spot in the corner of the net and to roll his daisy cutter into it. Kasper should have saved it, no doubt, but the amount of time Kante had was criminal.

In fairness, before the match if there's anyone you'd want to encourage to shoot rather than work the ball around it's Kante, we all know where his strengths are and aren't. But for a rare cockup by Kasper it'd have been vindicated as well.

[Leamington Fox]

I think it is very hard to slate Slim for not scoring the chance from a move that he created from nothing.  It was an outstanding save.

 

For me, the worse miss was in the first half when Vardy shot first time rather than taking a second touch. We - rightly- don't lay into him for that, though.

 

I fear that it will never quite work out for Slim at City, but he gets a silly amount of stick on here.  He's clearly desperate to succeed and working hard.

[foxinsocks]

7 hours ago, Col city fan said:

I'm far more pissed off by the amazing amount of time given to Kante to be able to pick his spot in the corner of the net and to roll his daisy cutter into it. Kasper should have saved it, no doubt, but the amount of time Kante had was criminal.

We just dont defend the soace in front of the box..   in second half first fabregas  then willian and hazzard given too much space 

Slim did well with his shot mahrez should have released it earlier to vardy.   He should be made to watch it over and over...   

[Fox 4 Life]

The pass from mahrez was fine but slim needed to square that to vardy and it's a tap in 

[KingsX]

8 hours ago, hatasi said:

there is a video of slimani and mahrez's touches in the game:

he started the chance (0:54) then a good run but unlucky finish/ good save by the goalkeeper.

There’s a Arabic-titled video showing just Mahrez’ and Slimani’s touches, over and over.

 

Imagine my surprise. 

[KingsX]

Maybe a combination of fleet, position-perfect defending and a moderately poor strike ruined a great chance.  In the end it was no sitter.

 

Pages of the post-match thread, and now another thread, dedicated to discussing a scapegoat (!)  Good on the sizable majority whose replies did not take the bait.    If we had to wait until the morning after, our post-match threads would be so different.  Albeit more boring.

[lee7]

10 hours ago, FIF said:

It was a shot that could have changed the outcome to the game and I've read a lot of negative comments about it but if my recall is correct it was Slimani who stole the ball back on the edge of his own box and then played a perfect and quick pass to Marhez to give Marhez and Vardy a 2 on 1 against Chelsea. Slimani then made a great effort to follow our two stars up the pitch to be available if necessary. He was passed the ball and had a shot on target which was well saved by Courtois. Chelsea then went and scored down the other end.

 

I don't understand the negativity to Slimani here at all.

 

Mahrez should have drawn the defender and given the ball to Vardy for a 1 on 1 with the GK. That was the mistake here. Their goal wasn't Slim's fault either.

 

What do the rest of you think?

Agree with your post. He made a great effort to get up and support the attack after initially winning the ball back! Even bursting past Kante to get into the position that he did. 

 

My only criticism would be that he could've done better with the shot.

 

Mahrez had an opportunity to play vardy in and for whatever reason held onto the ball for too long. That's the option he should've taken. 

[NewEnglandFox]

Rudiger was the difference maker. He was 15 yards behind the play at the halfway line. Was able to cut off Vardy at the top of the box which allowed Azpulicueta to stay centrally, and then would have had a chance to cover the far post. He was able to do this because Mahrez slowed down while running towards the penalty spot which allowed Azpulicueta to cut off both Mahrez and Vardy until Rudiger caught up to the play. Slim needs almost perfect placement to score there which is nearly impossible considering he has to catch up to the pass and hit it first time. No shame in missing there. Courtios gave him very little to hit. The squaring pass to Vardy is out of the question. How the hell is he going to hit a nearly 90 degree pass across his body will having to catch up to the ball. Get real. His only choice is to shoot basically into the keeper.

 

Back to the broken 2 on 1. The fastest and deadliest counter attacking striker should hit the target every time in a 2 on 1. Mahrez slowing down while running towards Vardy and Azpulicueta both cut off the the passing lane and allowed Chelsea defenders back into the play. 2 mistakes there. Mahrez either needed to play a ball for Vardy to run onto or turn right to make the defender to choose between passing lane and the shot. What happened was the play was slowed down enough that when the pass and the shot came, the only opportunity was a difficult one.

 

Mahrez made an unintelligent decision.

[Jaspa]

Everything about his demeanour and reputation coming in screams cold blooded killer, you kinda expect him to be skilful and ruthless and when he isn't its frustrating, the pricetag obviously added to that.

 

I was seething when they scored their first yesterday and Slim initially took the brunt of blame for me, the finish had to be better. Looking back on MotD though, he fought for the ball with N'Golo on the edge of our own box, won it, laid it off and ran the length of the pitch; I'd consider that a decent effort. It was also cruel to bin him off and blame him by subbing him at half time, unless Shakey explained to the point of understanding with him that it was tactical, if youre going to throw one of your strikers in the bin the first game after the transfer window probably isnt the best time to do so.

 

The brunt of my frustration is from the feeling of all too much the same of last season; its the same players, the same lethargic loose passing and the same getting walked over by the 'big guns' every week, I think my initial frustration and lividness was from the recurrence and familiarity of that more than Slim not taking a chance.

[KingKoala]

People rate Slimani or not, he was substituted at HT along with Albrighton yesterday.

Craig at least thought him and Albrighton did not work as expected.

[HighPeakFox]

I take the blame for Kante's goal. I shouted 'shoot'. 

 

 

[Guest Col city fan]

3 minutes ago, HighPeakFox said:

I take the blame for Kante's goal. I shouted 'shoot'. 

 

 

With the time he had, Kante could have flicked it up, done 10 keep ups, done a 360 degree swivel, made himself a cuppa (or a G and T) and STILL had time to pick his spot.

Where were the midfield? Where was the challenge?

[HighPeakFox]

17 minutes ago, Col city fan said:

With the time he had, Kante could have flicked it up, done 10 keep ups, done a 360 degree swivel, made himself a cuppa (or a G and T) and STILL had time to pick his spot.

Where were the midfield? Where was the challenge?

I know. I was making light of it innit.

[ZeGuy]

12 hours ago, Claridge said:

Thought he played well yesterday. All strikers miss

Not on FT.

[ZeGuy]

10 hours ago, coolhandfox said:

Slimani was the problem, he had a decent first half, he hit the target and the keeper made a decent save, if it was Vardy it wouldn't have been such an issue for every one.

 

Didn't get the halftime substitutions, as I said Slimani was doing ok, Albrighton was working hard. 

 

The midfield wasn't great, but King hadn't had a positive impact coming on against Arsenal or Man U. Strange one again for me! 

People say it was to get one more in midfield (if so why not starting in 4-5-1 or 3-5-2 from the get go, since Chelsea plays in 3-4-3, instead of ruining a sub?), but when King came on I'm more inclined to think that we completely lost the midfield.

 

4-3-3 with King in the middle would never work. You'd bring King in in a 4-5-1 to hold a score, not in a 4-3-3 to chase it.

[ZeGuy]

7 hours ago, Matt said:

Scary and the people that deal with our transfers would have paid it...but they wouldn't shell another £5m (Or £15m more compared to Slimani's £30m) to attempt to try and sign Sigurdsson. Pathetic.

Lol, he'd never have signed for us. Not even with a gun on his head.

[Clever Fox]

57 minutes ago, Col city fan said:

With the time he had, Kante could have flicked it up, done 10 keep ups, done a 360 degree swivel, made himself a cuppa (or a G and T) and STILL had time to pick his spot.

Where were the midfield? Where was the challenge?

He was taken off at half time for god knows what reason. Mark would have been there to prevent that from happening. This is exactly what happens when you send out an unbalanced Team.

 

Shakey is scratching and searching for a formation while trying to appease players. It rarely works.