The Year Of The Fox Posted 5 February 2011 Posted 5 February 2011 Firstly a great win today. It was great to see Gallagher, Oakley, Naughton and King shoot on sight today. Wellens had a pop too I think. Gallagher was my MOTM, purely for his goal, and his other two missiles he lauched at the keeper who had to make two good saves. Yakubu seems quite lazy and doesn't close down from the front as he should do. Another player has to do that work for him, leaving gaps in our midfield. I'm just worried though that when we come up against a team with fast wingers we'll get found out, as there only seems to be Naughton and Van (whoever) out wide.
I am Rod Hull Posted 5 February 2011 Posted 5 February 2011 Was going to ask how Yak played. Did he play well apart from the lack of closing down? And how did Van Aanholt get on?
The Year Of The Fox Posted 5 February 2011 Author Posted 5 February 2011 Van Aanholt was really good today. Apparentley was rubbish at Sheffield though. Ben Mee was again quality. Yak played ok, should've scored just before we made it 4. He made a good run for Kings second, creating the space for King to shoot. That goal was a carbon copy of the winner away to preston last season There are three contenders for goal of the season, today! Had Oakley scored that volley then thered have been four!
Leicester_Loyal Posted 5 February 2011 Posted 5 February 2011 Ben Mee with another crunching tackle on the left wing today. He does one every match.
martyn Posted 5 February 2011 Posted 5 February 2011 I was also musing that any side with good direct wingers would get loads of joy against us. We're so open, and with no defending from the front and no real steel in the central midfield area, it's going to make for entertaining games.
StanSP Posted 5 February 2011 Posted 5 February 2011 I was also musing that any side with good direct wingers would get loads of joy against us. We're so open, and with no defending from the front and no real steel in the central midfield area, it's going to make for entertaining games. Take a look at Wellens in first match and some of the second match against Man City. He's our strongest midfielder by a mile.
FrankieADZ Posted 5 February 2011 Posted 5 February 2011 i thought that Van A was a bit slow to track back back imo, it seemed like a jog rather than a run(which Naughton).
The Year Of The Fox Posted 5 February 2011 Author Posted 5 February 2011 Take a look at Wellens in first match and some of the second match against Man City. He's our strongest midfielder by a mile. Agree with that. Vassell seemed to go missing today too! We need a win at Direby big time now
The Year Of The Fox Posted 5 February 2011 Author Posted 5 February 2011 i thought that Van A was a bit slow to track back back imo, it seemed like a jog rather than a run(which Naughton). There's so many things I forgot to say. - Had the missis in my ear whilst typing out my first post, but again you're bang on with that. Not moaning whatsoever, but I do think these things need to be rectified ASAP
martyn Posted 5 February 2011 Posted 5 February 2011 1.5 games is hardly a great sample size is it. Wellens is a very good player, but I'm not sure where he has acquired this reputation as something of a hard man. He is our principal playmaker (albeit from deeper areas) and is excellent at using his body to shield the ball/win free kicks etc. What he doesn't do (the majority of the time) is throw himself into challenges and get about the pitch. We don't have a midfield "destroyer". Abe is our closest thing to one, except his game is based more upon pressing high up the field and intercepting, rather than being strong in the tackle.
Bryn Posted 5 February 2011 Posted 5 February 2011 I was also musing that any side with good direct wingers would get loads of joy against us. We're so open, and with no defending from the front and no real steel in the central midfield area, it's going to make for entertaining games. Against a team like that, we'd alter our style of play.
The Year Of The Fox Posted 6 February 2011 Author Posted 6 February 2011 Against a team like that, we'd alter our style of play. Do youthink we would? Most managers would, but they seem to realise they have to adapt to different games. Sven seems like he'll just stick with his formation and let the other team deal with that
Jakemoore Posted 6 February 2011 Posted 6 February 2011 Mee-class Weale-Job Done King-World class Van Aanholt-Great Free Kick Sol Bamba-great skills, a few scary moments The Yak-Decent effort at 3-1 up but was lazy Gallagher-Great goal and s
Fez of Mahrez Posted 6 February 2011 Posted 6 February 2011 I think Yakubu's lack of closing down suits us. Opposition centre-backs know they can't carry the ball because that will leave Yakubu one-on-one on the counter attack and we get the ball forward so quickly that we are most dangerous when we win the ball in our own half. Swansea had two quick wingers and we let them have the ball for long periods. You can usually tell our tactics from what Wellens does. If he is biting into tackles and closing men down at every opportunity then you know we've been told to press. If he's backing off and just organising the rest of our players then the orders are probably to let the opposition have the ball, keep our energy, let the defence win it and then counter quickly. I think to say we have no steel in central midfield is wrong. Abe had an off day yesterday but he normally provides this and Wellens can control the middle of the park against most teams. Another telling sign was Eriksson's post-match interview on Radio Leicester, where he had to keep reminding himself that we'd won 4-1 because he was so frustrated with the way we played towards the end of the first half! He knows we won't always win 4-1, especially when we play like we did yesterday, but the goal threat is there even when we're below-par so it bodes well.
Captain... Posted 6 February 2011 Posted 6 February 2011 If anyone expects Yak to close people down and run around like a blue arsed fly all day, then they are going to be disapointed. Scoreline aside today sounded like a fairly average game, 5 minutes either side of half time being the exception, we didn't play with any real tempo and urgency and won 4-1, not bad. Now if we had been desperately hanging on in the last 10 minutes, like we were against Sheff United then I would expect Sven to change things, as he did against United and one of those changes would be to take off the Yak, he is not going to contribute much in those situations. I think what is mroe worrying about today's game is that most people have said Vassell was off form and not showing his ususal energy, if we are going to play Gally and Vassell with the Yak, they need to be buzzing around him feeding off the space and helping out with the defensive duties. Otherwise we have 3 passengers when we are defending. It sounds like Gally did that job yesterday, but Vassell was found wanting. The jury is still out on the Yak, 2 goals 3 assists is a good return from 4 games, but, long term, if we get promoted we will be fighting with our backs to the walls alot and he may not be the right forward for us to have in those circumstances.
tomtom Posted 6 February 2011 Posted 6 February 2011 Some people are never happy are they? The Jury is still out in Yakubu??? Jesus the guy is a premiership class striker, yes he may not run around like a headless chicken but sven knew that when he went for him, As for midfield, I wouldn't be surprised to see Bamba take Abes place in there when bruma comes in next week,
Legend_in_blue Posted 6 February 2011 Posted 6 February 2011 Mee-class Weale-Job Done King-World class Van Aanholt-Great Free Kick Sol Bamba-great skills, a few scary moments The Yak-Decent effort at 3-1 up but was lazy Gallagher-Great goal and s Class? Class at what exactly? Many fans around me were getting on his back yesterday. He is prone to some odd decision making at times but his mobility tends to get himself out of trouble. Hobbs for me is more assured, I'd rather we play him instead. I wouldn't call him class, I'd call him a work in progress. Much to learn, but has the quality there to do well.
Callabinho Posted 6 February 2011 Posted 6 February 2011 We have played a the team with the best wingers! And won!
AmyLGK Posted 6 February 2011 Posted 6 February 2011 Legend_in_blue - Youngy and stringer disagree with you, I'm sure alan young even said mee was his man of the match.
marbelladave Posted 6 February 2011 Posted 6 February 2011 A few observations on the err...... observations. Our defence is virtually brand new, Bamba has played a handfull of games, Mee and van Aanholt even less, it is clearly a work in progress and so far progressing very well in my view. Abe is in a bit of a slump in form, hopefully that will not last, of more concern to me is the duplication of effort by Abe and Wellens which has become more apparent in recent weeks. Having two men playing virtually the same role leaves us light elswhere, the main reason we get over run in midfield on occasion. Gallagher is our most improved player, more involved than ever going forward and much better defensively he now covers his fullback very well in deed. Those still berating him for lack of effort need to take a closer look. Vassell is so much better in the central role leading the line, he looks lost on the right. I would use him as an alternative to Yakubu, mostly from the bench though he might well be a better bet to start some of the tougher away games. Final thought, if possible can we get another wide man? Please Sven....
Starkwell Posted 6 February 2011 Posted 6 February 2011 I think Yakubu's lack of closing down suits us. Opposition centre-backs know they can't carry the ball because that will leave Yakubu one-on-one on the counter attack and we get the ball forward so quickly that we are most dangerous when we win the ball in our own half. Swansea had two quick wingers and we let them have the ball for long periods. You can usually tell our tactics from what Wellens does. If he is biting into tackles and closing men down at every opportunity then you know we've been told to press. If he's backing off and just organising the rest of our players then the orders are probably to let the opposition have the ball, keep our energy, let the defence win it and then counter quickly. I think to say we have no steel in central midfield is wrong. Abe had an off day yesterday but he normally provides this and Wellens can control the middle of the park against most teams. Another telling sign was Eriksson's post-match interview on Radio Leicester, where he had to keep reminding himself that we'd won 4-1 because he was so frustrated with the way we played towards the end of the first half! He knows we won't always win 4-1, especially when we play like we did yesterday, but the goal threat is there even when we're below-par so it bodes well. Totally agree about yak, and his two goals and four assists suggests that he is getting the job done...
edwbon Posted 6 February 2011 Posted 6 February 2011 As for midfield, I wouldn't be surprised to see Bamba take Abes place in there when bruma comes in next week, Regarding Bruma I am not so happy with having so many players on loan. If they give outstanding performances their transfer value will go up. What happens when we want them on a permanent basis such as getting promotion for example? Another loan period? Still it would release Bamba and that could be a solution to the midfield dilemma. Despite being a natural centre back, manager Mixu Paatelainen praised Bamba's contribution as a defensive midfielder in a 2–0 win against Celtic in December 2008. The importance of a strong squad is paramount in today's game. Matt Oakley would also be a good stand-in for Bamba as a defensive midfielder although I wonder if he can last the full 90 minutes at 33? (probably can as there are many midfielders who can perform at that age ) . I guess Abe might be better as a replacement for King or Wellens just in case something happens (one of them has a yellow card but can't remember which).
edwbon Posted 6 February 2011 Posted 6 February 2011 Vassell is so much better in the central role leading the line, he looks lost on the right. I would use him as an alternative to Yakubu, mostly from the bench though he might well be a better bet to start some of the tougher away games. Totally agree judging by his past performances at Leicester
bluebeau Posted 6 February 2011 Posted 6 February 2011 Regarding Bruma I am not so happy with having so many players on loan. If they give outstanding performances their transfer value will go up. What happens when we want them on a permanent basis such as getting promotion for example? Another loan period? Still it would release Bamba and that could be a solution to the midfield dilemma. Despite being a natural centre back, manager Mixu Paatelainen praised Bamba's contribution as a defensive midfielder in a 2–0 win against Celtic in December 2008. The importance of a strong squad is paramount in today's game. Matt Oakley would also be a good stand-in for Bamba as a defensive midfielder although I wonder if he can last the full 90 minutes at 33? (probably can as there are many midfielders who can perform at that age ) . I guess Abe might be better as a replacement for King or Wellens just in case something happens (one of them has a yellow card but can't remember which). Surely when a football club take a player on loan with a view to a permanent signing, they agree on the transfer price with the parent club? If this isn't done, & the player turns out to be a great player during the loan period, then the parent club are going to bang the price up as opposed to their original expected price for the player? I would also want a guarantee that we would get first option to buy the player, over any other club coming in with a bid. Would anyone in their right mind take a 2 yr old racehorse on trial & the buying/selling price would depend on how successful it was over 1 season? Maybe I am wrong, but having run my own business for 24 years, it's not the way I would go about securing a deal. I would want to know the price before I took the player on loan.
edwbon Posted 6 February 2011 Posted 6 February 2011 Surely when a football club take a player on loan with a view to a permanent signing, they agree on the transfer price with the parent club? If this isn't done, & the player turns out to be a great player during the loan period, then the parent club are going to bang the price up as opposed to their original expected price for the player? I would also want a guarantee that we would get first option to buy the player, over any other club coming in with a bid. Would anyone in their right mind take a 2 yr old racehorse on trial & the buying/selling price would depend on how successful it was over 1 season? Maybe I am wrong, but having run my own business for 24 years, it's not the way I would go about securing a deal. I would want to know the price before I took the player on loan. Not sure about this I hope you are right
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