unrest in the squad

[Suzie the Fox]

2 hours ago, StriderHiryu said:

At least he's saying the right things. Let's see what happens tomorrow.

Just seeing this has given me a lot more confidence for tomorrow. 

 

I really hope the players can step upto the task. Even if we don't manage to finish 7th this season, some good displays in our remaining games will put us on the right step for next season. 

 

 

 

 

 

[lcfcsnow]

He can say what he likes but I assume it was his choice to bring Simpson and Morgan back, its no surprise that the performances have got worse since we can't pass it out from the back effectively.

[KingsX]

18 hours ago, Grebfromgrebland said:

Since when did we need evidence? 

 

[NotTheMarketLeader]

6 hours ago, Donut said:

So Puel's style wasn't boring and out dated when it works, but it is when it doesn't?

 

The plan is not to play slow, sideways football with no penetration. The goal is to be able to keep more of the ball and move the ball around with good one and two touch passing and technique, and to be able to control the tempo of the game. Lower the tempo when necessary and be patient, speed the tempo up when necessary to open up the opposition.

 

Weve done this with Puel in charge already, we just haven't done it consistently enough, YET.

 

What youre seeing now isn't the FINISHED product, its the players trying to get used to playing this way and become more effective in doing it. The phase we are in NOW is the adaptation, not the actual objective, and it needs some patience to allow this style to be developed.

 

But its patience that the manager will not get, as people want things NOW.

 

Its like a recreational golfer saying their 7 iron goes 175 yards because when they hit the best 7 iron of their life it went 175 yards. We had the best season ever ever ever when we won the league, which was a combination of multiple factors going our way AND our squad exceeding themselves in an unprecedented way.

 

It cant be used as a benchmark or blueprint to suggest that's the way to do things. It was never going to be sustainable to allow opponents to dominate us, and for us to try and pick them off. We don't have players defensively who can maintain an extreme level of focus for 90 mins to not be dragged out of position at some point, and we still don't have enough technical players to make low percentage passes come off to create chances. All we would do is lose the ball a lot.

 

I think people get very confused about styles of play too.

 

When things were going well under Ranieri, our balance of play between possession and countering, was definitely more towards possession. It doesn't mean we were DOMINATING possession, but we scored goals as a result of us passing and moving the ball. As things went south, we became more and more reliant on high tempo direct balls to the forwards, and trying to create space by sitting deeper and looking for the direct ball.

 

So people are contradicting themselves. You cant be a countering team, and a high press team at the same time. think about the space that would leave between the lines.

 

Leicester NEVER were a high press team. If anything, they used a COUNTER press, and would only press the ball in certain situations where the ball could be won back in safe areas. Leicester did not play a high line and press from the front, other than Vardy and Okazaki who used a counter press and used it selectively. If the team was compressed higher up the field, the direct balls wouldn't go anywhere as the opposition would be pegged back.

 

You also shout about Puel, and you shouted about Shakespeare. But just like Bunyip, you both make a lot of noise and yet you haven't given one suggestion as to who would come in who is realistic, that would play direct and make that work, and you haven't justified why youd be prepared to give that man more time than Puel. You shout im bored im bored im bored fvck off Puel, justify someone else as manager and explain why then.

 

I said in that other thread, someone could be perfectly capable of coming in and lifting these players a little bit NOW in the short term. Could they build something sustainable for the next 5 years or so as the title winners are phased out that's focused on direct football? would you be happy to watch another manager sign a bunch of Simpson's, Morgan's, James's, Okazaki's etc, and base our future development around this? if you are, discuss it.

 

You've also suggested that youd sacrifice points to watch decent attacking football. Im sorry I just don't get you. First of all you started your post talking about results not improving since Shakespeare left, so you contradicted yourself. Fans are visibly annoyed that it seems our chances of qualifying for the Europa League are diminishing, so they don't share your sentiment, and how many points are you willing to give up, and where would this put us in the league?

 

As in, youd be happy watching a lot of "exciting" games that we lose? Ignoring the fact you've already contradicted yourself in your post as I pointed out, I highly doubt it

You make some decent points though you do go on a bit and I think you can tend to lose the thread.

 

I do not see how I have contradicted myself.

 

I have said Shakespeare was not good enough; many wanted him gone we looked awful and results poor.

 

Puel’s results are akin to Shake’s at this point, and it’s tedious to watch. The football that we are playing - last 2 months - is in the round awful to watch.

 

These are my points, all quite clear and not contradictory.

 

I understand the ideal is to keep possession, passing it around at

pace and winning matches. None of that is happening now, nor can that style be successful unless we outspend the top six.

 

That’s not going to happen.

 

I just don’t see how this style can work for us, in this league. If it does and I’m wrong I won’t mind admitting it.

 

Id take15th and being entertained above being bored and finishing 8th.

 

Lets leave it at that ? 

Edited 13 April 2018 by NotTheMarketLeader

[Donut]

2 hours ago, NotTheMarketLeader said:

You make some decent points though you do go on a bit and I think you can tend to lose the thread.

 

I do not see how I have contradicted myself.

 

I have said Shakespeare was not good enough; many wanted him gone we looked awful and results poor.

 

Puel’s results are akin to Shake’s at this point, and it’s tedious to watch. The football that we are playing - last 2 months - is in the round awful to watch.

 

These are my points, all quite clear and not contradictory.

 

I understand the ideal is to keep possession, passing it around at

pace and winning matches. None of that is happening now, nor can that style be successful unless we outspend the top six.

 

That’s not going to happen.

 

I just don’t see how this style can work for us, in this league. If it does and I’m wrong I won’t mind admitting it.

 

Id take15th and being entertained above being bored and finishing 8th.

 

Lets leave it at that ? 

Youd really take FIFTEENTH place, i.e. almost being sucked into a relegation battle, over being EIGHTH in the Premier League, if it came with a more direct style? Wow...im surprised at that to say the least, but i admire your honesty.

 

I think whats more likely is if we were 15th, people would be saying we are underachieving with this squad.......why arent we 8th??

 

Do you think would be better for Puel to abandon his philosophies, the ones that have brought him success in the past, in order to play a system and style that benefits a centre back on his last legs, a full back who is a header and kicker and almost nothing else, a number ten that offers zero creativity, a horrid first touch and whos main attribute is to run around until physically fvcked after an hour? an old slow left back in Fuchs who is about done too, instead of giving Chilwell some time? i thought everyone enjoyed giving youth a fair crack.

 

If so, who should be on our summer transfer list? Ryan Shawcross, Phil Bardsley and a number 10 i cant even think of because by definition someone who plays in the number 10 role is a player with decent touch and plays with his head up. a creator. Not some sort of batshit mental workhorse.

 

Whats the point in having a very good quality ball playing defender in Harry Maguire, if rather than wanting him to bring the ball out from the back and make neat passes into midfield, we want him to start bashing 60 yard passes that 9 out of 10 will sail out of play or be mopped up easily by the opponent. Whats the point in having a quality midfield orchestrator like Iborra, if youre only interested in him trying to pick up the 2nd balls in midfield, rather than get his foot on the ball and dictate the play?

 

I cant think of one manager who plays a brand of direct football AND make it a success that fans wouldnt eventually get bored of and want to see a better technical team.

 

I use the term "success" relatively. Dont think by that i dont mean mid table, with a certain group of players, is not success. But who springs to mind when you think direct? Pulis, Allardyce, Dyche, and then in the past you had notable managers like John Beck, Harry Bassett, Joe Kinnear, to a lesser extent Graham Taylor who had a very direct Watford team but that was more in an era where the longer ball was more common.

 

But leaving out the older managers and focusing on the current ones, no one would want Allardyce or Pulis and Sean Dyche is living off the back of this one season where he has done what we did in the title season and massively overachieved. He knows hes overachieving and he has a cushy job with little to no expectations and they could EASILY slide back to the wrong end of the table quickly.

 

So as i see it, theres no one out there really to come in and make us more direct AND make that better in the long term thats realistic. In terms of managers who have more progressive philosophies, there are alternatives around, but these might be out of our league or hanging on for better jobs, or have an element of mercenary to them like Marco Silva.

 

If its a case of "going back to what we know"....its becoming less and less effective and has two absolutely key ingredients missing in Kante and Drinkwater.

 

Youre right to say that Shakespeare was not good enough, and he wasnt good enough for precisely THIS reason. He did absolutely NOTHING to put a new stamp on us. He simply tried to piggy back on what Ranieri did, which worked in the short term as it does for a lot of managers as players give more effort, and then the same boring, predictable, one dimensional tactics stop working because the opposition are well drilled in maintaining a deeper line, managing long spells of possession themselves AND we didnt have the ball to do anything with it.

 

Just to close, i do find it interesting that most fan bases would want their team to play a shorter passing style, greater control, and to score goals from passing moves. Yet we seem to be the total opposite here. We want to bang it forward as fast as possible, be one dimensional and rely on one man for all the goals. The crudeness, the lack of precision and one paced tempo are what our dissenting fans would brand as "exciting".

Edited 13 April 2018 by Donut

[st albans fox]

I don’t see dyche’s team as being particularly ‘direct’. They played plenty of football at our place and possession was around 50/50. 

 

infact, most sides in the prem seem very capable in playing when they need to and creating space for spare men in order to make forward progress. 

[Albert]

When Ranieri came in he analysed the squad, tactics & the players strengths/weaknesses. He made a few tactical tweaks, saw that it was working but most importantly left it alone rather than forcing further changes to adopt his own preferred style & played to the strengths of the players.

Puel came in, analysed the squad etc etc made a few tactical tweaks, saw that it was working but then proceeded to force a new style onto players that can’t play that way & chopped & changed personnel. This has caused confusion/frustration, boring timid football that’s completely zapped the spark out of both the players & fans which has led to poor performances that are getting worse & worse. It’s poor management that will always lead to unrest! If the players at your disposal can’t play the style/system you want don’t play it until you have the players that can. 

[Matt]

18 minutes ago, Albert said:

When Ranieri came in he analysed the squad, tactics & the players strengths/weaknesses. He made a few tactical tweaks, saw that it was working but most importantly left it alone rather than forcing further changes to adopt his own preferred style & played to the strengths of the players.

Puel came in, analysed the squad etc etc made a few tactical tweaks, saw that it was working but then proceeded to force a new style onto players that can’t play that way & chopped & changed personnel. This has caused confusion/frustration, boring timid football that’s completely zapped the spark out of both the players & fans which has led to poor performances that are getting worse & worse. It’s poor management that will always lead to unrest! If the players at your disposal can’t play the style/system you want don’t play it until you have the players that can. 

Which is why I don't understand the upheaval he caused (mainly off the field) in his 2nd season, but that's another discussion.

[Oxfordfox83]

1 hour ago, Albert said:

When Ranieri came in he analysed the squad, tactics & the players strengths/weaknesses. He made a few tactical tweaks, saw that it was working but most importantly left it alone rather than forcing further changes to adopt his own preferred style & played to the strengths of the players.

Puel came in, analysed the squad etc etc made a few tactical tweaks, saw that it was working but then proceeded to force a new style onto players that can’t play that way & chopped & changed personnel. This has caused confusion/frustration, boring timid football that’s completely zapped the spark out of both the players & fans which has led to poor performances that are getting worse & worse. It’s poor management that will always lead to unrest! If the players at your disposal can’t play the style/system you want don’t play it until you have the players that can.

But you can't have it both ways. You can't buy 11 new players in one go and expect success, and you can't buy 3 or 4 to change your system and not play them till you get the rest in. There has to be a transition and we're in it now. The fact that Ndidi, Maguire, Diabate are thriving, Vardy, Mahrez and Albrighton are still going (albeit in patches) and that Chilwell, Gray and Iborra look half decent is a good sign that, regardless of individual games, we are going the right way.

 

It's not pretty and I'm no happier seeing us lose than anyone else, but we have that open goal to play with where we're not really in a competition, we're not under threat, and we can afford to focus on next year. I'll judge on different criteria in October, but I think I've seen enough good signs to cope with the by product of this last few months...

[sacreblueits442]

47 minutes ago, Oxfordfox83 said:

But you can't have it both ways. You can't buy 11 new players in one go and expect success, and you can't buy 3 or 4 to change your system and not play them till you get the rest in. There has to be a transition and we're in it now. The fact that Ndidi, Maguire, Diabate are thriving, Vardy, Mahrez and Albrighton are still going (albeit in patches) and that Chilwell, Gray and Iborra look half decent is a good sign that, regardless of individual games, we are going the right way.

 

It's not pretty and I'm no happier seeing us lose than anyone else, but we have that open goal to play with where we're not really in a competition, we're not under threat, and we can afford to focus on next year. I'll judge on different criteria in October, but I think I've seen enough good signs to cope with the by product of this last few months...

……..I understand the cries for Puel to be given the summer to bring in players that he believes will make a difference in order to play the style of football that he envisage. I understand the perception of removing him as manager now would not give a good impression to the public viewing the way we run our club or to potential managers.

A good deal of posters believes giving Puel a summer window and taking a view on his performance in October-December. Then should he not get the results required we would then be justified in relieving him of his post.

  If Puel was given the summer then he needs to be given the whole of next season.

 We appear to be hedging our bets with the “wait till Christmas brigade” and the difference between sacking him then and terminating his contract at the end of this season is negligible.  If we do not want to be perceived as trigger happy then a termination of his contract at the end of next season would be pertinent should he fail to achieve the goals set out by the owners.

  The only problem is this time next year we could well be in the same situation with a manager with players who do not suit the style of football he wishes to play and we have spent £100m. .

[Albert]

1 hour ago, Oxfordfox83 said:

But you can't have it both ways. You can't buy 11 new players in one go and expect success, and you can't buy 3 or 4 to change your system and not play them till you get the rest in. There has to be a transition and we're in it now. The fact that Ndidi, Maguire, Diabate are thriving, Vardy, Mahrez and Albrighton are still going (albeit in patches) and that Chilwell, Gray and Iborra look half decent is a good sign that, regardless of individual games, we are going the right way.

 

It's not pretty and I'm no happier seeing us lose than anyone else, but we have that open goal to play with where we're not really in a competition, we're not under threat, and we can afford to focus on next year. I'll judge on different criteria in October, but I think I've seen enough good signs to cope with the by product of this last few months...

Obviously but I think it’s poor management if you try and make changes too quickly rather than the “slowly slowly’ approach Ranieri had. I have no issue if a manager has a vision for the future and a style that he wants to implement but do it in stages, play to the strengths of the players you have at present & then make further changes when you recruit the right personnel. Play in the present not for the future!

He had us firing when he took over and we were on a roll but then messed about with it. I could understand  experimenting/planning for the future if we had nothing to play for but we had a fantastic opportunity to hit top 6 but due to the effect of the changes he’s made it looks as though that chance has gone!

4 wins in 15 is a disaster especially when u take into account home fixtures against bottom half sides & factoring in we scored a last minute equaliser against Bournemouth & a smash and grab at Brighton! Performances have gone from bad to worse and it all comes down to bad management.

This summer we’re at a crucial crossroads where it’s obvious the squad needs refreshing. Mahrez will be off which will leave a massive hole and a few of the old guard need replacing. He’s done what he needed to do in the short term but seeing what I’ve seen so far and the depressing effect Puel has shown both on and off the pitch I have zero faith in him for the long term. He’s too much of a gamble, has no rapport with the fans, lacks personality/motivational skills and can’t be trusted in such a vital time! Get rid & start a fresh before it’s too late

[Sly]

Whilst we’re in a state of flux, changing players to suit a more possession, quick pass, move, recycle the ball type game, certain players are going to be unhappy. 

 

Its not as simple as saying wait until you have the right players to play that style. As the new players you’ll slowly bring in, might not be capable of playing the current style.

 

..... anyhow, Juan Mata anyone ? ?

[Pete from the USA]

53 minutes ago, Sly said:

Whilst we’re in a state of flux, changing players to suit a more possession, quick pass, move, recycle the ball type game, certain players are going to be unhappy. 

 

Its not as simple as saying wait until you have the right players to play that style. As the new players you’ll slowly bring in, might not be capable of playing the current style.

 

..... anyhow, Juan Mata anyone ? ?

I have been meaning to ask this: Why not make a big-ticket acquisition in the summer to replace Mahrez? I am all in favor of finding diamond-in-the-rough players from the French second division. But why not mix in an experienced big-name player? They have the transfer funds to do this. I don't know who. Juan Mata? Cesc Fàbregas? Moussa Sissoko? Just thinking "out loud" here. 

 

Edited 14 April 2018 by Pete from the USA

[sylofox]

1 hour ago, Pete from the USA said:

I have been meaning to ask this: Why not make a big-ticket acquisition in the summer to replace Mahrez? I am all in favor of finding diamond-in-the-rough players from the French second division. But why not mix in an experienced big-name player? They have the transfer funds to do this. I don't know who. Juan Mata? Cesc Fàbregas? Moussa Sissoko? Just thinking "out loud" here. 

 

Then see the unrest when your big ticket comes in on 50k a week more than anyone else.

[StriderHiryu]

9 hours ago, Pete from the USA said:

I have been meaning to ask this: Why not make a big-ticket acquisition in the summer to replace Mahrez? I am all in favor of finding diamond-in-the-rough players from the French second division. But why not mix in an experienced big-name player? They have the transfer funds to do this. I don't know who. Juan Mata? Cesc Fàbregas? Moussa Sissoko? Just thinking "out loud" here. 

 

I think we will try to do this, but won’t succeed unless we have European football. 

 

Realistically an established top / good player won’t leave unless their on the fringes in which case you have to ask how they are to be in that position. Money isn’t the problem, the club’s status is. That’s why we sadly lost Kante despite being champions. 

 

We might end up spending big on a player from Portugal or Holland for whom we would be a big draw. Hakim Ziyech who we were linked with in the past has been one of Ajax’s star performers since joining and we could probably get someone like him. However, it’s still a risk from that league. Memphis Depay and Davy Klassen were highly rated in Eredivisie but flops over here. 

 

So I expect a tier 2 replacement for Mahrez, though we might sign two such players to compensate. 

Edited 14 April 2018 by StriderHiryu

[Lionheart10]

9 hours ago, Pete from the USA said:

I have been meaning to ask this: Why not make a big-ticket acquisition in the summer to replace Mahrez? I am all in favor of finding diamond-in-the-rough players from the French second division. But why not mix in an experienced big-name player? They have the transfer funds to do this. I don't know who. Juan Mata? Cesc Fàbregas? Moussa Sissoko? Just thinking "out loud" here. 

 

We won't attract anyone of that quality,we couldn't when we were Champions so why would anyone come now,not like we're paying big wages.

[mozartfox]

19 minutes ago, Lionheart10 said:

We won't attract anyone of that quality,we couldn't when we were Champions so why would anyone come now,not like we're paying big wages.

I think you are absolutely correct there.  Our wages would, however, look good compared with most of the Bundesliga and quite a few teams in Spain, France, Portugal and Holland.   I assume that is where our Scouts have been exploring??   An added problem this window is the WC.  This will hold up moves and inflate prices, even for those players not playing in England.

[brucey]

10 hours ago, Albert said:

He had us firing when he took over and we were on a roll but then messed about with it. I could understand  experimenting/planning for the future if we had nothing to play for but we had a fantastic opportunity to hit top 6 but due to the effect of the changes he’s made it looks as though that chance has gone!

I didn't think we played that well for the first 8 or so games under Puel. The results were okay and we had brief periods of brilliance during games which meant the MOTD highlights were amazing, but during the games themselves there were long periods of awful play. I said that at the time and the response was he's trying to implement a new style so fair enough. It's now many games later and even the patchy 'highlights' have gone. We've only managed to sustain beautiful football for 90 minutes about twice. Why that is I have no idea.

[Babylon]

19 hours ago, lcfcsnow said:

He can say what he likes but I assume it was his choice to bring Simpson and Morgan back, its no surprise that the performances have got worse since we can't pass it out from the back effectively.

Hmmmm we were 8th with Simpson and Morgan at the back. One of the best performances against saints came with them at the back. They were all there in our good run of results against Spurs, Burnley, Newcastle, some great play first half against West Ham.

 

Dragovic's start record in the league is 1W    2D and 3L. With only Chelsea being a particularly convincing performance from the team.

 

People are once again massively overstating how we played with certain players in the team, in terms of good and bad performances.

[Babylon]

14 hours ago, Albert said:

When Ranieri came in he analysed the squad, tactics & the players strengths/weaknesses. He made a few tactical tweaks, saw that it was working but most importantly left it alone rather than forcing further changes to adopt his own preferred style & played to the strengths of the players.

Puel came in, analysed the squad etc etc made a few tactical tweaks, saw that it was working but then proceeded to force a new style onto players that can’t play that way & chopped & changed personnel. This has caused confusion/frustration, boring timid football that’s completely zapped the spark out of both the players & fans which has led to poor performances that are getting worse & worse. It’s poor management that will always lead to unrest! If the players at your disposal can’t play the style/system you want don’t play it until you have the players that can. 

Whether some players could play it or not, we have stuck around 8th for some time. 

 

So the question is, start implementing your system now and get most of the squad used to it, knowing you'll replace those who can't.

 

Or delay implementing it to appease some people you are going to replace at some point anyway, because they can't adapt to it?

 

Doing what you suggest just delays the inevitable for me. So long as it's not going to get you relegated, option one seems like the obvious choice.

 

He's now had a chunk of time to see who he likes and who he doesn't, in a slightly more passing style. Which should be of benefit.

[Gerard]

6 minutes ago, Babylon said:

Whether some players could play it or not, we have stuck around 8th for some time. 

 

So the question is, start implementing your system now and get most of the squad used to it, knowing you'll replace those who can't.

 

Or delay implementing it to appease some people you are going to replace at some point anyway, because they can't adapt to it?

 

Doing what you suggest just delays the inevitable for me. So long as it's not going to get you relegated, option one seems like the obvious choice.

 

He's now had a chunk of time to see who he likes and who he doesn't, in a slightly more passing style. Which should be of benefit.

 

It's also not a bad thing to just jump in at the deep end at implement the style you want to play straight the way and observe what players can cope with it and what players can't.

[Matt]

On 13/04/2018 at 15:01, StriderHiryu said:

At least he's saying the right things. Let's see what happens tomorrow.

 

[NotTheMarketLeader]

20 hours ago, Donut said:

Youd really take FIFTEENTH place, i.e. almost being sucked into a relegation battle, over being EIGHTH in the Premier League, if it came with a more direct style? Wow...im surprised at that to say the least, but i admire your honesty.

 

I think whats more likely is if we were 15th, people would be saying we are underachieving with this squad.......why arent we 8th??

 

Do you think would be better for Puel to abandon his philosophies, the ones that have brought him success in the past, in order to play a system and style that benefits a centre back on his last legs, a full back who is a header and kicker and almost nothing else, a number ten that offers zero creativity, a horrid first touch and whos main attribute is to run around until physically fvcked after an hour? an old slow left back in Fuchs who is about done too, instead of giving Chilwell some time? i thought everyone enjoyed giving youth a fair crack.

 

If so, who should be on our summer transfer list? Ryan Shawcross, Phil Bardsley and a number 10 i cant even think of because by definition someone who plays in the number 10 role is a player with decent touch and plays with his head up. a creator. Not some sort of batshit mental workhorse.

 

Whats the point in having a very good quality ball playing defender in Harry Maguire, if rather than wanting him to bring the ball out from the back and make neat passes into midfield, we want him to start bashing 60 yard passes that 9 out of 10 will sail out of play or be mopped up easily by the opponent. Whats the point in having a quality midfield orchestrator like Iborra, if youre only interested in him trying to pick up the 2nd balls in midfield, rather than get his foot on the ball and dictate the play?

 

I cant think of one manager who plays a brand of direct football AND make it a success that fans wouldnt eventually get bored of and want to see a better technical team.

 

I use the term "success" relatively. Dont think by that i dont mean mid table, with a certain group of players, is not success. But who springs to mind when you think direct? Pulis, Allardyce, Dyche, and then in the past you had notable managers like John Beck, Harry Bassett, Joe Kinnear, to a lesser extent Graham Taylor who had a very direct Watford team but that was more in an era where the longer ball was more common.

 

But leaving out the older managers and focusing on the current ones, no one would want Allardyce or Pulis and Sean Dyche is living off the back of this one season where he has done what we did in the title season and massively overachieved. He knows hes overachieving and he has a cushy job with little to no expectations and they could EASILY slide back to the wrong end of the table quickly.

 

So as i see it, theres no one out there really to come in and make us more direct AND make that better in the long term thats realistic. In terms of managers who have more progressive philosophies, there are alternatives around, but these might be out of our league or hanging on for better jobs, or have an element of mercenary to them like Marco Silva.

 

If its a case of "going back to what we know"....its becoming less and less effective and has two absolutely key ingredients missing in Kante and Drinkwater.

 

Youre right to say that Shakespeare was not good enough, and he wasnt good enough for precisely THIS reason. He did absolutely NOTHING to put a new stamp on us. He simply tried to piggy back on what Ranieri did, which worked in the short term as it does for a lot of managers as players give more effort, and then the same boring, predictable, one dimensional tactics stop working because the opposition are well drilled in maintaining a deeper line, managing long spells of possession themselves AND we didnt have the ball to do anything with it.

 

Just to close, i do find it interesting that most fan bases would want their team to play a shorter passing style, greater control, and to score goals from passing moves. Yet we seem to be the total opposite here. We want to bang it forward as fast as possible, be one dimensional and rely on one man for all the goals. The crudeness, the lack of precision and one paced tempo are what our dissenting fans would brand as "exciting".

Again you are muddying the waters with an essay.

 

Another loss today, with us not at it from the start.

 

Another mistake from Wes, who if we are to play the manager’s passing game should not be in above Dragovic in any sane world.

 

Without wanting to drag this on longer, these are further points which lay at Puel’s door.

 

Or are we only allowed to give him credit for the wins and no responsibility for mistakes and losses? 

 

To to be clear with regard to your final paragraph; I do not advocate simply launching the ball forward; Ive never said that. 

 

What I have said is we are passing for passings sake, do not have have enough intensity and are not being positive or playing with enough intent to score goals.

 

Conceeding the first goal is a massive disadvantage, which our Claude appears totally oblivious to.

 

Edited 14 April 2018 by NotTheMarketLeader

[lozzyblue fox]

so glad we came out fighting from the off.

 

[StriderHiryu]

1 hour ago, Matt said:

 

Yep my thoughts exactly. Game over after ten minutes. 

 

Think Puel will be gone at the end of the season now.