City player ratings v Blackpool

[bald reynard]

Could we have some player ratings for City today please ?

[Bert]

Kasper 5 - Flapped for their goal and was probably at fault - didn't need to come for it. Nothing else to do.

RDL 7 - His energy levels are off the scale, got forward as much as he could. Didn't have much defending to do.

Schlupp 8 - Quality. Didn't put a foot wrong again. Good going forward and won a hell of a lot in the air.

Morgan 8 - Got the goal that effectively won us the game. Easy day defending.

Wasyl 7 - See Wes, but without the goal.

Knocky 6 - Tried hard but nothing came off. Wasted the ball a lot but they struggled to deal with him coming inside which was a positive.

Mahrez 9 - Won us the game. A world class goal, another assist and had Vardy had scored from a lovely through ball. Like Knocky he kept dropping inside and they struggled with his movement, pace and trickery.

Drinky 8 - Another with amazing energy levels. Kept cool, calm and collected throughout and stamped his authority on the game. Drove us on as the game wore on and was key to how strong and positive we finished in the last ten. Best central midfielder in the league.

James 7 - Bit of a quieter game today but still had a positive impact on our play. Picks up the scraps and distributes so well.

Nugent 5 - Nothing came off for him today. Poor. Not defending him, but space was hard to find in Blackpools parked bus.

Vardy 6 - Should've scored but like Nuge, a lack of space hindered his game today. Absolutely stupid booking as well, especially considering the shambolic performance from the ref who didn't need an excuse as he already hates us.

GTF 6 - Smart little cameo. Dropped in the hole and did what Nugent normally does linking the attack and the midfield. One sublime flick which was very easy on the eye.

Phillips 6 - Confirmed the points with a very well taken goal. Could've had a double but went for power rather than finesse.

Hammond - NA.

[Finnegan]

Kasper 6 - not much to do, some very good distribution.

Jeff 7 - very solid, very composed. Making it his own.

Wasyl 8 - absolute beast and great distribution, wish he'd have come to us five years younger.

Morgan 8 - rock solid, vital goal, calm as anything on the ball.

Dear Laet 7 - good pace, solid enough.

Mahrez 9 - almost never gave the ball away, turned the game around for us with a wonderful goal and then some creative work. The best through passer the club has had in absolutely years.

Drinky 9 - he plays well, we play well, even started taking the piss in the last quarter when it looked like he could never lose the ball.

James 8 - got forward a lot but never looked dangerous in the final third. Bags of work and endeavour in the middle.

Knocky 8 - some great touches, always kept momentum up, links well with Mahrez and always gets us going forward.

Vardy 6 - all his usual hustle but got a bit frustrated today as a few chances passed him by. Could have had hattrick. Subbed to save himself a red.

Nugent 6 - after a Ronaldinhoesque almost assist in the first half started to look a bit jaded in the second. Could do with a goal to keep his confidence up, a game he'll want to forget.

Overall a dominant display that could have seen us out of touch at half time if our finishing was better. One moment of bad defending flattered them.

[TrentFox]

I thought Knocky was sensational today. Not in. An eye-catching way that we have become accustomed to, but in a really determined, combative and inspired kind of way. He won so much ball and showed a steel that has been becoming increasingly forged as the season has progressed. He really did look PL class to me today.

[Finnegan]

I thought Knocky was sensational today. Not in. An eye-catching way that we have become accustomed to, but in a really determined, combative and inspired kind of way. He won so much ball and showed a steel that has been becoming increasingly forged as the season has progressed. He really did look PL class to me today.

This, see other ratings thread. Had a very good game for me.

[Guest ttfn]

Schmeichel 5 - Distribution was ok but was obviously completely at fault for the goal.

De Laet 7 - Good going forward, had nothing to do immensely.

Morgan 8 - Won everything in the air, including that crucial header.

Wasilewski 8 - Had little to do defensively but what he did was immaculate. Great on the ball too.

Schlupp 7 - Same as De Laet.

 

Knockaert 7 - One of those days from him. There's a touch less magic in his boots at the moment, but he's putting in an unbelievable (and unimaginable 18 months ago) shift for the team.

James 7 - Wasn't in the game at all until we scored, then fine.

Drinkwater 8 - Absolutely sensational in the first half and oddly dropped away slightly as we picked up. But he was instrumental in the win.

Mahrez 9 - Looked dangerous in the first half. Great goal and assist which ultimately won us the game.

 

Vardy 5 - I'm loathed to criticise somebody who puts as much effort in as he does and is integral to the way we play but his touch and finishing today was dire.

Nugent 6 - Not involved enough in the first half and squandered a good opportunity at the start of the second period but worked his nuts off.

 

subs:

Taylor-Fletcher 7 - Great touch as usual and definitely offers something in games like today, but he's as fat now as he was when he started which is astonishing for somebody who is forced to exercise 5 times a week.

Phillips 8 - So dangerous today.

Hammond n/a

[Stan]

I think Wasyl deserves at least a 10 for that superb tackle with his tackle.

[Alf Bentley]

Schmeichel 7 Good interventions/distribution; not at fault for goal; I think a defender (Wasyl?) accidentally nudged him in the back, causing him to miss the cross

De Laet 6.5 One of his quieter games

Morgan 7.5 Solid, as ever; giving him +0.5 for a crucial goal

Wasyl 7.5 Maybe at fault in Blackpool goal(?); otherwise excellent - his distribution is so good, I'm wondering if he could make a Premier League Makelele (opinion, Col City Fan?!?)

Schlupp 7 Yet another strong performance; will be interesting to see him against stronger opposition, as I don't think Konch will get his LB spot back in a hurry

Mahrez 8.5 MoM Some sublime passing, not to mention a brilliant/crucial goal

Drinky 8.5 Controlled the game...just keeps getting better; player of the season

James 7 Good match, just not positively outstanding

Knocky 7.5 Superb passing/movement/link-up play; shooting is surprisingly poor

Nuge 6.5 Fine but not exceptional

Vardy 6 Missed a couple of good chances; just not his day; outstanding season, though

 

GTF 7 Some lovely touches; unlucky not to score

Kev 7 He just looks like scoring, doesn't he?

Hammond N/A

 

Pearson 10 Love the bloke and hope he spends more time near the touchline as the season closes to take the acclaim that he so richly deserves

Blackpool 4 Parked the bus, cynical, dirty, poor side, nearly got away with it

Ref 7 Should've booked fewer of our players and more of theirs; otherwise, I thought his decisions were mostly correct

[LCCFox96]

I have to agree with those giving Nugent a higher score than Vardy. For all Vardy's hard work and endeavours his end proud was poor today and his silly yellow card may yet leave him suspended for the Burnley game. I'm sure it's just an off day as he's been on fire recently but he could have had 4 today. Just seemed frustrated to me after he missed going clean through.

[kingfox]

Agree with most people's ratings, so for the first time this season, I'm not gonna give any ratings on a home game.

[I blame Wellens]

Agree with most people's ratings, so for the first time this season, I'm not gonna give any ratings on a home game.

Oh no

[isleofwightfox]

Kasper - 5 he made a bad decision for goodwillie's goal and could easily have been reprimanded for punching their no. 12 with how awful that ref was.

RDL - 7 solid game, found himself on space on the wing a few times and had a good understanding with Riyad

Schlupp - 8 fantastic but a few poor touches that could have been capitulated upon by a stronger team

Wes 8.5 solid defensive performance, happy to go forward and a crucial goal

Was 8 strong, made some fantastic tackles in front of the kop.

Riyad 9 - running at people constantly. Making up for a lacklustre display from nugent

Knockeart 7.5 - he was often a handful but never really looked like scoring. Didn't do much wrong but was outshone by Riyad. I loved how seemlessly they switched wings though.

Drinky 8.5 - unlucky to not score late on, fantastic performance.

James 8 - solid performance. Not too special, but industrious in possession

Nugent - 6 I don't get to many games and have been frustrated by the criticism that he has been receiving on here recently. Today I saw that it may be justified. If Vardy isn't at full sharpness nuge is just nodding balls on to no-one

Vardy 6.5 - sharper but threw away some chances.

--

GTF - 7.5 great impact sub. Gave a lot more to the game than I expected and almost got a tasty assist.

KP - 7.5 scored a great goal

Hammond - n/a

[reynard]

Schmeichel  5    At fault for their goal. Not much else to do really.

 

De Laet  6     He did ok but I thought we could have used him getting forward more often.

 

Morgan 8    Had a good game especially as he was being continuously fouled by their player. Well taken goal as well.

 

Wasilewski  7   Solid and some of his distribution was excellent.

 

Schlupp  6   Similar to De Laet. Again I though he could have got forward more often. His positional sense was off at times and a better team would have exploited this.

 

Mahrez  8.5   First half he was chasing shadows quite often but he pretty much won the game for us on his own. Produced two moments of brilliance to turn the game. He is deceptively strong on the ball for a slight guy. Early days but it looks encouraging.

 

Drinkwater 8  Yet another excellent performance.

 

James  7     He got better as the game went on but wasn't quite at his best today.

 

Knockaert  6   Yet another big shift but so often he flatters to deceive. At the moment his shooting is awful and he often gives the ball away yet he always wants the ball and is prepared to try things.

 

Nugent  6    Not his best performance and some of his play with Vardy was sublime but no real goal threat.

 

Vardy  5     A stupid 9th booking of the season just underlined an off day for him. Should have scored and allowed frustration to get in the way of his game.

 

Taylor-Fletcher 7   I have to admit I was surprised when he came on but he did an excellent job and was unlucky not to score.

 

Phillips 7     Not on for very long but that finish was top class.

 

Hammond  N/A

[Agent Fox]

Someone has to offer some critique, the task falls to me... Delighted with the win, but it wasn't perfect, it never is so criticism/perspective is always warranted.

 

Kasper - 5 - At fault for the goal completely, he has made a lot of errors this season.

 

RDL - 7 - Can't really fault him today, could have been used better by us I thought.

Wasyl - 7 - Very good defensively, needs to be smarter with the ball, looks for the Hollywood ball too often and the simple ball to RDL was ignored too often.

Morgan - 8 - Easy day at the office, apart from his goal, he seemed the only one who recognised that we had to speed things up to get back into the game by running through midfield with the ball.

Schlupp - 8 - Had my doubt about him as a player, nevermind a left back. Proving me and many wrong, assured and improving.

 

Knockeart - 7 - Interchanging with MAhrex which I liked but both need to stay wide for longer at times, useless both coming inside all the time. Width is key. The magician made things happen.

Drinkwater - 9 - The transformation in his game has been understated. Before this season he'd look to pass sideways or backwards, now he looks to pass forward, if it's not on he'll go back, fair enough. His driving runs are more effective than King's ever were which is why he isn't in the team anymore because Drinky does it all. control the game. Our player of the season. I wasn't a fan at the start of the campaign, I've been converted.

James - 7 - Another solid game, should have had an effort on goal in the second half. Did well though.

Mahrez - 8 - Goal and assist, what more can you ask for? Took up some strange positions in the first half, instead of running beyond RDL he took up a left back position which was strange. Like to see him stay wide more. Very good though.

 

Nugent - 6 - Didn't play well. Should have got an effort away in the second half when played in on goal. Offered very little.

Vardy - 6 - Usual hustle and bustle. Silly yellow which will cost him in a couple of games time. Finishing was awful.

 

Subs.

GTF - 7 - Majestic when he came on, finesse, touch and composure. Shame Drinkwater didn't pass to him when he was open in the box at the end.

Phillips - 6 - Got his goal, should have had two.

Hammond - 5 - Would have preferred to see King come on.

[Dickov22]

I thought Knocky was sensational today. Not in. An eye-catching way that we have become accustomed to, but in a really determined, combative and inspired kind of way. He won so much ball and showed a steel that has been becoming increasingly forged as the season has progressed. He really did look PL class to me today.

I agree. He's been unspectacular the past few weeks but in my opinion one of our best players. He works so unbelievably hard. Such a brave players- always always wants the ball. His work rate is bettered only by Vardy.

Top player

[CPW22]

Schmeichel - 6

De Laet - 6

Morgan - 8

Wasilewski - 7

Schlupp - 7

Mahrez - 8

Drinkwater - 8

James - 7

Knockaert - 6

Nugent - 6

Vardy - 6

Subs :-

Taylor-Fletcher -7

Phillips -7

Hammond - 5

[Mack]

Kasper - 7 - Unfair criticism for their goal in my opinion, was impeded in his jump by our own defenders, the best keeper in the Championship and has had little to do of late to show it. Sign him up long term.

 

RDL - 7.5 - Never easy when a team comes and puts 9 men behind the ball but he overlapped well going forward and was defensively rock solid as usual.

Wasyl - 7 - Firm challenging honest experienced centre half that does exactly what you'd expect of him. Has looked more assured / organised in his partnership with Morgan of late which is credit to the pair of them

Morgan - 8 - Blackpool played with one lone striker for much of the game and with their other 9 organised but often back today was not a huge test for Wes. However he is the glue that bonds out back 4 and a towering colossus at the back as usual.

Schlupp - 7.5 - Seems to be getting better with every match he plays on the defensive side of the game. Starting to look like a genuine left back rather than just a fill in. Gets forward superbly to support the attacking play and has staked a genuine claim for the role on a more permanent basis.

 

Knockeart - 7.5 -  A huge hearted magician of a player that gives as much now off the ball as he does on it. Integral to our season and an inspirational mentor to Mahrez in all that he does.

Drinkwater - 8 - I wonder if United look back on letting this lad go with regret? Looks every bit the foundation stone to build a decent Premier League side upon. He glides around the pitch anticipating play and formulating our moves with consummate ease. 

James - 7 - A few stray passes today but overall nice performance from James in a hugely congested midfield. Blackpool came to make it hard for us but he never gave up in his endeavor.

Mahrez - 8 - A tale of two halves for me. First half OK but there was the odd mistake with his decision making such as leaving the ball for Wasilewski when he needed to make a run back, however second half was just sublime. Great link play and passing topped with a lovely run and strike from the right hand edge of the box that curled with venom past Gilks in the Blackpool goal and into the corner. Who knew a young lad playing In Ligue 2 for Le Harve could have so much potential? Well Pearson and his staff did and all credit to them for adding what looks like a huge asset to our squad.

 

Nugent - 7 - Worked hard for the team but got little reward for his efforts today, an ever present pest to their defence.

Vardy - 7 - On another day he gets a first half hat trick, but today despite getting 3-4 really good scoring chances it just would not come. All strikers have the odd day like that and it should be understood rather than criticized. An absolute revelation this season and a tireless worker for the whole team leading with an exemplary attitude from the very front. 

 

Subs.

GTF - 7.5 - When he came on I was slightly puzzled however he sat in the hole behind the striker and linked play up superbly. Credit to Nigel for spotting we needed a subtle change of shape to break down Blackpool's 9 man defence and it worked like a charm, and equal credit to GTF for executing the plan so well and causing the opposition a real headache for the last 20 minutes. 

Phillips - 7 - Came off the bench and scored with a superb finish, what more can you ask. I absolutely love it how we seem to have teams on the rack and then to their complete despair we bring a lethal predator on for the last 10 minutes. Teams must wonder what they have to do, and to be quite frank give up and go home is the best option as with a little demon like Phillips coming off the bench what else can they do?

Hammond - n/a - A 5 minute spell for Hammond once the game was dead.

 

Blackpool came with the intention of frustrating us and hoping to catch us with the odd set piece or counter attack and by half time it was so far so good for them as their own net let a charmed life and a mix up between Kasper and our defence gifted them and unlikely lead. However you underestimate the Foxes drive, endeavor and determination and your peril and we continued to hammer away at their 9 man defence through an incredibly congested final third and it was Riad Mahrez with a sublime run and venomous drive into the far corner that unlocked the door and gave the whole team some impetus to put Blackpool to the sword. After that it was one way traffic and with the clever addition of Gary Taylor-Fletcher to sit in the number 10 role just behind the last striker we really started to break them down and thread play through their back 9 with some regularity. Goals from big Wes and Phillips ensured that the visitors went home with nothing to show for their efforts. Teams like Blackpool will come to King Power with damage limitation in mind from now on and patience is needed to get a reward for all your effort, and at times we made too many sideways passes looking for an opening through the congestion, but in the end the quality of our side showed through and the fans stayed patient with the team to their credit and went home with another 3 points to celebrate. 

[TrentFox]

I agree. He's been unspectacular the past few weeks but in my opinion one of our best players. He works so unbelievably hard. Such a brave players- always always wants the ball. His work rate is bettered only by Vardy.

Top player

Agree. You are far more succinct than I and nail it for me when you point out he is as valuable to us OFF rhe ball as he is on it ! If Mahrez can duplicate this and add that to his game over the next 12 months, to go with his undoubted ability, then we will have two outstanding players on our hands.

[Thracian]

Someone has to offer some critique, the task falls to me... Delighted with the win, but it wasn't perfect, it never is so criticism/perspective is always warranted.

 

Kasper - 5 - At fault for the goal completely, he has made a lot of errors this season.

 

RDL - 7 - Can't really fault him today, could have been used better by us I thought.

Wasyl - 7 - Very good defensively, needs to be smarter with the ball, looks for the Hollywood ball too often and the simple ball to RDL was ignored too often.

Morgan - 8 - Easy day at the office, apart from his goal, he seemed the only one who recognised that we had to speed things up to get back into the game by running through midfield with the ball.

Schlupp - 8 - Had my doubt about him as a player, nevermind a left back. Proving me and many wrong, assured and improving.

 

Knockeart - 7 - Interchanging with MAhrex which I liked but both need to stay wide for longer at times, useless both coming inside all the time. Width is key. The magician made things happen.

Drinkwater - 9 - The transformation in his game has been understated. Before this season he'd look to pass sideways or backwards, now he looks to pass forward, if it's not on he'll go back, fair enough. His driving runs are more effective than King's ever were which is why he isn't in the team anymore because Drinky does it all. control the game. Our player of the season. I wasn't a fan at the start of the campaign, I've been converted.

James - 7 - Another solid game, should have had an effort on goal in the second half. Did well though.

Mahrez - 8 - Goal and assist, what more can you ask for? Took up some strange positions in the first half, instead of running beyond RDL he took up a left back position which was strange. Like to see him stay wide more. Very good though.

 

Nugent - 6 - Didn't play well. Should have got an effort away in the second half when played in on goal. Offered very little.

Vardy - 6 - Usual hustle and bustle. Silly yellow which will cost him in a couple of games time. Finishing was awful.

 

Subs.

GTF - 7 - Majestic when he came on, finesse, touch and composure. Shame Drinkwater didn't pass to him when he was open in the box at the end.

Phillips - 6 - Got his goal, should have had two.

Hammond - 5 - Would have preferred to see King come on.

 

 

 

I hardly see the point in mentioning King at this time, given that the side is functioning so well and for so many different but connecting reasons. King lost his place because he all but stopped making the runs that twice got him around the 10 goals a season mark and helped us to the top of the leagues - both Division One and The Championship on several ocasions.

Drinkwater had his own spell of underperforming but I wouldn't be surprised if he realised that King probably lost his place for becoming too "square-or-back cautious" with his passing and started taking a much more positive approach himself.

Whether King eventually effects an improvement in his approach - even if he perhaps has to change clubs to get the chance -  remains to be seen but I certainly hope so.

However, it shouldn't be forgotten that Drinkwater's got such a balanced and capable team around him now - and all the options that go with it. Vardy is different class to last season, Mahrez a genuine talent,  Knockaert another who's improved and there's so much more that now makes it so hard or so risky to double bank on people that Drinkwater often has an abundance of passing opportunities that both he and King didn't have in the past.

No I'm not for a moment making a case for any changes, just pointing out that comparing Drinkwater with King is not quite as simple as ou make it sound. Our team has moved on - and for the better. If King has any sense - and I don't doubt that - he too will improve as a consequence. I just don't know that he'll win his place back in our team very quickly. There doesn't seem to be a lot of vacancies right now!          

[artursteppe]

Thracian, I hate to tell you this because you have been one of King's greatest supporters over the years, but King will never be a regular Leicester first team player again, sorry!

[Corky]

Schmeichel- 6

 

De Laet- 7

Morgan- 8

Wasyl- 7

Schlupp- 8

 

Knockaert- 7

Drinkwater- 8

James- 7

Mahrez- 9

 

Vardy- 5

Nugent- 6