Lessons learnt from the past

[Collymore]

That Bournemouth game last season the wheels came off. It was so heartbreaking at the time as I think many of us fully understood that we were watching the season unravel and the players self destruct in a single game.

 

I felt today we had a ruthlessness about us that was born from last season's negative experience. It was as if there was a collective understanding of how important it was not to fall into the same trap.

 

We talk about squads getting better over time through players hitting their peak years but that's not forget we're developing in so many ways other than just technique and skill - that horrid experience being a blessing in the long run I'm sure.

 

There's an energy and focus about us that I believe has been born from it.

 

 

 

 

 

Edited 14 March 2021 by Collymore

[foxfanazer]

Hope you're right. It's been a much more balanced season results wise and I don't see us losing 3 or 4 on the bounce anymore. It hasn't always been pretty but considering our injuries this season has been exceptional 

[harpendenfox]

4 minutes ago, Collymore said:

That Bournemouth game last season the wheels came off. It was so heartbreaking at the time as I think many of us fully understood that we were watching the season unravel and the players self destruct in a single game.

 

I felt today we had a ruthlessness about us that was born from last season's negative experience. It was as if there was a collective understanding of how important it was not to fall into the same trap.

 

We talk about squads getting better over time through players hitting their peak years but that's not forget we're developing in so many ways other than just technique and skill - that horrid experience being a blessing in the long run I'm sure.

 

There's an energy and focus about us that I believe has been born from it.

 

 

 

 

 

Being a perennial worrier I was convinced at half time that today was going to be another Bournemouth!

[Sampson]

Reminds me of our collapse at the end of the 12-13 season where we were looking certain for automatic promotion but collapsed and barely made the play-offs.

 

But our players all learnt from the experience, grew from it and we walked the Championship the following year.

 

Sometimes these things are a blessing in disguise. Let's hope it's that way this time.

[tom27111]

To me, that was quite reminiscent of beating Swansea 4-0 when Vardy was suspended in 15/16

 

A potential banana skin, missing key players, ultimately dispatched with ease.

Edited 14 March 2021 by tom27111

[deanolegend1989]

2 minutes ago, Collymore said:

That Bournemouth game last season the wheels came off. It was so heartbreaking at the time as I think many of us fully understood that we were watching the season unravel and the players self destruct in a single game.

 

I felt today we had a ruthlessness about us that was born from last season's negative experience. It was as if there was a collective understanding of how important it was not to fall into the same trap.

 

We talk about squads getting better over time through players hitting their peak years but that's not forget we're developing in so many ways other than just technique and skill - that horrid experience being a blessing in the long run I'm sure.

 

There's an energy and focus about us that I believe has been born from it.

 

 

 

 

 

The bottle and grit has been shown in the last 3 games for sure. Ruthless today, gritty to scramble a point at Turf moor and most of all to come from behind at Brighton was a huge result.

The main reason though is squad depth. We have quality to cope, especially defensively.

Last season we had a young Justin thrown into the deep end, we also had Ryan Bennet thrown in and even Wes Morgan.

Now we have Castange to come in for Justin, Fofana to come in when Evans was out. Soyuncu came back when Fofana was out and so on.

We even can pick up 7/9 points when Barnes and Maddison are out.

It’s a fantastic effort and a fantastic squad and the reason that for months now I’ve mentioned how BR would of failed if we don’t get top 4. Not because I don’t like him, but quite clearly we are more than good enough for top 4(I think arguably 2nd best) and would be underachieving if we don’t.
 

A back up for Youri is the only thing we 100% need in the summer to compete on all levels next year. Another striker to compete with Vards and Nacho too but not as critical as a creative CM(and keeping hold of our prized assets of course).

[Libertine]

I had a moment during today's game thinking about the Watford play-off defeat and how we came back the next year and gave the league an absolute roasting. Hopefully last year's experience will act as a similar catalyst and we won't mentally allow it to happen again. Bit early to say whether I have confidence in that though. 

[StanSP]

They've definitely learned. You can tell in their approach and attitude to games. Our game management is so much better, and of course Rodgers is making better subs at key times. Not to mention how much more difficult it's been with the added fixtures and thin squad to work with with consistent long-term injuries across the season.

 

I feel it would be such a statement to make if we finish the season strongly and secure a top 4 position. Not one sane fan in the world would be able to say we didn't deserve to make it should we finish there. And maybe, just maybe, it'll stop fans calling us or Rodgers 'bottlers' if we make it (I don't think we're 'bottlers' if we don't anyway but that's a different story!).

 

@Collymore you're totally right about the energy and focus. Blend that with talent and ability on the pitch, and a positive winning mentality and ambition and it's a great combination to have. In our current position, and the status of our club, I don't think there's a better manager we could have to help develop those players in the team. 

 

Think it's been said in plenty of other threads but it's such a great time to be supporting our club (not to mention the lack of fans at grounds!). We seriously do have such solid foundations to build upon and keep progressing bit by bit. Regular European tournament participation will stand us in such good stead, and remaining competitive in the league to finish in the top 6 regularly too will serve us well.

 

Onwards and upwards!

[HitchinFox]

5 minutes ago, Sampson said:

Reminds me of our collapse at the end of the 12-13 season where we were looking certain for automatic promotion but collapsed and barely made the play-offs.

 

But our players all learnt from the experience, grew from it and we walked the Championship the following year.

 

Sometimes these things are a blessing in disguise. Let's hope it's that way this time.

That game at Forest, in which we secured our play off spot in injury time (Knockaert) feels like it was yesterday. Remember it so clearly.

But just imagine what has happened between that day (4 May 2013) and today....

 

"Deeneeeey", winning the Championship, Cambiasso, the great escape, Thailand "incident", Pearson gone, Ranieri in, Vardy beats van Nistelrooy, Prem title, Champions League QF, helicopter, Rodgers in, 9-0, the great collapse....

Currently second in the league with 9 games left and in the FA Cup QF.

 

What a ride this is. Long may it continue.

 

[Jobyfox]

Well, I suppose it would be difficult to learn lessons from the future so, yes, why not? 

[MGLCFC]

I actually think playing in the Europa League this year, rather than the Champions League has helped. At the group stage, we have played somewhat weaker teams and this has allowed squad players to get valuable match time. Had we been in the Champions League, then there would have been a need to play a full strength team mid week as well as at weekends. These squad players have stepped up well when required, and as we approach the business end of the season, we have a relatively fit squad that should be able to get us over the line.

[Vacamion]

20 minutes ago, HitchinFox said:

 

"Deeneeeey", winning the Championship, Cambiasso, the great escape, Thailand "incident", Pearson gone, Ranieri in, Vardy beats van Nistelrooy, Prem title, Champions League QF, helicopter, Rodgers in, 9-0, the great collapse....
 

 

As I read this, the verse in the song "We Didn't Start The Fire" came to mind.

 

 

[David Hankey]

Let's hope it is a lesson learnt. Had we had been as ruthless in a few more games this season we'd be well above Manc City by now!!

[Guest Chocolate Teapot]

Weve not done it yet and after the 29th game last year we beat a relegation threatened side 4 nil. Long way to go yet.

[katieakita]

A season like no other due to covid but we are holding up well, on 56pts now and only reached 62pts last season. 9 games left and in our own hands we also have players coming back and hey presto we had a plan B today. Riccy P not flying today and Vardy not quite at it 3 assists mind you and missing Barnes and Madders yet we still stepped up. When the first went in we just stepped it up a level and really could have been 7 or 8 today they were poor but we were very very good. We were shot last season but look rejuvenated today and on a high, lets go for 2nd and not worry about a top 4 finish

[brucey]

50 minutes ago, harpendenfox said:

Being a perennial worrier I was convinced at half time that today was going to be another Bournemouth!

Well Madders learned his lesson about not tweeting at half time 

[deanolegend1989]

I think our squad, not just in terms of depth but personality’s is huge too. Great group of lads, good eggs.

You got the hero’s Vards, Albrighton, Kasper, Fuchs, Morgan. Experience there along with Evans all title winners.

You got a nice mix of nationality’s and friendships too. Wilf and Kel Nigerian boys, the trio of Belgium lads. Even couple of Turkish lads and a front 3 trio of English lads in Madders Barnes and Vardy.

Feels like everyone’s happy and a good mix of squad harmony, youth and experience and more importantly very talented.

Everything is right at the moment and we have an even stronger chance that last season from here to make the top 4. If we could somehow manage silverware too it would be fantastic as I believe all these boys deserve some silverware for there quality and consistency they have shown for a majority of the past 2 years.

[Foxxed]

I’m sorry but

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I hate it when people do this

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 but it’s

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

...learnt. Learned is American.

[CosbehFox]

I think it’s a bit early in the process to say that was the Bournemouth game. I also think the Bournemouth game is overplayed in our overall downfall - it was a shocker but there are other examples in last season’s run in where it went wrong. 
 

The recent run of three games has been more akin to Watford away, Brighton home and Everton away. 2 points from 9 whereas last three are 7 from 9. More grit on show, grinding when you need to and take the chances when it comes 

[Les-TA-Jon]

All good signs - but there’s literally a quarter of the season yet to play. 

[shailen]

I think you could see the players benefiting from more than a weeks rest and the energy and intensity we played at as a result was clear to see for the entire 90 mins. Sheff utd were poor but pretty much everyone turned up for us today. 

[sacreblueits442]

1 hour ago, Collymore said:

That Bournemouth game last season the wheels came off. It was so heartbreaking at the time as I think many of us fully understood that we were watching the season unravel and the players self destruct in a single game.

 

I felt today we had a ruthlessness about us that was born from last season's negative experience. It was as if there was a collective understanding of how important it was not to fall into the same trap.

 

We talk about squads getting better over time through players hitting their peak years but that's not forget we're developing in so many ways other than just technique and skill - that horrid experience being a blessing in the long run I'm sure.

 

There's an energy and focus about us that I believe has been born from it.

 

 

 

 

 

....could not describe todays performance in the first half as ruthless!!!

We left a lot of goals out on the pitch due to poor decisions, poor execution, constantly falling down in the last third. This happens in most games, that is why we struggle to get the goals which we deserve in our initial starts where we are on the front foot and playing great football.

  We need to be ruthless and in games against better teams we need to execute the passes better in the last third.

[turlo]

The team has shown much more resilience this year bouncing back from defeats straight away,  when it looked like we could go on a bad run and the media were all ready with their Leicester are bottling it again BS. I really thought we were in big trouble after the Arsenal game as the players had been looking dead on their feet for a few games and the number of injuries was mounting up but we fought hard in the games against Burnley and Brighton to come away with 4 points followed up by a convincing performance today. 

[Vardinio'sCat]

Whatever you do, stay in the Single Market and the Customs Union.

[Strokes]

54 minutes ago, Foxxed said:

I’m sorry but

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I hate it when people do this

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 but it’s

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

...learnt. Learned is American.

Well that’s me learned.