Max Gradel

[Sods]

No use writing him off yet people

He's got something, definitely. He's just got to use this time with us to know when and when not to do certain things. He's got big potential, and that's something we should be excited about.

I think its more frustration to be honest, you can see the quality is there and then he does something poor.

Like you say, we should stick with him.

[Miquel The Work Geordie]

He's a tryer that's for sure and Walsall were worried enough to get 2 men on him whenever they could but he's just too lightweight and I don't think he's good enough to be honest,shame because he started the season with such promise!

That's ridiculous imo. He more than showed his quality last season.

He's lost his place to Adams, and rightly so, Adams has put in some decent performances, when at the start of the season his place in the team seemed untouchable. Everyone wanted him in there, and all he's ever known is being a vital cog in a team (crucial for Bournemouth and the Academy).

Perhaps realising he's not irreplaceable has knocked his confidence. It's up to him to dust himself down and start playing with belief again, and to start enjoying himself like he was to begin with.

[Joe.]

I think its more frustration to be honest, you can see the quality is there and then he does something poor.

Like you say, we should stick with him.

Yeah, I understand the frustration, my earlier post sums my feelings up on that one.

[anglodan]

We've had the over reaction one way in building him up, and now we'll probably see an over reaction the other way. The young lad needs some encouragement, so let's not start ripping him to shreads.

spot on

[Thracian]

I just don't believe the nonsense being talked about Gradel.

We played crap tonight but one player in our team was always looking to take responsibility and to try to make something happen - Max Gradel.

For weeks and weeks our set pieces have been a disgrace but Gradel grabbed the ball, took the corners and saved our embarrassment by placing two crosses on the head of King and Tunchev for our equalising goals.

A one-off? No. Those two assists leave him top of the assists table having had, by his standards, a fairly indifferent time of it so far.

Those free-kicks weren't his only contribution tonight by any means. While we were often a collective mess, Gradel tried this, that and the other with varying degrees of success but he never stopped trying even down to his half decent shot in the closing minutes.

But let's look too at the things that are not helping Gradel one bit.

First he was clearly singled out for close marking tonight. Walsall tried to close him down and stop him turning which they managed to some extent.

But how should we be countering that? By having movement all around him. By giving him more licence to move. By passing the ball to him faster so that he has a yard or two more of space.

Instead, other than the last 20 minutes of the first half and just after we equalised we played a pedestrian pace with no urgency, no movement and no-one taking much by way of responsibility.

Our successful season was set up on the foundation stone of quick closing down and fast passing and moving. All that was largely non existent tonight.

[Munzie]

What's wrong with Gradel? Answer - Nothing.

He was over-hyped during pre-season and the first couple of games. Yes, he possesses his 'silky skills' in being able to beat his man and run at defences. He also possesses a lack of ability to apply the final delivery into the box or to his fellow team mates on frequent occasions. He is not the polished article he has been made out to be.

I acknowledge what has been said about his troubles away from the game and I sympathise with the guy. I also stand by the fact that this shouldn't be getting in the way of him playing, either by his own choice or that of the Manager.

He needs to work on his final delivery of the ball during open play. He has got a lot to learn.

[Lovejoy]

I thought he wasn't too bad tonight . And let's not forget the family issues he's dealing with. He's still only young.

[potter3]

He's a young winger, young players are often inconsistent and so are wingers. Even Ronaldo has off games every so often. He's got the bailty, we've seen that but it's unlikely we'll see it every game, I think we just need to not expect him to beat the full back over and over and whip the ball in every game, it's not going to happen.

[colbo68]

maybe its because we are expecting too much of him??????? typical leicester fans really. i thought he did well tonight was hot and cold, at times slowed a move down and tried too much but he was trying to move forward. i just think we should lay off him and let him do his thing, hes not stupid and neither are our staff they will continue to teach him whats right and whats not. hes still young, he did well at bournemouth because he was just left to it but here he has to be a part of a team and work as hard as everybody else. and he set up 2 goals tonight!

just lay off him, we werent expecting anything from lloyd but hes doing well but i dont here anybody moaning about him tonight, i thought he was poor but looked very tired so that might be why.

WELL DONE MAX!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

great post - agree with you 100% - give the poor lad time and dont try to reify him overnight

[DB11]

Maybe his personal life is really affecting him. The lad and his family have had a torrid time ever since he's been with us

Professionals should be able to leave their personal life personal and not let it affect them when they are getting paid crazy money to play football.

[Asha]

Professionals should be able to leave their personal life personal and not let it affect them when they are getting paid crazy money to play football.

That's a bit unfair.

When dealing with the loss of his family members, I'm sure he doesn't think 'well at least I got me moneyz.'

I'm pretty sure he'd give everything he has up if it meant getting them back somehow.

[syston_fox]

Professionals should be able to leave their personal life personal and not let it affect them when they are getting paid crazy money to play football.

If you know the circumstances surrounding Gradel's personal life then that is the most stupid post I think I've ever read on this forum. For someone so young, Gradel has gone through more than some of us will face in a lifetime and he's coming through it very well and is an inspiration for many people due to the way he has coped.

Football will no doubt be a release for him and something for him to focus on but to say it shouldn't affect him??

[Corky]

Professionals should be able to leave their personal life personal and not let it affect them when they are getting paid crazy money to play football.

Yes, just because he gets paid a lot of money means he doesn't have feelings and emotion?

[Alexikokopops]

Professionals should be able to leave their personal life personal and not let it affect them when they are getting paid crazy money to play football.

"Shit, my mum's passed away and there's no one to look after my younger siblings in France. Hang on a second, I'm getting a decent amount to play football, what am I doing worrying about my family?! To the Walkers!"

[davieG]

He was far superior to Dyer tonight.

Double and sometimes triple marked.

Invariably received the ball from Gilbert with his back to two defenders

Rarely received a ball through the gap that he could run onto.

Him and Gilbert were forced to play so close to the pitch edge with no support/options coming from other players.

The rest of the team seemed to stand still and watch when he's on the ball giving him few options to pass, I guess they are either admiring him or don't know what he's going to do next.

No he wasn't perfect tonight but I thought he was one of our better players and looked the only one on the pitch capable of creating a goal scoring opportunity

His corners were well struck with pace and bend in them and were varied going short and long and in between.

I didn't think he was anywhere near a significant problem tonight amongst many other problems.

If the rest of the team where delivering and putting in as much as Max did I doubt anyone would comment on his performance.

[Dr The Singh]

"Shit, my mum's passed away and there's no one to look after my younger siblings in France. Hang on a second, I'm getting a decent amount to play football, what am I doing worrying about my family?! To the Walkers!"

Let's not bring the guys family into it. It may have had an effect on his poerformance and yes expectations are high but why only single out Gradel, there were many last night that played poor!! The whole side struggled to gain momentum.

the kid has only just broke into the first team and has shown glimpses of what he can do, he has competition for his position (Adams), so he will have to buck up his ideas, but when the whole side is struggling there's no need to single a young prospect out!!

[The People's Hero]

We've had the over reaction one way in building him up, and now we'll probably see an over reaction the other way. The young lad needs some encouragement, so let's not start ripping him to shreads.

Spot on.

People should realise that putting young players on a pedestal in counter productive.

I won't name any names, but in Gradel's case there were actually quite a few.

[Wasyls Pec Deck]

I haven't seen him since Orient away, but I have to say I think that his approach play is very good but his delivery is almost always shite however he is a young lad, so you have to give him benefit of the doubt really...

[Ric Flair]

He was far superior to Dyer tonight.

Double and sometimes triple marked.

Invariably received the ball from Gilbert with his back to two defenders

Rarely received a ball through the gap that he could run onto.

Him and Gilbert were forced to play so close to the pitch edge with no support/options coming from other players.

The rest of the team seemed to stand still and watch when he's on the ball giving him few options to pass, I guess they are either admiring him or don't know what he's going to do next.

No he wasn't perfect tonight but I thought he was one of our better players and looked the only one on the pitch capable of creating a goal scoring opportunity

His corners were well struck with pace and bend in them and were varied going short and long and in between.

I didn't think he was anywhere near a significant problem tonight amongst many other problems.

If the rest of the team where delivering and putting in as much as Max did I doubt anyone would comment on his performance.

Absolutely. He has been built up and i'm probably to blame the most about that and that might be why people are getting pissed off on hre when he's not dominating teams for 90 minutes. The thing is, I may have over-hyped him but I know how good Gradel can be and I can't help but big him up. The lad grew in confidence both times he set the goals up. He needs a goal himself and we'll see a different player.

I'm still happy he's ours and we didn't let him slip away.

[bigneville]

The guy has 5 assists from 11 games, in which he hasn't played in all of them, and when he has played it hasn't been the full 90 minutes.

5 assists in 11 games is a great return from any winger.

[CosbehFox]

I saw him with a copy of FIFA 09 the other day. Maybe he just can't stop playing it. Quality game.

I saw him outside HMV, I always see him around town during lunch.

Professionals should be able to leave their personal life personal and not let it affect them when they are getting paid crazy money to play football.

I think you under estimate his plight regards his family and it's clearly affecting him.

His Mum passes away, he's the guardian of his siblings and he gets to an agreed stage with the French Social Services that his Aunt will take of them. Then his Aunt passes away and again he's at the stage of fending for his entire family whilst at the same time holding a 6 days a week job. Have some compassion. Last season may football was the perfect getaway from the situation, now it just adds to his problems. It seems after a decent start, everyone just expects him to be Ronaldo.

[Daggers]

Max Gradel, What's going wrong?

It's the Leicester way

[Samilktray]

Professionals should be able to leave their personal life personal and not let it affect them when they are getting paid crazy money to play football.

What a fooking stupid thing to say.

[JakeShingler]

Clayton Ince.

Cheers

[ASH17LCFC]

One trick pony, reminds me of Momo. His crossing is rubbish ( set 2 goals up yesterday blah and was the keeper fault for both) The lad is good at running with the ball though but needs a end product instead of wacking it out for a goal kick all the time.