Murmurings before the freekick

[Fox92]

A few people were stood up and I said to my brother:

'Why? He is not going to be able to get the ball over the wall and in'.

[Guest]

There was the obligatory

'eh up, he's doing a Ronaldo' from the bloke behind me. How right he was

[Bert]

After listening to the commentary of the goals, I got goosebumps!

[General Smuts]

He still can't cross.

[Thracian]

According to Stringer (admittedly not the most reliable of sources), we must have had about a dozen free-kicks around the box before the one that Gradel scored.

Perhaps that's another reason for giving him a starting role in the next game.

Although I'm a big fan of the lad I'm don't think he should necessarily start. He's scored a couple of goals since Christmas coming on as a sub and I think he should continue doing that but play an increasing part.

Gradel is a confidence player who needs the fans on his side. Given time I'm sure those fans will rate him just like the players obviously do. But they need to appreciate what he is - a guy who will never stop trying to make something happen no matter how many times it goes wrong.

They need to understand him, get behind him and encourage him to keep having a go instead of getting frustrated and moaning every time a cross goes too high, too low or to a defender or a dribble sees him robbed of the ball when players are waiting in the box.

On a medium term basis the lad will always score and make goals and the more those around him show faith the more he'll deliver, I'm sure. But right now his confidence needs building not challenging.

He doesn't need to start a game and then be subbed cos he can't keep racing back as a defender all the time while retaining his edge as an attacker or cos he makes mistakes in his delivery or decision-making.

Hell, if our defenders were subbed once they reach a certain number of mistakes we'd never have a back line.

Some young footballers never develop the stamina needed for higher grade attacking until they've had a good few seasons in the game. Look at the massive difference in Ronaldo's stamina and effect compared with the first season he played at United.

Get Gradel on for 25-45 minute spells so that his confidence, stamina and familiarity with the demands of senior football with Leicester will gradually develop.

Dyer has not suddenly stopped having ability. Let have him play with everything he's got for an hour, let him take something out of the defence and then let a fresh Gradel take over and pose new problems.

Get him to learn to be observant, to watch his opponents and to consider where the weaknesses are in the players and defences he's going to face.

But keep him involved. He doesn't need weeks on the sidelines. Let's look forward in our choice of players who occupy the bench and, just like Fergie, give them the final schooling they need to be effective.

[Thracian]

He still can't cross.

He managed to lift that free-kick over a well-packed wall and drop it precisely where it needed to be to end up in the net. Six inches lower and the defender could have cleared.

Crossing is only a horizontal delivery of the same sort of ball and he's put in stacks of good crosses. He needs to work on reducing the bad ones but that doesn't negate the threat he poses with what he does now.

Or mean that he's the only attacker we have who ever delivers bad crosses.

[SystonFox]

i switched off the radio with about 2 mins of the 5 to go, got into my car and shouted alot when it went in. good moment, better to be there im sure

[General Smuts]

He managed to lift that free-kick over a well-packed wall and drop it precisely where it needed to be to end up in the net. Six inches lower and the defender could have cleared.

Crossing is only a horizontal delivery of the same sort of ball and he's put in stacks of good crosses. He needs to work on reducing the bad ones but that doesn't negate the threat he poses with what he does now.

Or mean that he's the only attacker we have who ever delivers bad crosses.

Theres no point me trying to argue after his free kick yesterday has given him some sort of demi godlike status, but the fact of the matter is, Gradel has shown all season that he is completly unable to beat the first man with his crossing.

[Guest MarshallForEngland]

I was sitting in Row K just to the left of the goal and said "Get ready to catch it". Definitely glad he proved me wrong that time! Cracking free kick.

[kyleolly]

i said to my girlfriend "if we score from this i will marry you" i hate Maxi Gradel

[Guest MarshallForEngland]

i said to my girlfriend "if we score from this i will marry you" i hate Maxi Gradel

Congratulations!

[maddog]

After the free kick

I can't believe it how did he score that, he couldn't get it on target in the warm up

[Maybes]

i said to my girlfriend "if we score from this i will marry you" i hate Maxi Gradel

Haha. Quality!!

[JakeShingler]

I wondered where you'd gone , you were right infront of me.

Reall how you know it was me?

i was in the car with my dad at the time (bad times.

before: "my boy will come good. he has to come good, i told you at the start of the season, max'll come good"

after: Head hit the roof at about 40 mph, wound down my windows and was shouting get in son! at passers by, all the while honking the horn to the tune of 'theres only one gradel'.

i said to my girlfriend "if we score from this i will marry you" i hate Maxi Gradel

Unlucky

[Thracian]

Theres no point me trying to argue after his free kick yesterday has given him some sort of demi godlike status, but the fact of the matter is, Gradel has shown all season that he is completly unable to beat the first man with his crossing.

His status hasn't changed at all for me.

In terms of skills, Gradel is the most capable player in the club. Making the best use of those skills is a different issue but one which the best young players everywhere have to deal with and work on.

However, I feel sure that if you went down to the training ground and suggested that Gradel can't cross a ball they'd laugh at you.

[Corky]

His status hasn't changed at all for me.

In terms of skills, Gradel is the most capable player in the club. Making the best use of those skills is a different issue but one which the best young players everywhere have to deal with and work on.

However, I feel sure that if you went down to the training ground and suggested that Gradel can't cross a ball they'd laugh at you.

From what I've seen, he looks more comfortable on the left, cutting in on his right foot.

[Fez of Mahrez]

His status hasn't changed at all for me.

In terms of skills, Gradel is the most capable player in the club. Making the best use of those skills is a different issue but one which the best young players everywhere have to deal with and work on.

However, I feel sure that if you went down to the training ground and suggested that Gradel can't cross a ball they'd laugh at you.

What about if someone without silly hair and skintight jeans said it?

[Ozwin]

I remember saying to my mate 'what's Gradel taking it for?!'

The rest is history.

[JoeyB]

I was sat 2 rows behind. It kept us entertained.

I did feel the programme seller got some unnecessary abuse from one guy in particular as he walked along the front though. If the guy in question posts on here... seriously, get some help with anger management, eh?

Last bit sounds like Tilley.

Tilley: Can i have a programme please mate?

Programme seller: Really?

Tilley: No thanks mate, jog on.

Programme seller: **** knobheads and walked off.

Said to Ben look at his Ronaldo Stance, then ended up 10 rows down the segregation, Tommy pulled a nice blonde bird too celebrating!

[maddog]

I thought the chant of wheres your caravan and gippo to one particular programme seller was pretty harsh, especially when it was coming from fans right near the bottom row, only a few yards away from the seller.

[lcfc81]

Was at home, thought 'are well had to end at some point, picked up my 5 day old daughter and held her then Gradel scored!

Needless to say the signs of a new budding city fan are there.

[NorthernFox]

Had RL & Soccer Saturday on listening/watching convinced the final result would come up on Sky as I always seem to have a time delay and nearly gave wife, No1 daughter and aging dog heart attacks with the loudest cheer for years. Felt like a win. Getting too old for all this excitement!

[Tilley]

Last bit sounds like Tilley.

Tilley: Can i have a programme please mate?

Programme seller: Really?

Tilley: No thanks mate, jog on.

Programme seller: **** knobheads and walked off.

[Raj]

PhilCe and me where to the right of the Goal(Aisle 34)

I said to him"This will no doubt hit one of us in the fcuking head"

It Didnt!!!

[Ric Flair]

I was in the boozer playing pool with a red wine moustache and I looked up to see the results coming in and every single game in the country had finished, I had lost hope of us getting anything from the game. Then they went to the game and it came up 2-2 and when they uttered the words Max-Alain Gradel, I whipped the shirt off and went wild. People in the pub were absolutely astounded.

I tried to explain my love for Max Gradel and paid £30 for some champagne to celebrate.

Champagne Max Gradel.