Cifuentes OUT

[foxfan92]

32 minutes ago, cityfanlee23 said:

The thing is, there was a good opportunity for us as fans to feel like the club was really turning a corner this season (if we chose to see our situation optimistically)

 

- Top gave a somewhat of an acknowledgement that the club and fans are distant and need to come closer 

- DOF being moved to a new role and the club adopting a system used by the likes of Brighton and Brentford 

- Finances somewhat under control given we are talking about paying for a Technical director 

- Huge earners leaving soon 

- 3 of our summer signings have been an improvement and 2 of the 3 fit the blueprint of player that made us successful 

- Multiple youth players that could end up being prem players and we are in the perfect division to build them (silver lining of relegation) 

- some of the best facilities in the world 

 

All we needed was for Marti to get the most out of the players we had and keep us in touch with the playoffs then pray for a good result in the final, up until now despite us being 4points from 3rd we’ve been awful, poor tactical decisions, a system that doesn’t work and seemingly refusing to change it. If we play like we did today in most games for the rest of the season and we manage to move some players on in January and bring in some more young, hungry talent, this could really be the point where the club rebuilds. 

 

Hope it is. Still not fully sold on Marti yet.

 

I was full of hope (if cautiously) when he first came - but that hope went quickly. 

 

Getting 7 out of a possible 9 points in last 3 games is a big step in the right direction even if we've had some awful moments in these last 3 games and were lucky to get anything against Bristol in the end (after being 2 up).

 

Let's hope he has a better idea of who is worth playing and what the best tactics are for those players we have that are still playing for the club.

 

Ideally we prune more of the waste in January and get someone who can offer Ayew competition since Daka is not the striker I'd hope he'd be when we first signed him.

[Dan]

I'll be honest I'm still not entirely convinced and I think we're benefitting from good variance at the minute (on the flip side you could say the opposite was true of say the Blackburn game). What I will say though is he's at least sort of found some sort of settled XI to work with. The midfield the biggest transformation.

[Bezzanator89]

10 hours ago, East Langton Fox said:

One of the best performances of the season, gave away a stipid goal, which happens to the best teams and yet there's still people on here not happy.

Are you all versions of the whinger who sits near me in the South Stand?

Are we on about the same one? Might be @BrilliantFox, who knows.

[teblin]

We played well yesterday, still reliant on moments of magic to some extent. But the performance was about the best of the season.

[Dahnsouff]

Ironically the third goal was the most pleasing in one sense, as it was worked into the box, no worldie required.

[Claudio Fannieri]

I have said this and will continue to say this, I believe as soon as the transfer window closed whichever high earning players were still here had to be reintegrated and utilised. 
 

Pre transfer window closing we won 3 out of 4 even though it looked a bit chaotic behind the scenes, as soon as the window closed and certain players (mainly Winks and Faes) became more involved you could see a change in tactical set up, our play slowed down, less utilisation of academy players and surprise surprise a massive drop off in results. 
 

In the aftermath of Sheffield United it would appear that there has been a bit of clear the air and since then we have seen a team and match day squad closer to the direction of travel Marti wants to take us, we are playing a lot higher intensity and the group seem like there is a real togetherness. Once Okoli and Monga are back fit I think they replace Faes and possibly Carranza/Daka places on the bench, plus with Ramsay to come back as well. 
 

The change in the last week has been quite startling and just shows how 1 or 2 players can disrupt the whole atmosphere and detail a season. 

[l444ry]

7 hours ago, Loxm said:

you've read that horrifically wrong in my opinion... he was instructing the players to press when they occasionally switched off. They listened, and it worked. Complaining about having a passionate manager on the touchline is a new one!

You make a fair point but I was sat behind him and heard what he was shouting. Either way, I always prefer a Manager to show a bit of 'passion.

[LichesterRedSoxSoccerBall]

Like many on here my opinions are very consistent and not dictated by results. I've never been keen on Cifuentes since his appointment but after 7 pts from 9 I think he could be the new Ranieri. 

[Happy Fox]

We need to keep this up , with the players we have we should be in the playoff positions minimum, and failure to reach the playoffs would be shambolic imo.

[Reg Vardy]

4 minutes ago, LichesterRedSoxSoccerBall said:

Like many on here my opinions are very consistent and not dictated by results. I've never been keen on Cifuentes since his appointment but after 7 pts from 9 I think he could be the new Ranieri. 

Next three games will highlight that or not, Ramsay back will help……another 7 would be good….

[LCFCJohn]

At the end of the day, we are showing improvement and stringing some results together now. Regardless of what people may want, clearly he’s not going anywhere at this point so it’s irrelevant.

 

There’s been many issues, most notably the exclusion of Nelson for so long which then mean more Faes, James being played as CAM and Winks involved. These have had a knock on effect on the way we have played and the failings.

 

We’ve reached a point, eventually, where these issues have been addressed and we are seeing improvements drastically in results and first half performances. We need to find a better way of managing second halves and cut out the stupid errors we see. Fitness is a key issue too. 
 

I was really concerned a few weeks ago, particularly around the time he brought Nelson back in cold and he was subsequently injured straight away, rather than having given him minutes earlier. 
 

I’m now neutral as I can see the improvement. I do think if you brought someone else in now we’d be more likely to see the likes of Faes and Winks back. Let’s try and shift these two and Soumare in January and look to strengthen a couple of positions and I fancy we have a much stronger second half of the season.

[Horibbly Wrong]

8 minutes ago, LichesterRedSoxSoccerBall said:

Like many on here my opinions are very consistent and not dictated by results. I've never been keen on Cifuentes since his appointment but after 7 pts from 9 I think he could be the new Ranieri. 

..as in he'll be sacked next season

[CloudFox]

Some very solid points made of late in this thread. I am still not Martí in, until I can a) see a true tactical plan that I actually like and b) he maintains our recent levels of performance. But I'm (maybe foolishly) starting to hope again. Not for promotion, maybe not even for the play offs given the impending points deduction, but a team we can be proud of.

 

Credit where it's due, the Skipp-JJ combo seems to be working well, and Bobby has pleasantly surprised me since his return. Great to see Nelson being given a chance to develop too, and feels like has more than justified his inclusion since given the opportunity.

 

Keeping Winks and Faes out of the team is also a good sign. Objectively they should be two of our better/most valuable players, but—as a number of fans suggested—it does seem to have made a significant impact dropping them, which I am relieved to see at last! I hear what you are saying too @Claudio Fannieri—as much as I'm still not Martí In, I do now wonder whether a new manager would come everyone a blank slate again, undoing what's been done with Winks and to a lesser extent Faes.

 

Sidenote: Someone said something about things being said/things coming to a head after the Sheff Utd game. Presumably Cifuentes and Rudkin...? I missed that, so if anyone could enlighten me please, I'd appreciate it.

[Guppys Love Child]

1 hour ago, CloudFox said:

Some very solid points made of late in this thread. I am still not Martí in, until I can a) see a true tactical plan that I actually like and b) he maintains our recent levels of performance. But I'm (maybe foolishly) starting to hope again. Not for promotion, maybe not even for the play offs given the impending points deduction, but a team we can be proud of.

 

Credit where it's due, the Skipp-JJ combo seems to be working well, and Bobby has pleasantly surprised me since his return. Great to see Nelson being given a chance to develop too, and feels like has more than justified his inclusion since given the opportunity.

 

Keeping Winks and Faes out of the team is also a good sign. Objectively they should be two of our better/most valuable players, but—as a number of fans suggested—it does seem to have made a significant impact dropping them, which I am relieved to see at last! I hear what you are saying too @Claudio Fannieri—as much as I'm still not Martí In, I do now wonder whether a new manager would come everyone a blank slate again, undoing what's been done with Winks and to a lesser extent Faes.

 

Sidenote: Someone said something about things being said/things coming to a head after the Sheff Utd game. Presumably Cifuentes and Rudkin...? I missed that, so if anyone could enlighten me please, I'd appreciate it.

Me too. I'd like a few more details as well.

 

Also I'm pretty much the same as you  Cloudfox, not convinced yet about Marti, but the green shoots are poking through.

 

If we get similar stuff, or better still, some marginal impromement on the pitch over the next 3 games, from both the player's, and Marti with his 2nd half game management, then  maybe I'll get my plate out for a slice of humble pie. 

Edited 14 December 2025 by Guppys Love Child

[Marshall Cockney Fox]

Im prepared to dial down my anti Marti sentiment if can bring consistency to the team and form. Namely back this week up. One swallow doesn't make a summer. But he has an opportunity now to shift the negative narrative about his managerial acumen.

[Philkeavo]

11 hours ago, Loxm said:

you've read that horrifically wrong in my opinion... he was instructing the players to press when they occasionally switched off. They listened, and it worked. Complaining about having a passionate manager on the touchline is a new one!

I agree. It was obvious he was trying to get the players not to sit too deep as they did against Bristol City. The players eventually listened and started to press the player on the ball towards the end of the game which stymied Ipswich’s momentum.

[Mickyblueeyes]

Good 45 v Derby. Good 60 v Ipswich. Ok 45 v Bristol.

 

The in game subs are a real worry. Choudhury yesterday for Bobby when we were on top. Daka on Tuesday. Wrexham. Portsmouth. The retreat v Derby. Multiple examples of us inviting pressure and going from a relatively comfortable position to being on the back foot. All led by in game changes that have to be questioned. 
 

It’s good to see Faes out the side. Will be even better if Okoli and Souttar finally replace him from the squad. He’s also made a decision on Winks which is pleasing. How Nelson hasn’t been a starter since day one is very worrying. 
 

My biggest fear which is currently a reality is these erratic decision making will lead to an inconsistent season and too many draws. We do have a group with plenty of potential. James, Nelson, now Skipp, Fatawu and Mavididi all give us a very good base. 
 

Where we are (8th) I still think is underachieving. However, we now enter the all important Christmas period and hopefully see a few come back (Ramsey, Souttar, Okoli, Monga) - he has a great opportunity to hit a run. He needs 2 or 3 good loans in Jan (I don’t know what the limit is). 
 

Im still not sold and probably won’t be for a while. However it is nice to start having a team you don’t completely hate. 

[mod hero]

15 minutes ago, Mickyblueeyes said:

Good 45 v Derby. Good 60 v Ipswich. Ok 45 v Bristol.

 

The in game subs are a real worry. Choudhury yesterday for Bobby when we were on top. Daka on Tuesday. Wrexham. Portsmouth. The retreat v Derby. Multiple examples of us inviting pressure and going from a relatively comfortable position to being on the back foot. All led by in game changes that have to be questioned. 
 

It’s good to see Faes out the side. Will be even better if Okoli and Souttar finally replace him from the squad. He’s also made a decision on Winks which is pleasing. How Nelson hasn’t been a starter since day one is very worrying. 
 

My biggest fear which is currently a reality is these erratic decision making will lead to an inconsistent season and too many draws. We do have a group with plenty of potential. James, Nelson, now Skipp, Fatawu and Mavididi all give us a very good base. 
 

Where we are (8th) I still think is underachieving. However, we now enter the all important Christmas period and hopefully see a few come back (Ramsey, Souttar, Okoli, Monga) - he has a great opportunity to hit a run. He needs 2 or 3 good loans in Jan (I don’t know what the limit is). 
 

Im still not sold and probably won’t be for a while. However it is nice to start having a team you don’t completely hate. 

Good post 🙏🏻

[Blue.Fox84]

12 hours ago, AjcW said:

All I want to know is why it took 18/19 games to realise what was wrong.

 

Why it took 18 games of Soumare and Winks

 

Why it took almost as many games of Faes

 

Is it out of his control? Was he being forced to play the high earners? Was the big confrontation reported after the Sheff Utd game actually Marti losing it with JR and saying certain players have to go? 
 

Has there been some sort of Cambiasso style team meeting/tactical shift and Marti is riding the wave? 
 

As always we’ll probably never know any of this!! 
 

If we can maintain this level of directness and fast attacking play and if we can build in some resilience and give him a few more players he’s confident of bringing off the bench, then we might just be okay.
 

Huge, huge game for him next weekend for many reasons.  

Never underestimate the need of having a solid pre season, the club messed up appointing a manager so late. A lot of the issues could of been identified or resolved within pre season if the club acted sooner 
 

There’s been injuries, suspensions etc that can impact selection. However, our views as fans are completely different to what’s happening on a daily basis there and also going into somewhere with a fresh perspective. I can see why he would trust a player of Winks’ experience and calibre believing that he can get the best out of him - the main thing is he’s identified it and seems to be moving forward 

[LCFCJohn]

For all the talk in recent times of such an unlikeable squad, say it quietly but this is the fist time in years that we are starting to see this this turning.

 

Stolarcryk

Ricardo

Nelson

Fatawu - odd outburst at fans aside but he cares

Skipp

James

BDR

Mavididi - a confidence player but is clearly a character based on the last promotion season

 

8 of the 11 I would say. Vestergaard I won’t forget certain things that have happened before but he seems like one that has become more acceptable, even more likeable. Thomas and Daka aren’t unlikely but are just poor. A shame as if they could could replicate their best selves consistently they would be.

 

I think Cifuentes does deserve credit for that even if it took longer than it should to oust the likes of Winks, Faes and Soumare.

 

Give us a leader type left back, a Fuchs type. A centre back with the skill set physically and mentally of a Morgan or Huth, again, a leader. And a striker who can do his job. 
 

I also feel like we are starting to see a shift away from the tippy tappy and to a more modern style but it takes time and recruitment. 
 

Possibly the likeable bit is a bit harsh on the Maresca season as Vardy, KDH, Ndidi, Justin and Hermansen were likeable. But Faes and Winks were central.

 

But it feels like this could be the start of us getting our Leicester back as I don’t feel the approach to games under Maresca was at all ‘Leicester’.

[trooky]

1 hour ago, Mickyblueeyes said:

Good 45 v Derby. Good 60 v Ipswich. Ok 45 v Bristol.

 

The in game subs are a real worry. Choudhury yesterday for Bobby when we were on top. Daka on Tuesday. Wrexham. Portsmouth. The retreat v Derby. Multiple examples of us inviting pressure and going from a relatively comfortable position to being on the back foot. All led by in game changes that have to be questioned. 
 

It’s good to see Faes out the side. Will be even better if Okoli and Souttar finally replace him from the squad. He’s also made a decision on Winks which is pleasing. How Nelson hasn’t been a starter since day one is very worrying. 
 

My biggest fear which is currently a reality is these erratic decision making will lead to an inconsistent season and too many draws. We do have a group with plenty of potential. James, Nelson, now Skipp, Fatawu and Mavididi all give us a very good base. 
 

Where we are (8th) I still think is underachieving. However, we now enter the all important Christmas period and hopefully see a few come back (Ramsey, Souttar, Okoli, Monga) - he has a great opportunity to hit a run. He needs 2 or 3 good loans in Jan (I don’t know what the limit is). 
 

Im still not sold and probably won’t be for a while. However it is nice to start having a team you don’t completely hate. 

The biggest worry for the busy Christmas period is how weak the midfield back-ups are. 

 

Skipp and JJ aren't going to play every minute, so Soumare and Winks could feature again undoing all the good work of recent games. 

[Chelmofox]

31 minutes ago, trooky said:

The biggest worry for the busy Christmas period is how weak the midfield back-ups are. 

 

Skipp and JJ aren't going to play every minute, so Soumare and Winks could feature again undoing all the good work of recent games. 

And Bobby can’t play 90. Ramsey coming back is so key. But midfield rotation is key and our options are poor. 

[Bourbon Fox]

5 hours ago, LCFCJohn said:

stupid errors

 

Fitness

These are now priority problems to address

[Mickyblueeyes]

1 hour ago, trooky said:

The biggest worry for the busy Christmas period is how weak the midfield back-ups are. 

 

Skipp and JJ aren't going to play every minute, so Soumare and Winks could feature again undoing all the good work of recent games. 

You’re right and if you remember the last time under Enzo we did have a very good Christmas period - after that, for a period, th wheels fell off and players form dropped. There’s a lot of games at this level. Too many sometimes. The returning players and some business in Jan is required, regardless of how it goes. 

[Dan]

Winks shouldn't play another minute. Soumare shouldn't either but Winks the higher priority to bin so if Soumare gets the odd 15/20 minutes then unfortunately so be it.