Stoke 2-1 City Post Match

[MC Prussian]

Is it though? A run out against prem teams doesn't come about everyday. We needed to play the best 11 and see what came of it. A loss would have been on the cards but as Dickov said, it may have given all a look at who was strong enough.

Stoke are a big team in terms of physicality but all prem teams have some beasts but we looked lightweight and they were only at a canter.

Some would say a little unfit in comparison too...

We hardly have enough physical players, anyway. And Wood is still recovering from injury.

The Leicester City FC of 2013/2014 is not set out to play it tough. Pearson wants a nice and solid flowing passing game.

The game has changed, even Stoke cannot rely on pure kick-and-rush anymore, they have a good mix of hard tacklers and skilled forwards and midfielders.

[formidable1]

We hardly have enough physical players, anyway. And Wood is still recovering from injury.

The Leicester City FC of 2013/2014 is not set out to play it tough. Pearson wants a nice and solid flowing passing game.

The game has changed, even Stoke cannot rely on pure kick-and-rush anymore, they have a good mix of hard tacklers and skilled forwards and midfielders.

I agree. Even yesterday we were given time on the ball by Stoke but we faltered somewhat and rushed most passes.

[Guest Col city fan]

For those guys and girls thinking that we aren't far off being a Prem quality side, take a raincheck.

Yes, we beat a very very poor Fulham side, who were in disarray at the time but this really is not indicative of the quality of team we would have to play week in, week out.

Man City gave us a masterclass and we never really looked like doing much against Stoke.

The Prem sides are typically physically bigger and stronger, have quality players who can hurt you, given half a chance and have resources to build and strengthen each season.

For me, the likes of King, Knocky, Konch and RDL would really struggle with the pace and physicality of the Premiership.

I think Pearson would need to recruit some tougher players, just physically and mentally tougher, for us to have a good chance of competing. Sure, we would win some games, but on average, week-in, week out I think we would struggle how we are at present.

[Babylon]

Really?

What is going to change so significantly then that yesterday bears no relevance?

What would change significantly? Well the players you said were good enough to play in the premier would all have started for one.

And quite clearly this team will not be the one that started a game in the premier, we would sign players like every other team that gets promoted does.

Utterly pointless to use yesterday as any kind of benchmark to how a season in the prem would go.

[cjslcfc]

For those guys and girls thinking that we aren't far off being a Prem quality side, take a raincheck.

Yes, we beat a very very poor Fulham side, who were in disarray at the time but this really is not indicative of the quality of team we would have to play week in, week out.

Man City gave us a masterclass and we never really looked like doing much against Stoke.

The Prem sides are typically physically bigger and stronger, have quality players who can hurt you, given half a chance and have resources to build and strengthen each season.

For me, the likes of King, Knocky, Konch and RDL would really struggle with the pace and physicality of the Premiership.

I think Pearson would need to recruit some tougher players, just physically and mentally tougher, for us to have a good chance of competing. Sure, we would win some games, but on average, week-in, week out I think we would struggle how we are at present.

 

Completely disagree about Knocky. In fact in the games against City and Stoke he is one of the very few, for me, who has come out with credit. I would admit he gave the ball away a fair few times but I'd say that was more down to a lack of help and options than anything else. In my eyes he has prem class for sure.

 

Apart from that I completely agree that we would need significant strengthening just to stay in the league. That said, many of our players are still young and developing, and what's to say they won't be able to make the cut?

[Dickov22]

I've not suggested yesterday has any bearing on how well or poorly we'd fair in the prem if promoted. I was just annoyed that we played a formation that never seems to work when we play it from the off. I was also annoyed that several players whom you'd think would be out to impress NP given their opportunity- Hammond, Schlupp, Waghorn were all terrible. I'm also annoyed we never gave it a real go. Stoke aren't very good, but we made them look brilliant.

I agree, Derby is more important. I would just love us to have given it a real go yesterday

[formidable1]

What would change significantly? Well the players you said were good enough to play in the premier would all have started for one.

And quite clearly this team will not be the one that started a game in the premier, we would sign players like every other team that gets promoted does.

Utterly pointless to use yesterday as any kind of benchmark to how a season in the prem would go.

So a premiership- bound team (fingers crossed) with a couple of new faces, plays a premiership standard team on a Saturday afternoon.

 

How does that not act as a benchmark to what we are to expect?

 

Lets not get carried away with the amount of new faces we will see. About four or five I expect, not a complete new squad. So at some point in the first season, some of the players on show yesterday will need to be called upon.

[Babylon]

I've not suggested yesterday has any bearing on how well or poorly we'd fair in the prem if promoted. I was just annoyed that we played a formation that never seems to work when we play it from the off. I was also annoyed that several players whom you'd think would be out to impress NP given their opportunity- Hammond, Schlupp, Waghorn were all terrible. I'm also annoyed we never gave it a real go. Stoke aren't very good, but we made them look brilliant.

I agree, Derby is more important. I would just love us to have given it a real go yesterday

Those three are average in this league, let alone against expensive prem players. It's nothing more than minutes on the pitch for them in case they are called upon in the league.

[formidable1]

Lets not forget that NP is no fan of the mercenary journeyman, so to be honest, apart from a few youngsters coming up from the championship or from prem reserves, we will be looking at 65 percent of the squad we have to still being here.

[Guest Col city fan]

Completely disagree about Knocky. In fact in the games against City and Stoke he is one of the very few, for me, who has come out with credit. I would admit he gave the ball away a fair few times but I'd say that was more down to a lack of help and options than anything else. In my eyes he has prem class for sure.

Apart from that I completely agree that we would need significant strengthening just to stay in the league. That said, many of our players are still young and developing, and what's to say they won't be able to make the cut?

I've said this before about Knocky. As much as I like him, he's not quick. This is why he often gets caught out in the Championship. Its not due to lack of skill... he has that in abundance. He's simply not always quick enough to beat a player... and to then get away.

I think he'd be found out very quickly in the Prem against full backs that are stronger and faster. The times when we groan that he's dwelled for too long and lost the ball would become more frequent.

IMO.

[Babylon]

So a premiership- bound team (fingers crossed) with a couple of new faces, plays a premiership standard team on a Saturday afternoon.

How does that not act as a benchmark to what we are to expect?

Lets not get carried away with the amount of new faces we will see. About four or five I expect, not a complete new squad. So at some point in the first season, some of the players on show yesterday will need to be called upon.

Because 5 of our better players weren't even in the starting 11. And as you just said, we could sign 5 players. Which could feasibly mean a team that started a game next season could feature 10 changes to the one that played yesterday.

Yes some that played yesterday may be called upon, but you'd be having an epic injury nightmare to have them all playing at the same time.

That's why it gives no indication.

[Dickov22]

Those three are average in this league, let alone against expensive prem players. It's nothing more than minutes on the pitch for them in case they are called upon in the league.

Yes Exaclty. So all three should have done better yesterday and given it a better go than they did.

[Dickov22]

I've said this before about Knocky. As much as I like him, he's not quick. This is why he often gets caught out in the Championship. Its not due to lack of skill... he has that in abundance. He's simply not always quick enough to beat a player... and to then get away.

I think he'd be found out very quickly in the Prem against full backs that are stronger and faster. The times when we groan that he's dwelled for too long and lost the ball would become more frequent.

IMO.

He gave their full back and centre halves quite a few problems early on

[cjslcfc]

I've said this before about Knocky. As much as I like him, he's not quick. This is why he often gets caught out in the Championship. Its not due to lack of skill... he has that in abundance. He's simply not always quick enough to beat a player... and to then get away.

I think he'd be found out very quickly in the Prem against full backs that are stronger and faster. The times when we groan that he's dwelled for too long and lost the ball would become more frequent.

IMO.

 

I agree that he's not quick but he's hardly the slowest. Actually it amuses me when he sprints because he's going quicker than he looks, it's just his short legs seem to be working so hard. But, I simply refuse to accept he can't make it in the prem. I'd say us getting promoted or him being bought by a top tier club would lead to his role moving from the wing to behind the striker. Players behind the striker don't necessarily need to be as quick as those on the wing. I still don't see him as an out and out winger. The thing is he beats his man through skill and, even though he isn't quick, once he's beaten his man he is well past him. Even yesterday against premier league full backs he caused all sorts of issues early on. I don't know if you were there or not yesterday but there were moments where our end were purring at some of the stuff he did (and then berating him for losing the ball, admittedly, but as I said that was down to a lack of options personally). There was one moment where someone pinged a cross-field ball to the left hand side where he was, he was doing his usual struggle sprint and it looked like a lost cause. While on the run he stretches his left leg, takes it down in his stride, takes it towards the full back and then skins him with a couple of stepovers. He then pulled it back for it to be cleared. It's an interesting debate but it's not true that you have to be really quick to be successful in the prem. There are plenty of players who prove the opposite.

[foxfanazer]

Why are people saying that we'd struggle in the prem? Of course we would, that's why we are currently a championship side! Pretty simple really. Makes me laugh that now we are doing well in the league people have to look forr a negative, so the new one is we're nit good enough for the prem.

As if we'd play the same 11 players we played yesterday week in week out in the prem.

Really struggle to understand what some of you get out of being Leicester fans

[Babylon]

Yes Exaclty. So all three should have done better yesterday and given it a better go than they did.

Eh... How should average players on our league done better against prem opposition? Perhaps they gave it their best shot.

[Babylon]

Lets not forget that NP is no fan of the mercenary journeyman, so to be honest, apart from a few youngsters coming up from the championship or from prem reserves, we will be looking at 65 percent of the squad we have to still being here.

Really you have no idea how many we'd sign. Cardiff signed 8, Palace about a dozen if not more.

[Dickov22]

Eh... How should average players on our league done better against prem opposition? Perhaps they gave it their best shot.

You really think Schlupp can't do any better than that? He should have been busting a gut, using his physicality and trying to show Pearson he's worth a run in the team.

[cjslcfc]

You really think Schlupp can't do any better than that? He should have been busting a gut, using his physicality and trying to show Pearson he's worth a run in the team.

 

There were moments where he was just standing still watching the defender with the ball at his feet. Found myself shouting at him a few times. He's such a raw talent, in my eyes. He has so much pace and power yet rarely seems to want to use it. He looked so much more dangerous running in behind the defence and getting the ball and running at them. Yet, we so it so rarely from him

[maxwelld_]

Hammond struggled massively. You could tell our lads were used to having no time on the ball. Stoke didn't press us much and just allowed us to make mistakes. Very sloppy in possession overall not a bad run out but some of our play was woeful.

Where we watching the same game?

Stoke pressed us in midfield very quickly as that was there game plan. They know we can play so they didn't let us. Our setup was to soak up pressure and try and counter with the pace we started with ( dyer rested ) to be honest James was very poor ( out of position ) and should of been sub instead of king. We should of just started 4-4-2 and gone with our normal plan as we were much better when we switched to it in the second half. Jeff was also poor and tbh he's a better full back than striker now days. Also though waggy wasn't interested and shows nothing again from the subs bench.

Sell waggy , get Philips in , woods back to fitness , loan out Jeff.

Sign Stewart or the French wiz kid and a decent rigth back cover for Paul

If we do the above I think this maybe our year lads !!!

[Corky]

Yes, we beat a shite Fulham side in Freefall at home, still conceding three goals along the way. I would expect any team with aspirations of promotion to be beating a team in disarray, battling relegation positions in the lower reaches of the promised land at home.

 

And I am in the "Non-Mongoloid" category...

 

Blimey, we lost a game and you have a go, we win a game and you have a go.

 

Yesterday will have no bearing on next season, our squad will change and of course we are well off being a competitive top flight every week.

 

Yes be disappointed and annoyed about the result and performance but don't start believing that this proves next season could be a disaster.

[formidable1]

Because 5 of our better players weren't even in the starting 11. And as you just said, we could sign 5 players. Which could feasibly mean a team that started a game next season could feature 10 changes to the one that played yesterday.

Yes some that played yesterday may be called upon, but you'd be having an epic injury nightmare to have them all playing at the same time.

That's why it gives no indication.

I suppose I wasn't being clear enough. We will add four or five players to our squad. No way will NP bung 5 new faces into an outfield of 11!

Which means with the inevitable moving on of a few in close season, we will have the majority of the personnel we have already playing or in the squad on a Saturday afternoon.

Only a fool would believe that if we go up, we are going to be anything other than placesitters for a season.

And for that reason, the expenditure next year will be very restrained in anticipation of the inevitable drop back to the championship, where the wages for the new faces will still be on a par with top championship teams.

The Thais will only shell out if it looks like a second season is possible.

[maxwelld_]

I suppose I wasn't being clear enough. We will add four or five players to our squad. No way will NP bung 5 new faces into an outfield of 11!Which means with the inevitable moving on of a few in close season, we will have the majority of the personnel we have already playing or in the squad on a Saturday afternoon.Only a fool would believe that if we go up, we are going to be anything other than placesitters for a season.And for that reason, the expenditure next year will be very restrained in anticipation of the inevitable drop back to the championship, where the wages for the new faces will still be on a par with top championship teams.The Thais will only shell out if it looks like a second season is possible.

Don't agree I think they will invest to the sum of say 40m max but they will be smart and put the players on 2 year deals with ext potential if we are in the prem still. Everyone knows we need to invest to stay there simple. Once season with our current squad would mean automatic relegation and they won't risk that

[formidable1]

Blimey, we lost a game and you have a go, we win a game and you have a go.

 

Yesterday will have no bearing on next season, our squad will change and of course we are well off being a competitive top flight every week.

 

Yes be disappointed and annoyed about the result and performance but don't start believing that this proves next season could be a disaster.

The much talked about squad change again....We will add some new faces and lose a few, it will not change that much!

We are not going to be paying 60k a week wages, lots of players wont be interested in coming because we aren't established in the Premier league.

So where are the notions that we will be a totally different outfit coming from?

We will add a few youngsters with ambition and talent rather than experienced money grabbers out of contract to the squad.

In essence, yesterday was a very valid pointer as to what to expect.

Anyone saying any different is deluded.

[Soup]

That game shows we have a huge need to improve our squad should we get promoted. I know Stoke don't lose many at home etc but they didn't get out of third gear and they too had made changes to their regular line up.

I do believe that the non happy clappers on here can see that and I am not taking away the excitement that a promotion chasing season can bring but yesterdays game was a stark reminder of what awaits a team going up, from what is a mediocre standard championship this year.

I do also understand that this was probably nothing more than a run-out for NP and his team in terms of this seasons importance but had we played all the regulars, we would have still been beaten comprehensively. All this guff about we had 5 out etc is just nonsense. We could have had 2 Nugents and 2 Dyers on the pitch yesterday and we would have still looked hopelessly out of our depth.

I just hope some of the happy clapper mongoloids on here are aware of what's to come should we get promoted to the " Promised land "

Say we do invest and we do ok,then I really don't think that squad could make top 4.So I then think we would need another 100m into the team,but forget winning the Champions League,would take more investment for a crack at that.Or let's not worry to much about promotion till it happens,I think your getting a tad ahead of yourself.