WTF was Puel smoking at half-time???

[KJT]

We also need to remember that Pep told his players to have a 3 day break holiday after they played Burnley cos his players were said to be tired and with some players needing injury rest, thus they came back physically and mentally refreshed to face us while are team had the Mahrez saga clearly affecting there minds

[yorkie1999]

49 minutes ago, Gerbold said:

Can't find the Post-match thread so this will have to do.

 

Before individuals begin to tear apart our players and performance (whoops - too late) - lets remind ourselves that Man City is probably the best team/squad in the world, in the most competitive league, playing at home. Don't blame Puel or Schmeichel or anyone else for this defeat, however uncomfortable, humiliating or embarising it feels. And, how proud did you all feel when Vardy did what Vardy does best?

We weren't able to wrest any level of possession from them. That was the key factor. Possession leads to opportunity and, eventually, to overwhelming players who are fatigued by constant concentration and reactive movement. Schmeichel's mistake was caused exactly by confusion brought on by overlong concentration. Some of you awarded him 2 - I awarded him 6 - two of those goals forced their way past him. He played an incredibly good game doing what a goalkeeper's main job is - to stop shots. What was he supposed to do about distribution? If he rolled it short then those fast strikers would have been on to the defenders like lightning. If he kicked it long there was more than a 50:50 chance Man City players would have gained possession - bringing the whole cycle to begin again - which is what happened.

Puel was on a hiding to nothing - it must be almost impossible to know what to do for the best. At half-time he decided to shore up the defence - however Simpson immediately looked vulnerable. Who wouldn't against that interplay of passing and speed of movement. Maybe a decision to leave Silva and Diabate onfield, bring Iborra, Iheanacho and Mahrez on by subbing James, Albrighton and Chilwell might have been an option. Then there would have been a significant number of players who are confident in possession. Just to halt that overwhelming command of the ball would have allowed some breathing space. The result might have been the same [or worse] but the possibilities of forming a unit to retain the ball would have provided more opportunities to attack.

 

That Puel decided to bench Mahrez I think was a mistake - if he's playing then let him play from the start. The team needed him as a point to play to and receive from. Albrighton works around the flanks - that's not where we needed a fulcrum point.

 

There have been a succession of teams who've experienced the same treatment. We shouldn't cast about looking for scapegoats - rather praise them for the effort and commitment they put in. They've experienced a torrid, unsettling period of insane publicity which was bound to have disturbed their confidence. Either support them or keep quiet - this nagging negativity around an almost cast-iron defeat is wasted 'breath'.

Now it’s alright waxing lyrical about the abilities of Man City and the aparant frailties of Leicester, but we were competitive until half time and we’re playing well and in with a chance, but the reality was that puel decided to change how we were playing and we were hammered. If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it and imo mr puel should feel totally responsible for that loss

[deep blue]

Great post Gerbold. I have posted something with a similar take (but not as lucidly) on the "Puel" thread. Granted Puel cocked it up with his HT change, but i thought our performance in the first half was commendable and many comments on here don't give credit for that.

[Claridge]

21 hours ago, pmcla26 said:

Silva was perfect for the game yesterday, he was tackling, keeping the ball and helping us build moves forward and apply pressure, when he came off, our midfield was static and we had no authority in the middle

Was he? I don’t think he did any of these things.presume Puel thought the same

[AyewJoking]

1-1 at half time, Maybe puel thought...

 

"Right, we've got the b@stards! Let's bring on Simpson and shut up shop!"

 

[MrSpaM]

Nailed on contender for overreaction of the season

[southfox66]

Unless i missed it,  why did he take silva off, my heart sank at start of 2nd half when i saw he been replaced,  for me he was reason we were still in the game and to be honest i wasnt surprised they scored four without him.  i assumed he must of picked up a knock,  but nothing said at time or since,  if Puel just took him as part system change he must be nuts? So was he injured ? 

[HighPeakFox]

2 hours ago, southfox66 said:

Unless i missed it,  why did he take silva off, my heart sank at start of 2nd half when i saw he been replaced,  for me he was reason we were still in the game and to be honest i wasnt surprised they scored four without him.  i assumed he must of picked up a knock,  but nothing said at time or since,  if Puel just took him as part system change he must be nuts? So was he injured ? 

Nobody knows for sure. My take is that there is a plan in place to blend him in slowly, not for whole matches yet.

[RumbleFox]

I think people forget we are still an evolving team.  Even the mighty Pep took a season to get it right (and about 1 squillion pounds).  I'm not saying our performance was good and we certainly need to improve going forwards but we have played some very good football in patches under Puel but we lack consistency.  It's almost as if he is still new to the job and they are taking time to adjust to a new system......oh......wait....

 

He needs time and at least one proper window/pre-season.  I have faith.  X

Edited 12 February 2018 by RumbleFox