Concerned for next season?

[foxfanazer]

1 minute ago, moore_94 said:

Not as often as we would like obviously, but with a lot less football and longer breaks between matches the players are going to be able to have a lot more recovery time and even just that hopefully should reduce our injury issues quite a bit compared to the past couple of seasons - I wouldn't be surprised if we still have a few injury issues as it is the Rodgers way, but we are going to be a lot less likely to lose people through running them into the ground when they only have 1 game a week rather than 3 in 10 days etc.

 

I know Rodgers has mentioned that missing Ndidi makes a big difference for set pieces when we have a pretty small squad in general anyway, and I think the conceding from corners issue although still there was a lot less prevalent once Fofana was back in the team as well

Yeah we're due some luck in that regard that's for sure

[HighPeakFox]

1 minute ago, foxfanazer said:

It does but I'm very much a feelings kind of fan. Very rarely study the stats 

I think stats alone can also be misleading - I think perhaps you are a good example of many of us, that at times we only remember the bad things and they dominate our thinking - it can happen to me when I perform professionally, and I have to work hard with my pupils not to fixate on errors when they get so much right.

[The whole world smiles]

Fofana

Ndidi 

Maddison 

Vardy

Barnes

 

Would all walk into the first 11 of 80/90 percent of Premier league teams. 

 

Justin, Ricardo are on the same level if they re discover their pre injury form. 

 

We are far more likely to be in Europe next season than the championship 

[Matt_Lcfc]

No way would we get relegated with Vardy and Schmeichel in the dressing room. They just wouldn’t let it happen. Regardless though, having players like Fofana, Maddison and Ndidi at your disposal is so much better than at least half of the division. These are established PL players, make no mistake, these could play for pretty much any side in the division.
 

No need to be concerned as such, but as another poster has said above, it’s a bit disappointing with the lack of transfer activity. All this talk about a refresh and for nothing to materialise isn’t great - it is evident where we need to improve, these problems have not been addressed.

 

It all seems a bit gloomy at the moment, but don’t forget, this is a strong squad. 8th place and a European semi-final last season and yet, it felt like a chore watching us.
 

I genuinely think that this squad can finish in the top seven. However, my main concern is that if you don’t invest, other teams will catch up. The division will become more competitive when you look at the transfer activity of clubs like Newcastle, Villa and West Ham.

Edited 21 July 2022 by Matt_Lcfc

[fox_up_north]

Tbh, come November I'll have bigger concerns than how a football team is doing. Really got no enthusiasm for this season

[Lesta2014]

10th placed finish and the carabao cup is my prediction. 

[Fear Of The Fox]

14 minutes ago, fox_up_north said:

Tbh, come November I'll have bigger concerns than how a football team is doing. Really got no enthusiasm for this season

This is really a bit sad. Hope the best for you and everyone. 

[yorkie1999]

If we can maintain a  fully fit team we should have a great season, we've got some serious quality. The only problem area is the right wing as we've never really come to terms with losing Mahrez. That Leeds right winger should be the target imo. .....Too late, Barcalona bought him.

Edited 21 July 2022 by yorkie1999

[Ashley]

No.

 

Games come thick and fast this coming Season, especially before Christmas. Those in Europe bar Man City and Liverpool will struggle. 

 

IF we manage to keep everyone fit, we're fighting for a European Place, dear I even say it. Top 4. 

 

We were considered to have a bad Season last season, and the likes of West Ham one of their best ever. we finished 4pts off them despite having a injury hit Season and being massively below par. 

 

We will be fine. 

[Stadt]

There was a stage were I was concerned last season but the 6 points from the Burnley & Leeds games made sure we were ok. 
 

Our floor is about 14th but finishing in the bottom half for us should be viewed as catastrophic now. If we to challenge the big 6 we have to ditch the perennial underg mentality and assume the mindset of a club that ought to be up there. 
 

My concerns are that almost all of our metrics are trending downwards over Rodgers’ stint - some if that can be attributed to fixture congestion which shouldn’t be as bad this season but it’s not a rosy picture.

 

Another problem is that we have quite a few long term issues that won’t change without intervention, just hoping for the best isn’t a good strategy.

 

Set pieces

Injuries 

Holding onto leads 

Breaking teams down 

 

Are all problems that have been festering for a while, 1 or 2 might just be variance but they’re not all going to drop out like creases as the season goes on. 

On the flip side, we have such a talented set of players that we can gloss over issues routinely. Maddison, Vardy, Barnes, Daka and Iheanacho are a genuinely fearsome attack. Besides Maddison none of them were close to what they’re truly capable of last season either.

[indierich06]

Wish we'd strengthened by now, but not particularly concerned. Squad is more or less fully fit, no European games to bother with. Think we'll do just fine this season, might not pull up any trees, but there are far worse teams than us out there. 

[Bptiger]

I would still like us to get rid of 3-4 players, even if we need to take a SMALL loss on them . Would be happy if Pratt stayed and was given a FAIR go by Rodgers . If we got rid of YOURI then we need to buy a replacement, other than that I think we could get by till next year 

[Jobyfox]

17 minutes ago, Stadt said:

There was a stage were I was concerned last season but the 6 points from the Burnley & Leeds games made sure we were ok. 
 

Our floor is about 14th but finishing in the bottom half for us should be viewed as catastrophic now. If we to challenge the big 6 we have to ditch the perennial underg mentality and assume the mindset of a club that ought to be up there. 
 

My concerns are that almost all of our metrics are trending downwards over Rodgers’ stint - some if that can be attributed to fixture congestion which shouldn’t be as bad this season but it’s not a rosy picture.

 

Another problem is that we have quite a few long term issues that won’t change without intervention, just hoping for the best isn’t a good strategy.

 

Set pieces

Injuries 

Holding onto leads 

Breaking teams down 

 

Are all problems that have been festering for a while, 1 or 2 might just be variance but they’re not all going to drop out like creases as the season goes on. 

On the flip side, we have such a talented set of players that we can gloss over issues routinely. Maddison, Vardy, Barnes, Daka and Iheanacho are a genuinely fearsome attack. Besides Maddison none of them were close to what they’re truly capable of last season either.

When you say: "we" who are you referring to? We, as fans, can: "ditch the underdog mentality", but no matter how hard and loud we shout and sing we're still not matching the revenues of the big six. We're still not being funded like a club that: "ought to be up there". We remain underdogs! 

 

In answer to the original post then I am a bit worried. I fear losing Tielemans late in the window would see us short of a good quality replacement. We still lack a bit of quality to break down teams in tight games and there was some evidence that the squad were losing their way a bit last season with no clear identity. The defending and form of individual players was well documented and it looked like it needed a bit of a shake up. 

 

On the optimistic side the window is still open and we're only two or three players away from a very good team and already have a good one. We don't need a massive rebuild. We're hopefully going to start the season without a huge catalogue of injuries and that will feel like new signings. I think we could have a decent season if expectations are realistic. Without those 2 or 3 players 8th - 14th isn't the disaster that some would believe. Even with 3 or 4 new signings top six remains the stretch for a  team like us and not the expectation

[Jobyfox]

9 minutes ago, Bptiger said:

I would still like us to get rid of 3-4 players, even if we need to take a SMALL loss on them . Would be happy if Pratt stayed and was given a FAIR go by Rodgers . If we got rid of YOURI then we need to buy a replacement, other than that I think we could get by till next year 

I agree with all of this, but what do you mean by a: "fair go" by Rodgers? I'm guessing that you'd agree with me that Praet is behind Ndidi, Tielemans (if he stays), KDH and Maddison? So a "fair go" to me seems like a bench player to cover those mentioned. Mendy best covers Ndidi .... others might cover Maddison better ... so he's covering YT and KDH?  That's fine if he's happy to play that role - or were you thinking he should replace one of the aforementioned? 

[Guy]

2 hours ago, HighPeakFox said:

We've finished 5th, 5th and 8th in the last 3 seasons. So no, I'm not.

True but we finished 1st in 2016 - then found ourselves in the bottom 3 the following February for a time until the owners had no choice but to change manager.....but I don't think we'll be in any relegation danger whatsoever next season tbh but a couple of quality additions would have been nice....will see!

Edited 22 July 2022 by Guy

[Guy]

2 hours ago, The whole world smiles said:

Mate, 

 

Have a look at this team... 

 

Study the players that are in it, and explain to me how in gods name they get less than 40 points next season? 

 

Madness! 

 

So you think they'll all stay fit and injury free all season long? Just saying! 

[Dan]

I think if we got relegated it'd be one of the most disastrous in the PL era, up there with the very worst - given the level of talent we have in our side.

 

I do think if we have another few windows like the last then we'll force ourselves into the mix but I'd be gobsmacked if we came down. The fact we played anywhere near our potential about 4 times last season in the league and came 8th sums up how bad we actually have to be to manage to drop. Even on off days we're often bailed out by attacking quality.

[WigstonWanderer]

2 hours ago, moore_94 said:

I know Rodgers has mentioned that missing Ndidi makes a big difference for set pieces when we have a pretty small squad in general anyway, and I think the conceding from corners issue although still there was a lot less prevalent once Fofana was back in the team as well

Been meaning to ask, where is Ndidi? Has he not yet recovered from his injury?

[Sly]

Let’s look at this another way,

how many of our current squad, potentially gets into the starting XI of other Premier League clubs, after current transfers. 
 

Schmeichel - 15+ clubs. 

Ward - 4+ clubs. 

Iversen - 0-2 clubs. 

Justin - 19 clubs. Yes, I’d have him over Zinchenko at Manchester City. 

 

Fofana - 18 clubs.

 

Soyuncu - 10 clubs. 
 

Bertrand - 0 clubs. 
 

Evans - 15 clubs. 
 

Amartey - 10 clubs. 
 

Vestegaard - 8 clubs. 
 

Ricardo - 14 clubs.

Castagne - 10 clubs. 
 

Thomas - 5 clubs. 
 

Barnes - 14 clubs. 
 

Tielemans - 16 clubs. 
 

Maddison - 16 clubs. 
 

Albrighton - 5 clubs. 
 

Choudhury - 3 clubs. 
 

Dewsbury Hall - 8 clubs. 
 

Mendy - 6 clubs. 
 

N’Didi - 15 clubs. 
 

Praet - 8 clubs. 
 

Soumare - 3 clubs. 
 

Vardy - 14 clubs. 

Daka - 14 clubs. 
 

Iheanacho - 10 clubs. 
 

Perez - 8 clubs. 
 

Even our weakest team, if we had the injuries again would stand a fighting chance of staying in the league this season. 
 

                    Iversen

Castage Amartey Vestergaard Thomas 

           Mendy Praet Choudhury

              Wright      Perez 

                    Iheanacho
 

 

[Guest]

3 minutes ago, Sly said:

Even our weakest team, if we had the injuries again would stand a fighting chance of staying in the league this season. 

 

                    Iversen

Castage Amartey Vestergaard Thomas 

           Mendy Praet Choudhury

              Wright      Perez 

                    Iheanacho
 

 

I have to say I admire your faith in that midfield and centre back pairing

[Sly]

1 minute ago, Guest said:

I have to say I admire your faith in that midfield and centre back pairing

The defence concedes to fun anyway! 😂 

 

I did have another look after and posted and wonder if I’d maybe have been a bit brave. 😂 

[WigstonWanderer]

3 hours ago, moore_94 said:

I know Rodgers has mentioned that missing Ndidi makes a big difference for set pieces when we have a pretty small squad in general anyway, and I think the conceding from corners issue although still there was a lot less prevalent once Fofana was back in the team as well

Been meaning to ask, where is Ndidi? Has he not yet recovered from his injury?

[Sly]

3 minutes ago, WigstonWanderer said:

Been meaning to ask, where is Ndidi? Has he not yet recovered from his injury?

He picked up an ankle injury in training. He might be okay for the next few games. 

[Bptiger]

1 hour ago, Jobyfox said:

I agree with all of this, but what do you mean by a: "fair go" by Rodgers? I'm guessing that you'd agree with me that Praet is behind Ndidi, Tielemans (if he stays), KDH and Maddison? So a "fair go" to me seems like a bench player to cover those mentioned. Mendy best covers Ndidi .... others might cover Maddison better ... so he's covering YT and KDH?  That's fine if he's happy to play that role - or were you thinking he should replace one of the aforementioned? 

No more of a rotating role , over the last two years we have run our midfield players into the ground , I know we have no European football this year , but we need to use the players better . That’s all 

[damolcfc]

Starting to think about it in my sleep.... looking over my shoulder now.....

Dunno, something feels not quite right ,hope I'm wrong 😕