Leicester Falcon Posted 30 January 2012 Posted 30 January 2012 Well since the injury sustained by Andy King, Leicester City have been enjoying their best form for a long time. The tempo’s high, the movements good and we’re looking solid at last defensively. Nigel Pearson seems to have found a winning formula and on this sort of form, we can beat anybody in this division. The main emphasis that we now appear to have is that of direction. Something we’ve been lacking for a good while now, under both Eriksson and Pearson, yet the absence of King seems to have helped hit that nail on the head. Not many will argue that King drifts in and out of games and he seems to me like a player you need to accommodate. By doing this we provide ourselves with a midfielder that can pop up with a goal every now and then but one that will go missing for large chunks of a game because of that very reason. With him we seemed to lack a game plan and when going forward we just didn’t do it with penetration and endeavour. We seemed unsure of how to get at teams and use players like King to damage them. Now, without him, we have a team ethic. Everyone knows their role and how we want to attack teams. We have tempo, pace and width. Neil Danns brings energy to the centre of the park, Dyer and our full backs provide the width and in Gallagher we have a clever attacker in a freer role to express himself. Added to that we boast two strikers bordering on Premiership class and a centre half pairing growing stronger each week. We now posses a massive threat to anyone we cross. I’ve never been one to slate Andy King, I know what qualities he brings to the table, I do however question whether those qualities can be utilised here now. It appears his injury has been a blessing in disguise for City and who now can see him fitting back into a system such as this?
paulsherwood1 Posted 30 January 2012 Posted 30 January 2012 No doubt you will get pelters for your post, however I completely agree. I do rate king as a player, but he simply does not work effectively with Wellens. People on here love to slate Wellens, but he has proven in the last three games that he has a great pass in him, as he is now being allowed to play his natural game. Danns does the running and ball winning, meaning Richie does not hold this responsibility. The whole balance of the team has been evened out by two simple changes, king out for danns and the introduction of st ledger for bamber. Again, it's no chance happening that since Ssl returned to the team, Matt mills is playing his best football. Ssl keeps his position as a centre back, but Bamba is prone to running off up field. You could see in some games ( most recently Barnsley at home ) that mills was knackered from running about covering for Bamba. For me I would cash in on sol, or use him as a midfielder. We finally have some balance, long may it continue!
Jimmy Posted 30 January 2012 Posted 30 January 2012 well had Wellens been the player to make way I'm equally confident the midfield would of seen this upturn in form with King & Danns
Larry_LCFC Posted 30 January 2012 Posted 30 January 2012 As if you have just blamed one player for a whole team lacking a gameplan, motivation and drive. It is nothing to do with King. Its about the whole team not working together and putting the effort in! Jeeeeze...
Captain... Posted 30 January 2012 Posted 30 January 2012 Since Andy King was injured we have played well Since Bamba went to the African nations we have played well Since The Barnsley match where we were utter garbage and got booed off the pitch we have played well Since Pearson gave them a rocket in the dressing room and expressed his displeasure we have played well Since Forest scored an own goal for us we have played well Since the Costa Concordia capsized we have played well Cause and effect, a butterfly flapped it's wings in the Amazon rainforest and now we are playing well. Maybe we are playing well because we are playing well or because we have good players in the squad, we managed to get out of the rut we were in and shake off this crisis of confidence we had, and started playing like a team. Maybe King's injury and Bamba going to Africa helped shake things up and Forest were very accomodating. To look to blame all our poor performances on 2 players who were also playing when we won, and when we played well, this season and last is just pathetic.
beryllind Posted 30 January 2012 Posted 30 January 2012 Can anyone explain how people see players in such a different way. I have never like King as a footballer, yet I immediately liked the look of Drinkwater as soon as he came on at Southampton
Bert Posted 30 January 2012 Posted 30 January 2012 well had Wellens been the player to make way I'm equally confident the midfield would of seen this upturn in form with King & Danns Wellens has had arguably his best 3 games of the season since King has been injured.
davieG Posted 30 January 2012 Posted 30 January 2012 The problem is not King or Wellens the team is more fluid and they themselves are better when they're not both in the team.
Haydos Posted 30 January 2012 Posted 30 January 2012 Can anyone explain how people see players in such a different way. I have never like King as a footballer, yet I immediately liked the look of Drinkwater as soon as he came on at Southampton Why? Granted the last 12 months he's been below average but before that he's been one of our most integral and consistent performers.
FremantleFox Posted 30 January 2012 Posted 30 January 2012 I think the original post carries considerable merit. I have been of the opinion for a long time that although Andy King has decent technique and of course has enjoyed periods in the past when he has scored a fair number of goals from midfield - his overall contribution since we re-gained promotion from League One has been patchy to say the least. He hasn't developed much at all over the last 24 months, he's started to look a very limited player the longer he's played in the Championship. Maybe the opposition have sussed him out?? Maybe he is actually getting frustrated with his own game?? (it looks like this might well be the case if you check out his body language this season in particular). Either way, it is very hard to argue against the fact that his overall contribution to the team performances this season (and quite a bit of last season) is poor. I have been very eager to see Neil Danns have the opportunity to play in his best position in CM. That's what we signed him for and that's where he looked good for Crystal Palace. Enough said. By comparison, the effect he has had on the team shape, the blend in midfield, our defensive cover for the back four, Wellens' form etc etc is clear. Hopefully he can continue this. I don't place all the recent improvement simply on the Danns for King switch, but there's no doubt that we as a team are benefitting. The same applies to the re-introduction of SSL with Mills and the long-awaited chance that NP has given to Beckford to play alonside Nugent. We are starting to see much better partnerships developing within the side - with the benefits this brings to the overall team shape and performances. Over the last 2 years or so, I've never really worked out what King's role in the team was, or how we now best utilise him. This is borne out by the huge differences of opinion posted here on various threads by our supporters - all of whom can validate their individual views very well. Is he a ball winner?? a creative midfielder?? a box-to-box player?? a holding player?? For me, he doesn't tackle enough, he doesn't carry the ball enough for an attacking midfield player, doesn't create enough chances for his team-mates - He just appears to fall between many stools. Like a few other posters, I think we may have to face the facts and help him find another Club during the summer and put the team first.
Captain... Posted 30 January 2012 Posted 30 January 2012 I think the original post carries considerable merit. I have been of the opinion for a long time that although Andy King has decent technique and of course has enjoyed periods in the past when he has scored a fair number of goals from midfield - his overall contribution since we re-gained promotion from League One has been patchy to say the least. He hasn't developed much at all over the last 24 months, he's started to look a very limited player the longer he's played in the Championship. Maybe the opposition have sussed him out?? Maybe he is actually getting frustrated with his own game?? (it looks like this might well be the case if you check out his body language this season in particular). Either way, it is very hard to argue against the fact that his overall contribution to the team performances this season (and quite a bit of last season) is poor. I have been very eager to see Neil Danns have the opportunity to play in his best position in CM. That's what we signed him for and that's where he looked good for Crystal Palace. Enough said. By comparison, the effect he has had on the team shape, the blend in midfield, our defensive cover for the back four, Wellens' form etc etc is clear. Hopefully he can continue this. I don't place all the recent improvement simply on the Danns for King switch, but there's no doubt that we as a team are benefitting. The same applies to the re-introduction of SSL with Mills and the long-awaited chance that NP has given to Beckford to play alonside Nugent. We are starting to see much better partnerships developing within the side - with the benefits this brings to the overall team shape and performances. Over the last 2 years or so, I've never really worked out what King's role in the team was, or how we now best utilise him. This is borne out by the huge differences of opinion posted here on various threads by our supporters - all of whom can validate their individual views very well. Is he a ball winner?? a creative midfielder?? a box-to-box player?? a holding player?? For me, he doesn't tackle enough, he doesn't carry the ball enough for an attacking midfield player, doesn't create enough chances for his team-mates - He just appears to fall between many stools. Like a few other posters, I think we may have to face the facts and help him find another Club during the summer and put the team first. That is a fair point about King, not that they have sussed him out as such, but perhaps see him as more of a danger and watch him more closely. I do rate King and I believe he is a very good intelligent footballer, but he hasn't been at the top of his game this season but then who has, to judge a player in an underperforming team is unfair, especially if he had been carrying a knock for a while. I am quite happy for him to not walk back in to the team when he recovers, and I believe in being picked on merit not on name, but I also don't believe in writing players off, especially ones that have performed so well for us before.
Larry_LCFC Posted 30 January 2012 Posted 30 January 2012 Is there an elephant in the room ??? Is Wellens in here?
Corky Posted 30 January 2012 Posted 30 January 2012 It's a blessing in the respect that King and Wellens were first choice but couldn't form a strong combination, so it takes out the possibility of that pairing for a while. Wellens has played much better in the past three games without King, King's best game was Derby when Wellens was unavailable. We will need King again, the goalscoring ability and his defensive work are important, but currently we're playing well.
Thracian Posted 30 January 2012 Posted 30 January 2012 Everything is so black and white with City fans. King's out, we win some games, King's crap. Bamba's out, we win some games, Bamba's crap. St Leger's in, we win some games, St Leger's brilliant and all previous is forgotten. Drinkwater arrives, has a good game, Drinkwater's God. Dyer's crap, we win some games, Dyer's a threat. Beckford's crap, we win some games, Beckford's lethal. Mills is crap, we win some games, Mills is a rock. So let's get something straight. Various professional managers have seen King as a first choice midfielder to the extent that he's rarely been left out and has scored by far the most goals of all our midfield. This season he's not been humself - having been more closely marked, having perhaps been losing the spring in his Achilles gradually to the point where it became a serious injury, perhaps because he didn't cog with Wellens or any number or combination of reasons. That doesn't mean he's suddenly shit - Wellens will never score goals like King - but it does mean he's got to fight for his place like everyone else. Bamba has been outstanding at times in defence and made a whole stack of potentially goal-saving blocks, tackles or interceptions. At times he's looked inspired and inspiring. At others he's looked vulnerable. He's now on international duty and has not suddenly become useless overnight. But, like King, he'll have to fight for his place. St Leger, who made an appalling start and was less than convincing on other occasions finally got a run and showed some form. He's got the shirt and if he keeps on playing the same way, might well deserve to keep it. But at least he's earned the right t be considered. And then there's the results themselves and the context within which we secured those wins. Forest? We hammered them at Forest and drew. We hammered them at home and won 4-0. I*n both games they were an embarrassment to themselves, as they were for much of the game when we drew 2-2. Southampton - good performance - but against a much weakened Southampton side. Swindon - steady performance against a league two side but hardly outstanding. They had as many chances as us and far too much time and space at times. No, I'm not knocking what we've done or what the players have done. I'm delighted and have found myself looking forward to our games again. But these things aren't black and white. We've had decent runs when King and Bamba have been in the side as well and some bad runs while other now celebrated players have been in the team. What matters is Pearson, the fans and the supporters if they can help, getting the best out of everyone. And developing the all-round team spirit necessary to have a chance of achieving anything.
Nickfosse Posted 30 January 2012 Posted 30 January 2012 Everything is so black and white with City fans. King's out, we win some games, King's crap. Bamba's out, we win some games, Bamba's crap. St Leger's in, we win some games, St Leger's brilliant and all previous is forgotten. Drinkwater arrives, has a good game, Drinkwater's God. Dyer's crap, we win some games, Dyer's a threat. Beckford's crap, we win some games, Beckford's lethal. Mills is crap, we win some games, Mills is a rock. So let's get something straight. Various professional managers have seen King as a first choice midfielder to the extent that he's rarely been left out and has scored by far the most goals of all our midfield. This season he's not been humself - having been more closely marked, having perhaps been losing the spring in his Achilles gradually to the point where it became a serious injury, perhaps because he didn't cog with Wellens or any number or combination of reasons. That doesn't mean he's suddenly shit - Wellens will never score goals like King - but it does mean he's got to fight for his place like everyone else. Bamba has been outstanding at times in defence and made a whole stack of potentially goal-saving blocks, tackles or interceptions. At times he's looked inspired and inspiring. At others he's looked vulnerable. He's now on international duty and has not suddenly become useless overnight. But, like King, he'll have to fight for his place. St Leger, who made an appalling start and was less than convincing on other occasions finally got a run and showed some form. He's got the shirt and if he keeps on playing the same way, might well deserve to keep it. But at least he's earned the right t be considered. And then there's the results themselves and the context within which we secured those wins. Forest? We hammered them at Forest and drew. We hammered them at home and won 4-0. I*n both games they were an embarrassment to themselves, as they were for much of the game when we drew 2-2. Southampton - good performance - but against a much weakened Southampton side. Swindon - steady performance against a league two side but hardly outstanding. They had as many chances as us and far too much time and space at times. No, I'm not knocking what we've done or what the players have done. I'm delighted and have found myself looking forward to our games again. But these things aren't black and white. We've had decent runs when King and Bamba have been in the side as well and some bad runs while other now celebrated players have been in the team. What matters is Pearson, the fans and the supporters if they can help, getting the best out of everyone. And developing the all-round team spirit necessary to have a chance of achieving anything. Oh you and your bloody considered, thoughtful reflections. That's not what we want on here. I log on to read knee jerk reactions!
Fez of Mahrez Posted 30 January 2012 Posted 30 January 2012 Everything is so black and white with City fans. King's out, we win some games, King's crap. Bamba's out, we win some games, Bamba's crap. St Leger's in, we win some games, St Leger's brilliant and all previous is forgotten. Drinkwater arrives, has a good game, Drinkwater's God. Dyer's crap, we win some games, Dyer's a threat. Beckford's crap, we win some games, Beckford's lethal. Mills is crap, we win some games, Mills is a rock. So let's get something straight. Various professional managers have seen King as a first choice midfielder to the extent that he's rarely been left out and has scored by far the most goals of all our midfield. This season he's not been humself - having been more closely marked, having perhaps been losing the spring in his Achilles gradually to the point where it became a serious injury, perhaps because he didn't cog with Wellens or any number or combination of reasons. That doesn't mean he's suddenly shit - Wellens will never score goals like King - but it does mean he's got to fight for his place like everyone else. Bamba has been outstanding at times in defence and made a whole stack of potentially goal-saving blocks, tackles or interceptions. At times he's looked inspired and inspiring. At others he's looked vulnerable. He's now on international duty and has not suddenly become useless overnight. But, like King, he'll have to fight for his place. St Leger, who made an appalling start and was less than convincing on other occasions finally got a run and showed some form. He's got the shirt and if he keeps on playing the same way, might well deserve to keep it. But at least he's earned the right t be considered. And then there's the results themselves and the context within which we secured those wins. Forest? We hammered them at Forest and drew. We hammered them at home and won 4-0. I*n both games they were an embarrassment to themselves, as they were for much of the game when we drew 2-2. Southampton - good performance - but against a much weakened Southampton side. Swindon - steady performance against a league two side but hardly outstanding. They had as many chances as us and far too much time and space at times. No, I'm not knocking what we've done or what the players have done. I'm delighted and have found myself looking forward to our games again. But these things aren't black and white. We've had decent runs when King and Bamba have been in the side as well and some bad runs while other now celebrated players have been in the team. What matters is Pearson, the fans and the supporters if they can help, getting the best out of everyone. And developing the all-round team spirit necessary to have a chance of achieving anything. Agree with every word. One thing I'd add as well... The current run of three wins without conceding has understandably got a lot of people excited. But two of those three games were in the FA Cup (against a struggling Forest and a League Two team). Just over a year ago, Bamba and King were the goalscorers against the eventual winners Manchester City. What if we'd drawn Manchester City again this time? Doubt there'd have been a clean sheet and I also doubt we'd have got a fourth or fifth round tie either.
funkyrobot Posted 30 January 2012 Posted 30 January 2012 Everything is so black and white with City fans. King's out, we win some games, King's crap. Bamba's out, we win some games, Bamba's crap. St Leger's in, we win some games, St Leger's brilliant and all previous is forgotten. Drinkwater arrives, has a good game, Drinkwater's God. Dyer's crap, we win some games, Dyer's a threat. Beckford's crap, we win some games, Beckford's lethal. Mills is crap, we win some games, Mills is a rock. So let's get something straight. Various professional managers have seen King as a first choice midfielder to the extent that he's rarely been left out and has scored by far the most goals of all our midfield. This season he's not been humself - having been more closely marked, having perhaps been losing the spring in his Achilles gradually to the point where it became a serious injury, perhaps because he didn't cog with Wellens or any number or combination of reasons. That doesn't mean he's suddenly shit - Wellens will never score goals like King - but it does mean he's got to fight for his place like everyone else. Bamba has been outstanding at times in defence and made a whole stack of potentially goal-saving blocks, tackles or interceptions. At times he's looked inspired and inspiring. At others he's looked vulnerable. He's now on international duty and has not suddenly become useless overnight. But, like King, he'll have to fight for his place. St Leger, who made an appalling start and was less than convincing on other occasions finally got a run and showed some form. He's got the shirt and if he keeps on playing the same way, might well deserve to keep it. But at least he's earned the right t be considered. And then there's the results themselves and the context within which we secured those wins. Forest? We hammered them at Forest and drew. We hammered them at home and won 4-0. I*n both games they were an embarrassment to themselves, as they were for much of the game when we drew 2-2. Southampton - good performance - but against a much weakened Southampton side. Swindon - steady performance against a league two side but hardly outstanding. They had as many chances as us and far too much time and space at times. No, I'm not knocking what we've done or what the players have done. I'm delighted and have found myself looking forward to our games again. But these things aren't black and white. We've had decent runs when King and Bamba have been in the side as well and some bad runs while other now celebrated players have been in the team. What matters is Pearson, the fans and the supporters if they can help, getting the best out of everyone. And developing the all-round team spirit necessary to have a chance of achieving anything. For those of us who have noticed king's lack of influence in the midfield (even when he was poaching goals) it's great to finally see us pass it around a bit and dominate teams in this area. I don't dispute his technique and particularly his finishing, I do however feel that when he plays we effectively play for the majority of the match with 1 less outfield player.
Captain... Posted 30 January 2012 Posted 30 January 2012 For those of us who have noticed king's lack of influence in the midfield (even when he was poaching goals) it's great to finally see us pass it around a bit and dominate teams in this area. I don't dispute his technique and particularly his finishing, I do however feel that when he plays we effectively play for the majority of the match with 1 less outfield player. The same has been said about Danns, Wellens, Gallagher and Dyer this season. It's just pathetic that now we are playing well we can't blame any of the players currently in the team, who incidentally all played crap when King was playing crap, we have to blame someone who is now injured. Just enjoy the current, brief period of not playing shit, without slagging off players unable to defend themselves on the pitch. Can you not just be happy that our performances have improved and that we have a number of quality players out of the team that will come back and boost our squad.
Bert Posted 31 January 2012 Posted 31 January 2012 I love how It always seems to get dropped in that King was struggling with an injury, even though no-one knew anything about it until a day after it happened
dmayne7 Posted 31 January 2012 Posted 31 January 2012 I love how It always seems to get dropped in that King was struggling with an injury, even though no-one knew anything about it until a day after it happened Maybe because Pearson mentioned it when King got ruled out?
Guest Col city fan Posted 31 January 2012 Posted 31 January 2012 I love how It always seems to get dropped in that King was struggling with an injury, even though no-one knew anything about it until a day after it happened I thought as the fountain of all information you yourself may have enlightened us on King's injury Bert?
Leicester Falcon Posted 31 January 2012 Author Posted 31 January 2012 I think the fact that my post, which was surrounding Andy King's absence, has pulled Sol Bamba into the equation brings out another point I've held since he arrived. One of him being completely useless. Of course changing personnel can change fortunes in football, and the fact that these two individuals have been missing when we've been enjoying our best run of form for some time speaks volumes. Players can change the dimensions in how you play the game, not good fortune. If you've played the game at any level you can appreciate that. King out, Bamba out. Let's enjoy this batch of players and what they can potentially bring.
Guest Col city fan Posted 31 January 2012 Posted 31 January 2012 I think the fact that my post, which was surrounding Andy King's absence, has pulled Sol Bamba into the equation brings out another point I've held since he arrived. One of him being completely useless. Of course changing personnel can change fortunes in football, and the fact that these two individuals have been missing when we've been enjoying our best run of form for some time speaks volumes. Players can change the dimensions in how you play the game, not good fortune. If you've played the game at any level you can appreciate that. King out, Bamba out. Let's enjoy this batch of players and what they can potentially bring. What the fook are you on about? Bamba is not a useless player, neither is King
Guy Posted 31 January 2012 Posted 31 January 2012 Although I appreciate that it is the sole purpose of this forum, to basically stir up debate, I think it's best to start posting possibilities on here as to why we're suddenly a more cohesive team (and have supposedly turned this corner) once we've won a few more league games or have maybe gone ten league games undefeated or something along those lines. That would be more sensible than looking for reasons as to why and scapegoating the likes of Andy King or Sol Bamba! Lest we forget, we've only achieved one league win during this noticeable "improvement" thus far since the Barnsley debacle, albeit at an admittedly under strength Southampton......and still we await our first back to back league wins this season and it's February tomorrow! As some have also been quick to point out, the other two victories were in the FA Cup against a Forest side at rock bottom at the present time and a side from League Two, albeit a decent one and who were no pushovers. Middlesbrough will be more of an acid test tomorrow night, as will Cardiff and Brighton. Maybe if we get 7/9 points or more from those next three games then we can probably go down the road of waxing lyrical about King and Bamba's absence actually helping matters if they're still both not going to feature in the those next three games. I'm sure both players will become an integral part of the team again before long, especially when or if injuries start to kick in of course.
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