Some perspective from Fez

[leftsideoverhere]

On the subject of the conservatism (small 'c') of newspapers and specifically the Mercury, it might have escaped the notice of any of you who only read the back pages but the Mercury recently took on a new columnist for non-sporting purposes, called Simon Perry, who is one of the organisers of a group called "Skeptics in the Pub" most notable for their good-humoured but entirely serious efforts to force pseudo-scientists like "nutritionists", "chiropractors" and "homeopaths" to 'fess up about the snake oil quality of their supposed healthcare practices. Anyway, Mr Perry has had articles in the Mercury recently ridiculing a couple of traders in Leicester (a quack stall in the Highcross which I think has since closed down, and someone who could only be described as a witch doctor who wanted thousands of pounds to offer protection against "people who want to harm you" or something equally absurd), and most recently Bosworth MP, David Treddinick. Now doubtless these articles will have scared the Mercury's lawyers shitless, but they're good, if controversial journalism, and they did, eventually, get printed.

Perhaps the sports editor doesn't have the balls of whoever is commissioning Simon Perry's articles, or perhaps pissing off Mr Mandaric is considered a riskier business strategy than incurring the wrath of Leicester's community of homeopaths, but still - the Mercury is not entirely fearless, and the new editor seems a decent enough bloke, if his editorials and twitterfeed can be taken to represent anything at all. Fez should persevere in writing what he thinks is true, regardless of who it offends, whether that be the club for being too critical, or the foxestalk massive for not being critical enough, and perhaps those of us who want to see more of his writing in the Merc could exert some pressure to make it happen? I feel a letter-writing urge coming on.

[Fez of Mahrez]

http://www.thebluearmy.co.uk/bevanblog/Mid...il/article.html

Part 2

[lildave3]

Generous to Gallagher

[foxaholic]

I should be much comforted but I'm not.

You seem to reflect the general air of qualified satisfaction among City fans. But from my seat I saw nothing Sunday, nor have I seen anything other than occasionally this season, to suggest that we are either a good side or even an improving side.

First we are not scoring enough goals to make ourselves genuine promotion challengers and nor are we likely to with the way we play.

One reason for our lack of goals is our sad lack of movement, a factor which is even worse than our collective lack of pace, width and ability to make simple passes accurately and, more important, quickly.

It doesn't help having a largely pedestrian back-line. If our defenders were running in circles instead of directly towards the ball some of them would be lapped over anything more than 20 yards as demonstrated with the Ipswich goal on Sunday and at various stages thereafter.

These shortcomings aren't new. I simply hoped that they might be recognised and corrected .... but as usual with City that was just wishful thinking.

Even when the ball is passed across our backline the recipients lack urgency in taking possession, often take too long to control the ball (if they do at all) and lack the early forethought necessary to decide what they intend to do with the ball. Consequently our defenders invariably get hurried by the nearest challenger into hitting a hopeful pass anywhere.

I have some sympathy with them because the situation is not helped by never having any natural width beyond the halfway line. The width is only thought about when we get the ball and if anyone does make a suitable run he is rarely in position quickly enough for our defender to have a sensible pass on.

Put simply we'll achieve nothing going on like this and, far from having the basis of a promotion team, I think we're not even close.

We need much more pace throughout the side, infinitely more movement from almost all departments and players who can all pass the ball quickly and accurately rather than just the odd one or two. Watching the number of touches Wellens takes is so frustrating and if he can't demonstrate that simple skill there's no chance of less skilled players managing it.

Finally - and how long has this been a problem - we not only need far more imagination from free-kicks and corners but players who are even able to deliver a simple cross/pass into the penalty box with a bit of devil. Sunday's efforts were awful.

Were there signs the above problems were being addressed I'd feel some optimism but I've seen none.

Forest have made massive progress and have developed into a side which really attacks a game and shows lots of movement.

Ipswich are improving fast but we still look like the slow, narrow and predictable team of functionaries which began the season and which even demonstrated many of the same limitations last season.

Clearly, judging by yours and other people's opinions, I have missed so much that I should have gone to Specsavers.

Either that or, as I did once warn, you're starting to see games through those special Blue-and-White specs that seem to be standard for all City correspondents who never forget where their bread is buttered.

I say that because, while there is nothing glaringly wrong with what you say- it is what you don't say that concerns me.

Unfettered, I know you to be a good football analyst. But what you've written is rather like watered wine and no incentive for City to make the changes that will eventually have to be made if they're to have any hope of realising their so-called ambitions.

Perhaps you should interview Billy Davies if you want an updated opinion on how to shape a side suitable for promotion.

You need a team full of pace, passing, movement and goals. So far we're largely lacking all four ingredients and are hoping to get by with courage, strength, industry, and organisation.

In motoring terms we remind me of that big Chrysler that's not long been out... http://www.chrysler.com/en/2010/300/.

We may look tough and threatening but some feel we're short of speed, controlled manouverability and class.

And one day, perhaps someone around our local media will have the character to say so.

PS:

Sorry to have cut in, but the forum is starting to read like a gathering of cribbage pals.

[foxaholic]

When fans say they are satisfied they over estimate the league . Lets face it Newcastle were a laughing stock last year and they are top having got rid of best players and spent no money and S****horpe average gate 5000 are holding their own .

[Fez of Mahrez]

A lot more critical this week:

http://www.thisisleicestershire.co.uk/spor...il/article.html

[iancognito]

Matty Fryatt's performance up front meant that the City fans chanting his name reminded me of that episode of The Simpsons in which an Inanimate Carbon Rod is widely celebrated. Andy King was on the pitch, apparently.

Going back to the squad marks...

A couple of cracking goals aside, Gallagher has done nothing for us, N'Guessan has been shocking. Like Gallagher, take away his three goals and his overall play has been poor. Wellens seems to be fading after a great start to the season. He's gone from playing a Steve Thompson-type sit & pass it role to playing like a headless chicken.

Without sticking up another huge quote, I largely agree with what Thracian was saying before about the various limitations of the squad. No movement, no pace, woeful set pieces and the like. The biggest pluses this season have been Chris Weale, who's pulled off some great saves, been ever present and provided a good cover to whichever back 4 has sat in front of him and Jack Hobbs who has continued to develop from last season and shows all the signs of being a very good player at this level.

[maddog]

I seem to remember it was freezing cold and cloudy the last trip we had to Barnsley, but definitely blazing hot sun the trip before.

Or maybe it brightened up during the game last time out

I've not been to many away stadiums at all but been Barnsley twice