LCFC 1-1 Portsmouth - Post Match Thread

[Dan]

5 hours ago, OntarioFox said:

Absolute scenes when the scoreboard got hacked

Is that before the end? Yet people think being gaslit on attendances is normal

[Dan]

5 hours ago, Muzzy_no7 said:

I absolutely detest this modern obsession with not one of the two full backs overlapping. 

Dour and ineffective. Utterly awful trend - surprise surprise, spineless FC love it.

[Matt_Lcfc]

The defending on the Portsmouth goal exemplifies our basic defensive deficiencies. Faes has to make a critical decision: either engage the player directly or drop off to cover the runners. He does neither. Thomas also does not track Swift. Look at the goal, he is nowhere near him. He was unmarked and has all the space and time in the world to put the ball in the net. There is a complete lack of leadership (everywhere) but primarily, in that defensive unit. What is genuinely hilarious is that this squad think they’re too good to be here. They need a reality check. You can look at the positive aspect: one loss in ten. OK, but if we are thinking objectively, I’d say we look an even match to every side we have played this season - Wrexham, Portsmouth, Sheff Weds; its alarming. It underpins the poor planning at the club, no leadership at the back, a midfield who can’t be bothered to be at the club and nobody to put the ball in the net. If this squad genuinely think they’re too good to be in this division, they’ll get a reality check. If we continue on a performance trajectory, we will finish 11th, and I’m assuming we do not get hit with a points deduction there. At this rate, Coventry will be as good as promoted by Easter. If that doesn’t demonstrate how far we have fallen, then I’m not too sure what will.

Edited 19 October 2025 by Matt_Lcfc

[volpeazzurro]

6 hours ago, phoneticerror said:

It’s not about the manager - it’s about the ****ing sheer quality we had during that period.

He bought those players! He originally inherited a great squad.

[Ric Flair]

What's majorly odd is we've gone from being anonymous 1st half in games to then getting a reaction 2nd half where subs have had an impact to being decent 1st half and then the absolute pits 2nd half.

 

His subs in recent games have been horrifying. Although I think thats because the starting XI is more aligned with our best players which leaves a honking bench.

 

That 2nd half performance was unacceptable. We pushed for a winner in the closing stages and tried but from 46 - 70-75 mins we were lethargic, uninterested and deserved to lose.

 

Cifuentes has either badly been let down by the players 2nd half or he's the problem. You don't get as annoyed by the Wrexham outcome and as recently this week still keep referencing it and at half time last night not hammer the players to maintain performance levels and attitude. If he has done that then he must be livid with them and I want to start seeing some major changes to this squad.

[volpeazzurro]

6 hours ago, CL Fox said:

Yeah i hated being in Europe and winning the FA cup. This is way better.

Initially we had a great squad of players who managed it despite him. How many games initially were we poor for the majority of the match but in the second half later on, when they seemed to let lose and ignore his tactics did we pull through because we had the talent and fight to do it? The demise was coming almost from the start and you could see it and yes we were in Europe but we were crap and lost if you remember with poor performances.

 

remember Rodgers moaning about going three nil up and all over West Brom at half time because we were too open and we reverted to his tippy happy sideways backwards approach all second half? Remember 9-0 against Southampton where on the return leg you’d have thought he’d field the same team and play the same way and let them do the worrying? Only he didn’t, he changed the team and played his brand of football?

Then there was Norwich who couldn’t score let alone win and he set up defensively against them too! The writing was on the wall from the very start.

[Pliskin]

2 hours ago, Matt_Lcfc said:

The defending on the Portsmouth goal exemplifies our basic defensive deficiencies. Faes has to make a critical decision: either engage the player directly or drop off to cover the runners. He does neither. Thomas also does not track Swift. Look at the goal, he is nowhere near him. He was unmarked and has all the space and time in the world to put the ball in the net. There is a complete lack of leadership (everywhere) but primarily, in that defensive unit. What is genuinely hilarious is that this squad think they’re too good to be here. They need a reality check. You can look at the positive aspect: one loss in ten. OK, but if we are thinking objectively, I’d say we look an even match to every side we have played this season - Wrexham, Portsmouth, Sheff Weds; its alarming. It underpins the poor planning at the club, no leadership at the back, a midfield who can’t be bothered to be at the club and nobody to put the ball in the net. If this squad genuinely think they’re too good to be in this division, they’ll get a reality check. If we continue on a performance trajectory, we will finish 11th, and I’m assuming we do not get hit with a points deduction there. At this rate, Coventry will be as good as promoted by Easter. If that doesn’t demonstrate how far we have fallen, then I’m not too sure what will.

Spot on.

[CL Fox]

2 hours ago, volpeazzurro said:

Initially we had a great squad of players who managed it despite him. How many games initially were we poor for the majority of the match but in the second half later on, when they seemed to let lose and ignore his tactics did we pull through because we had the talent and fight to do it? The demise was coming almost from the start and you could see it and yes we were in Europe but we were crap and lost if you remember with poor performances.

 

remember Rodgers moaning about going three nil up and all over West Brom at half time because we were too open and we reverted to his tippy happy sideways backwards approach all second half? Remember 9-0 against Southampton where on the return leg you’d have thought he’d field the same team and play the same way and let them do the worrying? Only he didn’t, he changed the team and played his brand of football?

Then there was Norwich who couldn’t score let alone win and he set up defensively against them too! The writing was on the wall from the very start.

Yeah. Disgusting. Should have beaten Southampton 19-0.

[Lookatthebluesky]

10 hours ago, trabuch said:

They improved us tbf. Which is sad.

I don’t know what you saw to make that claim. Every sub was a downgrade on the replaced player bar Daka because he and Caranza are both equally crap.

[Bob Weasel Fox]

8 hours ago, Ricey said:

How? Put more young lads on there who clearly aren’t ready yet?

Yes I would definitely be putting a few of the young lads on the bench 

[Jazzy_Jeff]

9 hours ago, Jobyfox said:

Who are you putting in? 
 

I ask as that was more or less the starting eleven I’d have gone for. Maybe Daka for Carranza, but they look equally shite to be  honest.

 

I’m at a loss. I just can’t understand the 2nd half performances against Wrexham and now Portsmouth. I can’t think what system or personnel prevents us going from looking perfectly good to absolutely abysmal in the same match.

 

It would be easier to understand if we looked sh1t for 90 minutes.

System wise it may just need a tweak depending on how the game is going we appear to only have one way of playing regardless of how it’s going.

 

Assuming we persist with the same formation, and with having to wait until January to bring new players in we have to look for solutions within current squad.

 

GK - I’m still not sold on Stolarcyzk, is our newest keeper signing still alive?!

 

RB - might get pelters for this but I think we look better when Hamza starts and Ricky comes on. 
 

CB - for now I would persist with Faes and Vestergaard but would be bringing Souttar in as soon as he’s fit.

 

LB - I would give Kristensen a longer run in the side. If we play Hamza I would go to a back 3 in possession with VK bombing on. He’s better going forward that LT and would help whoever is playing on the left.

 

CM - needs to be Winks and JJ. When January comes we need to take what we can get for Soumare and bring a destroyer in. Until then Winks needs to just sit in front of back 4 and protect/dictate play and allow JJ to get ahead of the ball.

 

RW - Fats. 
 

10 - I like Ramsey in there.

 

LW - Monga should just be used as an impact sub. We need to play Stephy into form but until he’s fit I would look at Ayew and BDCR there. VK bombing on would allow them to come in field and leave space that side for left footer.

 

ST - take your pick. Until Jan we have to make do. Evans deserves a chance, the others - meh. 

If we have any desire to go up we need to do some business in Jan. We need a decent striker, no excuses. We should shift Faes, Daka and Soumare for whatever we can get for them. If possible do the permanent deal for JJ to free another loan up as we could do with a defensive midfielder and a winger alongside the new man up top. 
 

Massive few months ahead.

[LCFCJohn]

8 hours ago, AKCJ said:

I simply cannot support Wout Faes and I am utterly sick of watching him ponce about in a Leicester shirt.

 

If he did his ACL in training tomorrow it would make my day.

Not in a way that I would wish it on any player but I get why you mean in that it would at least force MC’s hand. Clearly I’d rather he just dropped him and he moved on January. 
 

[Ted Maul]

9 hours ago, Barrehhh said:

Genuine question, does anyone else watch us play nowadays and literally think to themselves “why do I bother?”

 

For me football has become so monotonously boring that I’d say it’s in the same category as watching Emmerdale, or maybe Love Island. 
 

I think today was a perfect example of that, but this season I think most of the games have also been example of that.

 

I’ve been a season ticket holder for 25 years.

 

Why do we still bother? Aside from the fact I’m somehow apparently meant to feel very strong and passionate emotions about this lacklustre, boring, repetitive game?

It's the keeper and centre backs dicking about with it in their own box from goal kicks which keeps me coming back. Class.

[LCFCJohn]

9 minutes ago, Jazzy_Jeff said:

System wise it may just need a tweak depending on how the game is going we appear to only have one way of playing regardless of how it’s going.

 

Assuming we persist with the same formation, and with having to wait until January to bring new players in we have to look for solutions within current squad.

 

GK - I’m still not sold on Stolarcyzk, is our newest keeper signing still alive?!

 

RB - might get pelters for this but I think we look better when Hamza starts and Ricky comes on. 
 

CB - for now I would persist with Faes and Vestergaard but would be bringing Souttar in as soon as he’s fit.

 

LB - I would give Kristensen a longer run in the side. If we play Hamza I would go to a back 3 in possession with VK bombing on. He’s better going forward that LT and would help whoever is playing on the left.

 

CM - needs to be Winks and JJ. When January comes we need to take what we can get for Soumare and bring a destroyer in. Until then Winks needs to just sit in front of back 4 and protect/dictate play and allow JJ to get ahead of the ball.

 

RW - Fats. 
 

10 - I like Ramsey in there.

 

LW - Monga should just be used as an impact sub. We need to play Stephy into form but until he’s fit I would look at Ayew and BDCR there. VK bombing on would allow them to come in field and leave space that side for left footer.

 

ST - take your pick. Until Jan we have to make do. Evans deserves a chance, the others - meh. 

If we have any desire to go up we need to do some business in Jan. We need a decent striker, no excuses. We should shift Faes, Daka and Soumare for whatever we can get for them. If possible do the permanent deal for JJ to free another loan up as we could do with a defensive midfielder and a winger alongside the new man up top. 
 

Massive few months ahead.

Why are you persisting with Faes and Vestergaard? Genuinely intrigued to know what anyone sees in them!

 

Souttar isn’t the answer coming back from a year out injured either. 

[l444ry]

You can moan about the tactics, but if a team gets outfought mentally and physically tactics then become almost irrelevant. This squad should be performing more consistently than it is. That second half was a disgrace. Marti needs to get this message into the players heads or make way for someone that will. Jury still out at the moment but he's lucky the opposition in this League is so average. 

[Jazzy_Jeff]

9 minutes ago, LCFCJohn said:

Why are you persisting with Faes and Vestergaard? Genuinely intrigued to know what anyone sees in them!

 

Souttar isn’t the answer coming back from a year out injured either. 

Not a lot of options.

 

Nelson is the future but would struggle next to any of the others (bar Souttar).

 

Okoli is an accident waiting to happen. Whilst I appreciate the same could be said of Faes and vestergaard they are better on the ball. 
 

Medium term solution is Nelson and Souttar. Long term solution is Nelson and an improvement on the other 4.

[LCFCJohn]

8 minutes ago, Jazzy_Jeff said:

Not a lot of options.

 

Nelson is the future but would struggle next to any of the others (bar Souttar).

 

Okoli is an accident waiting to happen. Whilst I appreciate the same could be said of Faes and vestergaard they are better on the ball. 
 

Medium term solution is Nelson and Souttar. Long term solution is Nelson and an improvement on the other 4.

We need a new starter. For me, January, sell Faes and Nelson if possible. Fund a new starting centre back and have

 

Vestergaard

Okoli

Souttar

New

 

I’m not sure we need 5 anyway and in a crisis could dip into the academy.

[Jazzy_Jeff]

2 minutes ago, LCFCJohn said:

We need a new starter. For me, January, sell Faes and Nelson if possible. Fund a new starting centre back and have

 

Vestergaard

Okoli

Souttar

New

 

I’m not sure we need 5 anyway and in a crisis could dip into the academy.

We should not under any circumstances sell Nelson.

 

hes the future - the current issue is we have no one to play with him 

[Tommy Fresh]

5 minutes ago, LCFCJohn said:

We need a new starter. For me, January, sell Faes and Nelson if possible. Fund a new starting centre back and have

 

Vestergaard

Okoli

Souttar

New

 

I’m not sure we need 5 anyway and in a crisis could dip into the academy.

Just play Nelson 

[LCFCJohn]

1 minute ago, Jazzy_Jeff said:

We should not under any circumstances sell Nelson.

 

hes the future - the current issue is we have no one to play with him 

We have to. If he is not deemed good enough now, with the shower that is Faes and Vestergaard, he never will be and his contract situation. January will be the last real opportunity to make some profit and put it back into the areas that need strengthening. 
 

He was the future but he isn’t now sadly.

[FrankieADZ]

7 hours ago, Ian S said:

Think there are weaker links than him in the back 4.Did you watch West Brom and tonight, there is a clue for you.

sorry but as bad as Faes and Vesty can be theyve are a dam sight better/have been better than Thomas this season

and frankly that is saying something

can put the "hes homegrown etc" hes crap /end of

[LCFCJohn]

1 minute ago, Tommy Fresh said:

Just play Nelson 

It was the one thing I was looking forward to seeing in the summer, the defence built around Nelson. But I am firmly now believing we have moved past that point and just need to profit and move on. 

[Tommy Fresh]

Just now, LCFCJohn said:

It was the one thing I was looking forward to seeing in the summer, the defence built around Nelson. But I am firmly now believing we have moved past that point and just need to profit and move on. 

Considering we didn't sell him in the summer due to our high valuation of him, I doubt we'll get any better offers for him when he's not been playing

[FrankieADZ]

7 minutes ago, LCFCJohn said:

We need a new starter. For me, January, sell Faes and Nelson if possible. Fund a new starting centre back and have

 

Vestergaard

Okoli

Souttar

New

 

I’m not sure we need 5 anyway and in a crisis could dip into the academy.

selling Nelson again, the club do not want to sell him, i think they rejected approaches in the summer.

1 minute ago, LCFCJohn said:

We have to. If he is not deemed good enough now, with the shower that is Faes and Vestergaard, he never will be and his contract situation. January will be the last real opportunity to make some profit and put it back into the areas that need strengthening. 
 

He was the future but he isn’t now sadly.

and saying " we have to" no we dont, 

pretty sure you said the same thing before about selling Nelson and frankly its one of the dumbest ideas ive read, why would we sell one of BEST assets, im pretty sure hes had an injury or something, its not been fully disclosed i suspect

 

the club are looking to get rid of HIGH EARNERS, and Nelson is not one of them

 

[LCFCJohn]

Just now, Tommy Fresh said:

Considering we didn't sell him in the summer due to our high valuation of him, I doubt we'll get any better offers for him when he's not been playing

Anything we get for him is profit though. And anything we get is better than losing him for free in 2027. We have lost too many for free like the summer Tielemans and Soyuncu left. They were very good players who should have fitted the sell on method previously used but ended up walking for free. 
 

At least Nelson didn’t cost us anything but the same principle applies. It wouldn’t surprise me if a PL side didn’t see this as an opportunity to strike cheaply, bring him in and loan him elsewhere in the Championship for the second half of the season. It’d be good business sense.