Your View.

[Bert]

How do you see the situation at the minute? I've got a few points I'd like to raise.

Please, stop playing strikers on the wing, we had enough of this square peg, round hole bollocks under Holloway. We've got two strikers who are fantastic in the air that thrive on balls into the box, and the strikers to pick off the scraps the target men leave. So lets get some balls into the box.

We need to get back to the simple things, we were doing it at the start of the season, so what's gone on now?

Also, me must start taking our chances because it's looking like it could cost us dearly, it already has in a few games this season. In all due respect to Barnsley, we should be coming back with at least a point from there. I dread to think what the outcome would it have been if we'd have been playing Newcastle, Forest etc.

No player should be on the team on merit, which at the minute a certain few are.

Act like you want to play for the club and put some effort in. This doesn't apply to everyone, but we need 11 players busting their gut to do their best for the club.

Howard. Stop moaning because your inability makes you miss. Stop moaning when you get took off and stop acting like a fucking baby when things don't go your way.

[Tilley]

You said it perfectly.

My two main gripes are players in the team on merit and "square pegs round holes." So frustrating.

Back to basics for Saturday please.

[Matt]

Play simple really.

Strikers don't play on the wing.

Play the strikers that are in form.

Make the most of the chances - I was saying this even last season.

Pretty much what Bert has said.

[Leicfox]

How do you fit a square peg into a round hole?

Hit it with a hammer.

[Edmund]

Please, stop playing strikers on the wing, we had enough of this square peg, round hole bollocks under Holloway. We've got two strikers who are fantastic in the air that thrive on balls into the box, and the strikers to pick off the scraps the target men leave. So lets get some balls into the box.

The problem is when you've spent a third of your transfer budget on said player, you'd look rather silly not playing him due to having two better strikers (Fryatt, Waghorn).

Maybe I'm wrong and Pearson genuinely rates him higher than Dyer/Adams/N'Guessan as he sees them on the traing ground day in day out but personally I think it's illogical and becoming apparent more and more after each game.

I'm in the minority but I'd love to se DJ back. Would make an ideal impact sub especially when the opposition defence starts to tire.

[Bert]

The problem is when you've spent a third of your transfer budget on said player, you'd look rather silly not playing him due to having two better strikers (Fryatt, Waghorn).

Maybe I'm wrong and Pearson genuinely rates him higher than Dyer/Adams/N'Guessan as he sees them on the traing ground day in day out but personally I think it's illogical and becoming apparent more and more after each game.

I'm in the minority but I'd love to se DJ back. Would make an ideal impact sub especially when the opposition defence starts to tire.

Technically Gallagher is very good, but he's not a winger.

I'd love to see DJ back too, but he's a player not destined to make it here.

[Lisburn Fox]

How do you see the situation at the minute? I've got a few points I'd like to raise.

Please, stop playing strikers on the wing, we had enough of this square peg, round hole bollocks under Holloway. We've got two strikers who are fantastic in the air that thrive on balls into the box, and the strikers to pick off the scraps the target men leave. So lets get some balls into the box.

We need to get back to the simple things, we were doing it at the start of the season, so what's gone on now?

Also, me must start taking our chances because it's looking like it could cost us dearly, it already has in a few games this season. In all due respect to Barnsley, we should be coming back with at least a point from there. I dread to think what the outcome would it have been if we'd have been playing Newcastle, Forest etc.

No player should be on the team on merit, which at the minute a certain few are.

Act like you want to play for the club and put some effort in. This doesn't apply to everyone, but we need 11 players busting their gut to do their best for the club.

Howard. Stop moaning because your inability makes you miss. Stop moaning when you get took off and stop acting like a fucking baby when things don't go your way.

I agree but I think if we insist on playing 3 strikers it should be Waghorn on the left and not Gallagher, or get Lloyd on and let him do his stuff..

[reynard]

You said it perfectly.

My two main gripes are players in the team on merit and "square pegs round holes." So frustrating.

Back to basics for Saturday please.

The issue is though that we simply don't have enough options in key positions.

Midfield is the best example of this. Who do we have for central midfield? Oakley, Wellens,King. if these three were injured/suspended who would we play in central midfield? I would say that at least two of these are not worth their place week in week out but who else do we have?

[DJ Barry Hammond]

How do you fit a square peg into a round hole?

Hit it with a hammer.

What use will this guy do?

Or do you propose we sign this guy?

Hammer

Getting on a bit I think, and may have moved onto other projects.

[Edmund]

Technically Gallagher is very good, but he's not a winger.

I agree, he definitely has it in his locker and it's a shame were not getting the most of him at present.

I'd imagine he's just happy to play but I bet he must be getting frustrated as well. He's obviously a competent winger but it's just the fact we have natural wingers behind him in the pecking order which baffles most people.

I do genuinely feel sorry for him because cnuts like me will use him as a scapegoat when at the end of the day he's just following orders.

[Guest Bilo]

Players play where they do for a reason.

Gallagher did well at Plymouth because he was expected to do a striker's job, not this winger-cum-occasional-drifting-up-front bullshit he seems to be expected to do. Play him as a striker or don't play him at all. This may mean dropping any one of Fryatt, Waghorn, Howard or Kermit. Whoever can cause the most damage to the opposition should play, irresoective of ego, cost of player or previous performance. We should also play the style of football that suits these players.

Fryatt was so poor for a couple of years in the Championship because we insisted on playing turgid, defensive hoofball that just didn't suit his game and we are beginning to see evidence of that now. Result? Fryatt hasn't scored for a while and we've seen four straight defeats because we rely too heavily on the unproven Kermorgant and the aging Howard. It's not just about playing players in the right positions, it's about playing the style of football that suits them best.

[Heart-Shaped Fox]

I agree with most of what you have said but the main things that really bother me are why is Gallagher starting as a winger? And why is Kermorgant starting?

Gallagher was bought as a striker. Personally after seeing him up front a couple of times I dont think he is good enough to be a striker, but you can argue he hasnt had enough time up front. We are crying out for width and yes Dyer can be hot one minute cold the next he is always an exciting player who gives most people the impression that something is going to happen. Gallagher offers nothing on the wing at all. He cant cross, isnt qucik enough to get by people and defensively he is also very poor. It is almost like he is getting in the team because we paid a fair amount of money for him so we cant not play him. Overall I think he has been a total waste of money.

Kermorgant has also offered nothing to the team. The only thing I can recall him doing of any note was assisting N'Guessan for the Swansea FA cup winner. He doesnt ever seem to have any communication with his strike partner, and doesnt ever seem threatening. Is he also getting in the team because Pearson signed him and doesnt want to be seen as not playing him?

How on earth does he get in the team ahead of the likes of Howard and usually one other. I'm not the biggest Howard fan though I do like him, but in all the games he ahs played in since the Sheff Wed match, for me Howard has been the best player. Yet in the last two games he has lost his spot to Kermo who certainly hasnt offered anymore.

Oakley and Wellens seem to be getting rapidly worse. Oakley hasnt really had an outstanding game all season, and lately he jsut seems to constantly give the ball away whether he is on the right or in the middle positions. Wellens was supposed to be one of the best Championship players of last season and I think up until early October he reflected that, setting up chance after chance for Fryatt to put away. Now like Oakley he seems to give the bal away by just hitting it forward in hope rather than seeking out a player. Was he worth the million punds we paid for him? And how is that both players have managed to go the whole season without scoring? That alone is rediculous. They never have long shots which doesnt help the cause much.

I could write more but I cant be asked.

[Daggers]

My view:

I was one of the very few saying we should not sack Holloway when we got the drop - now, as much as last season was ace, I still believe in the stability of management. So, first and foremost - Pearson stays for the next 18 months minimum.

At the outset of the season I said we'd struggle for goals, we'd end up mid-table and if we wanted better we'd need to make quality signings costing us money. Mandaric didn't spend the cash he promised so we are where we are. During the first half of the season it was glaringly obvious that we were over-performing; it was what Savage alluded to, I agreed with and then several of you spat dummies about. "We're here on merit" you said. No, we were there as a result of the promotion bounce and other sides under-performing badly.

Every season one or two sides do it, they push well at the beginning and then fade away like pace riders in the Tour de France. That's what we are. Given a couple of races we'll be ready for the distance - but this is not it. It never has been. So many "supporters" bought into the concept of us having back2back promotions without considering if we were ever capable. We aren't. We are a very mediocre squad witnessing some teams who benefit from strong cash injection and time spent developing their sides.

So, my view is that people need to get used to losing with grace and look to the summer when Mandaric will promise much and again fail to deliver.

People need to get used to more of the same for a long while to come or find another hobby.

[Corky]

My view is that we're a decent side for this division, in a group of clubs that are mid-table but not good enough for the play-offs.

However, this league is very tight, a couple of wins would see us right back in the picture again.

My gripes are strikers playing as wingers, centre-midfielders playing out wide and the decision to play long before short and simple.

We've shown we can play attractive, neat football at times this season, it's a shame we don't do it more often. I'd also like to see our wingers given a run in the team, either N'Guessan or Adams, or change the system to accomodate the extra striker, such as playing the third striker behind the front two.

[Leicfox]

Wellens is a player who does go missing in games. Sulks when things don't go his way and is very much a player that plays for himself imo. It's a big shame as the lad has got so much talent. £1mill in hindsight seems a lot of money compared to the 500k Blackpool payed for Charlie Adam.

[DJ Barry Hammond]

Is the downturn something we can pin on Geo V's return? Daggers what do you think? Should he go back to playing with your PS3 and Man Pab's Wii?

[marbelladave]

My view:

I was one of the very few saying we should not sack Holloway when we got the drop - now, as much as last season was ace, I still believe in the stability of management. So, first and foremost - Pearson stays for the next 18 months minimum.

At the outset of the season I said we'd struggle for goals, we'd end up mid-table and if we wanted better we'd need to make quality signings costing us money. Mandaric didn't spend the cash he promised so we are where we are. During the first half of the season it was glaringly obvious that we were over-performing; it was what Savage alluded to, I agreed with and then several of you spat dummies about. "We're here on merit" you said. No, we were there as a result of the promotion bounce and other sides under-performing badly.

Every season one or two sides do it, they push well at the beginning and then fade away like pace riders in the Tour de France. That's what we are. Given a couple of races we'll be ready for the distance - but this is not it. It never has been. So many "supporters" bought into the concept of us having back2back promotions without considering if we were ever capable. We aren't. We are a very mediocre squad witnessing some teams who benefit from strong cash injection and time spent developing their sides.

So, my view is that people need to get used to losing with grace and look to the summer when Mandaric will promise much and again fail to deliver.

People need to get used to more of the same for a long while to come or find another hobby.

Your analysis in the first couple of paragraphs is spot on, but your conclusions are overly pessimistic.

I pointed out as far back as September that we needed to adapt, to move away from the longball and our over reliance on Howard and Fryatt and develop a more possession orientated, passing style that would actually suit many of our players more than the hoofball we currently play.

Needless to say as we were doing pretty well in the league I was roundly abused for this observation, but making the required changes now, in a losing run and the 'bounce' long since dissipated will be much harder than it would have been back in the autumn.

[RizLCFC]

How do you see the situation at the minute? I've got a few points I'd like to raise.

Please, stop playing strikers on the wing, we had enough of this square peg, round hole bollocks under Holloway. We've got two strikers who are fantastic in the air that thrive on balls into the box, and the strikers to pick off the scraps the target men leave. So lets get some balls into the box.

We need to get back to the simple things, we were doing it at the start of the season, so what's gone on now?

Also, me must start taking our chances because it's looking like it could cost us dearly, it already has in a few games this season. In all due respect to Barnsley, we should be coming back with at least a point from there. I dread to think what the outcome would it have been if we'd have been playing Newcastle, Forest etc.

No player should be on the team on merit, which at the minute a certain few are.

Act like you want to play for the club and put some effort in. This doesn't apply to everyone, but we need 11 players busting their gut to do their best for the club.

Howard. Stop moaning because your inability makes you miss. Stop moaning when you get took off and stop acting like a fucking baby when things don't go your way.

I agree with everything you've said. I don't think DJ will be back and to be honest I don't want to put my faith in him again for the 10th time, he seems to be able to score goals anywhere but City. That leads nicely on to my conclusion that Pearson needs to get into the loan market and sign 1 or 2 midfielders because the possible case with DJ and with our other strikers' goal drought could just be that once again at this club the service to them is poor, ideally a right winger and a centre midfielder or defender.

[l444ry]

Your analysis in the first couple of paragraphs is spot on, but your conclusions are overly pessimistic.

I pointed out as far back as September that we needed to adapt, to move away from the longball and our over reliance on Howard and Fryatt and develop a more possession orientated, passing style that would actually suit many of our players more than the hoofball we currently play.

Needless to say as we were doing pretty well in the league I was roundly abused for this observation, but making the required changes now, in a losing run and the 'bounce' long since dissipated will be much harder than it would have been back in the autumn.

He'd need a completely new back four to pass it around as you seem to wish. Without the funds to replace them it would be suicide letting that lot play as you suggest Dave!!!

[Cobbo]

Pace. Width and pace.

Midfielders whom are good on the ball, passers and will put their foot in.

Back 4 I am ok with generally (with Berner back in). But in the midfield, we're derisory. To make use of the likes of Howard and Yann, let's get to the fooking byline and cross the ball. I think we did it once tonight with Fryatt pulling it back for Howard and it went wide (think defender got a tackle in) - but other than that?

[martyn]

Wellens is a player who does go missing in games. Sulks when things don't go his way and is very much a player that plays for himself imo. It's a big shame as the lad has got so much talent. £1mill in hindsight seems a lot of money compared to the 500k Blackpool payed for Charlie Adam.

I asked my Blackpool mate what he thought of Wellens after we signed him, his exact words were. "Was my favourite player when he was here, can really pick a pass however, he is an arrogant pr*ck who thinks he's better than he is. Great player when you're 2-0 up, goes missing when 2-0 down"

My view is a simple one. NP needs to smell the coffee a bit with his team selections, no more room for Oakley or Gallagher, 2 genuine wingers and a defence who are encouraged to play the ball into midfield. Of course as has been suggested, we'll probably adopt 4-5-1 for Saturday.

[Daggers]

Your analysis in the first couple of paragraphs is spot on, but your conclusions are overly pessimistic.

I pointed out as far back as September that we needed to adapt, to move away from the longball and our over reliance on Howard and Fryatt and develop a more possession orientated, passing style that would actually suit many of our players more than the hoofball we currently play.

Needless to say as we were doing pretty well in the league I was roundly abused for this observation, but making the required changes now, in a losing run and the 'bounce' long since dissipated will be much harder than it would have been back in the autumn.

The risk you run is that moving away from a tried and tested formula can lead to failure - everyone is resistant to change in their own life (even if they are crying out for it when it comes to formations and management when it's not their choice to make) and so it should be unsurprising that Pearson has been reluctant to bin the DivIII partnership. As soon as we hit a dip he rushed back for it, with immediate effect.

I don't think anyone can knock Pearson for attempting to continue with a formula which worked, where it falls down is that is ceased to worked fluidly in the second part of our season last year...and we are seeing the same thing now.

I don't apportion blame at him per-se, for all the guff about the size of our squad - we never got rid of the chaff and we never got given the money to buy wheat. It's just one of those things, I don't see the value in getting bent about it like some on this forum.

With this bunch of players we are doing as well as we possibly could, and as well as anyone with nous would have wanted back in August.

Am I pessimistic about Mandaric? I'd prefer the epithet 'realist' but however it comes across is fine with me. The bloke talks but doesn't deliver, it doesn't make him worse than those who went before but it does open him up to ridicule. I'm betting anyone he doesn't stump up in January as he will not spend more than he recuperates in the summer. There will never be a big money push to the top flight.

[CKB]

8th and 3pts away from play-offs, i should be happy? kinda..

You see this wasn't expected and now nearly into Feb after the start we had it pains me to see these reality checks, yes i should have been braced for them but after the start we did have i, i jumped on the "all is rosy bandwagon" and ignoring the faults/issues/etc and now the faults/etc have came into play more than ever i'm getting that big assed reality check!

I think Nigel will sort this problem out...BUT he's gotta stop it with his fav guys! who are not helping him one bit! take for example Mr Matthew Oakley! i haven't been a fan for his for ages! he continues to get into this side on what??? I don't get to see many games so i rely on TV, radio, friends but all the time it's more or less the same thing with him! shocking game, rubbish, can't pass..and he still gets picked? RM is not his position granted but even in CM he's been found wanting on many occasion!

Mr Wayne Brown

I heard a interview with him after the 5-1 drubbing from the trees "he said it's time for us to step up, blah, blah, blah" well did he? he's be woeful lately and still getting in the side?

Mr Richie Wellens

Now i dunno what's gone on here? looked class now looks average? lack of form? i dunno but if it continues you simply can not play him! but hey it doesn't go by them rules tho does it? ala Oakley....

But it's not just that, tactical/team reasons are not helping!

Gallagher = Up front simple as!

Kermit = Ummmm well what has he done? and he warrants a starting place?

Waghorn = Gone missing

King = Goes missing way to much!

Neilson = Not cut out for this league

Left back and right back issues not being addressed properly! at least get somebody bloody in? we won't moan as much then!

Wingers issue is a problem aswell, putting Gallagher there isn't working! Oakley on the right isn't working but Pearson is sticking to it? surely he knows it's not working and it's time to stop it! and not just for one game!

But the above is just my concerns, rants, etc and no one has the magic touch to sort it out....but if NP has something about him which i truely believe he does then he's surely thought to himself by now it's not working it's time to sort it out properly? Is Milan just not willing to part with any cash, etc and NP is being forced to do what he can? is NP adamant this is gonna work?

There needs to be a change a back to basics approach if you wanna call it that.. One bright note is i'm in favour with the Solano signing if we can get 6/12 months outta this guy he will be different to anything we have seen at Leicester for a very long time even at 35 he's got that little bit of class and that could help this team no end!

[Asha]

Pretty much what has been echoed already.

We've got some very decent wide players, it doesn't seem to make sense players strikers out there.

[Asha]

What I would also say...(basing my opinion on most recently the Swansea away game, and not the previous two as I wasn't there, although it seems it was more of the same in some respects)...is that it's a very tight league, which we've benefited from before....staying in our position despite a defeat, or a draw or two. But start to get on a little run of defeats, and we will drop like a stone.

It may seem a little pessimistic, but with some of the opposition we've got coming up (Newcastle, Blackpool, Forest all within the next month)...we could easily find ourselves entering March comfortably in mid-table, with seemingly nothing left to play for.