Just a theory

[Thracian]

With so many players underperforming and potential player upheaval perhaps explaining only part of the problem, I'm beginning to wonder what else might be contributing.

And looking at how knackered some players were today I'm wondering if too many players are trying to do too many jobs to make up for too many weaknesses.

Look at Konchesky today. He looked absolutely shattered at the end because he'd not just been trying to play left-back but to support through midfield and into attack as well while getting precious little help in return.

Schlupp was another who seemed to spend lots of time hustling people with the ball but very little time doing what hes good at which is asking questions of defenders and posing a threat in and around th penalty area.

Andy King is and was another. He's not the greatest sprinter but he seems to noticeably perform at one steady pace now because he has to cover so much ground and ever more of it wasted because the ball has not been fed through him to feet in the first place.

Nugent is another who uses tank loads of energy chasing endless lost causes in remote places and so the story goes on in the endless attempt to protect the defence.

It might also explain why Pearson teams score so few goals. Players just use up so much energy in secondary places that they don't have the sharpness left to do what they're good at because of far too much emphasis being placed on defending.

For me the great teams have specific strengths. Competent people in every position, players who are all comfortable on the ball and can pass it reliably and players with specific skills to make a difference.

Brian Clough didn't have wingers wasting their energy as supplementary full-backs. Or centre-forwards chasing back into their own half. When I think about the great Liverpool, Spurs or Leeds teams you only ever imagined certain players in certain places...doing their job not someone else's.

When Ferguson squeezed the best out of Ronaldo yes, he made him defensively more aware but never at the expense of his cutting edge in attack.

Ronaldo took his rest so that he was always ready to explode as an attacker by taking people on, by passing and moving in an instant or by teasing an opening and smashing in a shot. Players can't do that if they've exhausted themelves in no man's land.

Not one of those top teams squandered possession willingly. They passed the ball with ease and moved backwards and forwards as a group and in unison. There weren't great gaps between different parts of the team as we have. So when they lost the ball there was a good chance they'd regain it quickly.

It's just a theory but a serious one because so much talent seems to evaporate at Leicester whether it be Gradel, King, Beckford, Dyer or whoever. There must be a reason.

Today was a good example because possession was so readily squandered it was inevitable the players got knackered.

It's an simple philosophy but an important one....if you pass the ball quickly and accurately, it's the opposition has to do the running. And how many reasonably competent passers/supporters do we have in our regular side?

Peltier? (No, not on either count),

Mills (Definitely no)

Bamba (Could do both but doesn't do either consistently)

Konchesky (Capable of both but inconsistent with his passing)

Abe (Barely middling at both)

King (Capable of both but support levels have faded)

Wellens (Not really a short passer and a sluggish support player)

Schlupp (Capable of both)

Nugent (Middling at both)

Beckford (Indifferent at both)

Dyer (Inconsistent passer).

Gallagher (Barely middling at both but lacking in pace).

One glance at that and you really can see how ordinary we are. We really need a full team that are middling or better at both skills but we're a long way off that and conseuqently a long way off having a team that can move forward and backwards confidently and as a single unit.

[FantasticMrFuchs]

Have a day off Thracian.....

[PAULCFC]

No we can't pass.

[Gold Coast Fox]

I have my own theory, most of them are over paid wankers who are quite happy to underperform as long as they get there pay check at the end of the day... just a theory :xmassmile:

[PAULCFC]

I have my own theory, most of them are over paid wankers who are quite happy to underperform as long as they get there pay check at the end of the day... just a theory :xmassmile:

I'm a season ticket holder....been down today and Doncaster last week............and i endorce this statement!Cant be bothered with Palace

[Fox1651]

I have my own theory, most of them are over paid wankers who are quite happy to underperform as long as they get there pay check at the end of the day... just a theory :xmassmile:

This

[ithuriel]

My theory, it is something in the water.

You drink the coffee there and start to doze off :xmaslaugh: