LCFC 1-0 N’hampton, FT thread

[suffolk fox]

Was there have to say it was painful to watch as most have said, the passing dangerously across our own box when Northampton had three forwards up was a heart in the mouth moment.  Short 5yard 10 yard passes only to  go back again (the Martin way).

 

Burns came on and Watson I noticed Burns was making runs down the wing fairly often but for some reason was ignored by both Fullbacks as they would rather pass to a point man in a very congested midfield.  In the end Burns gave up and stopped making the runs.

 

I am hoping things do improve, afterall, it was a very hot day but if we go into the new season without a recognised number 9 or a striker we are toast.

[Claudio Fannieri]

Biggest concern for me isn’t with the new signings or academy players in playing the way RM wants us to play but it’s the more experienced players still lingering from

last season and beyond who worry me. 
 

Souttar, Okoli, Skipp, Thomas are all way to uncomfortable, slow and cumbersome in possession to be able move the ball with pace and purpose, Mavididi is just so poor now, looks disinterested and seems incapable of beating his man. Bobby Reid offers nothing and Choudhury managed to show in his little cameo his amazing ability to switch off and lose his man in key areas and then just jog back without a care in the world. 
 

These are all players actively scouted and recruited or academy developed and offered long term lucrative contract extensions when it is clear to see they don’t have the required skill set to play the style we have adopted for the past 8 years or so. 
 

If we want to play this progressive style pf

play and play it a high tempo you simply

cannot afford to have this many technically deficient players in your starting XI. 
 

Players are making the correct movements and creating space and opportunities but as soon as any of these are involved it naturally slows down, or the pass is misplaced or momentum is lost as they have to take an extra touch and then pass it sideways or backwards and start again. 
 

This happened so many times yesterday and will continue to do so. Hopefully changes can and will be made so the majority or all of them are not involved come next weekend. 

[Bert]

Just now, jayfox26 said:

I think the opposite. Too many of these over paid wasters have had it too easy for too long! The should be absolutely hounded. Mavididi and Faes in particular are an absolute disgrace and should never wear our shirt again. Im not fussed about Thomas, he has limited ability but at least he gives his all which cannot be said for the other 2 mentioned. Hamza doesn't deserve the wage he gets but thats not his fault and we all know who is to blame for the obscene contracts given out. 

Most people will agree with everything you’ve said. For me, or more to my point is the constant negativity of everything. Some people will literally just focus on the negatives and it’s getting really draining. 
 

Yes, we are all disappointed at where we are and yes the majority of us want to see certain players not wear the shirt again, but sometimes you’ve got to look at the bigger picture even though it’s not what we want. 
 

We need to get behind the lads and try to do what we can to get out of this horror league. I’ll say everything as I see it. There’s nothing wrong with saying Mavididi was crap yesterday. But the same people go on and on and on and quite frankly it’s boring. But this is just my opinion. Doesn’t make it right or wrong, or any more or less validated than anyone else’s. 

[jayfox26]

7 minutes ago, Bert said:

Most people will agree with everything you’ve said. For me, or more to my point is the constant negativity of everything. Some people will literally just focus on the negatives and it’s getting really draining. 
 

Yes, we are all disappointed at where we are and yes the majority of us want to see certain players not wear the shirt again, but sometimes you’ve got to look at the bigger picture even though it’s not what we want. 
 

We need to get behind the lads and try to do what we can to get out of this horror league. I’ll say everything as I see it. There’s nothing wrong with saying Mavididi was crap yesterday. But the same people go on and on and on and quite frankly it’s boring. But this is just my opinion. Doesn’t make it right or wrong, or any more or less validated than anyone else’s. 

I hear what you're saying and I think this is inevitable because of where we are and bad we've been now for so long. I think most can accept mistakes or a bad performance or bad result but a blatant lack of effort or care that weve seen so often from so many of our players has resulted in this complete toxicity around the club. You're right though, everyone needs to get behind the team but personally I think that would be easier without the likes of Mav and Faes playing. If we cant shift them this window, they need removing from the squad completely in my opinion. The damage of having them in and around the squad outweighs the financial loss we will ultimately make on them in my opinion. I feel as though Martin's comments the other day were a dig at certain players when he was talking about Chaplin and Burns wanting to be here. 

[Claudio Fannieri]

4 minutes ago, jayfox26 said:

I hear what you're saying and I think this is inevitable because of where we are and bad we've been now for so long. I think most can accept mistakes or a bad performance or bad result but a blatant lack of effort or care that weve seen so often from so many of our players has resulted in this complete toxicity around the club. You're right though, everyone needs to get behind the team but personally I think that would be easier without the likes of Mav and Faes playing. If we cant shift them this window, they need removing from the squad completely in my opinion. The damage of having them in and around the squad outweighs the financial loss we will ultimately make on them in my opinion. I feel as though Martin's comments the other day were a dig at certain players when he was talking about Chaplin and Burns wanting to be here. 

I imagine RM will feel the same way, as I am sure Marti did as well, however if we fail to shift certain players, and relative high earners at that, then i think the manager will come under pressure from above to utilise  these players and keep them in the shop window for January. It happened last season and will no doubt happen again this season. 

 

 

 

 

Edited 9 August by Claudio Fannieri

[jayfox26]

7 minutes ago, Claudio Fannieri said:

I imagine RM will feel the same way, as I am sure Marti did as well, however if we fail to shift certain players, and relative high earners at that, then i think the manager will come under pressure from above to utilise  these players and keep them in the shop window for January. It happened last season and will no doubt happen again this season. 

 

 

 

 

Yep but its a ridiculous thing to do.  These players aren't miraculously going to start turning in performances after years of shite. Even if we loan them out and have to pay half their wages would be a better option. Of course im not privy to our financials but I just dont see any benefit in playing these wasters

[Richmondfox]

1 hour ago, suffolk fox said:

Was there have to say it was painful to watch as most have said, the passing dangerously across our own box when Northampton had three forwards up was a heart in the mouth moment.  Short 5yard 10 yard passes only to  go back again (the Martin way).

 

Burns came on and Watson I noticed Burns was making runs down the wing fairly often but for some reason was ignored by both Fullbacks as they would rather pass to a point man in a very congested midfield.  In the end Burns gave up and stopped making the runs.

 

I am hoping things do improve, afterall, it was a very hot day but if we go into the new season without a recognised number 9 or a striker we are toast.

I mentioned that in the game thread. Burns has came from a team drilled into passing and moving into space with support.  Yesterday it looked like they were doing training drills.
 

Nothing will change until this changes. Okoli quick pass to Thomas to dink over for Mavadidi to run onto and cross quickly or drive at goal should be bread and butter in this league.  They can’t do it no matter the level they face. 

Edited 9 August by Richmondfox

[Uncle Monty]

Watched the second half. Only one game in so I'm trying to be optimistic and won't pile in on the new signings but Mavididi has been stealing a living for minimum 2 seasons now and I simply cannot fathom how Okoli was bought to be a prem defender.

[Stavros81]

Look if we play crap and win this season I’ll be happy. Yes it won’t be pretty but main aim is to get back up. Once the lads start playing a few more games and Martin has his favourite line up will see better performances.

[Haywood_6]

Mavididi is ****ing useless at everything. Can't beat a man, can't cross, can't get a shot on target. He also seems to lack any acceleration to get away from defenders. I'm convinced that season under Enzo was a complete one off. I've seen better in the national league 

[LcFc_Smiv]

1 hour ago, Bert said:

Most people will agree with everything you’ve said. For me, or more to my point is the constant negativity of everything. Some people will literally just focus on the negatives and it’s getting really draining. 
 

Yes, we are all disappointed at where we are and yes the majority of us want to see certain players not wear the shirt again, but sometimes you’ve got to look at the bigger picture even though it’s not what we want. 
 

We need to get behind the lads and try to do what we can to get out of this horror league. I’ll say everything as I see it. There’s nothing wrong with saying Mavididi was crap yesterday. But the same people go on and on and on and quite frankly it’s boring. But this is just my opinion. Doesn’t make it right or wrong, or any more or less validated than anyone else’s. 

Easier to stay off this forum mate, I enjoy(ed) it on here, but its a drag these days and frankly Ive found life as a Leicester fan much better away from here. As you say, can understand people's POV but having it plastered on every topic on nearly every post is just tiring.

[Bluearmyfox28]

Hopefully this game was a bit of a reality check for all involved even us as fans. Pre-season was great but you don’t have teams playing in a low block, man to man or 5 at the back during pre-season. It’s going to take time they’re still at the initial part of implementing this system and will remain so until the end of the window due to the squad turnover.

 

Martin’s system didn’t take off at Southampton until around middle of the season in similar circumstances, if anyone listened to Martin’s interview on Radio Leicester he acknowledged the same as what we seen. Slow tempo and not enough chances created. Hes not gonna say how shit they were and knock confidence right before the season starts.

 

A lot can be learnt from that game, everyone needs to relax and enjoy the season ahead.

Edited 9 August by Bluearmyfox28

[Bezzanator89]

4 minutes ago, Bluearmyfox28 said:

Hopefully this game was a bit of a reality check for all involved even us as fans. Pre-season was great but you don’t have teams playing in a low block, man to man or 5 at the back during pre-season. It’s going to take time they’re still at the initial part of implementing this system and will remain so until the end of the window due to the squad turnover.

 

Martin’s system didn’t take off at Southampton until around middle of the season in similar circumstances, if anyone listened to Martin’s interview on Radio Leicester he acknowledged the same as what we seen. Slow tempo and not enough chances created. Hes not gonna say how shit they were and knock confidence right before the season starts.

 

A lot can be learnt from that game, everyone needs to relax and enjoy the season ahead.

Pre-season is experimentation time. Doesn't really tell anyone outside the club much until the season starts and we can then see what their real game-plan is. If stumbling to a 1-0 win over a League Two team is the best we have then we have reason to worry.

 

I can only that RM has learnt from this and shifts things around urgently, and gets a recognised number 9 as we still don't have one. I'm not here to bash the players nor does give me any kind of feel-good factor doing so, but they need to be better than what I saw at the game yesterday. 

 

As the saying goes, I get behind the players, if they give me something to get behind. And we all know there has been precious little of that over the last few seasons.

[Tuna]

1 hour ago, Claudio Fannieri said:

Biggest concern for me isn’t with the new signings or academy players in playing the way RM wants us to play but it’s the more experienced players still lingering from

last season and beyond who worry me. 

It was quite triggering seeing Thomas, Okoli, Stolarczyk, Mavididi, Skipp, Reid in the team.

Edited 9 August by Tuna

[Parker Pen]

We looked better with Otchere/Opoku up front in the games they played as they dont drop too deep and flicked the ball round the corner into space for runners like Alves. 
 

Building from the back we don’t have the players to do it comfortably. The opposition just know to let Okoli have the ball, he takes too many touches and the plays a telegraphed pass that is picked off. Thomas instead of opening up and playing the ball down the line shuts down the angles and can only play square back inside to Souttar or short to Skipp. Skipp doesn’t have the range of passing to be setting the tempo for the team either. He isnt terrible but not what’s needed there. I’d rather see Braybrooke play there as he reads the game and his range of passing is better.

We need to bin off Reid, Mavadidi and Hamza asap as they look  either extremely poor or disinterested.

 

On a positive note they did recover the ball well and looked like they were running for each other. Plus the set pieces looked to have improved since last year.

[MonarchFox]

14 minutes ago, LcFc_Smiv said:

Easier to stay off this forum mate, I enjoy(ed) it on here, but its a drag these days and frankly Ive found life as a Leicester fan much better away from here. As you say, can understand people's POV but having it plastered on every topic on nearly every post is just tiring.

Couldn't agree more

[CrazyKopCorner]

Based on yesterday my thoughts are 

 

Clearly we are desperate for a striker and we need at least 2 number 9s so different scenarios as well as injuries, form etc 

 

The academy players and signings are far superior to last years players who continue to look, by and large,absolutely garbage 

 

We need to quit persisting with BDCR - absolutely hopeless and offers nothing 

 

Cullen ran around a lot but looks weak - he does not look a natural number 9 at all 

 

Mavi has lost all of his explosiveness and pace and we need to sell even at half of what we bought him for 

 

The wingers that came on should start - Alves was good but clearly not a winger 

 

Midfield - Skipp has found his level and should be fine if he stays 

 

Braybrooke is clearly our best player and moves with the ball beautifully - 1st name of the team sheet for me 

 

Thomas is still crap and should be 2nd choice left back at best 

 

Souttar and Okoli should not play together - 1st choice Souttar but **** me he needs to sharpen up his passing 

 

Jaden Jospeh is more than good enough and should be a star this season 

 

Stolarcyzk for all of his past faults was very good and his handling and overall play was excellent and I hope a sign of improvement - Not sure if we have a new goalkeeping coach but he needs to shake off the poor coaching of Stowell 

 

Overall, it was concerning and my thought was play like that with those players and we will be mid table as we'll continue to let in bad goals and for us goals will be difficult to come by even with 80% of the ball and over 800 passes - we need to move the ball much much quicker 

 

 

Edited 9 August by CrazyKopCorner

[Foxin_Mad]

8 minutes ago, CrazyKopCorner said:

 

 

Stolarcyzk for all of his past faults was very good and his handling and overall play was excellent and I hope a sign of improvement - Not sure if we have a new goalkeeping coach but he needs to shake off the poor coaching of Stowell 

 

 

I think Stolarcyzk had a bad year yesterday not because of Stowell who left a while ago but because of Marti Cifuentes ‘coaching team’ 

[Chelmofox]

9 minutes ago, CrazyKopCorner said:

Based on yesterday my thoughts are 

 

Clearly we are desperate for a striker and we need at least 2 number 9s so different scenarios as well as injuries, form etc 

 

The academy players and signings are far superior to last years players who continue to look, by and large,absolutely garbage 

 

We need to quit persisting with BDCR - absolutely hopeless and offers nothing 

 

Cullen ran around a lot but looks weak - he does not look at natural number 9 at all 

 

Mavi has lost all of his explosiveness and pace and we need to sell even at half of what bought him for 

 

The wingers that came on should start - Alves was good but clearly not a winger 

 

Midfield - Skipp has found his level and should be fine if he stays 

 

Braybrooke is clearly out best player and moves with the ball beautifully - 1st name of the team sheet for me 

 

Thomas is still crap and should be 2nd choice left back at best 

 

Souttar and Okoli should not play together - 1st choice Souttar but **** me he needs to sharpen up his passing 

 

Jaden Jospeh is more than good enough and should be a star this season 

 

Stolarcyzk for all of his past faults was very good and his handling and overall play was excellent and I hope a sign of improvement - Not sure if we have a new goalkeeping coach but he needs to shake off the poor coaching of Stowell 

 

Overall, it was concerning and my thought was play like that with those players and we will be mid table as we'll continue to let in bad goals and for us goals will be difficult to come by even with 80% of the ball and over 800 passes - we need to move the ball much much quicker 

 

 

Agree with most of that, apart from Alves. Mentioned in a different thread that I dont think, nor do the stats back up, that Burns should be starting over Alves. Long term i think Alves will play centrally but we know Chaplin is going to get that, so the Wing is where he will settle in for now. I would be starting Alves and utlising Burns to manage Alves game time.

[Chelmofox]

11 minutes ago, Foxin_Mad said:

I think Stolarcyzk had a bad year yesterday not because of Stowell who left a while ago but because of Marti Cifuentes ‘coaching team’ 

Stolarcyzk had a sh1t show of a defence in front of him last season which didnt help. Right now, i would be starting him over McCarthy but the jury is still out on him. Begovic was worse when ever he came on. The moment he makes a mistake the fans will be on his back, and in our defence, there are going to be lots of mistakes.

 

Thought it was a good save in the first few minutes. Week shot but he made himself look big.

Edited 9 August by Chelmofox

[StinckleyFox]

5 hours ago, LCFCJohn said:

I didn’t see the game yesterday as I preferred an afternoon out with family so I am not commenting on the game yesterday.

 

But generally speaking here, and it can’t be worded any other way, what is your problem?

 

I’m not sure people on here are claiming to be football geniuses so it’s like you’re taking some sort of moral high ground that isn’t even there. 
 

Do you not ask yourself though, if a large number of people who whilst not experts, but who watch a lot of football for years/decades as enjoyment, can see certain things that are constantly caused us problems on the pitch, why are the guys we are actually employing to be football geniuses, the managers, not capable of addressing things?

 

Again, not anything to do with yesterday or Martin. I wasn’t happy with his appointment but will give him time as I think he has one hand tied behind his back due to the striker and centre back situation. But our recent string of managers up to now have hardly covered themselves in glory unless you disagree with that?

The problem with this forum, is that there are quite a few people who moan about everything and contribute no actual talking points, just regurgitate the same few hate comments about certain players etc.

 

Depends what you consider a large number of people, because it’s usually about 10-15 of the same people copy and pasting the same shite in every forum and backing each other up.

 

How recent are we talking? Because I will hold my hands up and agree that Cooper, Ruud, Marti and Rowett were the wrong appointments. But if you cast your mind back to our championship winning season under maresca, which I would say was largely a pretty successful season, you may disagree? There was still the same bunch of people moaning week in and week out about “excitement” and “style of play” and “tippy tappy bs”.

[StinckleyFox]

4 hours ago, murphy said:

I think that Leicester, even at its lowest ebb being a much bigger draw than Stockport might well have tempted him.  You asked me to name one so I did, but if not him then there are literally 100 options I'd take before Russell f***ing Martin. The rest of the football world is laughing at us.

 

 After he fails here, I believe this will be his last chance in league football.  He'll end up at Dagenham or somewhere, ike Peter Taylor.

You may as well have said pep then because both stepped away from their clubs to take time away from football, therefore, neither were ever going to come here.

 

We will see come the end of the season/the end of his tenure, whether you are right about him not having a career anymore. I for one hope he excels and takes us back to the championship and makes us competitive there.

[MikeyJ]

It's obvious that we need a striker or 2 from that performance. Apart from that I think we did okay. Considering new manager and pretty much a completely new team in a first time competitive game.

Has the Bosnia lad come in yet??

 

[lcfc_forever]

Interesting how frustrated RM was by his performance,  I think McFarlane gets straight in as soon as he’s match fit. 

 

https://www.leicestermercury.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/leicester-city-northampton-martin-top-11099807
 

Luke Thomas frustration

There were times throughout yesterday's game, particularly in the final stages, where anxiety grew louder among supporters as City constantly attempted to play out. Spoiler: it's something supporters will have to get used to under Martin.

But in the first-half, when Leicester played with confidence, bravery and aggression, it was exciting to watch and Northampton were constantly chasing shadows. That's why Luke Thomas' early struggles on the ball will have frustrated Martin.

The left-back was strong in his challenges and defended well, but his ability on the ball and in the build-up play didn't convince me. Too often, he received the ball from Harry Souttar or Oliver Skipp, looked up to assess his options before deciding against playing the forward pass through the lines.

It was something that happened too often when the ball was played down City's left and visibly frustrated Martin, who was seen turning to his bench and calling for more aggression. The Foxes boss has been consistent with his message that he wants his players to show courage, with the tendency to thread the ball through the lines to evade the press a key part of his game model.

Asked how he gets his players to continue to be brave despite anxiety around the stadium, Martin said: "I think they did and then Harry took the ball in the 97th minute and slapped it through to Sammy [Braybrooke].

"The lads were really brave and I said to them [that] we’re going to have to be. We have to show bravery all season. We have to show intensity all season and they did. There will be games that are very different in terms of the challenges ahead of us and what's in front of us with the opposition, we have to be ready for all of that."

[Long Eaton Fox]

So to the people who have seen the games live, what has been the difference between the friendlies, in which  I believe we played well in, and yesterday in which I believe we were poor?