Concerned for next season?

[The boy Linacre]

On 23/07/2022 at 17:55, JimmyC74 said:

Some of the attacking play has been really positive this pre-season and if we can keep Ndidi, Little Wes and Evans fit for the majority of the season we can make top 8.
 

With Palace, Villa and Newcastle all investing it will be a more competitive season no doubt so we can’t afford to gift goals / results like last year. We need to have sorted out our set piece problem.
 

If we can add a RW and LCB I would be more confident of pushing for Europe. All to play for tho.

I worry about about relying primarily on Jamie Vardy for another season for our goals (fitness wise) but we have a very decent all round side, would be really nice to get rid of all the players we don't want to perhaps give us the opportunity to get in 1 or 2.  He doesn't want them there, he doesn't really want to play them and they are costing us good money.

Need to get the 2 centre backs and Wilf playing 30+ league games this season.

But interesting article in ST last week by Jonathan Northcroft on player churn and more than something like 3.5 transfers per summer/window is actually detrimental to teams, so some like Newcastle, Villa, Arsenal etc. may find it a challenge.

Didn't we bring a few in last season Patson, Vestergaard, Betrand and then actually many see last season as a step backwards.

 

Always optimistic.  Last few seasons have shown us, this team MUST start well and be up there, look at getting mullered at Wet Spam late August last year, always struggling after that, as even though Perez was sent off, Cags had a meltdown and we were poor and it then carried on.

[Number 6]

I think what the current transfer market malaise for us is showing is that it is crucial that we get the right people in - not just bodies for the sake of it. Otherwise we end up packing out the squad with players we don't want to use and can't sell. With that in mind I don't mind so much that we haven't brought anyone in. Mendy, Praet and Fofona come in and will add value, and the lack of European games will be a big plus for wear and tear on the squad. It will be interesting to see how we compete with the likes of West Ham, Newcastle, Villa, Wolves but I think we should fancy our chances in this group. I think the top 5 or 6 are too strong currently, but no reason we can't make a push if the schedule is kinder for us and we resolve some of the defensive issues that destroyed us last season.

[foxinsocks]

3 hours ago, The boy Linacre said:

I worry about about relying primarily on Jamie Vardy for another season for our goals (fitness wise) but we have a very decent all round side, would be really nice to get rid of all the players we don't want to perhaps give us the opportunity to get in 1 or 2.  He doesn't want them there, he doesn't really want to play them and they are costing us good money.

Need to get the 2 centre backs and Wilf playing 30+ league games this season.

But interesting article in ST last week by Jonathan Northcroft on player churn and more than something like 3.5 transfers per summer/window is actually detrimental to teams, so some like Newcastle, Villa, Arsenal etc. may find it a challenge.

Didn't we bring a few in last season Patson, Vestergaard, Betrand and then actually many see last season as a step backwards.

 

Always optimistic.  Last few seasons have shown us, this team MUST start well and be up there, look at getting mullered at Wet Spam late August last year, always struggling after that, as even though Perez was sent off, Cags had a meltdown and we were poor and it then carried on.

I honestly think daka should play the first 60min of every game.  Bring vardy on when game starts to stretch.   The opposition defenders will be quaking 

[Always Next Year]

9 hours ago, smudgerfox said:

The crunch will come with who gets left out of the squad. That has the potential to be very divisive.

 

And of course if/when Fofana and Evans get injured - because as we all know BR practically gives up on defending if they’re not there. 

Can’t wait to see what brain fart subs Rodgers makes with all these this season.

[Big_Nige]

My biggest concern is walking round the corner to the ground a week on Sunday and hearing Sweet feckin Caroline blasting out while some guy in a replica shirt that’s 2 sizes too small plays the air trumpet

[RobHawk]

I'm sure spurs had a preseason a few years ago where they didn't sign anyone and still went on to have a good season. 

 

It may even have been the champs league final season but don't quote me on that because I'm senile at the best of times. 

 

Champions League final here we come. 

[lcfcsnow]

1 hour ago, Big_Nige said:

My biggest concern is walking round the corner to the ground a week on Sunday and hearing Sweet feckin Caroline blasting out

Walking in to the stadium, everyone singing and clapping along to Sweet Caroline.

[yorkie1999]

Really hope that sweet Caroline takes off. Love to see the cringers cringinging

[Dames]

1 hour ago, Big_Nige said:

My biggest concern is walking round the corner to the ground a week on Sunday and hearing Sweet feckin Caroline blasting out while some guy in a replica shirt that’s 2 sizes too small plays the air trumpet

Eddie Hearn deserves capital punishment for making that song popular at UK sporting events. 

[winteriscoming]

1 minute ago, Dames said:

Eddie Hearn deserves capital punishment. 

Fixed it for you. 

[Aus Fox]

On 25/07/2022 at 18:55, smudgerfox said:

The crunch will come with who gets left out of the squad. That has the potential to be very divisive.

 

And of course if/when Fofana and Evans get injured - because as we all know BR practically gives up on defending if they’re not there. 

I would say the 22 who started against Preston/Derby bar Thomas who I don’t think needs to be in the squad and Stolarkzyk who will be replaced at this stage by Ward and Iversen plus Perez and Mendy. 
That maybe leaves room for one of Choudhury, Wright, Brunt at this stage - unless I’m forgetting anyone obvious.

[Vardinio'sCat]

More excited than concerned, although big injuries could expose us again.

[The Doctor]

I can't really be bothered to read 9 pages, but it is a legitimate fear. The table based on expected points last season (basically, an expression of points based on expected goals) had us 15th, ahead of only the three relegated clubs, Newcastle and wolves (and the latter two only because we really padded our stats in the last three games, filter them out and it's 17th). We ran incredibly hot in front of goal last season (no side outperformed their xG by more than we did) but that does mask a few problems and relies basically on Maddison still having a point to prove to Southgate, an increasingly aging Vardy staying fit and clinical and where he's not fit, Daka and Iheanacho stepping up.

[It'sblueupnorth]

9 minutes ago, The Doctor said:

I can't really be bothered to read 9 pages, but it is a legitimate fear. The table based on expected points last season (basically, an expression of points based on expected goals) had us 15th, ahead of only the three relegated clubs, Newcastle and wolves (and the latter two only because we really padded our stats in the last three games, filter them out and it's 17th). We ran incredibly hot in front of goal last season (no side outperformed their xG by more than we did) but that does mask a few problems and relies basically on Maddison still having a point to prove to Southgate, an increasingly aging Vardy staying fit and clinical and where he's not fit, Daka and Iheanacho stepping up.

Just shows how relative xG is. I remember Watford had more xG when we beat them at home last season yet the total yardage of our 4 goals must have been 12 yards. xG has no perspective at all and should not be used as a stat to base a worrying season on. 
Take set pieces away and our xG would probably be less than 1. If we can sort set pieces and keep a back 4 fit for more than 5 games then I don’t see why we can’t better our pts tally from last season

[The Doctor]

4 minutes ago, It'sblueupnorth said:

Just shows how relative xG is. I remember Watford had more xG when we beat them at home last season yet the total yardage of our 4 goals must have been 12 yards. xG has no perspective at all and should not be used as a stat to base a worrying season on. 
Take set pieces away and our xG would probably be less than 1. If we can sort set pieces and keep a back 4 fit for more than 5 games then I don’t see why we can’t better our pts tally from last season

So, none of this is right?

 

The Watford game was pretty even in terms of xG because they got a penalty. Set the penalty aside for a second (most will do in this because winning a penalty is not a great indicator of creativity) and you're looking at a ratio of 1.3:1 in favour of us. 

 

Expected points does very much have perspective, it's an evaluation of the balance of a game and how one sided it was. Doesn't map to actual points of course but that doesn't mean it lacks perspective, it's an acknowledgment that smash and grab results are notable for their rarity (majority of the time, the better side wins).

 

xG is a measurement of attacking creativity, our inability to defend set pieces does not impact it. It does impact xGA (expected goals against) but we actually overperformed that quite heavily as well, mostly from open play (set pieces and corners we matched). 

 

Basically, we massively overperformed in attack and defence last season based on the chances we created and chances we gave up. That isn't exactly sustainable and we need to improve all-round play or we will slowly be dragged down into relegation battles and have a Southampton esque trajectory 

[foxfanazer]

On 21/07/2022 at 22:42, foxfanazer said:

Oh yay another thread!!

 

This is genuinely not meant as a doom mongering thread or a Rodger in/out debate but am I wrong to be concerned about us potentially being in the relegation mix next season? 

Obviously the transfer window still as a way to go but i think it's pretty safe to say any dealings will be minimal.

 

My main concerns are these long runs of poor form and performances we go on under Brendan. It really does take us a long time to turn things around when we're in a slump. Another worry is obviously the set piece deficiencies that we simply never address which will continue to cost us goals. I've not seen anything to change my mind on that. 

Our inactivity in the transfer window is obviously a hot topic at the moment and although new signings aren't essential to a successful season they do help breathe some life into a lacklustre squad.

 

I do fully expect us to survive just based on the overall quality we have but I don't see it being comfortable. The reduced amount of games could be vital and hopefully we get luckier on the injury front also. 

 

So you glass half full fans do me a favour and alleviate my worries!

 

Got roasted by a fair few for this

[Royston.]

Yep some posters looking a bit silly right now and I haven't looked up my post yet!!

[Sol thewall Bamba]

On 22/07/2022 at 12:01, Sol thewall Bamba said:

It's been the same for years, I bet teams love playing against us, they know they're in for an easy ride physically.

It's hard being right all the time 

[Vindaloo FOX]

Next season will be wonderful.

 

Back in the championship, NP most likely back and Vardy scoring goals for fun again.

 

Bring it on !!

[Buzzell]

Just now, Vindaloo FOX said:

Next season will be wonderful.

 

Back in the championship, NP most likely back and Vardy scoring goals for fun again.

 

Bring it on !!

And fighting Forest for promotion again. What more could you want  

[fox_up_north]

Cheaper tickets and no VAR. I fail to see what the issue is. 

[Royston.]

On 23/07/2022 at 17:37, kingkisnorbo said:

When people say “we’ll be absolutely fine”. What does that mean in practice? Genuine question. 

Means they know fcuk all like the rest of us!

[atomicfox]

@PAPA LAZAROU was most on the ball here, got a fair bit of flack for it too.

[PAPA LAZAROU]

40 minutes ago, atomicfox said:

@PAPA LAZAROU was most on the ball here, got a fair bit of flack for it too.

Thanks, atomic.I often do here but it won't stop me from saying what I think and I readily admit if I'm wrong. It's just as Oasis sang, you've got to roll with it. 

[Matt]

This thread makes for funny reading.

 

Glad some saw the warning signs and red flags.