Position Most In Need Of Strengthening

[Walshie is God]

19 minutes ago, Nicolo Barella said:

Honestly I don't want us to buy anyone. If we give it a season, I think Barnes and one of Benkovic/Soyuncu are good enough to start for our team.

We need to get into Europe

[Nicolo Barella]

1 minute ago, Walshie is God said:

We need to get into Europe

I think we can do that with the team we have now, to be honest. Our main challengers are West Ham and Everton.  Everton will spend the first ten weeks or so figuring out how to play again after they add 3 starters on deadline day, and West Ham are still West Ham. Rodgers brings us a lot, and imo Perez adds a lot of what we were missing last year. 

[GDesign_JRC]

On 03/08/2019 at 13:41, LinekersApples said:

Imagine someone who could do both!

The one we are after? We need names hahaha

[Steve Earle]

Plainly we need a winger and an attacking midfielder. I’m not sure about CB but get the point that we’re an injury to Evans away from being either massively inexperienced at the back or relying once again on big Wes.

 

What worries me is how late we seem to be leaving it. Yes, Perez, JJ & Youri were signed early enough but the other two signings don’t appear to be close (and you’d expect the winger to be a starter)?

 

According to @LinekersApples they’re on their way and we should be holding on to our Y fronts. But he must have said that about a week ago. And now we have conflicting ITK info, with @Abrasive fox saying we’re in for Dunk, while @LinekersApples seems to be suggesting it’s Tarkowski.

 

A week ago I was confident of finishing above Yanited. Now I’m worried, and thinking 8th/9th. If we’re to hold onto our key players next summer, I feel we may have to do better than that.

[simon789us]

Desperate for a winger surely as good a grafter as Marc is don’t score goals DG hasn’t moved on and again doesn’t score enough I like Barnes he’s coming on but again no goals as yet need someone to go up top in a 3 with vardy and Perez 

[fuchsntf]

"""" foxestalkforum" """ ...

[Livid]

Got to be a Centre Half for me.

 

We looked tiny in comparison to Atalanta on Friday, we got out muscled and intimidated too many times last year and the one player we had who looked like a brick out house has just moved on. We need a big lad at the back. 

[Clever Fox]

While I understand the need for a top Winger I feel personally that we need a Striker more. If anything happens to Vardy were really going to be struggling for Goals.

Nacho may or may not deliver, But can we really afford to take that chance. I don't think it's worth the risk whichis why I feel we need a Striker more than a Winger.

[Raw Dykes]

2 minutes ago, Clever Fox said:

While I understand the need for a top Winger I feel personally that we need a Striker more. If anything happens to Vardy were really going to be struggling for Goals.

Nacho may or may not deliver, But can we really afford to take that chance. I don't think it's worth the risk whichis why I feel we need a Striker more than a Winger.

Perez is now 2nd choice striker, I'm sure.

 

I think Nacho might still turn out to be alright. I think Rodgers might be able to get more out of him. Nacho has looked fitter and more confident this pre-season. If we do have to play him, he'll probably get better service than he's had before, as well. I think he's very much a confidence player. If we are forced to play him, and the crowd stay off his back, then we might see a different player than we're used to. I think there is a player in there, and I don't think we can realistically hope for a much better 3rd choice striker.

 

I've said all this before, but signing a striker to play second fiddle to Vardy is extremely difficult. They have to be good enough to fill his shoes, but happy to sit on the bench most of the time. This sort of player is like hen's teeth, and isn't cheap. They also may hardly ever play, so probably aren't worthwhile persuing.

 

We had the right idea with the Perez signing - a player who will get in the first team regularly as a winger/no.10, but can play as a striker when needed. I think the only way we'll get another striker in before the end of the window is by signing another versatile player like Ayoze.

[Clever Fox]

5 minutes ago, Raw Dykes said:

Perez is now 2nd choice striker, I'm sure.

 

I think Nacho might still turn out to be alright. I think Rodgers might be able to get more out of him. Nacho has looked fitter and more confident this pre-season. If we do have to play him, he'll probably get better service than he's had before, as well. I think he's very much a confidence player. If we are forced to play him, and the crowd stay off his back, then we might see a different player than we're used to. I think there is a player in there, and I don't think we can realistically hope for a much better 3rd choice striker.

 

I've said all this before, but signing a striker to play second fiddle to Vardy is extremely difficult. They have to be good enough to fill his shoes, but happy to sit on the bench most of the time. This sort of player is like hen's teeth, and isn't cheap. They also may hardly ever play, so probably aren't worthwhile persuing.

 

We had the right idea with the Perez signing - a player who will get in the first team regularly as a winger/no.10, but can play as a striker when needed. I think the only way we'll get another striker in before the end of the window is by signing another versatile player like Ayoze.

I cant disagree with anything you say but for me too many if's and maybe's. Yes Perez is our second best hope for Goals and I rate him highly as a player.

But most of his Goals came via Rondon at Newcastle and we don't have a Rondon in our squad except maybe Slimani but it looks like he'll be off.

He may well be able to step into the Vardy role if called upon. But that's another if. Meanwhile we're slipping down the table.

The other option is depending on Nacho. Given that he hasn't delivered when under no pressure to do so, do you really want us to be depending on him if we really need goals.

Or using makeshift strikers. That's not really the way a Club hoping for top six should be operating. Which is why I feel the need for a Striker is important.

Given that we've 5 Center Backs it's crazy to go into the season with one real striker.

Strikers are a special bread. They generally live by speed of thought and instinct, They don't have to be in the Vardy mould either. They could be of a different style.

 We just need to go out and find one who is willing to sit on the bench and learn, But can deliver Goals when called upon. They're out there we just need to find one.

 

Better if we could find a Winger who could deliver goals as well as assists. Like Mahrez did then that would sort out all our problems.

[Raw Dykes]

7 minutes ago, Clever Fox said:

I cant disagree with anything you say but for me too many if's and maybe's. Yes Perez is our second best hope for Goals and I rate him highly as a player.

But most of his Goals came via Rondon at Newcastle and we don't have a Rondon in our squad except maybe Slimani but it looks like he'll be off.

He may well be able to step into the Vardy role if called upon. But that's another if. Meanwhile we're slipping down the table.

The other option is depending on Nacho. Given that he hasn't delivered when under no pressure to do so, do you really want us to be depending on him if we really need goals.

Or using makeshift strikers. That's not really the way a Club hoping for top six should be operating. Which is why I feel the need for a Striker is important.

Given that we've 5 Center Backs it's crazy to go into the season with one real striker.

Strikers are a special bread. They generally live by speed of thought and instinct, They don't have to be in the Vardy mould either. They could be of a different style.

 We just need to go out and find one who is willing to sit on the bench and learn, But can deliver Goals when called upon. They're out there we just need to find one.

 

Better if we could find a Winger who could deliver goals as well as assists. Like Mahrez did then that would sort out all our problems.

You seem to be suggesting that because Perez scored most of his goals via a target man type of striker, then he may be incapable of scoring any other way. I find this a bit odd. What makes you think he wouldn't thrive on through balls by the likes of Tielemans and Maddison? Or crosses from Ricardo? He may well score more often from the better service our midfield and fullbacks can provide him than an ultra-conservative Newcastle side could. I find it hard to believe that he wouldn't, to be honest.

 

You go as far as to say that if Perez is asked to step into Vardy's role, we'll be slipping down the table. I think this is very harsh. Especially so, considering he's yet to even play in his first competitive match! Who's to say he won't be a match for Vardy in terms of conversion rate? Seems unfair to write him off so early.

 

Yeah. Forget Slimani. I can't see him playing for us ever again. He's a total peen, anyway. Besides, there's no room for a target man in this team.

 

Re: Nacho. I'd rather have a world-class striker on the bench, but obviously, this is totally unrealistic for where we are right now. I'm not saying he's great - I'm just saying he's young, he's being managed by a talented manager, and I think there's every chance he could turn out to be a good reserve striker for us. What is the alternative? Any realistic suggestions I can think of are either no better than Perez or Nacho, or wouldn't want to come here to warm the bench every match.

 

I think saying "one real striker" is pushing it a bit. Perez might not be an out-and-out striker, but that doesn't mean he's a makeshift striker, or not a real striker. Nacho is a specialist, and while we might want better, I think we should have some patience to see how BR can get him playing before we totally write him off. He's only 3rd choice. Anyway, he is a real striker.

 

I really, really don't think the club can currently hope to find strikers better than the likes of Perez and then, save for an injury-crisis, never play them. It doesn't make sense financially, even if we could find such a player who's willing to join and, most likely, never play.

 

I would be interested to hear if you have any specific strikers in mind who you think would fit the bill.

 

I do agree with your last sentence. I think we are after a winger, and I hope we do get someone who can chip in with goals. Even if we don't sign anyone, I think Barnes could be that player before too long. I also think that Rodgers might be able to get more goals out of Albrighton. It seems like he's been playing slightly differently this pre-season, and I wouldn't doubt that BR is giving him different instructions to see what else he's capable of.

[Clever Fox]

1 hour ago, Raw Dykes said:

You seem to be suggesting that because Perez scored most of his goals via a target man type of striker, then he may be incapable of scoring any other way. I find this a bit odd. What makes you think he wouldn't thrive on through balls by the likes of Tielemans and Maddison? Or crosses from Ricardo? He may well score more often from the better service our midfield and fullbacks can provide him than an ultra-conservative Newcastle side could. I find it hard to believe that he wouldn't, to be honest.

 

No I'm merely pointing out the facts

 

You go as far as to say that if Perez is asked to step into Vardy's role, we'll be slipping down the table. I think this is very harsh. Especially so, considering he's yet to even play in his first competitive match! Who's to say he won't be a match for Vardy in terms of conversion rate? Seems unfair to write him off so early.

 

Yeah. Forget Slimani. I can't see him playing for us ever again. He's a total peen, anyway. Besides, there's no room for a target man in this team.

 

Re: Nacho. I'd rather have a world-class striker on the bench, but obviously, this is totally unrealistic for where we are right now. I'm not saying he's great - I'm just saying he's young, he's being managed by a talented manager, and I think there's every chance he could turn out to be a good reserve striker for us. What is the alternative? Any realistic suggestions I can think of are either no better than Perez or Nacho, or wouldn't want to come here to warm the bench every match.

 

I think saying "one real striker" is pushing it a bit. Perez might not be an out-and-out striker, but that doesn't mean he's a makeshift striker, or not a real striker. Nacho is a specialist, and while we might want better, I think we should have some patience to see how BR can get him playing before we totally write him off. He's only 3rd choice. Anyway, he is a real striker.

 

I really, really don't think the club can currently hope to find strikers better than the likes of Perez and then, save for an injury-crisis, never play them. It doesn't make sense financially, even if we could find such a player who's willing to join and, most likely, never play.

 

I would be interested to hear if you have any specific strikers in mind who you think would fit the bill.

 

I do agree with your last sentence. I think we are after a winger, and I hope we do get someone who can chip in with goals. Even if we don't sign anyone, I think Barnes could be that player before too long. I also think that Rodgers might be able to get more goals out of Albrighton. It seems like he's been playing slightly differently this pre-season, and I wouldn't doubt that BR is giving him different instructions to see what else he's capable of.

No I'm merely pointing the facts as we know them. That's how he scored most of his goals last season. Perez may well benefit from a better service. I suspect he will because he's a very good player who I rate highly. But you might be missing the fact that while he may be taking chances, Vardy is pulling defenders in a different direction.

My main point is, That all changes if Vardy or another Striker isn't there.

 

While I don't see Slimani playing any part this season either, There's always room for a target man no matter how good a team is.

Another fear I have for this season is we may become too one dimensional. The more you can alter the play the better the chance for success.

 

Nacho is still struggling, fact. Do we really want to go into the season depending on him coming good. He must have something for us to pay so much for him but we haven't seen it yet. My own opinion is he needs to be loaned out to find his feet again and gain confidence. Then he might come good.

 

The only Striker we have at present is Vardy. Perez who I rate highly has still to deliver for us on a regular basis before we can positively say we have two strikers.

 

I don't have any strikers in mind as I haven't been looking, But they are out there,  That I know for certain and we need to find one fast. Otherwise we're a bad injury to Vardy away from possibly struggling for Goals. Such are the margins in this league.

 

A winger who can deliver Goals and assists like Mahrez did you guarantee another top ten finish. Barnes needs another season of development before we should expect too much from him. He is progressing nicely but still finding his feet at this level. Albrighton might also chip in with a few more goals from better support and movement.

 

I'd be very surprised if BR goes into the season with only one proven striker especially as we have good cover for everyone else except  Vardy. Which is why I think we will still sign another Striker before the window closes.

I also think the delay in getting Slimani and others out is holding us back a bit in making more signings. So I am expecting a busy week.

 

 

[lcfcfan97]

On 03/08/2019 at 11:17, Poznan34 said:

right wing. if we want to compete with top 6, Gray just isn't up to scratch.

Perez will start on the right. We need someone on the left. I like Barnes and Albrighton, but they do not yet score enough to make us top 6

 

[Raw Dykes]

1 hour ago, Clever Fox said:

No I'm merely pointing the facts as we know them. That's how he scored most of his goals last season. Perez may well benefit from a better service. I suspect he will because he's a very good player who I rate highly. But you might be missing the fact that while he may be taking chances, Vardy is pulling defenders in a different direction.

My main point is, That all changes if Vardy or another Striker isn't there.

 

While I don't see Slimani playing any part this season either, There's always room for a target man no matter how good a team is.

Another fear I have for this season is we may become too one dimensional. The more you can alter the play the better the chance for success.

 

Nacho is still struggling, fact. Do we really want to go into the season depending on him coming good. He must have something for us to pay so much for him but we haven't seen it yet. My own opinion is he needs to be loaned out to find his feet again and gain confidence. Then he might come good.

 

The only Striker we have at present is Vardy. Perez who I rate highly has still to deliver for us on a regular basis before we can positively say we have two strikers.

 

I don't have any strikers in mind as I haven't been looking, But they are out there,  That I know for certain and we need to find one fast. Otherwise we're a bad injury to Vardy away from possibly struggling for Goals. Such are the margins in this league.

 

A winger who can deliver Goals and assists like Mahrez did you guarantee another top ten finish. Barnes needs another season of development before we should expect too much from him. He is progressing nicely but still finding his feet at this level. Albrighton might also chip in with a few more goals from better support and movement.

 

I'd be very surprised if BR goes into the season with only one proven striker especially as we have good cover for everyone else except  Vardy. Which is why I think we will still sign another Striker before the window closes.

I also think the delay in getting Slimani and others out is holding us back a bit in making more signings. So I am expecting a busy week.

You claim to not like relying on ifs and maybes, but you appear to be suggesting Perez would struggle if Vardy or another striker isn't playing alongside him pulling defenders away from him. That's quite a big if.

 

I disagree re: target men. I have to say, I find the whole concept of a target man rather outdated, really. Route 1 football isn't clever, and isn't something a club like ours should be aiming to do. We've got some quality players with bags of creativity. To ask them to hoof the ball up to an Andy Carroll/Peter Crouch is a bit of an insult. We're better than that now. Neither Man City nor Liverpool have lumbering oafs leading the line. They're not necessary.

 

I agree re: becoming one-dimensional, but we've seen BR trying out various tactics. There will be variation in our play. That doesn't mean that we ever have to rely on a giant centre forward nodding the ball on.

 

Nacho was struggling. Fact. He's just had an encouraging pre-season. He looks leaner, fitter, more eager to press, and it is yet to be seen how he gets on in a competitive match. Let's not forget that he a 3rd choice striker, for a club that plays one up top. It might be a long while before he is even needed in the first team. When he is, with the team around him in better shape, I think he has a much better chance of success. Do I really want to depend on him? As I've already said, in an ideal world - no. In the real world - I do not believe that there is any urgent need or realistic hope of replacing our 3rd choice striker with anything significantly better.

 

You've said a few times that Perez is a very good player who you rate highly, but you also claim that there is no good cover for Vardy. Which is it? On the one hand, you're praising Perez, on the other, you're saying he has to prove himself over a lengthy period before we can even call him a striker. This seems to me like cognitive dissonance. Right here and now, before he's even kicked a ball in anger, what reason would we possibly have to not acknowledge his ability to play as a striker, just as he has done previously? Do we also not call Justin a fullback until he has proved to us time and time again that he can do it to an acceptable level? If that's the case, then what's the difference?

 

Vardy is not the only striker. Perez and Nacho are also strikers.

 

You say a good backup striker is out there, but you can't name any. I think any we come up with will either not be good enough, or will not be happy being 2nd or 3rd fiddle. I think your expectations are too high.

 

Instead of replacing Mahrez directly, we have improved other positions instead. Ricardo and Maddison came in last year and strengthened our 2 weakest positions. Now we've got Tielemans and Perez to strengthen 2 more. A Mahrez type of player does add a lot to a team, but it's just as good to improve a number of positions by a smaller amount. Better, in fact, as you're not putting all of your eggs in one basket.

 

Please, brace yourself for disappointment, then, because I cannot see us signing another out-and-out, proven striker before the deadline on Thursday. Possibly a versatile forward like Perez, but you won't even recognise him as a striker, so I guess that won't count in your opinion. We will be playing with one striker in the team, and we have one, or maybe two, capable reserves. I think that is as much as we can ask.

Edited 5 August 2019 by Raw Dykes

[Max Power]

Another central midfielder is key. If Maddison or Tielemans get injured we are playing someone not only inferior but I’ll suited to the role as Rodgers sees it in this system. Mendy and Hamza are better suited to Ndidi’s role at the base. We have four wingers, we have four centre backs. We need another option to play as an 8. 

 

Ideally we would sign a great centre back in his prime, a top level winger and a new number 8 but there’s no way we do that in three days and we spend that much money in a window. 

[Jon the Hat]

Striker.  If Vardy gets injured I just don't see where the goals are coming from.  We need someone to challenge him for his starting spot.

[pazzerfox]

Surely we definitely need a new Centre Back.  When Evans gets injured (like he does most seasons), we will be down to Wes, Soyuncu and Benkovich (who is currently injured).  Not ideal and definitely won't be challenging for the top 6.