Match Thread Palace

[Thracian]

It's been a long time coming but it is a basis for going forward.

Now perhaps the defeatist phrase about "hopefully we can get something out of the game" - coaches speak for a draw will be an achievement - will now be banned at the club. It's early days but the signs are we're getting our pride back.

[Phube]

Best quality side we've beaten under Kelly.

It was also the most encouraging.

a) We played one wide man increasing our attacking potential while not meaning we were swamped in midfield).b) This gave the likes of Williams more passing options.

c) Kelly's substitution, when we were winning, was wide man for wide man (even though Sylla made no recognisable contribution) and therefore a signal that we would not change tactics.

d) We were pegged back at times but didn't voluntarily try simply to sit on our lead.

e) Our concentration and covering support for one another was outstanding.

This was the fourth top seven team we've beaten this season and we've drawn against the other three.

It was the first time we've picked our strongest available home team this season and we benefitted.

* I have found it difficult to decide which of our keepers is the best but tonight Henderson definitely gained the edge - for his decisiveness.

I remember Douglas's hesitation at Sheffield United first game of the season in conceding the penalty and other such incidents which did or could have proved costly. Henderson had three particular decisions to make tonight in terms of attacking the ball or holding his ground and each time he made his mind up quickly and brave;y, twice foiling Johnson and once Clinton Morrison.

Both keepers can be good shot stoppers but Henderson looks the more positive and he made a mjaor contribution to our victory over Palace.

Can you imagine how good we'd be with (shock) two wingers!!!!! *gasp*

[Thracian]

Don't push it Phube Fox - it's been hard enough getting one.

[potter3]

great win, not the best performance at home apparently, first time we've won when ive watched live for nearly 8months....Hughes man of the match...looked pretty poor to me apart from his goal. Really impressed with Johansson and a mention to Kisnorbo and Williams tonight. First sights of Fryatt and Hume as a strike partnership - looked brilliant and Welsh looks like he would be a good enough signing for us. Could do with a right winger me thinks....

First time in over a year ive felt an atmosphere in the kop. Might not have been the loudest but a fair few were singing for 80 of the 90minutes. COME ON CITY, first time ive walked away from the walkers having enjoyed the game and the result for a long long time

I just got up and i ache from jumping and standin up for all of the game, we were standing next too one of those white bollard things at the back and it was deafening

[MONreborn]

Although we got the result and played well in defence and attack there were a few things which needed to be adressed for next season:

1) Nissa is not a left back

2) Stearman is so much better then Maybury

3) We do not have enough physical presence up front

4) We need a tough tackling defensive midfielder to compliment Williams next season (wesaolowski(sp), Andy Johnson?

5) Right Wing is still a problem, I think Maybury can the the rightwinger when attacking and defensive right sided midfielder when defending as this would allow Williams and Hughes to be accomadated in the centre next season, as Wesolowski's fitness has to be considered as a problem.

Also at some times in the game we were crying out for someone to really run past them, perhaps a certain left winger who we went back to Arsenal.

[Jimmy]

Although we got the result and played well in defence and attack there were a few things which needed to be adressed for next season:

1) Nissa is not a left back

2) Stearman is so much better then Maybury

3) We do not have enough physical presence up front

4) We need a tough tackling defensive midfielder to compliment Williams next season (wesaolowski(sp), Andy Johnson?

5) Right Wing is still a problem, I think Maybury can the the rightwinger when attacking and defensive right sided midfielder when defending as this would allow Williams and Hughes to be accomadated in the centre next season, as Wesolowski's fitness has to be considered as a problem.

Also at some times in the game we were crying out for someone to really run past them, perhaps a certain left winger who we went back to Arsenal.

welsh last night was better then smith was, he had an end producty and always looked like he knew what he was going to do

[MONreborn]

welsh last night was better then smith was, he had an end producty and always looked like he knew what he was going to do

To be honest I wasn't too impressed, can you remember Smith's debut againt Derby, what an impact. Welsh just seems to be a poor man's Smith in my opinion, although he is still effective in this league smith has MUCH more potential.

[dynamite foxes]

Welsh can actually play a final ball. Whereas Smith will beat two player sna dduff it up with a shit final ball. I think Welsh is a much better bet. people fall for his tricks and he looks good, but he isn't effective enough

[Louise]

Welsh can actually play a final ball. Whereas Smith will beat two player sna dduff it up with a shit final ball. I think Welsh is a much better bet. people fall for his tricks and he looks good, but he isn't effective enough

I can only remember Welsh crossing from the byline once though, most of his crosses were from deep. Hume at Fryatt had hardly anything to work with last night (not just Welsh's fault, but a general point). I thought Welsh looked like a slightly more enthusiastic Hamill really (and enthusiasm can fade after a few appearances) however he scored (although tried to miss) so I'll give him the benefit of the doubt for now. I still couldn't say, on his performance, whether I'd like him to be with us next season.

[Thracian]

Welsh seems much more a team player than Smith and has greater effect.

Smith scored one goal and made very few during his time at City, and results were generally poor when he played.

Even in limited appearance time, Welsh has scored one, created and should have scored another and also helped make two goals that I can recall. And results during his presence have been top of the table standard.

The point is that he fits in much more easily with the others than Smith who was annoyingly unpredictable. He is also one more genuine attacker for the side - further improving its balance.

Last night he was up against a fast and strong defender. Yet he still managed to score once and keep the fellow fully occupied.

.

[PompeyFox]

The few corners that we did have, i thought welsh put them in spot on.

[LCFC UK]

What a match, Finally started welsh and paid off.

Fryatts movement and control to set up the second was sheer class.

[Cobbo]

What a match, Finally started welsh and paid off.

Fryatts movement and control to set up the second was sheer class.

To be fair, we've played better without starting Welsh.

When Stearman's fit again I wouldn't hesitate to drop him.

Although I have nowt against the lad or anything, just think we're more solid with the side we have been playing previously.

[LCFC UK]

To be fair, we've played better without starting Welsh.

When Stearman's fit again I wouldn't hesitate to drop him.

Although I have nowt against the lad or anything, just think we're more solid with the side we have been playing previously.

We had no width before, Hughes does not convince me on the left.

Surely it benefits us to have natural width and wingers?

Like Phobe Fox said imagine if we had 2 wingers, maybury on the right and hughes on the left has got us by....somehow.

[Cobbo]

We had no width before, Hughes does not convince me on the left.

Surely it benefits us to have natural width and wingers?

Like Phobe Fox said imagine if we had 2 wingers, maybury on the right and hughes on the left has got us by....somehow.

Why does it benefit us?

I seem to see a really good run of results without playing natural wingers, yet people still want us to play more width?

[LCFC UK]

Why does it benefit us?

I seem to see a really good run of results without playing natural wingers, yet people still want us to play more width?

How does it benefit us playing a player whos natural position is in the middle, yet play him on the left wing?

How does it benefit us that a player who is naturally a right back and plays on the right wing?

leicester play 4-4-2 which consists of 2 wingers as anyone knows.

I am not slating anyone hear just barely stating the obvious.

[Cobbo]

But surely if we're winning games and dominating them with no wingers, we should stick to that?

Why would we need to change it?

Why would you slate someone's hearing?

And it's not stating the obvious at all.

[Cat Burger]

cobbOWNED

[LCFC UK]

But surely if we're winning games and dominating them with no wingers, we should stick to that?

Why would we need to change it?

Why would you slate someone's hearing?

And it's not stating the obvious at all.

Yeah i agree if it aint broke dont fix it, but if we are to be serious challengers next season we need the right balance, hughes had a great game yesterday - he played in his right position, welsh did well and got a goal, momo sylla is a useless peice of shit and needs kicking out this club, once we have a good right winger we can look at next season more positivley.

I cant see how you like leicester playing people out of position, i struggle to understand that regardless of if we are winning.

As i said am not slating and i meant the players..not you.

And yes it was stating the obvious - 4-4-2 means wingers, not bit part players who can barely do a job there.

[Katy]

Yeah i agree if it aint broke dont fix it, but if we are to be serious challengers next season we need the right balance, hughes had a great game yesterday - he played in his right position, welsh did well and got a goal, momo sylla is a useless peice of shit and needs kicking out this club, once we have a good right winger we can look at next season more positivley.

I cant see how you like leicester playing people out of position, i struggle to understand that regardless of if we are winning.

As i said am not slating and i meant the players..not you.

And yes it was stating the obvious - 4-4-2 means wingers, not bit part players who can barely do a job there.

Cobbo was refering to last night though and previous games where we have actually been winning the majority. Pre season is the time to play tinkerman not when you are scrapping for points for safety, what is the point of changing a mostly unbeaten team with the resources we have at present. In the summer we will hopefully have different and better players in which to provide the width we may or may not need depending on who the manager is and which personnel he wants.

[Cobbo]

Alf Ramsey's 'wingless wonders' didn't do too badly

In all seriousness, this league is not about free flowing, open football.

You need to be solid throughout to be successful and if that means no wingers then so be it.

I really can't understand why people think we have to change anything after the run we've been on the tactics clearly work, we played bloody Reading off the park playing like that and they're by far the best team in the league!

[LCFC UK]

Cobbo was refering to last night though and previous games where we have actually been winning the majority. Pre season is the time to play tinkerman not when you are scrapping for points for safety, what is the point of changing a mostly unbeaten team with the resources we have at present. In the summer we will hopefully have different and better players in which to provide the width we may or may not need depending on who the manager is and which personnel he wants.

He was not refering to last night, he was refering to 'games we have won and dominated'.

Im not on about now either am on about next season to make the changes - hence need a new right winger if we are to challenge for next season.

We are hardly scrapping for points either.

[LCFC UK]

Alf Ramsey's 'wingless wonders' didn't do too badly

In all seriousness, this league is not about free flowing, open football.

You need to be solid throughout to be successful and if that means no wingers then so be it.

I really can't understand why people think we have to change anything after the run we've been on the tactics clearly work, we played bloody Reading off the park playing like that and they're by far the best team in the league!

Yeah i understand that but i dont know any other team who play 4-4-2 and play centre mids left wing and right backs right wing.

Like it or not 4-4-2 you must have 2 wingers.

I know we are winning games and we are playing some rearly good football, i do not dougbt it but if want to challenge for the title we need 2 natural wingers IMO.

[Cobbo]

Well look at the bigger picture within the team, if we play a normal right winger, Stearman will be far less effective in games. We'll be far more open and concede more goals.

You're of course entitled to your opinion and we may buy a winger or two, but the style that we play is more than ok. It certainly frees up Stearman to bomb on forward and create as he is talented enough to do.

The fact that we play two wippets upfront is another reason why we don't massively need wingers, they will do loads of donkey work and run the channels all night long. If you watch the games, you'll notice that they are always running into the left and right wing positions, leaving it to our narrow midfield to bomb on forward.

[LCFC UK]

Well look at the bigger picture within the team, if we play a normal right winger, Stearman will be far less effective in games. We'll be far more open and concede more goals.

You're of course entitled to your opinion and we may buy a winger or two, but the style that we play is more than ok. It certainly frees up Stearman to bomb on forward and create as he is talented enough to do.

The fact that we play two wippets upfront is another reason why we don't massively need wingers, they will do loads of donkey work and run the channels all night long. If you watch the games, you'll notice that they are always running into the left and right wing positions, leaving it to our narrow midfield to bomb on forward.

So we dont play wingers just to allow Stearman to go forward???

Hume and Fryatt do alot of the donkey work and is why there knackered by the 70th minute, if you had natural wingers theyd be scoring more goals then they are, they wouldnt have to keep chasing back - as much and would give them better opportunites in the box.

Yes i do go to the games, most of them and away when possible.