davieG Posted 3 December 2014 Posted 3 December 2014 http://thepremierleagueowl.com/leicester-city-are-not-a-hopeless-case-in-the-premier-league/ One of the easiest ways to make yourself look smart in football is to make an outlandish prediction about something which may or may not happen in a couple of months time. If you’re wrong nobody will remember, but if you’re right you have the opportunity to point to your own article and acclaim your own foresight for the rest of time. But that isn’t what this is. Leicester City may have lost last night and their winless run may now stretches to nine Premier League games, but they absolutely can stay in this division – and, in a strange, contrary way, last night showed that. I haven’t written much about Leicester this season and that’s really because it takes a while to get a handle on what a team is really like. We can all make knee-jerk remarks about early-season games and it would have been very tempting to gush about them post-Manchester United, but newly-promoted sides, after the initial euphoria has worn off, typically settle down to a much truer level. This is how they lined up last night: 4-4-2 may be Nigel Pearson’s most used formation, but it’s not necessarily his default. Already this season, we’ve seen Leicester line-up with three in midfield and three forwards, in 4-2-1-2 with Andy King deployed behind the front-pairing, and also in a largely unsuccessful 4-2-3-1 shape away to Swansea City. Set-out as above, they have a healthy degree of resilience. 4-4-2 is a very forgiving formation, because it’s relatively simple and all the players within it are asked to follow a routine set of instructions. When a team is out-matched on a player-by-player basis, which Leicester frequently are in the Premier League, it’s one of the better ways of redressing that balance. Against Liverpool, Jamie Vardy and Leonardo Ulloa weren’t quite a ‘two’. Vardy is the more energetic player and is used not only to exploit channels when the side is in possession, but to press high-up the pitch when they’re not. Pearson, understandably, was content to commit only one man to the press – occasionally two or three when he involves his wingers – and to let the rest of the team sit in their shape. It worked, too, because Liverpool – enjoy the majority of possession though they did – never really had hold of the game and there was never a point at which either their technical superiority was glaringly obvious or when they truly controlled the match. Brendan Rodgers’ side only went back to Merseyside with all three points because of a series of errors from the home team. In a way, that’s good news. If a team is structurally weak, then they’re in trouble. If, however, they are undermined by the repetition of individual mistakes, then that is something which can be cured more easily. Think about last night: None of those goal were unavoidable and none of them were the product of inferiority. The first was the result of an awful clearing header (Morgan), the second an inexplicably poor clearance (Morgan) and the third some uncharacteristically dreadful goalkeeping (Schmeichel). At no point this season have Leicester lost a game by more than two goals. They’re not being outclassed, they’re just being punished for costly moments. Last night was typical of their campaign-to-date. If Nigel Pearson can change that trend, then this side will start picking up more points. No, they’re not suddenly going to become world-beaters, but their tally will start reflecting their actually capability. That process can be organic: the Premier League is so much quicker than the Championship, that sometimes errors are just a necessary evil of the adjustment period Goals are also a problem, though. Burnley and Aston Villa are the only sides in the division to score fewer goals this season and, with just fourteen to their name, Leicester are the offensive equals of West Brom, QPR and Stoke. That also needs to change – and maybe that’s the one area in which this side really needs to strengthen from the outside. Currently, Leonardo Ulloa averages just over 1 shot per game (1.4) and that’s partly because he averages so few touches in the penalty-box. In reality, that’s less to do with him and more to do with what this side collectively area – he drops slightly deeper into the play because he does have an attack-building function and Leicester need him to contribute to the build-up phases. If they didn’t, though, and if there was a more progressive midfielder playing ahead of Esteban Cambiasso, maybe that would be different? Matty James is a relatively promising player and Andy King has had moments of pertinence this season, but is either really good enough at the moment to perform the creative, transitional role between midfield and attack? Maybe one or the other will grow in influence over the course of the season, but currently that’s where Leicester look most impotent – and the lack of a semi-advanced player who is both creative and reliable with the ball is a real hindrance to establishing momentum in an opponent’s half. There are other variables – Riyad Mahrez and Jeffrey Schlupp definitely have the talent to be more effective than they currently are – but Leicester are not a hopeless case and it really wouldn’t take much to keep them at this level. They are a well-coached, well-built football team and they are in need of a slight evolution rather than any sort of revolution.
cjslcfc Posted 3 December 2014 Posted 3 December 2014 I do tend to agree with a lot of the article and it's interesting to see a non-emotional, more neutral opinion on our team. Many may disagree, and they are more than entitled to, but I feel that we aren't far away. There's only so long individual errors can be the sole reason for losing games. A continuation of that does worry me but hopefully they stop sooner than later!
Dan Posted 3 December 2014 Posted 3 December 2014 There is quality journalism out there. Good read and nicely written. I do tend to agree with a lot of the article and it's interesting to see a non-emotional, more neutral opinion on our team. Many may disagree, and they are more than entitled to, but I feel that we aren't far away. There's only so long individual errors can be the sole reason for losing games. A continuation of that does worry me but hopefully they stop sooner than later! I don't think we are either. I'm convinced January will be the difference.
Harry - LCFC Posted 3 December 2014 Posted 3 December 2014 Mistakes at crucial times rather than being outplayed. Feels nice to have someone repeat your own views in a well written article. Strongly disagree with those saying we were "woeful" against Liverpool.
Dan Posted 3 December 2014 Posted 3 December 2014 The mistakes were woeful but we weren't necessarily. I think we eventually need to build on a 4-3-3 rather than 4-4-2 though. Currently I prefer us in a 4-4-2 but 4-3-3 would benefit us long term if we built around it, in my opinion.
NeilLCFC Posted 3 December 2014 Posted 3 December 2014 Great, well written article. Couldn't agree with it more
foxes_rule1978 Posted 3 December 2014 Posted 3 December 2014 Totally agree with this, this guy seems to know more than most our fans. We aren't that far off just a few basic errors need to be cut out, and points will come.
Alf Bentley Posted 4 December 2014 Posted 4 December 2014 Excellent article. Hope to see this article shoved in the faces (I'm being polite) of the "We're doomed, Pearson out, we're down, buy-a-new-squad" brigade come May.
ozleicester Posted 4 December 2014 Posted 4 December 2014 Well written, best ive seen for a while in fact. In the champ we could make mistakes and get away with it, not the case in the prem. Need a couple of quality improvements and we can survive!
veezeeblue Posted 4 December 2014 Posted 4 December 2014 been saying this for a while on social ... we lack the crativity around the box to get dangerous balls into goal scoring opportunities spot on report ! ok so who we buying to do that cus I have to agree we do not have this type of player at the mo maybe we should push cambiasso up ... for now
Guest Col city fan Posted 4 December 2014 Posted 4 December 2014 There is quality journalism out there. Good read and nicely written. I don't think we are either. I'm convinced January will be the difference. Cmon Dan...only a few weeks ago you were saying we were clearly better than many other teams in the division. We had a conversation about it if I recall where I suggested you take it one game at a time, don't big us up too quickly, words to that effect. Personally, and I hope I'm wrong, I thought the article was very positively slanted. We can't score enough goals and concede too many. That's the recipe for relegation. Of course, I'm meant to come on here, go with the flow, agree fully with the article and say 'superb'.. Personally, I thought we looked a very average side at this level and changes are needed.
Raj Posted 4 December 2014 Posted 4 December 2014 They’re not being outclassed, they’re just being punished for costly moments. This is exactly what a few of us have said in the last few games.
Guest Col city fan Posted 4 December 2014 Posted 4 December 2014 They’re not being outclassed, they’re just being punished for costly moments. This is exactly what a few of us have said in the last few games. There is always a bigger picture Raj. People are going on and on about 'these costly moments'. Why are we having so many? Why are usually pretty solid defenders (I didn't see many people, pre season, suggest that Morgan wouldn't cope, most were 'delighted' that Kasper signed a new contract etc..) suddenly shaky? Either they are just very unlucky (doubt it), or its PRESSURE. When a team struggles to score goals, the pressure increases on the defence not to concede. Where a team is being out-run or has not enough possession, the defence will cave. How many people who are now saying that Kasper should be dropped truly thought he was not going to be good enough this season? And Morgan (our captain) is also now getting pelters. These costly moments happen for a reason. They aren't usually just flukes. This article, I don't think, examines the 'why'.
Raj Posted 4 December 2014 Posted 4 December 2014 Cos in this League Col,you cant afford to make mistakes cos of the quality you are up against. Remember only a few years ago Vardy was playing pub football standard now he's up against world class players. If it was that easy to adjust none of the promoted teams would ever struggle. In the CChip you can make mistakes and get away with them cos the avergae striker in that league needs 5 chances to score 1....not in this league.
daveyboy Posted 4 December 2014 Posted 4 December 2014 Cmon Dan...only a few weeks ago you were saying we were clearly better than many other teams in the division. We had a conversation about it if I recall where I suggested you take it one game at a time, don't big us up too quickly, words to that effect. Personally, and I hope I'm wrong, I thought the article was very positively slanted. We can't score enough goals and concede too many. That's the recipe for relegation. Of course, I'm meant to come on here, go with the flow, agree fully with the article and say 'superb'.. Personally, I thought we looked a very average side at this level and changes are needed. I'd happily be an average side at this level. By definition that means we would finish mid table.
Kinowe Soorie Posted 4 December 2014 Posted 4 December 2014 Very good post. And that's why we should stick and not twist!
Guest Col city fan Posted 4 December 2014 Posted 4 December 2014 I'd happily be an average side at this level. By definition that means we would finish mid table. Good point Dave..mi bad.. And I agree. Mid table would be superb.
Guest Col city fan Posted 4 December 2014 Posted 4 December 2014 Cos in this League Col,you cant afford to make mistakes cos of the quality you are up against. Remember only a few years ago Vardy was playing pub football standard now he's up against world class players. If it was that easy to adjust none of the promoted teams would ever struggle. In the CChip you can make mistakes and get away with them cos the avergae striker in that league needs 5 chances to score 1....not in this league. I don't dispute that..I've been saying that time over. The main differences are the level of finishing..much better and pace..much quicker.But that's a given. The article still doesn't explain WHY we are making so many defensive errors, and appears to say that they are easily coached out of players. There will be a reason why and it will be a bigger team thing. Many people have been right..we get exploited too easily down the flanks..such that the crosses coming into the box have increased. That's pressure...and that's a bigger team thing. Do we need new full backs? Maybe (and I would say on the left for sure), do we need to take more control of games to stop the opposition building up the play to enable them to get crosses in? Most probably.. There are probably many reasons for why we are making errors. Usually our style of play and pressure will be the biggies. This article doesn't explore them at all, simply saying individual errors can be rectified. Well as far as I can see, we are a quarter in, and the individual errors are becoming more! If not making errors is about adapting to pace, as the article suggests, well we aren't adapting..we are going backwards in terms of individual mistakes. Other bits I agree with.. The lack of a creative midfielder further forward..though from what I've seen I'd make this man Cambiasso..I wouldn't have him dropping back further. I have a feeling he could do his best work in the opposition half.
Raj Posted 4 December 2014 Posted 4 December 2014 If it was that easy my internet friend we'd all be bloomin Jose Mourinhos!!!!
Guest Col city fan Posted 4 December 2014 Posted 4 December 2014 If it was that easy my internet friend we'd all be bloomin Jose Mourinhos!!!! it ain't easy..I'm just critiquing the piece. As with most, IMO there are some good points made, some points need elaborating on. It's the 'why' that needs looking at. But as you say, that's ultimately Pearson's job.
Babylon Posted 4 December 2014 Posted 4 December 2014 A fair summary I think of how most of us probably see it.
foxinsocks Posted 4 December 2014 Posted 4 December 2014 We are not being outclassed lately - we are not miles away; with two wins we could be in the top half... there is time to sort this out.
indierich06 Posted 4 December 2014 Posted 4 December 2014 it ain't easy..I'm just critiquing the piece. As with most, IMO there are some good points made, some points need elaborating on. It's the 'why' that needs looking at. But as you say, that's ultimately Pearson's job. In recent games, outside of some poor individual errors, our performances have been much improved. If you compare the Liverpool game to the Swansea game, it's like light and dark. We need to keep up this level of performance, but these mistakes need to stop. It's hard to put your finger on why players will make individual mistakes that they never normally would. Take the Liverpool game - nine times out of ten, Wes makes a good headed clearance for the first goal, he shows a bit of better decision making for the second goal and doesn't lunge in off balance and Kasper takes the ball easily for the third goal. If you look back to last season, I think the majority of people would say that Morgan and Schmeichel were our most consistent performers - so why are the errors creeping in now? Well, being on a losing run is surely the main factor - it sucks the confidence out of you and puts more pressure on you as every game goes by. Suddenly those easy headed clearances or that easy save that used to come so naturally become something you're focusing way too much on and trying hard not to get wrong. You over-think things. People always say that when you're losing, things never go your way, but a lot of that is just down to a lack of confidence and increased pressure stopping you from playing your natural game. Schmeichel and Morgan have been the most 'visible' in terms of mistakes recently, but it's because when they make mistakes, it often leads to us conceding a goal (or three). But the whole team are suffering from confidence and pressure - it's why these mistakes are being made, or why a side that was a slick, attacking outfit last season suddenly can't seem to string a pass together on occasions. We need a morale boosting win, and we need it badly. It doesn't have to be flashy, it doesn't have to be a hammering, it just needs to be a win to give these boys a bit of confidence back and take a bit of the pressure off so they can go back to playing their natural game - I really think Villa has to be this game. Once the mistakes are cut out, we WILL start picking up points again. We probably won't tear up the league, or make any waves, but I do think we have enough about us to survive in this league - and for me, that's what is most important.
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