Bring back Knockaert...

[GaelicFox]

AK feel for him a bit as he can do a job , the issue is we are playing a championship team in the premiership apart from Cambiaso who is creaking over the hill , the rest are championship players really , good honest pro's but they needed some premiership experience to bolt them together , Morgan and Moore are solid enough and will by end of year be proven as premier league players , the rest MUST DO better , or be replaced , and is NP the man to do that ? That's the question

The Govner says he will give the manager £150m to spend well time to go shopping

Pace up front , and down the wings and a general in midfield with legs left are a priority

9 games before round 3 of FA cup and transfer window opening , 12-14 points a must or it's got to be a change at the top

I suspect loose the majority of the 6 before Christmas and NP will be a stuffed turkey come Christmas Day

[Fox Ulike]

Based on what? Does anybody actually have any stat to back this up or has it just been repeated so much that it's became gospel? Plenty of people have been wasteful in position over the last few weeks. Knockaert isn't one of them. He's played 3 matches in this division and really hasn't been as bad as any of you are making out.

 

And also, if we must apply this tag to somebody who repeatedly losing position before we've had the chance to start an attack, I'm surprised more people aren't having a go at Ulloa for doing it, always way too far back as well. A few times we've tried to counter, everybody's trying to get the ball up to him and he's just been stood at the halfway line waiting to receive the ball, and then when he does he holds it for a second before attempting to turn and pass, and by this point we've already lost it because somebody's caught up to him. Knockaert doesn't even do this. Knockaert loses the ball by taking on too much when he could pass, same as Mahrez (I'd even say to a lesser degree--the amount of times Mahrez does exactly the same thing on the edge of the box and either gets tripped by a defender or shoots directly into the keeper's arms is incredible), but Knockaert's much more of a goal threat than Mahrez too (because he can actually shoot). The one complaint with Knockaert that is warranted though, is that whenever he does lose the ball around the half way line, he becomes frustrated and hurtles into a tackle to try and make amends. Nothing that can't be solved. He's a good passer, he's our only decent free kick taker, he's got the most flair of anybody in the squad, he's always a goal threat, and he actually fits into our system. If he had the pace of Mahrez and a bit more composure he'd easily be our best player. Incredible how everybody's decided he's shit despite only playing like 60 minutes all season. And he's only 22.

He was wasteful in the Championship. His sloppy and selfish performance against QPR at the end of last season was reminiscent of Beckford at his worst

Yes he can shoot but generally not on target. He's been dining out on those two Huddersfield goals for about two years now. Time for him to buckle down and get his shit together.

Don't get me wrong, I like him and can recognise the potential there. It's just frustrating that he is at risk of ending up as a player who never fulfils that potential.

He needs some maturity to his game. 22 is too old to be playing like a kid in the play ground.

[Guest Col city fan]

He was wasteful in the Championship. His sloppy and selfish performance against QPR at the end of last season was reminiscent of Beckford at his worst

Yes he can shoot but generally not on target. He's been dining out on those two Huddersfield goals for about two years now. Time for him to buckle down and get his shit together.

Don't get me wrong, I like him and can recognise the potential there. It's just frustrating that he is at risk of ending up as a player who never fulfils that potential.

He needs some maturity to his game. 22 is too old to be playing like a kid in the play ground.

I genuinely cannot remember many people stating that Knockaert wouldn't do well for us if we got promoted. I recall I did..due to his lack of pace. But my view wasn't really shared widely.

Now he's not even in the first squad, suddenly he's 'not good enough' he 'needs to mature' etc etc etc.

My feeling is that if you play Knockaert correctly, to compensate for his lack of explosive pace, you'll get the best out of possibly our most creative player.

If we are playing a diamond, I'd have him at the tip of the diamond.

[lgfualol]

Get Ndukwu in the team

[AyewJoking]

Its about time we let Leeds have another one of our lads. I always thought several Championship teams would take him as he is a good player at that level.

 

Fúck a loan though, we need money to finance the Torres transfer.

[Lambert09]

I would be so frustrated with Pearson if Knocky went out on loan whilst we are playing like this. 

[Fox Ulike]

I genuinely cannot remember many people stating that Knockaert wouldn't do well for us if we got promoted. I recall I did..due to his lack of pace. But my view wasn't really shared widely.

Now he's not even in the first squad, suddenly he's 'not good enough' he 'needs to mature' etc etc etc.

My feeling is that if you play Knockaert correctly, to compensate for his lack of explosive pace, you'll get the best out of possibly our most creative player.

If we are playing a diamond, I'd have him at the tip of the diamond.

 

 

I think Knocky has got away with a lot this season because he's been part of a successful side. In the Prem he would get hammered by the fans for conceding possession so much and for his terrible shooting. He's been living off that Huddersfield brace for too long now.

I wouldn't be surprised to see Pearson sign a replacement - in fact, he already has (Mahrez).

He seems a bright lad and so I'm hoping he realises that he needs to play very differently in the Prem. He's a superstar in the Championship, but in the Prem he's just an average wide player. So he needs to work hard over the Summer. He's got the potential to be a top Premiership player.

Knocky might be a good Prem player in two seasons, but if next season started tomorrow then it would be Dyer and Mahrez on the wings.

 

Well I was certainly saying it. The warning signs have always been there.

 

The trouble is that he's not really progressed. He played the first game against Everton, but slipped on his arse to let Baines in for Everton's first goal, and was caught ambling out of defence at a corner and played them all on-side for Everton's second.

 

There's more to the game than just having a bit of skill. Especially in the Prem when we are one of the weaker teams. Everybody needs to be able to defend and put the team first. We're not playing Huddersfield Town any more. Knocky needs to step up, or go to the Championship and be a big fish in a small pond with his step-overs and long-range shots. Up to him really.

[Jimmy]

Well I was certainly saying it. The warning signs have always been there.

 

The trouble is that he's not really progressed. He played the first game against Everton, but slipped on his arse to let Baines in for Everton's first goal, and was caught ambling out of defence at a corner and played them all on-side for Everton's second.

 

There's more to the game than just having a bit of skill. Especially in the Prem when we are one of the weaker teams. Everybody needs to be able to defend and put the team first. We're not playing Huddersfield Town any more. Knocky needs to step up, or go to the Championship and be a big fish in a small pond with his step-overs and long-range shots. Up to him really.

fair enough he deserved to be dropped for making costly mistakes. So I ask this question when are De Laet and Drinkwater going to be dropped for being caught out of position and not tracking runners which also cost us goals?

 

In fact RDL has just been rewarded for being on the left wing when they score from his position with a new 4 year contract...

 

Knockaert may prove to not be good enough, but you can't justly say he's been given a fair crack at the premier league yet

[kingcarr21]

fair enough he deserved to be dropped for making costly mistakes. So I ask this question when are De Laet and Drinkwater going to be dropped for being caught out of position and not tracking runners which also cost us goals?

 

In fact RDL has just been rewarded for being on the left wing when they score from his position with a new 4 year contract...

 

Knockaert may prove to not be good enough, but you can't justly say he's been given a fair crack at the premier league yet

Its more likely down to his attitude, not applying himself properly in training then throwing his dummy out the pram when he isnt in the squad. Pearson clearly isnt taking any nonsense from him. Players make mistakes, RDL and Drinkwater have made a few mistakes but im sure you can accept this as a manager if they are working hard in training and have the attitude to get better. Looks to me that Knockaert has to knuckle down and work hard to get back into the team set up. Lets hope he does.

[Babylon]

I genuinely cannot remember many people stating that Knockaert wouldn't do well for us if we got promoted. I recall I did..due to his lack of pace. But my view wasn't really shared widely.

I would say people having doubts about him due to his pace was very widely shared. If I could put his feet on the body of someone who could actually run we'd have a hell of a player.

[Fox92]

I'd be disappointed if we shipped him out on loan. Not saying he's somesort of messiah or an answer to our problems, but I'd like to see him in the side - starting or off the bench, whatever - in a more central role behind the forward(s). He sometimes frustrates me too, especially given his lack of pace, but at least he runs at players and has that little bit of creativity. Something we seem to be missing.

[suffolk fox]

I would love for him to be at least given a chance this season. One starting game against Everton is simply not good enough to judge whether he can make the step up?

Is he going to be the next Max Gradel mark two who was never given a chamce before by Np then sold ironically to Leeds?

[Dickov22]

I would say people having doubts about him due to his pace was very widely shared. If I could put his feet on the body of someone who could actually run we'd have a hell of a player.

 

Yep. Knocky's problem is, he has all the ability in the world plus a real workrate, but he just lacks the burst of pace you need to get away from a player. Its a shame for him

[Babylon]

Yep. Knocky's problem is, he has all the ability in the world plus a real workrate, but he just lacks the burst of pace you need to get away from a player. Its a shame for him

You don't even need lightning pace, Mahrez is particularly quick but he has a change of speed that makes him look like he's gliding past people.

[Dickov22]

You don't even need lightning pace, Mahrez is particularly quick but he has a change of speed that makes him look like he's gliding past people.

 

Agree but Knocky doesnt even have a yard

[Fox Ulike]

fair enough he deserved to be dropped for making costly mistakes. So I ask this question when are De Laet and Drinkwater going to be dropped for being caught out of position and not tracking runners which also cost us goals?

 

In fact RDL has just been rewarded for being on the left wing when they score from his position with a new 4 year contract...

 

Knockaert may prove to not be good enough, but you can't justly say he's been given a fair crack at the premier league yet

 

Well, neither has Gary Taylor Fletcher. You can't justify putting a player into the team merely because he deserves a go...

 

Believe it or not I really like Knocky. This isn't a vendetta against him by the fans or the manager. It's just maths. Three wingers into two positions won't go, and Knocky is our third best winger right now.

 

Mahrez and Schlupp are just more effective than Knocky. Therefore, it's bench at best for the French Fancy.

[Danno]

how Knockaert has suddenly lost the ability to run since he played poorly vs Everton.

[Littletoe]

Not sure if any of you have been watching some Under 21 games, but I have. He's showing some flair and creativity that we are desperately crying out for at this moment in time. He might not be the complete answer to what we need, but I can confidently say it would be a massive start to bring him back into the mix. ( Its the easy things he does poor tbh, he can correct them with discipline and brains )

[iamafox]

To be honest I don't think bringing back Knockaert would do any harm whatsoever. He's the type of player that can make something happen from seemingly out of nothing (Huddersfield for example). We've been lacking creativity in recent games so why not bring him back and play him again?

[Rob1742]

If he don't bring Anthony back against Sunderland then it's the end of Anthony.

If we could turn back the clock for us and play last seasons Leicester team v Sunderlands team today, we would stick a very good chance.

The same would apply to West Brom, Burnley, Newcastle and Palace.

But he has tinkered and tried to adapt to playing the premiership way and we are losing.

Play Anthony, he is a game changer and together with the likes of Ulloah, Vardy and Mahrez we can win games.

[LcFc_Smiv]

how Knockaert has suddenly lost the ability to run since he played poorly vs Everton.

He's looked as if he was treading water on many occasions last season, the Everton game was just the most noticeable due to his all round performance. I don't dislike the guy, but no one can deny he lacks pace, decision making and certain defensive responsibilities. While that's no reason for him to at least not make the bench, as others have stated, we still have Mahrez, Schlupp and Albrighton, who others can probably make stronger cases for to be starting on the wings.

[mike doyle]

He's looked as if he was treading water on many occasions last season, the Everton game was just the most noticeable due to his all round performance. I don't dislike the guy, but no one can deny he lacks pace, decision making and certain defensive responsibilities. While that's no reason for him to at least not make the bench, as others have stated, we still have Mahrez, Schlupp and Albrighton, who others can probably make stronger cases for to be starting on the wings.

 

Its more likely down to his attitude, not applying himself properly in training then throwing his dummy out the pram when he isnt in the squad. Pearson clearly isnt taking any nonsense from him. Players make mistakes, RDL and Drinkwater have made a few mistakes but im sure you can accept this as a manager if they are working hard in training and have the attitude to get better. Looks to me that Knockaert has to knuckle down and work hard to get back into the team set up. Lets hope he does.

working hard in training is the easy part but it doesnt get us 3 points. RDL and drinkwater have made more than a few mistakes perhaps its time to rest these players and give people like AK,Albrighton etc a chance. It maywell give the fresher players as well as the rested ones more of a hunger to play premiership football for LCFC. Seriously what harm can it do, were not playing football at present we just look like a group of professional footballers on confusion drugs.

[Guest]

I would play Albrighton as I think he can provide better balls into the box for Ulloa but I haven't seen anything from Knockeart to show he has the game for the Prem. Certainly we could introduce him as a sub for the last 20 mins to give him the chance to show that he has but I wouldn't start him at the moment. He's not in our top 8 midfielders.

[LcFc_Smiv]

working hard in training is the easy part but it doesnt get us 3 points. RDL and drinkwater have made more than a few mistakes perhaps its time to rest these players and give people like AK,Albrighton etc a chance. It maywell give the fresher players as well as the rested ones more of a hunger to play premiership football for LCFC. Seriously what harm can it do, were not playing football at present we just look like a group of professional footballers on confusion drugs.

 

We look nothing of the sort, barring Swansea, which was dismal, and maybe Palace, we have been competitive in every one of our fixtures. We do look like a newly promoted team who are finding our feet in possibly the most competitive league in the world. No one looks short of hunger or that they are abusing their position in the squad, I don't disagree that other players should have a chance but I don't think Knockaert will be ahead of many of the names that are on the bench.

[Guest]

We look nothing of the sort, barring Swansea, which was dismal, and maybe Palace, we have been competitive in every one of our fixtures. We do look like a newly promoted team who are finding our feet in possibly the most competitive league in the world. No one looks short of hunger or that they are abusing their position in the squad, I don't disagree that other players should have a chance but I don't think Knockaert will be ahead of many of the names that are on the bench.

 

Agree with this.