What do we need?

[Thracian]

Thought he was more impressive going forward than De Laet yesterday and that's supposed to be De Laet's strength. Still think in this league we will need to be able to defend well, we have enough attacking options on the field without relying on our full backs and on yesterday's showing thought Konch made a very good contribution. I do appreciate in the modern game full backs need to be able to get up and down the line, but we are going to face teams more often that won't allow our full backs to do that that easily, like Everton yesterday.

 

 

No question - so much of Everton's threat started down their left flank and far too many times they got right around the back of us. But it wasn't all DeLaet's fault. He got so little cover from Knockaert and, later, Mayrez. Schlupp made a huge difference when he came on both to our attacking threat and with his pace to get back and to help effectively. Consequently Konchesky was helped to have a perfectly okay game on the left.

 

I wasn't really convinced about Knockaert even in the Championship but even less so in the Premiership. He may have a trick or two but he just doesn't have the pace or strength to trouble the tough and often mobile Premiership defenders more than occasionally. And, for a guy who doesn't really go by players and leave them for dead he takes too many touches. He's like an animated Wellens.

 

We were much sounder on the left with Schlupp and Konchesky combining and Schlupp showed he really does have the pace and stamina to be both attacker and defender for all that he needs to work on calmness and accuracy when he shoots.

 

So for me we need at least one winger, a central defender to replace Upson, a full-back who can play either side, a goalkeeper to give Kasper some proper competition, a midfielder to offset all our injuries and another outstandingly strong and pacey striker.

 

Our lack of pace was alarming with Vardy out - at least until Schlupp came on - and he's still developing. Also our distribution from the back bothered me because we gave the ball away far too easily and failed to get at the secondary ball when clearing quickly enough.

 

That sounds a lot but I'd doubt we'll get another goalkeeper, we'll cope in midfield, we'll probably cope up front if Vardy gets fit so that leaves a versatile full-back, a covering centre-back and a genuinely quick and accurate right winger as priorities.        .         

[jayfox26]

yes that's exactly what I'm saying you have different times to register other players if need be as the season goes on our squad is one of the smallest in the prem and we will struggle if we do not get atleast 7 players in

well you will be very disappointed as I can't see us signing more than 3. We have 22 already, if we don't register Logan thats 21 which means a max of 4. Can't see Wood or Hammond leaving as Nige said he doesn't want anyone to leave so unless we do a Palace and sign too many players and can't register them all then this ain't gonna happen. A big bonus for is this season is the togetherness and team spirit which showed against Everton, do you really think we will still have that team spirit bringing in 7 new players. Im glad you're not our manager!

[Carlos88LCFC]

Just to put the RDL situation to bed.

He still has all the attributes to be excellent. You could see by what he was doing he was very nervous, looking for the simple pass or hoof up top. He will grow throughout the season, I still think he's a superb player. Any right back would have struggled yesterday against a solid left hand side that has played with each other for years, Leighton Baines is arguably the best LB in the prem/Europe/world. Baines had an amazing first half and RDL poor game was amplified by the amount of times Everton decided to use Baines (as the do all the time)

That being said. I can't see much better against Hazard next weekend. If we had albrighton and Mahrez we would have been more comfortable as knockaert struggles yesterday.

Give RDL time, he was blatantly very nervous and probably aware that the result was dictated by his performance on the right hand side with Everton pushing down the left all the time.

So what do we need?

Cover on the wings with a solid RM or LM (not LW RW) someone who has a tackle in his artillery.

Cambiasso looks otw.

A striker. Someone like Deeney.

And if we were to strengthen anywhere else, a versatile defender who can play rb/cb like Moore. Moore looks too valuable at cb to be cover for da laet.

[Big_Nige]

Versatile fullback

Central midfield

A number '10' creative flair player. Nugent and King can both do jobs in behind the striker but we don't have a specialist.

Would be very happy if we added 3 more. Our squad is just a little bit thin.

[5waller5]

CB

RB

CM

ST

Winger

 

In short .... we need genuine competition for places all over the pitch .... Beyond our first 15 or 16 and we look very threadbare. A Premier League survival fight won't be as kind to us as walking the Championship in terms of injuries either ... so these players are even more important than they were last season.

 

My only reservation of the management team is that we haven't bought more players in already .... But I'm not sure this is down to NP, it may be more down to the DofF or Directors / business side of things.

[Clazie]

Umtiti at left back - can cover centre back too.
Cambiasso
A pacey winger.

That'd do me I think. Would be surprised if we spent big on another striker.

[5waller5]

Umtiti at left back - can cover centre back too.

Cambiasso

A pacey winger.

That'd do me I think. Would be surprised if we spent big on another striker.

 

 

It would surprise me if we didn't!!

[Raw Dykes]

I meant one out of them three...

That was pretty obvious to those of us who know how to punctuate.

I think we should get a RB to cover RDL or allow RDL to cover CB/LB, any sort of CM, and a forward - preferably another striker similar to Ulloa.

[Bettsj2]

Versatile defender and a midfielder.

Not sure we need a striker if Wood can be consistent.

[Harry - LCFC]

Seven 

 

A team who needs seven players will be well below the standard of the division we're in. We'll only be marginally below that standard at worst. It's hard not to be rude when people have opinions as ridiculous as that.

[LCCFox96]

CB - be prepared to ride with the current left backs until January but with Upson out another defender wouldn't go amiss. Someone who could cover at full back would be decent too. A loan, as people have said, might be smart for this.

CDM - with King and Drinkwater we already offer a lot going forward. James and Hammond are good central midfielders but we need that out and out defensive attitude in a more steely option. Esteban Cambiasso (hopefully) - enough said.

Attacking Option - someone who can cover on the flanks and play in the hole to cover for Lloyd Dyer leaving and a formation change to 4-5-1. Nick Powell on loan or permanent would be my shout.

Striker - just to add depth/improve the squad. As I have said on other threads I'd love Troy Deeney at Leicester.

That being said I can only see NP wanting to Sign 2 or at a stretch 3 of those options.

[Izzet is God]

RB, LB, another CB and another CM.

 

As i've said previously though, Pearson does all his dealings early and he'll probably only bring in a max of 2 now due to our injuries. This worries me though as our squad clearly doesn't have enough depth.

[foxfan92]

Assuming the players we have here are all staying - and NP seemed to suggest he wasn't looking to sell anyone - we have room for 3 more players to add (unless new signings are under 21)

 

NP stated he was looking for more forward options - so I'd suggest we're still after a striker is a priority for him (perhaps someone to play as a quick number 10 when Vardy isn't fit? I thought Nugent ran his socks off but he lacks the pace of Vardy and Vardy is unproven at this level (although he's made the jump from non league to championship very well) so perhaps we need someone proven to score at this level as an extra guarantee of getting the goals to win matches?)

 

We seem to be after Cambiasso or another DMC

 

So I'd imagine there is 1 more place we might fill (although NP has implied we'll be making use of Jan window too)

 

Personally I think we need someone versatile at the back who can play as either FB if required and is capable as a 4th or 5th choice CB if needed

 

Not sure who to suggest tbh - hopefully the team have some ideas

 

I'm not sure why everyone thinks we need more wingers. We were unlucky with injuries - but we have an abundance of players who can play on the wing if necessary - Schlupp and Vardy both have the pace to compete at this level as Schlupp demonstrated yesterday - and while I'd prefer Vardy in the number 10 position with only 25 players in a squad I think we have more important areas to fill and clearly NP has his own ideas of what we need to be successful

[General Smuts]

If we're looking at the 25 players being the first 11 plus cover for every position and then the 3 extras being 1 DF, 1 MF and 1 ST we'd be as below;

 

2 GK - Schmeichel, Hamer

 

2 DR - De Laet, ???

 

2 DL - Konch, Bakayogo

 

4 DC - Morgan, Moore, Was, Upson

 

2 MR - Albrighton, Mahrez

 

2 ML - Schlupp, Knockaert

 

4 MC - King, James, Drinkwater, Hammond

 

4 ST - Nugent, Vardy, Ulloa, Wood

 

Take out Moore as an under 21 and you can add Logan in as a 3rd keeper.

 

Add to that Hopper as an under 21 up top and GTF as 1 of the extra slots and we have 22 registered (if Bakayogo is registered) of 24 players. Means a minimum of 3.

 

We definitely need cover at RB. If we're going to use Moore as cover there then we need another CB.

Bakayogo won't play in the Prem so I'd say we need a LB as well. Again if we're using Schlupp as cover at LB we then need another winger.

With the injuries to Hames and Drinkwater the pressing need is for a CM. Cambiasso being the obvious signing here.

Take out Bakayogo for a replacement LB and you've got 1 space left and Pearson seems keen on a striker

 

 

So:

 

1 CB or RB

1 LB or Winger

Cambiasso

1 Striker

 

Makes 25 plus Moore and Hopper.

[CPW22]

Centre Half

Centre Mid

Striker

On Radio Leicester yesterday Pearson mentioned the importance of being able to score goals. So if Cambiasso does happen at some point I think his priority will be a striker.

[5waller5]

If we're looking at the 25 players being the first 11 plus cover for every position and then the 3 extras being 1 DF, 1 MF and 1 ST we'd be as below;

 

2 GK - Schmeichel, Hamer

 

2 DR - De Laet, ???

 

2 DL - Konch, Bakayogo

 

4 DC - Morgan, Moore, Was, Upson

 

2 MR - Albrighton, Mahrez

 

2 ML - Schlupp, Knockaert

 

4 MC - King, James, Drinkwater, Hammond

 

4 ST - Nugent, Vardy, Ulloa, Wood

 

Take out Moore as an under 21 and you can add Logan in as a 3rd keeper.

 

Add to that Hopper as an under 21 up top and GTF as 1 of the extra slots and we have 22 registered (if Bakayogo is registered) of 24 players. Means a minimum of 3.

 

We definitely need cover at RB. If we're going to use Moore as cover there then we need another CB.

Bakayogo won't play in the Prem so I'd say we need a LB as well. Again if we're using Schlupp as cover at LB we then need another winger.

With the injuries to Hames and Drinkwater the pressing need is for a CM. Cambiasso being the obvious signing here.

Take out Bakayogo for a replacement LB and you've got 1 space left and Pearson seems keen on a striker

 

 

So:

 

1 CB or RB

1 LB or Winger

Cambiasso

1 Striker

 

Makes 25 plus Moore and Hopper.

 

Plus 1 for the space logan leaves (not physically before someone says 2 spaces!). Little point in having a 3rd keeper when we'd just get an emergency loan if we had 2 keepers injured.

[sdb]

Personally (in order of priority):

Right back

Left back

Centre midfielder

Striker

Agree completely, although I also think a 4th winger could be useful, unless Schlupp gets used in a new position again...

The first 3 are essential for me. Not just a bit weak but low in numbers too. I'd imagine we'll play 4-5-1 quite a bit and 4 CM's in a squad can't handle that for 38 games

[LCCFox96]

Threads like this highlight the futility of having Bakayogo kicking around the squad. He's not a starter and Schlupp, who prefers to play at the opposite end of the pitch, is selected over him as cover in his own position.

We may as well release or sell or loan with a permanent clause. I feel bad for the guy because his big move has not worked out for him but surely he won't be registered among the 25. It then gives us an extra space to do some business.

[MHC]

Goalkeepers - we already have Schmeichel, Hamer and Logan so there is practically no chance of us signing another goalkeeper.

Right backs - the only natural right back we have is Richie De Laet, but Liam Moore and Marcin Wasilewski can offer adequate cover for this position so therefore I would be surprised if Pearson had strengthening this position too high up on his priority list.

Left backs - we currently have three players able to cover this position in Konchesky, Schlupp and Bakayogo. As a result I highly doubt we will see another left back joining the club this window, however much you would like one.

Centre backs - Morgan and Moore look more then capable of performing at this level, then we have Wasilewski and Upson, with the latter out for a reported three months. If an injury happens to anyone else in this position that would also weaken our right back position and I'm sure Pearson has foreseen this. I would expect Nigel to be chasing a centre back of some description. Chances are we will get one.

Defensive midfielders - I'm sure James, Drinkwater, King and Hammond are all competent playing in this position but I only think we will play someone here in games against the likes of Manchester City and Co and for that we will need a naturally talented player with experience. Cambiasso fits the bill nicely. I believe we will get him.

Centre midfielders - James, Drinkwater, King, Hammond and potentially Cambiasso are all fine in this position and barring Cambiasso I would be shocked if we signed another one.

Wingers - as Pearson seems to like his wingers to constantly switch places with each other during games I haven't felt the need to do a separate paragraph for each side. Anyway, Knockaert, Mahrez and Albrighton seem to be okay at this level and with Schlupp also a capable winger I highly doubt we will get another one. Not to mention that I reckon Vardy will be used here a lot this season.

Attacking midfielders - or the man who sits behind the striker (like Nugent did yesterday). Nugent will play most of his football here this season, Vardy will be capable when called upon too, Taylor-Fletcher will play here as well if we get a few injuries. I've got a feeling though, that if we were to sign Deeney or Slimani then they will probably slot in here so I wouldn't count nothing out.

Strikers - we have plenty of these. Ulloa, Wood, Nugent, Vardy, Taylor-Fletcher and potentially Deeney or Slimani. No other additions here I can pretty much confirm.

I believe that makes it three. A centre back (no idea who we will get, Michael Dawson for me). A defensive midfielder (probably Cambiasso) and an attacking midfielder or striker (probably Deeney or Slimani).

[Robin JD Popley]

Goalkeepers - we already have Schmeichel, Hamer and Logan so there is practically no chance of us signing another goalkeeper.

Right backs - the only natural right back we have is Richie De Laet, but Liam Moore and Marcin Wasilewski can offer adequate cover for this position so therefore I would be surprised if Pearson had strengthening this position too high up on his priority list.

Left backs - we currently have three players able to cover this position in Konchesky, Schlupp and Bakayogo. As a result I highly doubt we will see another left back joining the club this window, however much you would like one.

Centre backs - Morgan and Moore look more then capable of performing at this level, then we have Wasilewski and Upson, with the latter out for a reported three months. If an injury happens to anyone else in this position that would also weaken our right back position and I'm sure Pearson has foreseen this. I would expect Nigel to be chasing a centre back of some description. Chances are we will get one.

Defensive midfielders - I'm sure James, Drinkwater, King and Hammond are all competent playing in this position but I only think we will play someone here in games against the likes of Manchester City and Co and for that we will need a naturally talented player with experience. Cambiasso fits the bill nicely. I believe we will get him.

Centre midfielders - James, Drinkwater, King, Hammond and potentially Cambiasso are all fine in this position and barring Cambiasso I would be shocked if we signed another one.

Wingers - as Pearson seems to like his wingers to constantly switch places with each other during games I haven't felt the need to do a separate paragraph for each side. Anyway, Knockaert, Mahrez and Albrighton seem to be okay at this level and with Schlupp also a capable winger I highly doubt we will get another one. Not to mention that I reckon Vardy will be used here a lot this season.

Attacking midfielders - or the man who sits behind the striker (like Nugent did yesterday). Nugent will play most of his football here this season, Vardy will be capable when called upon too, Taylor-Fletcher will play here as well if we get a few injuries. I've got a feeling though, that if we were to sign Deeney or Slimani then they will probably slot in here so I wouldn't count nothing out.

Strikers - we have plenty of these. Ulloa, Wood, Nugent, Vardy, Taylor-Fletcher and potentially Deeney or Slimani. No other additions here I can pretty much confirm.

I believe that makes it three. A centre back (no idea who we will get, Michael Dawson for me). A defensive midfielder (probably Cambiasso) and an attacking midfielder or striker (probably Deeney or Slimani).

An excellent post MHC and pretty much covers what I have said elsewhere. We aren't that far off being the finished article. We now know that, dig deep, and we can compete with the best of them in this league, it just needs those last few tweaks. I don't know if anyone has seen it, but I look at the film "Moneyball" with Brad Pitt and Jonah Hill and think that is how Nigel does things, he very much looks at young and upcoming players blended with some experienced pros. Worked time and time again and I can see it being the case once more in the Premiership. You can have all the best players in the world, but, that doesn't necessarily create a proper team.

We hadn't had the latter since Martin O'Neill left until Nigel walked through the doors, and you know what, something tells me he may even overtake MONs legacy someday.

Carry on boss, I think the next week could be an interesting one for our club...

[MHC]

An excellent post MHC and pretty much covers what I have said elsewhere. We aren't that far off being the finished article. We now know that, dig deep, and we can compete with the best of them in this league, it just needs those last few tweaks. I don't know if anyone has seen it, but I look at the film "Moneyball" with Brad Pitt and Jonah Hill and think that is how Nigel does things, he very much looks at young and upcoming players blended with some experienced pros. Worked time and time again and I can see it being the case once more in the Premiership. There is a difference between a classy side and a proper team. We hadn't had the latter since Martin O'Neill left until Nigel walked through the doors.

Carry on boss, I think the next week could be an interesting one for our club...

Thanks and I agree with what you say, I reckon two players (Cambiasso and Deeney or Slimani) to join next week and one (defender) on deadline day. After that I'd say we are looking pretty darn epic. Certainly better then three teams in the league, maybe more.

[kingfox]

First off I don't think Bakayogo is listed as a squad member, when the numbers were listed on LCFC.COM he wasn't down. Also isn't Schlupp classed as an Under 21?

 

I think we need 4 players, 5 at a push.

 

CB - A loan will be a sensible move here. Could well get Miquel back, Coates maybe another option from the Prem as he doesn't get much game time for Liverpool. As I said on the first page though, we were linked with Bisevac from Lyon a loan or permanent move for him could be a possibility. Or for the fun factor get back Miguel Vitor 

 

RB/LB - Hopefully Pearson is looking at some versatility here, Konch won't be able to play week in week out while we have no competition for De Laet. Few names as I've mentioned before or other forum members, Miguel Layun, Daniel Wass, Gotoku Sakai or Kyle Naughton.

 

CM - Maybe & hopefully Cambiasso. If it doesn't come off then maybe someone with Premier League experience like James McArthur, Bradley Johnson or Jonny Howson.

 

CAM - Not sure if this is necessary, but a loan move for Nick Powell is a likely option. Mentioned the lad the other week, Jordan Veretout of Nantes can play all down the middle of midfield, in a defensive & attacking position.

 

ST - Seems likely doesn't it, so Deeney or Slimani hopefully we can get one of them by Chelsea. 

[J.Lisemore]

We must sign a target this week. Its stated a lot that its a squad game, and with the injuries we've picked up, we simply haven't got one that is capable of playing in the Prem. Certain players like Hammond and Konchesky played well against Everton but I wouldn't want to rely on them for much longer.

[Stadt]

I don't know anything about him but is the CB we signed from Port Vale good enough to be cover?

[Dickov22]

Definitely a striker

Definitely a central midfielder

Preferably some cover at full back

That's it