This has got to stop

[carterfox90]

I love it. King and Oakley won't get us out of this division!

One win takes us top and King/Oakley have been close to ever present!

Our drop in form and points collected has coincided with various things, none of which have anything of importance to do with King/Oakley.

In no particular order of importance they are:

1) The lack of fit, effective cover for various players and positions as we hit a busy part of the fixtures list. That King/Oakley were playing tonight only emphasises the problems. The same too with Fryatt/Howard.

2) Gilbert's injury, for its effect on the defence, the functioning of our attack and as an out ball for our central midfielders.

3) Kisnorbo's return. His poor distribution is well known and it cannot be coincidence that a truly tight defence has suddenly started conceding goals.

4) The deployment of Hobbs in a foreign land at right-back.

5) Gradel's indifferent form due, in part, to the lack of support and runners around him.

6) Howard's pedestrian pace and continued lack of goals for one reason or another.

7) Collective loss of confidence as the bad results increase and the crowd voices it's anger or reaction.

8) The lack of a plan B as word gets around about how best to deal with us.

9) The continued absence of Levi Porter and his ability to bring other players into a game and to help with goalscoring/goal creation.

10) The absence of a rock-steady goalkeeper like Fulop.

spot on!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Thracian]

Judging by tonight's result, a poor defeat against a fourth-division team who didn't have to extend themselves, I'd say things are going pear-shaped NOW.

Oakley is no longer a promotion-winning captain, and I'll get a game in the Premier League before King does.

Where the hell Premiership football comes into it I don't know. But it's got nothing to do with anything I've said.

[Sir Fynwy]

IMO signing 1 decent midfield player and 1 pacey forward for the rest of the season would almost guarantee promotion, the fact that the club isn't willing or able to look at getting these two players in, at whatever cost, could mean a longer stay in league 1.

[Wasyls Pec Deck]

I genuinely think it does coincide with Kisnorbos return, and his awful hoofball distribution. Tunch and Morrison for me. We were far more fluid when they were first choice. Hobbs aint no RB either....please Kerrea come back!!!!

Doesn't help that Gradel and Dyer havent set the world alight recently either, altho I like the look of Nicky Adams...perhaps he should get much more of a look in.

Whens Kisnorbos contract up? Is it time to get rid and use the money to strengthen the side? Can we not say also that he was a primary reason why we didn't score enough goals last season?? Because he doesn't pass the football!!! I know he was part of the 2nd/3rd best defence or whatever, but if hoof it out it kind of negates that a bit...

[harpendenfox]

Sounds like last night was appalling, and we're clearly enduring a bad dip in form at the moment, but I for one will continue to be right behind Mr Pearson, even if we don't go up this season. We desperately need some stability, and to develop a stronger team over time. Quite who we think we'd get in to do a better job is beyond me. The guy is honest, and not afraid to speak out after a poor performance, but he doesn't make the mistake of criticising his players in public. Many of his signings are encouraging (no manager gets them all right.....).

We need to battle on, hopefully make a couple of judicious signings in January (like most people, increased options in centre mid, cover at RB, and one new striker, unless PD or DJ a) get fit b) start scoring over the next few weeks.

[SantiagoFox]

I genuinely think it does coincide with Kisnorbos return, and his awful hoofball distribution. Tunch and Morrison for me. We were far more fluid when they were first choice. Hobbs aint no RB either....please Kerrea come back!!!!

Doesn't help that Gradel and Dyer havent set the world alight recently either, altho I like the look of Nicky Adams...perhaps he should get much more of a look in.

Whens Kisnorbos contract up? Is it time to get rid and use the money to strengthen the side? Can we not say also that he was a primary reason why we didn't score enough goals last season?? Because he doesn't pass the football!!! I know he was part of the 2nd/3rd best defence or whatever, but if hoof it out it kind of negates that a bit...

Oh that's not fair!

I remember remarking once when Kisnorbo played a lovely ball out of defence straight to a city player in space.

Once.

'Tis true that the defence started looking shakey after he returned.

Also a rumour on another thread that he's a bad influence. Don't know about that, but maybe he thinks he should be playing at a higher level - some people think so.

Oh for a return to the days of the defence linking with the midfield, the midfield linking with the attack....

[Dan]

How can we go from stunning to shit with the same players, manager, etc?

well

Leyton Orient 1-3 Leicester: poor performance,lucky result

Huddersfield 2-3 Leicester: poor performance,lucky result

Oldham 1-1 Leicester: poor performance,very lucky result

Weve been getting very lucky results this season, look outmuscled and even outplayed at times. Now the results that our performances have earned are starting to arrive. Its simple, no right back cover cos lets face it Hobbs is diabolical at right back. Two weak midfielders get outmuscled every game, no scrapper and ball winner - new central midfielder. Delivery has been absolutely shocking, our crossing is becoming embarrasing, Gradel should never take a corner again and Dyers not much better. Why doesn't Oakley take corners? And also lack of pace up front, Howard slow and Fryatt slow. Dyer and Gradel have far too much responsibility with a weak midfield and slow forwards and expect fatigue. New fast forward on loan in a rotation with Fryatt and Howard.

They are the problems I think

[The People's Hero]

That's a bloody good post.

[Dan]

That's a bloody good post.

I must have potential im only 15 XD

[PAULCFC]

Can't be arsed to trawl back through all the other replys,but we were playing brfc,not brighton on the saturday that the post maker alluded too.......I think some people on here need to get the facts right and realise that none of the teams that come here are just going to roll over and let us score a hatfull of goals.If anything it's going to be harder for us to win at home.

[PAULCFC]

And i concur Hobbs is diabolical at right back

[Thracian]

well

Leyton Orient 1-3 Leicester: poor performance,lucky result

Huddersfield 2-3 Leicester: poor performance,lucky result

Oldham 1-1 Leicester: poor performance,very lucky result

Weve been getting very lucky results this season, look outmuscled and even outplayed at times. Now the results that our performances have earned are starting to arrive. Its simple, no right back cover cos lets face it Hobbs is diabolical at right back. Two weak midfielders get outmuscled every game, no scrapper and ball winner - new central midfielder. Delivery has been absolutely shocking, our crossing is becoming embarrasing, Gradel should never take a corner again and Dyers not much better. Why doesn't Oakley take corners? And also lack of pace up front, Howard slow and Fryatt slow. Dyer and Gradel have far too much responsibility with a weak midfield and slow forwards and expect fatigue. New fast forward on loan in a rotation with Fryatt and Howard.

They are the problems I think

Gradel made an excellent goal for King from a corner recently and I've never seen Oakley as anything special from dead ball situations since he's been here. In fact I've not seen him as anything special at all.

In the results you quoted we still scored 7 goals in the three games with four conceded but these days we're conceding more than we score, four goals to six in the last three games, 10 for 11 against in the last seven.

And while you make some good points, if I had to isolate one reason for the change it's because we are not closing down anything like as quickly as we did, for instance, against MK Dons on day one of the season and then in the away draw at Stockport where I thought we were unlucky not to win.

There might be various reasons for this but among my suggestions are: central midfield players being jaded and overstretched, the introduction of non-footballing defenders Hobbs and Kisnorbo and the lack of a striker who can also act as a first line of defence like Dickov or McKay.

Fryatt can be forgiven much for his goals but he's no defender and Howard, who hasn't been scoring, is never going to be the best at closing people down.

Individually there might not be a problem but collectively it means the opposition are able to get at us far more often and that seems to be borne out by what I see and hear.

From a situation where opponents hardly had a worthwhile chance in a game it seems now that they are often dangerous when going forward.

On Tuesday Rotherham seemed to be a threat every time they got near our penalty area.

And that is not helped by us giving the ball away too easily and two frequently from the back, resulting in even more opposition attacks.

[smokey]

On saturaday we played absolute bollocks and were lucky to win- although Brighton played poorly too. Are star players all played shit like Gradel, Dyer and fryatt- bar the good shot and scramble goal for matty. Tonight we lost 2-0 against rotheram, rotheram for fooks sake .

I've said before that i left on holiday when we were playing fantastic attacking football and top of the league- with king lloyd and maxy. I came back to find this shit. Holloway style simply poor clueless play.

WE WILL NOT GET PROMOTED PLAYING LIKE THIS- TAKE MY WORD FOR IT.

I'm not a crazy 'pearson out' guy but he better sort it out or we ain't going knowhere and mandaric ain't gonna stand for it.

SORT IT OUT CITY AND FAST

You know if we win on Tuesday we will actually be top of the League!!

Forgive me for being stupid but can Nigel Pearson actually do much more?

Mr Mandaric wants one thing and one thing only off Nigel Pearson this season and thats promotion, so far that looks on course for me so until its not leave it hey!!

[carterfox90]

Can't be arsed to trawl back through all the other replys,but we were playing brfc,not brighton on the saturday that the post maker alluded too.......I think some people on here need to get the facts right and realise that none of the teams that come here are just going to roll over and let us score a hatfull of goals.If anything it's going to be harder for us to win at home.

paul you are right teams will not come & roll over but we have supposedly got the best squad, best players some who think they are still premiership quality, the best pitch/ground the best fans, ..........dont you think we should have been doing better than we have especially of late

[Lovejoy]

You know if we win on Tuesday we will actually be top of the League!!

Forgive me for being stupid but can Nigel Pearson actually do much more?

Mr Mandaric wants one thing and one thing only off Nigel Pearson this season and thats promotion, so far that looks on course for me so until its not leave it hey!!

You, Sir, are asking for far too much there. Now snap out of it and be miserable like everyone else .

[Dan]

We may have scored 7 goals in those games Thracian, but lets face this:

Leyton Orient 1-3 Leicester: Over 90 minutes were outmuscled and outclassed,please tell me how these are bottom 4. We were lucky to even get a draw but to win it by 2 goals must have made Martin Ling sick.

Huddersfield 2-3 Leicester: Another 2-0 lead thrown away after another weak midfield performance, and our winning goal has to be fluke of the season. Another very lucky 3 points.

Oldham 1-1 Leicester: First half average, 2nd half woeful. We havent been outplayed like that since god knows how long, after we scored was easily the best anyone has played against us this season.

And OK we didnt beat Stockport and sounded like we should of done (missed that game). We're too weak in the midfield its as simple as that, we're trying the skillfull technical game in a physical league, the lucky form was always going to stop and id be surprised if we got going as well as we did earlier in the season again.

[Daggers]

We're too weak in the midfield its as simple as that, we're trying the skillfull technical game in a physical league

vs. Bristol Rovers?

[Guest]

vs. Bristol Rovers?

You must have missed it whilst laughing at Killeh!!

[Thracian]

We may have scored 7 goals in those games Thracian, but lets face this:

Leyton Orient 1-3 Leicester: Over 90 minutes were outmuscled and outclassed,please tell me how these are bottom 4. We were lucky to even get a draw but to win it by 2 goals must have made Martin Ling sick.

Huddersfield 2-3 Leicester: Another 2-0 lead thrown away after another weak midfield performance, and our winning goal has to be fluke of the season. Another very lucky 3 points.

Oldham 1-1 Leicester: First half average, 2nd half woeful. We havent been outplayed like that since god knows how long, after we scored was easily the best anyone has played against us this season.

And OK we didnt beat Stockport and sounded like we should of done (missed that game). We're too weak in the midfield its as simple as that, we're trying the skillfull technical game in a physical league, the lucky form was always going to stop and id be surprised if we got going as well as we did earlier in the season again.

a) This is not a particularly physical league at all. Even Millwall weren't that physical and if you truly believe that muscle power is what will get you promoted then I disagree. Goals is what will get us promoted just as I warned way in advance last season that lack of goals would get us relegated.

b) You don't score goals with Danny Tiatto types. You don't even win many games judging by his record here either. You score goals with players who pass, move and shoot.

So far I see plenty of players within the camp who can do that but not all of them are doing it and not all of them are in the team. I wouldn't be surprised if the return to the squad of Campbell and Dickov do much to increase our threat and to lighten the load on various player's shoulders.

But what we can or will do about Gilbert and about hoofing non-supporting defenders is quite another matter.

[20mj08]

yes out center mid's are not the best but we why does everyone blame the center mid's after poor peformances e.g. lampard and stevie g for england. the big point we have is hobbs and mattock going forward (whats a good thig) but they get caught out and carnt get back in time leaving us out of shape. also we have no depth in cover for positions ...bring on jan

plan b please pearson!

[Daggers]

b) You don't score goals with Danny Tiatto types.

Leeds?

[Ultra]

Where the hell Premiership football comes into it I don't know. But it's got nothing to do with anything I've said.

It's to do with comments attributed to King in last week's match programme, in which he said he wanted to play for City in the Premier League.

He needs to learn to walk before he can run. Some deceent performances in League 1 would be a useful start.

[Chrysalis]

It seemed to have changed when dickov got injured and around the time kisnorbo was brought back in.

[Guest Bilo]

Those who say you cannot get promoted in this division playing passing, technical football seem to have short memories as Swansea and Doncaster did exactly that.

Anyway, to sum up midfield:

King has been brilliant in some games and awful in others. When given time and space to play, his distribution is actually quite good as it was against Bristol Rovers and he is clearly something of a grafter. His performance in the Northampton game however, showed that he is very far from the finished article and his consistency needs work. Gradel really seems to be struggling this term. I don't wish to criticise him as he is clearly a very naturally talented player but he just hasn't done it this season. It might be time for him to be given a break so he can sort out his personal problems, which would affect anyone, let alone a 20 year old lad. Lloyd Dyer on the other hand has been a superb signing. His pace, strength and distribution has really hurt teams this season and he is definitely a Championship player, the kind of player we need to hang on to if we want to: a) be promoted this term and b) do ourselves justice in the Championship when ( ) we return.

[Dan]

a) This is not a particularly physical league at all. Even Millwall weren't that physical and if you truly believe that muscle power is what will get you promoted then I disagree. Goals is what will get us promoted just as I warned way in advance last season that lack of goals would get us relegated.

b) You don't score goals with Danny Tiatto types. You don't even win many games judging by his record here either. You score goals with players who pass, move and shoot.

So far I see plenty of players within the camp who can do that but not all of them are doing it and not all of them are in the team. I wouldn't be surprised if the return to the squad of Campbell and Dickov do much to increase our threat and to lighten the load on various player's shoulders.

But what we can or will do about Gilbert and about hoofing non-supporting defenders is quite another matter.

I did not once say we win the league with a physical side, it is a physical league, if every team played as technical as we did we would win over 40 games this season, the fact is the physical side of the game comes in the midfield, as does the creativity. We are outmuscled in the middle of the park and its needs to be sorted, if not then expect mid-table mediocrity.