Reality check

[step]

I don’t mean to dampen anyones enthusiasm for what CL is doing, but, people are getting carried away, there is a long way to go and we must not expect too much, too soon.. So let’s have a reality check.

I think we all agree that because the squad was full of crap Journey men, CL has had no choice but to sign a hell of a lot of new players, this is not a good situation to be in because most good teams are built over a period of years.

CL has bought in a lot of younger players that have limited but good track records, all have to move their homes and families to Leicester, a stressfull time for the indervidual, but it shows a long term commitment to the club, which can only mean they are hungry for success so I think we can be confident that they will have bags of enthusiasm and with CL motivation there will be plenty of passion on the pitch and if he can sign another half decent striker (Lovell seams favourite) in my humble opinion with time we will have the foundation of a good team that will be a serious contender for a top ten position

But, be prepared, It will take some time for the players to settle in, sort out their personal life and for the team to gel, during that period we will see players playing out of position, we will suffer while CL changes the team about, frustrated players will get booked and worst of all some bad football will be played with some poor results happen. We all know that when player move clubs it does not always workout so we must expect some of the new signings to be donkeys. But, on a more positive note: the players he has brought in do seam to give CL many options, sorting out which is the best positions and partnerships etc. Not an easy task and CL will need time to work things out and make this work so please don’t set dead lines for the day of judgement, they don’t achieve anything, things are never that simple or cut and dry and it has never been that rosy at city, so our expectations must be realistic.

We must be patient, let CL build a team for the future and don’t add to his difficulties by getting on players backs, It helps no one if the boo boys start to abuse players while they trying to play. It just de-motivates the player, reduces their confidence and makes them play worst. Anyone who deliberately makes city players play worse is NOT a city fan. Equally we do not need those who sit behind the box to be shouting abuse at CL during a match which must effect his concentration and the decisions he makes.

As fans we demand 100% commitment from the manager and the players, and if we want city do well this season, shouldn’t we give 100% commitment by supporting CL and the team while they develop?

City will need the twelfth player and we are that twelfth player. Let us show some passion and commitment.

[Vo Rogue]

A far more realistic post with a balanced view of what we may expecy this season. Posts by fans elsewhere suggesting a top 6 finish from the poor end of last season made me think some fans are on some rather strong medication. Such drastic changes take time to gel.

[Gené and Tonic]

A very good post. But some players might not have uprooted, just done what Walker did and stayed in a hotel, or rented a home. I think it's good that we have people who already know each other in the side, like Douglas and Sylla. The Scotts should gel well, and so should the Aussies. We just need to hope that each player manages to socialise with the group, then that will hopefully lead to better performances on the pitch.

Edit: I didn't know that people shouted abuse at CL. Has anyone heard that? Twats

[ForeverBlue]

A very good post. But some players might not have uprooted, just done what Walker did and stayed in a hotel, or rented a home. I think it's good that we have people who already know each other in the side, like Douglas and Sylla. The Scotts should gel well, and so should the Aussies. We just need to hope that each player manages to socialise with the group, then that will hopefully lead to better performances on the pitch.

Edit: I didn't know that people shouted abuse at CL. Has anyone heard that? Twats

135133[/snapback]

Part of any new signings contract is that they must buy a home within Leicestershire.

[Thracian]

I don’t mean to dampen anyones enthusiasm for what CL is doing, but, people are getting carried away, there is a long way to go and we must not expect too much, too soon..  So let’s have a reality check.

I think we all agree that because the squad was full of crap Journey men,  CL has had no choice but to sign a hell of a lot of new players,  this is not a good situation to be in because most good teams are built over a period of years.

CL has bought in a lot of younger players that have limited but good track records, all have to move their homes and families to Leicester, a stressfull time for the indervidual, but it shows a long term commitment to the club, which can only mean they are hungry for success so I think we can be confident that they will have bags of enthusiasm and with CL motivation there will be plenty of passion on the pitch and if he can sign another half decent striker (Lovell seams favourite) in my humble opinion with time we will have the foundation of a good team that will be a serious contender for a top ten position 

But, be prepared, It will take some time for the players to settle in, sort out their personal life and for the team to gel, during that period we will see players playing out of position, we will suffer while CL changes the team about, frustrated players will get booked and worst of all some bad football will be played with some poor results happen.  We all know that when player move clubs it does not always workout so we must expect some of the new signings to be donkeys.  But, on a more positive note: the players he has brought in do seam to give CL many options, sorting out which is the best positions and partnerships etc.  Not an easy task and CL will need time to work things out and make this work so please don’t set dead lines for the day of judgement, they don’t achieve anything, things are never that simple or cut and dry and it has never been that rosy at city, so our expectations must be realistic. 

We must be patient, let CL build a team for the future and don’t add to his difficulties by getting on players backs, It helps no one if the boo boys start to abuse players while they trying to play.  It just de-motivates the player, reduces their confidence and makes them play worst.  Anyone who deliberately makes city players play worse is NOT a city fan.  Equally we do not need those who sit behind the box to be shouting abuse at CL during a match which must effect his concentration and the decisions he makes. 

As fans we demand 100% commitment from the manager and the players, and if we want city do well this season, shouldn’t we give 100% commitment by supporting CL and the team while they develop?

City will need the twelfth player and we are that twelfth player.  Let us show some passion and commitment.

135127[/snapback]

Can't argue with the principles there. It would be great to have a really vocal crowd right behind the team throughout its development and emergence as a power to be reckoned with.

But, how fans react over time depends on how the team are performing.

When a side goes two-up a la Mickey Adams days and then tries to shut up shop by backtracking instead of continueing to do the things that put them 2-0 up, then fans get frustrated.

If the opposition is packing its defence and our team fails to use some imagination by varying their tactics/point of attack then fans will start to grumble.

If City win free kicks and corners but fail to deliver decent balls into the box from unpressured situations then fans start to lose patience.

You can't plan fan reaction. It's an emotive game. But, fans are not stupid. They know when a guy's giving 100 per cent, they know when their team is trying everything they can think of, they know when a team are on full throttle or are trying to wind down time and in so doing losing the initiative.

I've never seen the point of pillorying players because, as you say, it destroys any confidence they might have but then again I've never seen the point of a manager persisting with someone who is either having a bad game or is not delivering the goods generally.

So, the manager has great responsibilty for the mood of the fans.

Yes, I'd be delighted if City fans cheered full time and whatever the state of the game or whatever the team's level of performance. I just don't believe it will happen if they don't play some proper football and if they don't improve pretty quickly on last season's effort.

[LoneWolf]

i agree. the fans will loose confidnece if their own fans are booing them... we need to be cheering no matter what

[STUHILL]

You are all right, we are STILL definately in a re-building stage, we have a whole new team bar a couple of players who have been there just a season longer. I hope CL can bring in the final few players quickly so that they can get a chance to bond and settle down. As far as booing at players or even CL, i can honestly say i never have and hate it when the it happens, sure i mutter under my breath sumtimes, most of all when i used to watch Nicky summerbee not tracking back to defend!!! but nothing good can come from booing OUR team. I know it can be frustrating, especially in the past when we used to go a goal up and then camp behind ball for rest of game, but as true Leicester fans i think we should only be giving our support to the team because as mentioned earlier, WE ARE THE 12th MAN!!

[Hitesh]

I agree with a lot of points of the post!

I have said this before, its all good bringing in new signings but the proof of how good they will be is whether they perform to their expectations. They need to be able to gel as a team and as step rightly said this takes time and patience. IMO, this is something we, (and i own up to this!) wanted results straight away last season and when we didnt get them we lost confidence in out team. This didnt help for the rest of the season!

However, this season i think that we have to be more patient for the sake of the team. We need to give time to build this squad and not adopt the attitude of "make do players" or players that wil get us by in the mean time because that is only a short term messure and not good for the long term. This is highlighted but the fact that Morris is out longest serving player!

I also think that it will be harder in the short term and we sort of expect this more this season. In previous seasons, MA brought in some decent players on paper and we all thought that we would be ok, but in the end they failed to live up to expectations. However, this season CL has bought in players that he wants and believes will fit into his style of play. he is also prepared to give the youngsters a chance to proove themselves.

I beleive that every leicester fan should get behind the manager and team and help them settle in! This will get the best out of them. We shouldnt be too hasty in criticising the team. Remember....Patience is a virtue and in the end, good things come to those who wait! COME ON LEICESTER!!!

[Thracian]

A far more realistic post  with a balanced view of what we may expecy this season. Posts by fans elsewhere suggesting a top 6 finish from the poor end of last season made me think some fans are on some rather strong medication. Such drastic changes take time to gel.

135130[/snapback]

If Craig Levein is not aiming for a top 6 placed or better then I am a magician> Have a bit of faith, man. No manager wants anything but the Championship and, failing that, promotion. Live your dreams. That's what we fans are there for.

[Gené and Tonic]

I agree with Thracian, we should aim high, but still get behind the team no matter what. There's no point just aiming for a 10 ten finish. We want promotion!

[Vo Rogue]

The title of this thread is 'reality check'.What we dream of and what we think might happen can sometimes be different.Like dream of sleeping with Jordan and waking up next to my wife every morning.......but I dont stop dreaming.I'll still go to Walkers and hope every game that promotion is around the corner.

[Hutber's Law]

You are all right, we are STILL definately in a re-building stage, we have a whole new team bar a couple of players who have been there just a season longer. I hope CL can bring in the final few players quickly so that they can get a chance to bond and settle down. As far as booing at players or even CL, i can honestly say i never have and hate it when the it happens, sure i mutter under my breath sumtimes, most of all when i used to watch Nicky summerbee not tracking back to defend!!! but nothing good can come from booing OUR team. I know it can be frustrating, especially in the past when we used to go a goal up and then camp behind ball for rest of game, but as true Leicester fans i think we should only be giving our support to the team because as mentioned earlier, WE ARE THE 12th MAN!! 

135235[/snapback]

Thanks Delia!

Agree with these comments. How anybody can think that hurling abuse and critcism at our own players during a game will do anything but play into the oppositions hands I will never know.

[Janx]

aim for the moon you get the trees....(hopefully not forest obviously!)

We need to aim high!

Set our stall out from Day 1

Its all about confidence...

[Thracian]

The title of this thread is 'reality check'.What we dream of and what we think might happen can sometimes be different.Like dream of sleeping with Jordan and waking up next to my wife every morning.......but I dont stop dreaming.I'll still go to Walkers and hope every game that promotion is around the corner.

135536[/snapback]

I'd choose the wife any day, even after 38 years. Mind you, Michelle Wie...

[woznotwos]

Could of used that reality check last season!!!!!!!!!!... i love the apprehension and anticipation of the football close season..lets hope theres not a reality check on the pitch again!!