Criticism of our Young Players

[Tielemans63]

I love this forum (and God knows I waste a disproportionate amount of my free time contributing to it) but one thing really pisses me off and that's the battering some posters give our young lads. It's the same at the ground to the point where I regularly get into disagreements (albeit friendly-ish) with some of the miserable feckers who sit near me.

 

Obviously everyone is entitled to their opinion but for the life of me I can't understand why some sections of our support are so keen to criticise our young players when we have probably the most promising group of youngsters in our history. There's a reason Gray, Chilwell, N'didi and Maguire are being linked to other clubs, it's because they're ****ing good players who we should cherish rather than berate the minute it's doesn't go so well.

 

The thing with young players is that they're, well, young. So by definition they're going to make mistakes and poor decisions sometime because you only get experience by playing and making those errors. When I read people in the Peterborough thread saying we should flog Gray I wonder if we saw the same game because what I saw was a guy that Posh just couldn't live with but who needs to just refine his game a little. Likewise, if you not excited by the potential in the likes of Chilwell, Maguire and Iheanacho then I wonder if you're just a miserable sod.

 

Similarly, at times this season, Chilwell, N'didi, Amartey, Iheanacho and even Harvey Barnes (after one bloody appearance) have taken some heavy stick which seems not only disproportionate but massively counter productive to me. 

 

I'm not saying people should say they've been wonderful when they haven't been and of course they're not beyond constructive criticism....it's more the 'he's shit'/ 'sell him' / 'should have sold him' / 'he thinks he's better than he is' comments that piss me off as they just smack of jealousy. It's probably those fans who will be first to call them a traitorous cvnt when they move to a bigger club.

 

Sorry to rant but I think we've got it good right now and as I say, I think we should be excited about the team's potential. 

[StanSP]

it's the quest for instant and immediate success which fuels it, I think. Everyone wants something 'now'. Without realising that for some to flourish and realise their potential, it takes time.

 

I think our youngsters are doing magnificently for the level they're at and the pressure on them from said fans as well just in general because the standard is so high.

 

We definitely should be excited and I certainly am. What I'm not excited about is the ability for other clubs to poach our players. But that's a different conversation for a different day.

 

We must live as it is now and I can't wait to see more of them this season.

[MC Prussian]

There's certainly some truth to it, but from what I can gather, you're blowing it out of proportion.

 

Every player makes mistakes, regardless of his age. Naturally, we expect of more veteran or experienced players to be less at fault on the pitch.

That doesn't mean they're not prone to the odd error here and there.

 

In the case of Demarai Gray yesterday, it was simply obvious he was trying too hard to get on the scoresheet himself. After the fourth of fifth time with an attempt on goal, you can certainly question his decision-making. He's already played more than 60 times on Premier League level. He's certainly talented, rapid, skilled and has quite a shot on him - I do hope he can learn (asap) from his mistakes and make it better, so that everyone benefits, including himself.

 

Reactionary comments from some Leicester fans aren't probably the best indicator of what the general consensus among the fanbase is when they're talking about a player.

I think criticism aimed at players has little to do with age, and more so with their performance on the pitch. Age may be one factor, but not THE factor.

 

All I'm saying is, bygones be bygones. Or something in that direction. Slagging off players won't stop as long as the game exists. The question is how profound the criticism is.

If it's superficial, I couldn't care less about fans, because they're not interested in a debate. They're interested about boasting and bragging.

Spend more time on here with people who care about a good argument instead of the plebs.

[manders86]

2 minutes ago, StanSP said:

it's the quest for instant and immediate success which fuels it, I think. Everyone wants something 'now'. Without realising that for some to flourish and realise their potential, it takes time.

 

I think our youngsters are doing magnificently for the level they're at and the pressure on them from said fans as well just in general because the standard is so high.

 

We definitely should be excited and I certainly am. What I'm not excited about is the ability for other clubs to poach our players. But that's a different conversation for a different day.

 

We must live as it is now and I can't wait to see more of them this season.

Absolutely spot on ?

[Izzy]

Great post @Paddy.

Well said that man 

I’ve been critical of both Gray and Chillwell lately but you’re right, they’re still young and have bags of potential. We must be patient and give them our full support as they continue to grow and develop as players.

A timely reminder that we’re lucky to have them. Cheers 

[Callabinho]

It’s the pressures of modern day football coupled with unrealistic expectations, mash it all together and you have short term-itis... I think we all have a bite sometimes and it’s vey unfair on the lads, and it’s also why England fail to produce World Cup after World Cup.... simply because our youth is inexperienced at the top level... however Puel seems to want to change that. Chillwell although not perfect is already 100% better than last year, he still needs to perfect his end product but he’s playing, which is key..... Gray is infuriating, it’s clear he has the traits to make a footballer, but it’s his reading of the game which isn’t what it should be, which worries me, can you teach that?

 

Like any activity, job or task you’ll never be a world beater at day one.... it takes time and it takes years of practice, and one of the main reasons we have so many youth failures is due to the lack of practice they get at the top level... leave them in a development situation forever and they will stagnate.

 

It’s up to the managers to have the balls to give them a go, and for all his criticism from the press, Puel’s persistence with the youth players in the FA Cup was vindicated. We have a bright young group of players, and as long as they get regular exposure they will come good, anyone will if given enough chances and the right suppport. 

[The whole world smiles]

16 minutes ago, Paddy. said:

I love this forum (and God knows I waste a disproportionate amount of my free time contributing to it) but one thing really pisses me off and that's the battering some posters give our young lads. It's the same at the ground to the point where I regularly get into disagreements (albeit friendly-ish) with some of the miserable feckers who sit near me.

 

Obviously everyone is entitled to their opinion but for the life of me I can't understand why some sections of our support are so keen to criticise our young players when we have probably the most promising group of youngsters in our history. There's a reason Gray, Chilwell, N'didi and Maguire are being linked to other clubs, it's because they're ****ing good players who we should cherish rather than berate the minute it's doesn't go so well.

 

The thing with young players is that they're, well, young. So by definition they're going to make mistakes and poor decisions sometime because you only get experience by playing and making those errors. When I read people in the Peterborough thread saying we should flog Gray I wonder if we saw the same game because what I saw was a guy that Posh just couldn't live with but who needs to just refine his game a little. Likewise, if you not excited by the potential in the likes of Chilwell, Maguire and Iheanacho then I wonder if you're just a miserable sod.

 

Similarly, at times this season, Chilwell, N'didi, Amartey, Iheanacho and even Harvey Barnes (after one bloody appearance) have taken some heavy stick which seems not only disproportionate but massively counter productive to me. 

 

I'm not saying people should say they've been wonderful when they haven't been and of course they're not beyond constructive criticism....it's more the 'he's shit'/ 'sell him' / 'should have sold him' / 'he thinks he's better than he is' comments that piss me off as they just smack of jealousy. It's probably those fans who will be first to call them a traitorous cvnt when they move to a bigger club.

 

Sorry to rant but I think we've got it good right now and as I say, I think we should be excited about the team's potential. 

Bloody good post. It's sad to see we used to be quite nurturing as a group of supporters young players like Heskey and steff oaks were encouraged and treated patiently even when not performing. But like someone else has mentioned society is now all about instant gratification that and the fact that some of our fans are misrable thick twats that wouldn't know a good thing of it slapped them round the chops.

[CheeseHead]

Totally agree with the OP. I for one thought that Gray's decision making was actually better yesterday. On numerous occasions he found some excellent space to receive the ball and was allowed to run forwards. I found myself actually shouting 'shoot' on more than one occasion because the way things opened up it was the right thing to do. On one occasion he could have shot but correctly picked out Diabate who almost scored. I can see improvements in Gray but we need to be patient..

[mozartfox]

I have no problem with our young starlets making mistakes. The older ones hoofing it is what infuriates me.  Thank God and full credit to Puel for bringing down the age of the starting 11 and eradicating the hoof and hope approach. Seeing those youngsters performing quick and decisive passing football yesterday was a breath of fresh air.

[volpeazzurro]

Paddy, I wholeheartedly agree with the sentiments of your post, it is a huge bug bear of mine and just hope some of our youngsters don't read this forum. My own son at just seventeen is making his own way in football at a much lower level albeit he was at a development school of another Premiership club. He has a number of friends in our Leicester  academy and guess what, in every way, despite their physical training, they are still just kids like all of our kids. They are not all suddenly emotionally and physically the finished article at 19 or 20 years, though some supporters appear to expect them to be. Their spirit can be broken very easily. Developing a so called hard exterior,  enabling them to bat off hugely over the top sometimes ignorant criticism often isn't a natural thing to some and it takes time, if developed at all. When young and learning your trade, like any other job, inconsistencies are natural in most, football is no different. Chilwell for example can have a largely effective and very good game, make one bad ill-judged pass and certain poster's on here can't wait to get their knife into his ribs suggesting that he'll almost never come to anything. It's as almost as if they believe they could do better job themselves from a position of sitting in an armchair, belly hanging over their trousers, eating cheesy Wotsits whilst scratching their bollocks.  To get even one game for our team is a huge achievement. 

 

We wonder sometimes why footballers seem more aloof these days and not in touch with their supporters. If I was a young player and came on here and read some of the comments, I in return would tend to feel disconnected or at least wary of our supporters. We're never going to buy a ready made Ronaldo or Messi, we are always going to have to develop our own or imported talent. We, I suggest, can at least have a minor role in their progression by encouraging them when possible. We have some brilliant young prospects,  let' try and appreciate them and be part of their journey which is a hugely exciting part of being a supporter. Didn't Diabate have a good debut yesterday albeit against a lower league club. God forbid he makes a mistake in his next game! Let's cut the lad some slack if he does.

[fuchsntf]

57 minutes ago, Paddy. said:

I love this forum (and God knows I waste a disproportionate amount of my free time contributing to it) but one thing really pisses me off and that's the battering some posters give our young lads. It's the same at the ground to the point where I regularly get into disagreements (albeit friendly-ish) with some of the miserable feckers who sit near me.

 

Obviously everyone is entitled to their opinion but for the life of me I can't understand why some sections of our support are so keen to criticise our young players when we have probably the most promising group of youngsters in our history. There's a reason Gray, Chilwell, N'didi and Maguire are being linked to other clubs, it's because they're ****ing good players who we should cherish rather than berate the minute it's doesn't go so well.

 

The thing with young players is that they're, well, young. So by definition they're going to make mistakes and poor decisions sometime because you only get experience by playing and making those errors. When I read people in the Peterborough thread saying we should flog Gray I wonder if we saw the same game because what I saw was a guy that Posh just couldn't live with but who needs to just refine his game a little. Likewise, if you not excited by the potential in the likes of Chilwell, Maguire and Iheanacho then I wonder if you're just a miserable sod.

 

Similarly, at times this season, Chilwell, N'didi, Amartey, Iheanacho and even Harvey Barnes (after one bloody appearance) have taken some heavy stick which seems not only disproportionate but massively counter productive to me. 

 

I'm not saying people should say they've been wonderful when they haven't been and of course they're not beyond constructive criticism....it's more the 'he's shit'/ 'sell him' / 'should have sold him' / 'he thinks he's better than he is' comments that piss me off as they just smack of jealousy. It's probably those fans who will be first to call them a traitorous cvnt when they move to a bigger club.

 

Sorry to rant but I think we've got it good right now and as I say, I think we should be excited about the team's potential. 

Topic of the month..

[yorksfox]

What an excellent posting, Paddy. Certainly justified as I can include myself as someone who has been slightly critical of, in particular, Maguire and Gray this season. 40 years ago when Jock Wallace was blooding the likes of Lineker, Buchanan, Peake and May I seemed to have all the patience and understanding in the world! Maybe because they were of a similar age to me though probably, as others have pointed out, there was not then the obsession with instant gratification and success. I, for one, will take heed and let Mr Puel patiently build us an outstanding young team.

[Blue ROI]

I'd say any criticism of players tends to be somewhat fair with most of us on here regardless of age.

 

With our younger players my opinions would be

 

Maguire/N'Didi  - outstanding for their age

Gray - promising but very frustrating

Amartey- not as good as we were hoping for probably but very good the last month

Chilwell-excellent ball control and good on the front foot but less so going back.

Barnes-disappointing yesterday but no need to overboard just yet

Diabate - yesterday there was no words!!

 

Wouldn't say there's too much wrong or unfair in those opinions myself.

[Guest Chocolate Teapot]

1 hour ago, Paddy. said:

I love this forum (and God knows I waste a disproportionate amount of my free time contributing to it) but one thing really pisses me off and that's the battering some posters give our young lads. It's the same at the ground to the point where I regularly get into disagreements (albeit friendly-ish) with some of the miserable feckers who sit near me.

 

Obviously everyone is entitled to their opinion but for the life of me I can't understand why some sections of our support are so keen to criticise our young players when we have probably the most promising group of youngsters in our history. There's a reason Gray, Chilwell, N'didi and Maguire are being linked to other clubs, it's because they're ****ing good players who we should cherish rather than berate the minute it's doesn't go so well.

 

The thing with young players is that they're, well, young. So by definition they're going to make mistakes and poor decisions sometime because you only get experience by playing and making those errors. When I read people in the Peterborough thread saying we should flog Gray I wonder if we saw the same game because what I saw was a guy that Posh just couldn't live with but who needs to just refine his game a little. Likewise, if you not excited by the potential in the likes of Chilwell, Maguire and Iheanacho then I wonder if you're just a miserable sod.

 

Similarly, at times this season, Chilwell, N'didi, Amartey, Iheanacho and even Harvey Barnes (after one bloody appearance) have taken some heavy stick which seems not only disproportionate but massively counter productive to me. 

 

I'm not saying people should say they've been wonderful when they haven't been and of course they're not beyond constructive criticism....it's more the 'he's shit'/ 'sell him' / 'should have sold him' / 'he thinks he's better than he is' comments that piss me off as they just smack of jealousy. It's probably those fans who will be first to call them a traitorous cvnt when they move to a bigger club.

 

Sorry to rant but I think we've got it good right now and as I say, I think we should be excited about the team's potential. 

You make a really good point, some of the criticism is over the top, and it's not fair to blindly praise players because they're young and there's nothing wrong with suggesting elements of their game that need work.

 

Ndidi for example has been compared to Yaya Toure, which is ridiculous really, hes got so much potential but is often so poor with the ball. Same goes with Maguire.

 

It's normally the same lot who suggest top 4 is possible after a home win against a side against a side who have won 1 in 11.

 

Agree loads of young potential in this side and I'm optimistic about what this side can achieve. I'd love us to have a crack at the FA cup.

Edited 28 January 2018 by Abrasive fox

[Strokes]

2 hours ago, Paddy. said:

I love this forum (and God knows I waste a disproportionate amount of my free time contributing to it) but one thing really pisses me off and that's the battering some posters give our young lads. It's the same at the ground to the point where I regularly get into disagreements (albeit friendly-ish) with some of the miserable feckers who sit near me.

 

Obviously everyone is entitled to their opinion but for the life of me I can't understand why some sections of our support are so keen to criticise our young players when we have probably the most promising group of youngsters in our history. There's a reason Gray, Chilwell, N'didi and Maguire are being linked to other clubs, it's because they're ****ing good players who we should cherish rather than berate the minute it's doesn't go so well.

 

The thing with young players is that they're, well, young. So by definition they're going to make mistakes and poor decisions sometime because you only get experience by playing and making those errors. When I read people in the Peterborough thread saying we should flog Gray I wonder if we saw the same game because what I saw was a guy that Posh just couldn't live with but who needs to just refine his game a little. Likewise, if you not excited by the potential in the likes of Chilwell, Maguire and Iheanacho then I wonder if you're just a miserable sod.

 

Similarly, at times this season, Chilwell, N'didi, Amartey, Iheanacho and even Harvey Barnes (after one bloody appearance) have taken some heavy stick which seems not only disproportionate but massively counter productive to me. 

 

I'm not saying people should say they've been wonderful when they haven't been and of course they're not beyond constructive criticism....it's more the 'he's shit'/ 'sell him' / 'should have sold him' / 'he thinks he's better than he is' comments that piss me off as they just smack of jealousy. It's probably those fans who will be first to call them a traitorous cvnt when they move to a bigger club.

 

Sorry to rant but I think we've got it good right now and as I say, I think we should be excited about the team's potential. 

Totally agree, often you see fans question why loyalty is gone in the game, when they are the most disloyal prats about. At Leicester you are only as good as your last couple of games it seems.

We shouldn’t refrain from criticism but over elaborate statements like ‘he is League one level at best’ are beyond stupid.

Edited 28 January 2018 by Strokes

[dynamark]

I'm wouldn't imagine any of the players let us lot influence them.

Its a real difficult job to make a break into regular first team football and justify your selection.Chilwell and Gray have both done that up to a point but I'm sure the staff wil be running them a few videos on good and poor decisions on the pitch.

Barnes and for instance Tom Lawrence do/did not appear to be quite at the right level of ability or mentality.

Diabete we are now all waiting on.

If I was trying to win a football match I would generally pick Fuchs over Chilwell , Albrighton over a Tom Lawrence,and Oka over Barnes .

Its tough out there.

[the fox]

2 years and he's still making the same mistakes over and over again

he played a lot of games (even before he came here). i'm done with "he's still young" crap! if he doesn't show me a reason to back him up, i will not.

i've been defending him but enough is enough.

 

how does a 22 year old from league 2 comes and looks more composed and just a better player. gray is fighting to be the first sub, diabate is fighting to start games. 

Edited 28 January 2018 by the fox

[Bluetintedspecs]

Excellent post Paddy, it can be very frustrating when overt and unfair criticism is levelled at our young prospects.

Like others have said constructive analysis is fine but the extreme reactions either way are far too kneejerk!

If you challenge the extremes you are referred to as a 'Happy Clapper' when the reality is time and patience are needed for the young and upcoming.

We seem to have an excellent manager who is nurturing and developing these talents whilst playing attractive football and getting great results!

Sadly some seem to think by going against the grain and levelling these critical tirades makes them the enlightened ones, every pre match and match thread is testimony to the ridiculous abuse that is dished out sometimes!

I wish people would reflect  before they bash out this constant drivel.

Edited 28 January 2018 by Bluetintedspecs

[Shanghai]

Great post !!! Young player are Leicester’s future . I loved the topic 

[Guest Chocolate Teapot]

2 hours ago, dynamark said:

I'm wouldn't imagine any of the players let us lot influence them.

Its a real difficult job to make a break into regular first team football and justify your selection.Chilwell and Gray have both done that up to a point but I'm sure the staff wil be running them a few videos on good and poor decisions on the pitch.

Barnes and for instance Tom Lawrence do/did not appear to be quite at the right level of ability or mentality.

Diabete we are now all waiting on.

If I was trying to win a football match I would generally pick Fuchs over Chilwell , Albrighton over a Tom Lawrence,and Oka over Barnes .

Its tough out there.

Barnes is 19 and has played two games and youre saying he doesnt have ability or the right mentality????

 

Not sure the fans at Barnsley or MK would agree with that.

[Tielemans63]

47 minutes ago, Abrasive fox said:

Barnes is 19 and has played two games and youre saying he doesnt have ability or the right mentality????

 

Not sure the fans at Barnsley or MK would agree with that.

Absolutely AF. This is exactly what I'm talking about. Writing a player off after 2 appearances for 'not having the right mentality'. I mean seriously, WTF? Sorry but that's just moronic to make a judgement like that.

[Captain...]

6 hours ago, StanSP said:

it's the quest for instant and immediate success which fuels it, I think. Everyone wants something 'now'. Without realising that for some to flourish and realise their potential, it takes time.

This is the bit that I find most baffling from our fans, we won the league with a bunch of players most of which had been slow starters at the club. The only one of the starting 11 who made an instant impact was Huth, the rest, even Kante and Fuchs, needed a few games, a few weeks even months, in the case of Vardy it was an whole season after signing before starting to play close to their peak. The difference between Vardy, Drinkwater, Albrighton, Morgan, Simpson from their first appearances was vast. Mahrez we saw his potential in his first season and a half, but  I don't think anyone expected him to be player of the year, scoring 17 goals and 10 assists in the premier league.

 

Surely we should be the first set of fans to give players the time and space to develop, or maybe the fans that were trying to get Drinkwater and Vardy out the out club think they were responsible for the turn around in their fortunes and by giving unnecessary stick to Gray and Chilwell they will develop in the same way.

[HighPeakFox]

What a superb thread - I can only echo the sentiments of those fine foxes who have illuminated and added constructively to your original post. If nothing else, it shows us a few people who we know it's safe to talk sensibly with!

[Izzy]

3 hours ago, Abrasive fox said:

Barnes is 19 and has played two games and youre saying he doesnt have ability or the right mentality????

 

Not sure the fans at Barnsley or MK would agree with that.

I play golf with a few MK Dons fans and they absolutely raved about Barnes. Said he was too good for them really and he stood out like a sore thumb. They were gutted when he finished his spell with them...

[walkerleeds]

Had a bloke behind me who was loving it every single time Gray did something wrong. Even slagged him off for slipping over. Absolutely bizarre behavoiour.