Bit of overeaction isn't it?!

[colbo68]

Just got up and read through the posts, seems to be 2 distinct sets of views, ie that we are in a bit of a bad trot and were unlucky last night OR, the wheels have come off and we are in deep poo!

For those of you who were not at the game, the most disturbing thing was not the result, poor though it was, but the SIMILARITY of the way we played to last season!

Team selection was too defensive, full back in central midfield! Havn't we been here before?

Formation far too rigid, after the break Brighton just doubled up on our wingers and we were fvcked.

Defense looked more like the flaky outfit of last year rather than the pretty solid unit of a couple of months ago, distribution from the back has become woefull. Mattock and Kisnorbo have just returned, coincidence?

Once Brighton got a goal back we defended too deep (like last season), central midfield were too close to the back 4 and we resorted to long ball clearances that just gave away possession.

Because we were defending so deep Brighton were able to play the ball around 30 odd yards out and measure their shots on goal, they were not closed down because our back 4 were defending the 18 yard line with King and Berner just in front of them.

Defensively we were so like last season that it was a real worry!

couldnt agree more - my concern with Pearson currently is the type of football being played is becoming all too similar to last year

[marbelladave]

Lisa, yes I really do expect more!

We are on a sound footing financially, we have a new manager and enough new players that most of the games this season we have started with just 3 of the players who started regularly last season. That really should be enough to stop the slide!

Short of changing the name and moving to another city it is hard to see what else can be done!

[Guest]

Lisa, yes I really do expect more!

We are on a sound footing financially, we have a new manager and enough new players that most of the games this season we have started with just 3 of the players who started regularly last season. That really should be enough to stop the slide!

Short of changing the name and moving to another city it is hard to see what else can be done!

It just goes to show that the problems within this club are a lot more deep rooted, and therefore harder to sort out. Throwing money at the problem is not a panacea; look at the many clubs who have tried and failed before.

Has anyone stopped to consider that whatever is causing the problems is actually still at the club, which is why we are having a sense of deja vu? I know some will take this as it being a dig at the chairman, but I honestly don't know if it's him, or the players that we have been left with, the staff within the club, or a combination of all three, but if it doesn't get sorted soon, I could get to join the "92 Club"!!

(The last line is pessimism for comic effect, BTW. )

[Finnegan]

Wind your neck in - I said up front it was a civil question.

How else do you want me to flag this so I am not causing offense?

With somewhat less searing cynicism?

[marbelladave]

Colbo

I can't get to as many games as I would like but as I am back in the UK (north London) for a while I have been doing better this year.

Our early season form showed great promise, a much more attacking attitude than last season plus a solid defense made me think we would do well this year.

BUT we have failed to build on that and, in the last few games, become stale and rigid! And now we are now repeating the mistakes of last season, players out of position, defending too deep, hoofball from the back.

It is not all the players fault by any means, they were pretty good early season, but the inability to build on a good start and to adapt tactics and formations as more of the opposition clubs started to 'work us out' that is inexcusable.

[marbelladave]

Lisa,

I have not lived in Leicester for many a year so I know little about what goes on at the club off the pitch.

I would have thought that the 2 (or is it 3) massive regime changes that have occurred in recent years would have brought in new people at virtually all levels of club but if this is not the case then I would love to know who the corrosive influence is.

Personally I feel the problems lie closer to the pitch. Pearson appears to be a decent manager with some experience but I am not sure that he has had to handle the level of expectation that is being heaped upon him at this time.

From the chairman to the fans the expectation is huge, this affects the manager in many ways, the most obvious being the inability to change thing in a positive manner for fear of the changes not working and the tendency to try and 'play safe' by taking the conservative and often defensive action.

No, we have a squad of players capable of taking this league apart, we just need to find a way to let them do it!

[nickm]

it's not the fact that we lost, it's the fact that complacency has started to set in and we all know where that's got us--we were fine until kisnorbo got back in the team!

[Bellend Sebastian]

I think the early season success is the reason for this. Before the season started I would have taken play-offs, a month ago I would have been hoping to finish 1st. It seems that people's expectations have been raised, as long as it's turned around quickly then we will soon forget it.

I didn't think it was a foregone conclusion that we'd be topping the table all season either. Our early season form exceeded my expectations, so I'm not that surprised we're having a dodgy spell. I take comfort from the fact that we've still only lost two games which I think is less than anyone else in the division (if only I could be bothered to check), and if memory serves me right plenty of teams have been automatically having lost quite a few games e.g. Swansea last season were champions having lost 8 times. If we're in terminal decline then that's not much comfort, but I think it's a bit early to be writing off the team after a handful of disappointing results and one really crap one

[Katy]

I cannot believe we've lost either...but people calling for Pearsons head on RL, and some reaction from here is a bit too far. A win saturday we'll further up than 6th, with a game in hand. Granted we shouldn't have lost tonight, but all this talk is far too hasty. We've only LOST 2 games remember.

True maybe Pearson should tinker with the team (i.e. drop Martin and Kisnorbo for Hendo and Morrison in my view). Be optimistic! We'll be top 2 there or thereabouts come the end of the season, and a 3-2 loss at Brighton won't take that away.

Out of order. Some jokers on Fox Travel were begging for Iain Dowie on the way back. Behave. No way do I want that joker in charge. We need stability, we've been through hell in the past few years. Give Nigel time, all clubs go through rough patches - we can't win every game (although I'm livid at the way we lost last night) getting rid of Nige is NOT the answer!

People are so reactionary without thinking of the consequences. Get a grip.

[Head Honcho]

The people calling for NP's head are indeed imbeciles but he needs to get the show back on the road soon otherwise the unrest will only increase and as such the pressure.

A top six finish is an absolute must for most fans and I feel MM won't accept anything less.

Let's not beat around the bush if NP doesn't get us promoted this season he won't be here next but let's give him a full season before we start asking for him to be sacked.

We are 6th in the league and 4 points behind the leaders and it's not even November!

Come on guys get real.

[Dr The Singh]

The people calling for NP's head are indeed imbeciles but he needs to get the show back on the road soon otherwise the unrest will only increase and as such the pressure.

A top six finish is an absolute must for most fans and I feel MM won't accept anything less.

Let's not beat around the bush if NP doesn't get us promoted this season he won't be here next but let's give him a full season before we start asking for him to be sacked.

We are 6th in the league and 4 points behind the leaders and it's not even November!

Come on guys get real.

I agree about the point about asking for NP's head!!

BUT, the after the last 4 games we all should be very concerned!!!! Were not improving, and seem to be folding into the team we were last season, NP management skills are being tested, I hope he get's things right for saturday!!

[Daggers]

GOTO POST 19!!!!

Do not pass Go

Do not collect 200 pounds

I love Raj.

[Head Honcho]

Just got up and read through the posts, seems to be 2 distinct sets of views, ie that we are in a bit of a bad trot and were unlucky last night OR, the wheels have come off and we are in deep poo!

For those of you who were not at the game, the most disturbing thing was not the result, poor though it was, but the SIMILARITY of the way we played to last season!

Team selection was too defensive, full back in central midfield! Havn't we been here before?

Formation far too rigid, after the break Brighton just doubled up on our wingers and we were fvcked.

Defense looked more like the flaky outfit of last year rather than the pretty solid unit of a couple of months ago, distribution from the back has become woefull. Mattock and Kisnorbo have just returned, coincidence?

Once Brighton got a goal back we defended too deep (like last season), central midfield were too close to the back 4 and we resorted to long ball clearances that just gave away possession.

Because we were defending so deep Brighton were able to play the ball around 30 odd yards out and measure their shots on goal, they were not closed down because our back 4 were defending the 18 yard line with King and Berner just in front of them.

Defensively we were so like last season that it was a real worry!

Can't be bothered to trawl the thread but could the two sets of views be those of members who watch us regularly and those of members who don't

I'm more inclined to listen to the views of members I know attend matches regularly then of those who don't!

[ThorpeAstleyFox]

Time to get on my soapbox over a couple of things:

1) Sack Nigel Pearson

Ridiculous idea! Whilst performances of late have been quite woeful and reminiscent of seasons past sacking Nigel is not the answer. We're four points behind the league leaders with a game in hand, not too bad a position at this point in the season. If we were to sack Pearson then who would we bring in? And why would they do any better? You may recall Darren Ferguson distancing himself from the job in the summer due to Milan's axe. I'm not suggesting for one minute that Ferguson Junior is the answer but if we sack another manager when we're four points off the top of the table with a game in hand then why would anybody want the job? Our current form is not as good as it should be and the sensationalists out there will say that we have picked up 3 points from 12 which is relegation form. Read any form guide and it will be based on the last six games (for good mathematial reasons) which would mean that we've picked up 9 points from 18 which is play-off form. I'm not saying that I'm happy at the moment but I firmly believe that we are capable of winning our next three league games (Bristol Rovers (H), Yeovil Town (H) and Swindon Town (A)) and going up to S****horpe on the 22nd of November for a real six pointer.

2) Moaning about international breaks

I back Nigel 100% on this issue. The players that would have been missing for the international breaks are Tunchev, Adams and King. Whilst I'm fairly happy with Hobbs and Morisson, Tunchev is a class apart. We currently only have one fit centre midfielder in the squad (and yes I do accept that previously Wesolowski and Oakley have been available but the point remians that injuries can happen at the most inconvenient of times), why would we want to play without him? What happens if Gradel picks up a knock when Adams is away with Wales? Apparantly we have one of the biggest squads in the league (personally I don't see that, but then we do have a lot of injuries at the minute), but why make problems for yourself?

3) The arrogance of fans on these forums

Everyone is entitled to their opinions. Did I shout at the radio on Monday night when someone suggested that we need Savage back? Hell yeah! How about last season when someone suggested that Matty Fryatt is the best striker in the championship? I nearly crashed my car! Lets not forget the woman at the end of the season telling Steve Walsh "You were always my favourite player Welshie." three times (or Birch talking about Maddocks) - I was laughing my ass off. I disagree with all of these opinions, but that does not make them wrong or any less legitimate than my own. On these forums we represent a small demographic of Leicester City fans. The Football Phone In and the letters page in the Leicester Mercury represent other small demographics of Leicester City fans. This is why when we do an on-line survey which 300+ peolpe respond to the club dismiss it - it is not representative of all fans. Some of you seem to read "number of posts" as "quality of fan". I've been a season ticket holder for many seasons and visit these boards on a daily basis. I was born with two ears, two eyes and one mouth - therefore I observe other peoples opinions four times as much as I voice my own.

Rant over - now on to the practical things - what is going wrong at the minute?

In my opinion we are lacking in ideas, creativity, cutting edge and options on the bench.

We seem to spend a lot of time passing the ball around the oppositions box waiting for an opening to present itself without trying to force the situation. We seem to be missing the through ball, the quick one-two, a purposeful run and the opposition are happy to sit there with two banks of four laughing at our lack of ideas.

We are wasting too many chances. If you'd have offered me eleven league goals for Fryatt after thirteen games I would have snapped your hand off - but he has missed quite a few! And Howard has had a lot ruled out (rightly or wrongly). There was also a time in our recent history when set pieces would be seen as a real chance to score. Other than the Walsall game our delivery has been terrible. Against Hartlepool (I think) we had five corners on the trot and they were all poor. In another game we had thirteen corners and failed to test their 'keeper once. This has got to be worked on!

Against Walsall we had Henderson, Mattock, Kisnorbo, Berner and Hayles on the bench. You tell me where the match winner is there? Or the centre midfielder for that matter? That said we do have options at left back! I know and accept that we have injuries at the minute but we desperately need some more cover in the squad. Whether that be loan signings (which I personally feel are very hit and miss) or bringing in some of the younger players I don't know, but we are very short at right back (no cover for gilbert), centre midfield (Wesolowski and Clemence injured) and up front (Dickov, Cambell and Chambers all injured). I know that some of you watch the reserves/youth teams is there anybody who could step up?

[Houdini Logic]

I cannot believe we've lost either...but people calling for Pearsons head on RL, and some reaction from here is a bit too far. A win saturday we'll further up than 6th, with a game in hand. Granted we shouldn't have lost tonight, but all this talk is far too hasty. We've only LOST 2 games remember.

True maybe Pearson should tinker with the team (i.e. drop Martin and Kisnorbo for Hendo and Morrison in my view). Be optimistic! We'll be top 2 there or thereabouts come the end of the season, and a 3-2 loss at Brighton won't take that away.

I think it's the recent run of form that's starting to get people worried - 3 points out of 12. We should be cruising.

I have no idea what Pearson could possibly say at HT to demotivate a side so much...

[Head Honcho]

Time to get on my soapbox over a couple of things:

1) Sack Nigel Pearson

Ridiculous idea! Whilst performances of late have been quite woeful and reminiscent of seasons past sacking Nigel is not the answer. We're four points behind the league leaders with a game in hand, not too bad a position at this point in the season. If we were to sack Pearson then who would we bring in? And why would they do any better? You may recall Darren Ferguson distancing himself from the job in the summer due to Milan's axe. I'm not suggesting for one minute that Ferguson Junior is the answer but if we sack another manager when we're four points off the top of the table with a game in hand then why would anybody want the job? Our current form is not as good as it should be and the sensationalists out there will say that we have picked up 3 points from 12 which is relegation form. Read any form guide and it will be based on the last six games (for good mathematial reasons) which would mean that we've picked up 9 points from 18 which is play-off form. I'm not saying that I'm happy at the moment but I firmly believe that we are capable of winning our next three league games (Bristol Rovers (H), Yeovil Town (H) and Swindon Town (A)) and going up to S****horpe on the 22nd of November for a real six pointer.

2) Moaning about international breaks

I back Nigel 100% on this issue. The players that would have been missing for the international breaks are Tunchev, Adams and King. Whilst I'm fairly happy with Hobbs and Morisson, Tunchev is a class apart. We currently only have one fit centre midfielder in the squad (and yes I do accept that previously Wesolowski and Oakley have been available but the point remians that injuries can happen at the most inconvenient of times), why would we want to play without him? What happens if Gradel picks up a knock when Adams is away with Wales? Apparantly we have one of the biggest squads in the league (personally I don't see that, but then we do have a lot of injuries at the minute), but why make problems for yourself?

3) The arrogance of fans on these forums

Everyone is entitled to their opinions. Did I shout at the radio on Monday night when someone suggested that we need Savage back? Hell yeah! How about last season when someone suggested that Matty Fryatt is the best striker in the championship? I nearly crashed my car! Lets not forget the woman at the end of the season telling Steve Walsh "You were always my favourite player Welshie." three times (or Birch talking about Maddocks) - I was laughing my ass off. I disagree with all of these opinions, but that does not make them wrong or any less legitimate than my own. On these forums we represent a small demographic of Leicester City fans. The Football Phone In and the letters page in the Leicester Mercury represent other small demographics of Leicester City fans. This is why when we do an on-line survey which 300+ peolpe respond to the club dismiss it - it is not representative of all fans. Some of you seem to read "number of posts" as "quality of fan". I've been a season ticket holder for many seasons and visit these boards on a daily basis. I was born with two ears, two eyes and one mouth - therefore I observe other peoples opinions four times as much as I voice my own.

Rant over - now on to the practical things - what is going wrong at the minute?

In my opinion we are lacking in ideas, creativity, cutting edge and options on the bench.

We seem to spend a lot of time passing the ball around the oppositions box waiting for an opening to present itself without trying to force the situation. We seem to be missing the through ball, the quick one-two, a purposeful run and the opposition are happy to sit there with two banks of four laughing at our lack of ideas.

We are wasting too many chances. If you'd have offered me eleven league goals for Fryatt after thirteen games I would have snapped your hand off - but he has missed quite a few! And Howard has had a lot ruled out (rightly or wrongly). There was also a time in our recent history when set pieces would be seen as a real chance to score. Other than the Walsall game our delivery has been terrible. Against Hartlepool (I think) we had five corners on the trot and they were all poor. In another game we had thirteen corners and failed to test their 'keeper once. This has got to be worked on!

Against Walsall we had Henderson, Mattock, Kisnorbo, Berner and Hayles on the bench. You tell me where the match winner is there? Or the centre midfielder for that matter? That said we do have options at left back! I know and accept that we have injuries at the minute but we desperately need some more cover in the squad. Whether that be loan signings (which I personally feel are very hit and miss) or bringing in some of the younger players I don't know, but we are very short at right back (no cover for gilbert), centre midfield (Wesolowski and Clemence injured) and up front (Dickov, Cambell and Chambers all injured). I know that some of you watch the reserves/youth teams is there anybody who could step up?

.................."are you Nigel in disguise, are you Nigel in disguise"

Only joking mate. It just seemed that you were writing in the first person.

[marbelladave]

We do NOT need Pearson to go,

We need him to MANAGE!

It has been pointed out in various posts that we have gone stale and become rigid in our formation and tactics. This is bad enough, but becoming cautious and playing defenders in midfield is NOT the answer!

A few suggestions;

Bring back Morrison and Powell, they are far more accomplished on the ball and their distribution is miles better than the pair who played last night.

Stop defending so deep, with Kisnorbo out of the side this should not be too difficult. It will get the center midfield pair further forward and give us the degree of control we had earlier in the season.

King and Oakley are not the most dynamic players so let them play the supporting role they are good at and release the front four to attack.

With our wingers now regularly closed down, give them licence to play a free role, add Adams or Porter to give us three pacy attacking players to support Fryatt as the front man.

Play the ball to feet, drop Howard to the bench for use if we are chasing a game.

Etc, etc, etc.....

[Raj]

I love Raj.

And Raj loves you!!!

Nice to know some people have some sense sometimes as somewhat spontaneosly such suggestions sour simple statistics

[Zingari]

And Raj loves you!!!

Nice to know some people have some sense sometimes as somewhat spontaneosly such suggestions sour simple statistics

are you a little asian doing alliteration ?

[thecannon]

One question. Why does all this shit have to happen to this club? Atleast one team in all the divisions have something to cheer about one time or another! We're goingt o fooking draw on saturday i know it!

[marbelladave]

HeadHoncho

Sometimes seeing all the games can be a problem. Last season I was only able to get to about 12-15 games, mostly away (near airports!). This season I am back in the UK and expect to see around 30-40, home and away.

Sometimes it is too easy to get sucked into the passion and the shear physicality of the game, so that a fans view on the game becomes skewed. Players who put in maximum effort and are dynamic are perceived as having played well, even if much of the effort is wasted, whereas calmer more controlled players are seen as being less effective as their contributions are less obvious.

This view is endemic among most fans and while I can accept that a whole hearted performance from a player can have a very positive effect on both the team and the fans, there is a lot more to it than that.

For example, the recent performances from Kisnorbo have been typical of him. Very whole hearted and physical, putting his body on the line, getting involved and the fans love it.

The fact that he has disrupted our back 4, made them play deeper than they have until his return, instigated the return of the aimless 'hoofed' clearance is somehow lost.

Sometimes it pays to step back and watch what is actually happening, Last night I was positioned well away from our fans (who made a terrific noise by the way) and the similarity to last seasons style of play was uncanny, very un-nerving in fact.

If we continue down this track we will be in real trouble!

[bigneville]

I can't believe some of the stuff going on in this thread.

Yes, we lost last night, a game we should have won, after taking a 2-0 lead.

Yes, performances haven't improved massively this season.

But come on guys, what are we expecting.

We're 6th in the league, lost 2 league games out of 13 games. The squad has shown is has potential to win games at this level, unlike previous teams at this club. We're in a sticky patch according to most, yet we've only lost 1 game in 9.

I understand there is some frustration, but what do people seriously expect to achieve by calling for the managers head.

Pre-season we should have all expected a tough time, Nigel's great start has put him under more pressure now, because the fickle state of fans expect us to now go and win the league no problem. This league is a very tough league, and it's going to take great consistency and effort to get out of it.

We have proven, we have the players to get the results, and a manager, for most part of the season so far has delivered. Two/three games doesn not change your managerial attributes.

Any fan who wants Nigel sacked, should look back at last season's merry-go-round and seriously consider their thoughts before posting such rubbish about sacking Mr Pearson.

What we need to get out of this division, is belief in the team, consistency and the results will come on the pitch.

This may seem like another "Keep The Faith" post, but we're 6th in the league, with a game in hand, in a tough league, with a decent squad.

Most teams would love to be in our position. So instead of moaning, we're not top of the league already, let's look at the positive side that we are 6th with lots of potential and a very realistic chance of getting promoted back at the first attempt. Something that isn't done very often.

[Zingari]

nothing less than maximum points from the next 50 games will be enough for me

and i'll want clean sheets ( but that's another story )

[Wasyls Pec Deck]

I can't believe some of the stuff going on in this thread.

Yes, we lost last night, a game we should have won, after taking a 2-0 lead.

Yes, performances haven't improved massively this season.

But come on guys, what are we expecting.

We're 6th in the league, lost 2 league games out of 13 games. The squad has shown is has potential to win games at this level, unlike previous teams at this club. We're in a sticky patch according to most, yet we've only lost 1 game in 9.

I understand there is some frustration, but what do people seriously expect to achieve by calling for the managers head.

Pre-season we should have all expected a tough time, Nigel's great start has put him under more pressure now, because the fickle state of fans expect us to now go and win the league no problem. This league is a very tough league, and it's going to take great consistency and effort to get out of it.

We have proven, we have the players to get the results, and a manager, for most part of the season so far has delivered. Two/three games doesn not change your managerial attributes.

Any fan who wants Nigel sacked, should look back at last season's merry-go-round and seriously consider their thoughts before posting such rubbish about sacking Mr Pearson.

What we need to get out of this division, is belief in the team, consistency and the results will come on the pitch.

This may seem like another "Keep The Faith" post, but we're 6th in the league, with a game in hand, in a tough league, with a decent squad.

Most teams would love to be in our position. So instead of moaning, we're not top of the league already, let's look at the positive side that we are 6th with lots of potential and a very realistic chance of getting promoted back at the first attempt. Something that isn't done very often.

amen to that

[Head Honcho]

HeadHoncho

Sometimes seeing all the games can be a problem. Last season I was only able to get to about 12-15 games, mostly away (near airports!). This season I am back in the UK and expect to see around 30-40, home and away.

Sometimes it is too easy to get sucked into the passion and the shear physicality of the game, so that a fans view on the game becomes skewed. Players who put in maximum effort and are dynamic are perceived as having played well, even if much of the effort is wasted, whereas calmer more controlled players are seen as being less effective as their contributions are less obvious.

This view is endemic among most fans and while I can accept that a whole hearted performance from a player can have a very positive effect on both the team and the fans, there is a lot more to it than that.

For example, the recent performances from Kisnorbo have been typical of him. Very whole hearted and physical, putting his body on the line, getting involved and the fans love it.

The fact that he has disrupted our back 4, made them play deeper than they have until his return, instigated the return of the aimless 'hoofed' clearance is somehow lost.

Sometimes it pays to step back and watch what is actually happening, Last night I was positioned well away from our fans (who made a terrific noise by the way) and the similarity to last seasons style of play was uncanny, very un-nerving in fact.

If we continue down this track we will be in real trouble!

To be fair though not many of our regular attendees are asking for NP's head and I tend to get a feel as to how the team is playing by reading their comments.

I do take your point about Kisnorbo though. I wasn't a fan of his last season because despite our 18 clean sheets his style of playing hindered our ability to break teams down and was a major contribution to us being relegated.

Getting relegated with 18 clean sheets in a season is quite frankly pityful?