Bert Posted 26 December 2013 Posted 26 December 2013 Sorry... 2 league goals this season? I think its been said many many times..(as usual you choose to ignore it) that this aspect of King's game has diminished, not improved. Three. Drinky on 2. Maybe it has diminished. But his game is different these days. Surely even you can see that?
Dickov22 Posted 26 December 2013 Posted 26 December 2013 Sorry... 2 league goals this season? I think its been said many many times..(as usual you choose to ignore it) that this aspect of King's game has diminished, not improved. Pretty sure he's got 3. He doesn't score as many these days as he starts less games, plus plays a deeper role due to the fact we usually play with 2 out and out wingers which we didn't use to do.
volpeazzurro Posted 27 December 2013 Posted 27 December 2013 Think Nugent has performed a little better the last couple of games but still not good enough and certainly not for the Premiership. Vardy not exactly the best finisher (but still improving) but his other attributes more than make up for it and IF we'd had a natural poacher like Yakubu alongside him in this division, he'd be in double figures easily by now due to the mayhem and chances Vardy creates. If we can get another striker in on loan better than what we've already got then all well and good. Don't think we've the money to buy anyone who is appreciably better than what we've got who would be Premiership standard also. I think Wood given an extended run will bag more than Nugent though, lets face it, at least four of the others should be capable of scoring a penalty.
Babylon Posted 27 December 2013 Posted 27 December 2013 Again, what chances did the strikers miss today? There were no real clear cut chances that I can remember, perhaps one for Vardy, most only half chances at best. Where they were either at difficult angles, or a good distance from goal with lots of players between them and the goal. We got into lots of promising positions with our play but continued to either choose the wrong option or play the right one badly. With balls either just going out of play, or being played straight into the first man. Our shooting from distance was equally poor, with players rushing to get wild shots away when the had more time. We could have had a top finisher up front yesterday, but if the final ball never finds him there isn't much you can do. I agree that Nugent and Vardy can be wasteful, but it feels like they get blamed for everything when the finger should be pointed elsewhere also.
foxfanazer Posted 27 December 2013 Posted 27 December 2013 It is a concern, obviously. I'd be more concerned if we weren't creating good chances though. I think the finishing problem is an easier fix
Hungry Hungry Fox Posted 27 December 2013 Posted 27 December 2013 The only team in the top 6 that consistently score plenty of goals is derby
Guest Col city fan Posted 27 December 2013 Posted 27 December 2013 It is a concern, obviously. I'd be more concerned if we weren't creating good chances though. I think the finishing problem is an easier fix We are riding high and the table doesnt lie. It tells the story of a generally solid and well organised unit. Hats off to Pearson and his team. However, the best sides at any level are the ruthless ones that kill games off. While we allow teams a chance to sneak in and do a smash and grab, we are not ruthless. We now have to take that important step up and finish games. Kill them dead with a bit of quality. If we dont do this, we'll probably rue the day. This squad is not far off. Taking more chances would probably complete the job.
deanolegend1989 Posted 27 December 2013 Posted 27 December 2013 Getting certain players who score 20+ goals or w.e is not the be all and end all anymore and not the way a team wins leagues. Its about having a team that just works. If we dropped Nuge or Vardy because they have only score 12 & 7 respectivly(hardly poor..) then we would do poorer. Look what happened when we brought Wood in..Just because a goal scorer scores doesnt mean we'll be succesful because in todays modern game, strikers are made to link and drop back and do alot more than when they use to be 2 up top who just stayed there. Yorke and Cole for Utd typical type of 90s style..2 goal scorers..flat 4 in midfield. Its not like that anymore, its not just us, pretty much the whole league doesnt get many players into the 20+ margin and when they do its because of pens. This is because of a few things: bigger squads, rotation, different formations which are all really made to win midfield battles and outnumber..strikers are alot less about goals and more about teamwork. Get off them as they are doing everything right atm. They miss a who chances but who cares..We have a strong team, and whilst admittedly not seeing that many games, out the 7 or 8 I have seen only Brighton has made me think 'god we are sh*te'.
Hungry Hungry Fox Posted 27 December 2013 Posted 27 December 2013 The opposite side to this debate is that our defence is looking solid again. One goal conceded against Burnley, QPR and Reading is outstanding
Dickov22 Posted 27 December 2013 Posted 27 December 2013 Again, what chances did the strikers miss today? There were no real clear cut chances that I can remember, perhaps one for Vardy, most only half chances at best. Where they were either at difficult angles, or a good distance from goal with lots of players between them and the goal. We got into lots of promising positions with our play but continued to either choose the wrong option or play the right one badly. With balls either just going out of play, or being played straight into the first man. Our shooting from distance was equally poor, with players rushing to get wild shots away when the had more time. We could have had a top finisher up front yesterday, but if the final ball never finds him there isn't much you can do. I agree that Nugent and Vardy can be wasteful, but it feels like they get blamed for everything when the finger should be pointed elsewhere also. Agree with this. Vardy's chance when the keeper came out was completely created by him- pure pace and endeavour. He had a really tight angle to score from. Can't remember Nugent 'missing' any clear cut chances either. People just love a moan.
Bettsj2 Posted 27 December 2013 Posted 27 December 2013 Whilst I'd like us to score more, only Derby and Ipswich have scored more goals than us in the league so not convinced this is as much of an issue as some feel it is.
Happy Fox Posted 27 December 2013 Posted 27 December 2013 Would be nice to thrash a team or two to boost the goal difference but winning games is the priority we are doing that and that is all that matters.
jamesmilner Posted 27 December 2013 Posted 27 December 2013 nugent refused to shoot many times yesterday, until he let one go and it went out for a throw in . vardy works hard , not on target too, today. it is a problem for our forwards . im waiting for it to change , we are top , surely they must hit a purple patch soon ? if they do we will be flying . i can live in hope !!!
Bryn Posted 27 December 2013 Posted 27 December 2013 Aye, if we're going to make constructive criticism, our chance conversion ratio is low. Thankfully, we create enough chances and defend well enough that we win regardless. If we took our chances well we'd be absolutely unplayable.
StanSP Posted 27 December 2013 Posted 27 December 2013 Mountains out of molehills but I can understand why you are making the point. I just think it is being laboured on too much and there shouldn't be this much criticism created. 3rd highest scorers in the league (2nd before yesterday's matches) and yet people still over-react. It isn't a 'MUST' that we buy a new striker. If anything, a winger should be the top priority. I don't think people should be looking at this situation too badly. The rate we carry on creating chances, the goals will come. And I'd take a decent performance and a 1-0 win like yesterday every single match as opposed to a decent performance and only drawing/losing. In some cases those will turn in to 2-0, 3-0, 4-0 wins and of course we'd all love that. Sometimes it'll end up being 1-1 or 1-2. That's football.
Hungry Hungry Fox Posted 27 December 2013 Posted 27 December 2013 Mountains out of molehills but I can understand why you are making the point. I just think it is being laboured on too much and there shouldn't be this much criticism created. 3rd highest scorers in the league (2nd before yesterday's matches) and yet people still over-react. It isn't a 'MUST' that we buy a new striker. If anything, a winger should be the top priority. I don't think people should be looking at this situation too badly. The rate we carry on creating chances, the goals will come. And I'd take a decent performance and a 1-0 win like yesterday every single match as opposed to a decent performance and only drawing/losing. In some cases those will turn in to 2-0, 3-0, 4-0 wins and of course we'd all love that. Sometimes it'll end up being 1-1 or 1-2. That's football. Spot on
Bryn Posted 27 December 2013 Posted 27 December 2013 If there's a striker available who will improve the squad and we can afford, bring them on. Otherwise, we'll be fine. I think we need cover on the wings more pressingly.
_Fatboyslow_ Posted 27 December 2013 Posted 27 December 2013 The opposite side to this debate is that our defence is looking solid again. One goal conceded against Burnley, QPR and Reading is outstanding Spot on,
Guest Posted 27 December 2013 Posted 27 December 2013 Vardy's pace is great and Nuge's relentlessness awesome but we do need a striker that scores at a decent percentage. We miss too many easy chances. That was the key difference between us and Man city.
Babylon Posted 27 December 2013 Posted 27 December 2013 nugent refused to shoot many times yesterday, until he let one go and it went out for a throw in . vardy works hard , not on target too, today. it is a problem for our forwards . im waiting for it to change , we are top , surely they must hit a purple patch soon ? if they do we will be flying . i can live in hope !!! I really do not get it, I must be watching a different game if the problem yesterday was with our forwards shooting. They barely had a clear sight of goal between them, being 25 yards from goals with half a dozen player between you and the goal, really shouldn't keep being classed as a chance missed, or not taken. The biggest cock up from any of the strikers yesterday was when Vardy had a chance to break clear (when he and everyone else seemed to think he's be flagged for offside) and he took a very heavy touch that he couldn't catch up with. I'll listen to the argument that perhaps they don't gamble on the right areas, but even yesterday than had bugger all chance with 99% of the crosses from Dyer, Konch, Knocky and De Laet because they were either under hit, over hit, hit wide, or hit straight at the defender.
MC Prussian Posted 27 December 2013 Posted 27 December 2013 It's a slight concern for me, or let's rather say I'd love it if we could be a bit more clinical in front of goal. More goals scored could/would also improve our overall morale and do our strikers/midfielders the world of good. Too often have I seen the team taking an early lead and then let it slip away by conceding a late goal. Then again, we're better off this season than we were a year ago, so we must be doing something right.
Lionator Posted 27 December 2013 Posted 27 December 2013 If Andy King played in a more forward position instead of as a DM, then he'd be banging in the goal like he used to.
Babylon Posted 27 December 2013 Posted 27 December 2013 If Andy King played in a more forward position instead of as a DM, then he'd be banging in the goal like he used to. He has to play first. It's a slight concern for me, or let's rather say I'd love it if we could be a bit more clinical in front of goal. More goals scored could/would also improve our overall morale and do our strikers/midfielders the world of good. Too often have I seen the team taking an early lead and then let it slip away by conceding a late goal. Then again, we're better off this season than we were a year ago, so we must be doing something right. Strange stat... we're 8 points better off than we were this stage last season but have scored less and conceded more.
Thracian Posted 27 December 2013 Posted 27 December 2013 I tried to explain this, statistically, a few weeks ago. We dont score enough goals from midfield. Thats ok when the strikers are scoring. When they aint, it becomes more of a problem. That's part of the problem and especially from central midfield where even King was finally all-but negated as a potential scorer. Ironically the problem seems linked to our success. Pearson's approach demands such an all-round work ethic which means that players are sometimes short of sharpness and thinking-power by the time they get in the box and that's reflected in their lack of ruthlessness. . Scoring and making goals is go much easier when others look after the preamble and all you've got to do make the final pass or see to the finishing. For years I've mentioned Dyer's lack of stillness on the ball when he shoots. But, just like Nugent, Knocky and Vardy, Dyer's often been racing around all over the place before ending up in the box having a shot. Being even momentarily knackered is no way to improve shooting chances. King ended up covering so many yards he had no sharpness anywhere and ended up rarely seeing the shooting zone. Some players hardly ever shoot even when in the position to and we've never really been a team to attack as a closely supporting unit from front to back. Another shortcoming is our final ball into the box. Too often crosses are floated aimlessless instead of being delivered fast and specifically. Nor do we get enough bodies into the box other than in purple patches. Techhnically Knockaert's another who lacks balance when he shoots and can't really detach his mind from the approaching challenge and, sadly, there's virtually no goal threats from anywhere else...either central midfield or the back line. Pearson, of course, could point to our results and league position to entirely justify his approach but, for me, we could still improve considerably and most especially from set plays where, surely, the best centre-backs in the league ought to be getting some return from their sorties upfield and even Konch and DeLaet are more than capable of some small return. I used to watch us shooting in pre-match and it was just a functional warm-up. I never saw any one of the coaches actually try to get a player to just stay still on the ball or focus on hitting his shot on target. The players are capable of doing it, no question. I just don't think we don't dot and I's or cross the T's. We demand enough in energy but not enough in thought and technique. A final point is movement. Too often supporting players seem so tired from shouldering their responsibilities they stop making the selfless runs that help create spaces. The sort of runs Suarez makes and what brilliantly intelligent runs they are. You look up and everyone's standing waiting for something to develop instead of making to space to allow it to. Yes, these are nice details to be arguing about - how to reap a better return from lots of chances while top of the table. But it's one that we should be working on because we don't need to feel smug about our position after the first half of the season but to keep improving in every way we can...and especially our ruthlessness Having put some pressure on the chasing pack with recent results we need to sustain it and improve on any aspect we can. Anyone thinking this team is anywhere near it's best might be surprised if we really get it right.
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