A Review of our players since united

[cityfanlee23]

With another poor performance behind us, 15 games in, Rock bottom and not looking like turning it around before christmas with Man city, West Ham and Tottenham upon us (Infact I cannot see us beating anyone) This is my take on our players this season.

 

 

Manuel Schmeichel - Been inconsistent of late, Great shot stopper but not of premiership standard, Could improve if he can learn to position himself better and actually control his area. 

 

Hamer - Not seen enough to comment, but Kasper has kept him out so far.

 

Konchesky - Past it.

 

Wasilewski - Not good enough, He's been OKAY at best but was easily found out tonight and won't be saving us this year. 

 

Liam Moore - Has potential but is not confident or experienced enough at this level to show his early form, that wont change anytime soon.

 

Wes Morgan - Championship defender and a poor leader. Nothing more to say about him.

 

De Laet - Should be a winger not a right back, Good running at defences, hopeless defending the majority of the time,

 

Simpson - Not seen much of him, but not been completely convinced by him.

 

Schlupp - Had alot of potential, but does not have a single clue.

 

Cambiasso - when dropping back into the Defensive Midfield role he is a liability, players drift past him at times like he's stood still, going forward he has a great footballing brain, the problem is it's about 3 steps ahead of any of our attacking players most of the time.

 

James - Get him on the bench, Useless at this level so far, Poor passing, Atrocious from set pieces.

 

Mahrez - Frustrating as always, Very talented clearly, Needs a better footballing brain, but sometimes even an option to pass the ball might help.

 

Nugent - Not good enough.

 

Vardy - Works hard, but another one I don't think has taken the step up, Could be a handy impact sub.

 

Ulloa - Record signing, Holds the ball really well, great control, good with his head, and good movement when in the box, problem is he's NEVER there anymore, constantly dropping into the CM position, anytime we hit them on the break he's nowhere near the box. If played correctly could be on top form again, But I don't expect him to get many more lucky goals like tonight.

 

Albrighton - Looks to have a good pair of feet on him at times, and his delivery is far superior to Schlupp or Mahrez, Has not really pulled up any trees so far but I don't think many subs would come on and improve us during games, I genuinely don't think the rest of our team are good enough.

 

Chris wood - Not made much impact in his few appearances apart from his lucky goal against Everton (well positioned in his defence)

 

 

 

 

This may sound like a Knee Jerk reaction based on tonight, but it's been brewing a while.

 

I cannot think of a single player in our squad who would be a regular starter for any other team bar Burnley.

 

I'm sure our players aren't as useless as they are playing currently, Sometimes we have good spells of attack but look to just miss that final piece of genuine premier league quality, that mixed with rock bottom confidence and all of them being off form and not sticking to their tasks well has put us in a very tough situation of getting 2 points from 10 games and seemingly in freefall with the upcoming games. Now we have to try and attract premier league players to the team who are bottom.

 

To be completely hones I think we need ATLEAST 5/6 players to even have a hope of surviving.

 

Left Back

Centre Back x2

Left Winger 

Strong Box to Box Midfielder 

Striker to partner Ulloa 

 

 

I'm sure I'll get abuse for this post but if anybody has any solutions to our problems please enlighten me.

[ChrisWoodIsClass]

Think one or two are a bit harsh but agree on the most part, completely agree with the positions we need to strengthen in though.

[shade]

to summarise: new team please?

[cityfanlee23]

Think one or two are a bit harsh but agree on the most part, completely agree with the positions we need to strengthen in though.

I understand, it's hard to be lenient on players after the run we've been on, I think a lot of players have been making mistakes because of unnecessary pressure etc, which is a SQUAD issue rather than individual mistakes, it's just stopping the rot that's the hard bit...

Seriously worrying times to be honest, we are not in a healthy place, and although the owners have seemingly backed pearson (saw it on an unofficial source earlier don't quote me on it) he seemed very hesitant in his interview, and without being asked about his future by the post match interviewer he did mention that he would "like to still be here as manager"

To bring that up was very unlike him unless questioned on his future, I'm really not sure where to go from here... Hate to be in big Nigel's shoes!

[bovril]

A bit harsh on Kasper. Very god keepers are few and far between these days, I don't think we could get anyone better.

[cityfanlee23]

to summarise: new team please?

No, a whole new squad now would make things worse, but we do need quality and fast... Players like schlupp should be an impact sub not a starter for example... 5/6 players of premiership quality.

I'm not saying sell everyone on the list, I'm just saying they shouldn't be our only options at this level and some need to be sold. Some need to be on the bench.

[cityfanlee23]

A bit harsh on Kasper. Very god keepers are few and far between these days, I don't think we could get anyone better.

Fair enough, but my point was he needs to improve his command of his area (which he did improve tonight) and he could easily be a good keeper for us, time is on his side as a keeper and he's yet to hit his prime, but he needs more consistency. He took captaincy well today I thought, it certainly improved him a notch or 2.

I wouldn't sell him, I think the rest of the squad put him under a lot of pressure as well as the majority.

Collectively though we aren't good enough and lack in too many areas.

[cc_star]

Schmeichel - Was great today, but has been poor most of the season, hasn't commanded his defence or even his six yard box for weeks & weeks until today

RDL - Done quite well given the lack of protection in every game in front of him, his pace has done us a lot of good

Simpson - Not seen much of him, but looks as limited as Konchesky

Morgan - Been immense considering how woeful our midfield have been at covering him making the odd last ditch tackle or header clear inevitably fall to opposition

Wasyl - Been our best defender this season, another with his strength and we'd be fine at the back

Moore - needs loaning to a good Championship side imo, could be a good player with more experience, but a liability for us until then

Konchesky - Very limited in ability, very.

Mahrez - Jackall & Hyde, half awesome! half frustratingly wasteful at poor touch and passes going to opposition, needs subbing at HT every game

James - All effort, but see any good passes or cracking tackles. Perhaps better coming off bench to sure things up later on

Cambiasso - Disappointed in him by his high standards, but in our system he needs to play box-to-box and not just sit in front of defence then using his touches and passes to set attacks up

Drinkwater - Not sure what's happened to him, best player in the Championship last year but his form has nosedive, but it's difficult to get that back not playing at all

Schlupp - Baffled as to how this man draws a wage for playing football, must have Toblerone for feet. Just awful in every aspect of his game, except I think he could be a useful modern LB and I'd play him there or not at all!

Ulloa - Excellent, when we play ball up to his chest like Arsenal and Villa and he can play others in

Vardy - Not good enough, nowhere near. Misses easy chances and his closing down game seems erratic... At best

Nugent - Looked back to his best off bench today, harassing defenders, dropping deep to help midfield duo out and ran at defence whenever he received a ball allowing him to do so... Pretty poor in previous games though

Wood - Not seen enough of him, I'd loan him to a Championship side to get more experience and regular starts

[cityfanlee23]

Schmeichel - Was great today, but has been poor most of the season, hasn't commanded his defence or even his six yard box for weeks & weeks until today

RDL - Done quite well given the lack of protection in every game in front of him, his pace has done us a lot of good

Simpson - Not seen much of him, but looks as limited as Konchesky

Morgan - Been immense considering how woeful our midfield have been at covering him making the odd last ditch tackle or header clear inevitably fall to opposition

Wasyl - Been our best defender this season, another with his strength and we'd be fine at the back

Moore - needs loaning to a good Championship side imo, could be a good player with more experience, but a liability for us until then

Konchesky - Very limited in ability, very.

Mahrez - Jackall & Hyde, half awesome! half frustratingly wasteful at poor touch and passes going to opposition, needs subbing at HT every game

James - All effort, but see any good passes or cracking tackles. Perhaps better coming off bench to sure things up later on

Cambiasso - Disappointed in him by his high standards, but in our system he needs to play box-to-box and not just sit in front of defence then using his touches and passes to set attacks up

Drinkwater - Not sure what's happened to him, best player in the Championship last year but his form has nosedive, but it's difficult to get that back not playing at all

Schlupp - Baffled as to how this man draws a wage for playing football, must have Toblerone for feet. Just awful in every aspect of his game, except I think he could be a useful modern LB and I'd play him there or not at all!

Ulloa - Excellent, when we play ball up to his chest like Arsenal and Villa and he can play others in

Vardy - Not good enough, nowhere near. Misses easy chances and his closing down game seems erratic... At best

Nugent - Looked back to his best off bench today, harassing defenders, dropping deep to help midfield duo out and ran at defence whenever he received a ball allowing him to do so... Pretty poor in previous games though

Wood - Not seen enough of him, I'd loan him to a Championship side to get more experience and regular starts

What positions do you think we NEED to strengthen to stay up?

[cc_star]

What positions do you think we NEED to strengthen to stay up?

We need another Wasyl at the back, it might be Upson... BUT, he might not recover from this longish injury at his age, so...

CB

LB

LW

ST

[cjslcfc]

We need another Wasyl at the back, it might be Upson... BUT, he might not recover from this longish injury at his age, so...

CB

LB

LW

ST

 

This would be my shopping list too. Priorities are CB and ST, then LB then LW. Ideally need all of them but we are conceding some atrocious goals at the moment. Upson is supposed to be very dominant in the air so that could have a massive effect on set pieces having that one dominant presence. Currently no one is taking charge of these situations.

 

Also doesn't help when we give stupid free kicks away in dangerous areas.

[Guest ttfn]

It is flabbergasting that NONE of our Championship winning side has stepped up, with the exception of perhaps Morgan.

[J.Lisemore]

Honestly don't see what Nigel see's in Schlupp. All I see is a terrible footballer.

 

LB and LW should be a priority in January. I fear we'll end up with neither.

[Guest Col city fan]

It is flabbergasting that NONE of our Championship winning side has stepped up, with the exception of perhaps Morgan.

With respect, I think you pretty much underestimated the size of the step up.

So did Pearson...

[benpicko]

It seems as though every week we see a new player or two hopping back into form (Schmeichel and Nugent yesterday), and one or two losing it after decent performances (Mahrez, Schlupp, and James yesterday). Not really too many people who are just woeful week in, week out (though Konchesky, De Laet, and Vardy are certainly getting to that point), just can't seem to show up as a team any more. Different individual decide to show up every week and that's not good enough.

 

Schlupp's best match this season was at left-back, play him there next match (going to have to anyway, but Konchesky's shit every week and we don't seem to be thinking about making the change unless it's forced). Simpson had a few issues yesterday too but I didn't have a heart attack whenever somebody ran near him, so play him again. Vardy, surprised he's not being scapegoated as much, if not more than Nugent. Just runs at people or into space but does nothing with it. Doesn't even have the link up play of Nugent. Move Ulloa up higher and play Nugent behind him, same as at the beginning of the season. 

[shade]

With respect, I think you pretty much underestimated the size of the step up.

So did Pearson...

I'm starting to think I did too, either that or the team is performing at about 60% of last season. the question is, is that because of confidence or the opposition.

[Guest Col city fan]

I'm starting to think I did too, either that or the team is performing at about 60% of last season. the question is, is that because of confidence or the opposition.

Both

[Guest ttfn]

With respect, I think you pretty much underestimated the size of the step up.

So did Pearson...

As I keep coming back to, we're on an almost unprecedentedly bad run.

Teams getting promoted with 100 points don't get relegated, looking at the history. They don't even strengthen their squads and stay up comfortably.

We're not only looking like going down but look like we've forgotten how to defend, pass and score goals at various points in the last 10 games.

Confidence and the increasing build up of pressure has done for us in ways none of us could have imagined. We're simply not as good as we were 8 months ago which after a 10 year absence is a real shame.

Us going down could be a result of Pearson (and me) underestimating the opposition. A 10 game winless run suggests that there are far more important factors at play.

[bovril]

Another Wasyl at the back? Only if you want another 2 points from the rest of the season. Guy's a pub player.

[Dickov22]

I really thought players such as Drinkwater James Vardy Kasper De Laet Mahrez would all make the step up comfortably.

The standard is better than I thought but I still don't think for a second we are any worse than Villa, Burnley, WBA, Palace, QPR. We are just a shadow of the side we were last season. We've got worse

[Arriba Los Zorros]

With another poor performance behind us, 15 games in, Rock bottom and not looking like turning it around before christmas with Man city, West Ham and Tottenham upon us (Infact I cannot see us beating anyone) This is my take on our players this season.

 

 

Kasper Schmeichel - Been inconsistent of late, Great shot stopper but not of premiership standard, Could improve if he can learn to position himself better and actually control his area.  - agree partly, though his shot stopping ability is underrated and probably what we need to keep us in games

 

Hamer - Not seen enough to comment, but Kasper has kept him out so far. - could be a good replacement if we do decide to drop KS

 

Konchesky - Past it. - yep. plus his passing is terrible

 

Wasilewski - Not good enough, He's been OKAY at best but was easily found out tonight and won't be saving us this year.  - think he's been surprisingly good. He can do a job. Lack of pace may be a worry but his positioning is OK and he's a motivator which we need.

 

Liam Moore - Has potential but is not confident or experienced enough at this level to show his early form, that wont change anytime soon. - Think Liam can make it, he has all the attributes, but he needs a stable partner next to him. Passing is very poor which is not ideal.

 

Wes Morgan - Championship defender and a poor leader. Nothing more to say about him. Wrong, he's a rock, and his form has been symptomatic of our team's. Him and Wasilewski should be okay.

 

De Laet - Should be a winger not a right back, Good running at defences, hopeless defending the majority of the time, Wouldn't have him anywhere near the team, he's poor defensively and his passing is also poor. Only plus is his energy.

 

Simpson - Not seen much of him, but not been completely convinced by him. Thought he would be poor, but he looked OK yesterday. Give him a run in the team.

 

Schlupp - Had alot of potential, but does not have a single clue. Will always be a 'rpugh diamond'. He's just not got the basic skills to compete at this level. He's so one-footed, doesn't look up, and can't control a ball. Please replace.

 

Cambiasso - when dropping back into the Defensive Midfield role he is a liability, players drift past him at times like he's stood still, going forward he has a great footballing brain, the problem is it's about 3 steps ahead of any of our attacking players most of the time. Agree he's not appropriate as a DM. I' really like him but if we are not going to pass in triangles he is wasted, which is a shame.

 

James - Get him on the bench, Useless at this level so far, Poor passing, Atrocious from set pieces. Completely disagree, a completely knee-jerk reaction from yesterday's game. He's been our best player this season and has really tried to drive us forward. Can do it all on his day (create, break up play and keep possession) except for the set pieces, we certainly need to get him off those.

 

Mahrez - Frustrating as always, Very talented clearly, Needs a better footballing brain, but sometimes even an option to pass the ball might help. - A talent who is not willing to graft and a passenger when we are defending. Despite this, gives us a different and direct threat and someone we may have to carry.

 

Nugent - Not good enough. Would like to see him be given games with Vardy to see if they can rekindle what they had last season. In my opinion, we need him playing, linking up play and creating chances for the other forward / midfielders. 

 

Vardy - Works hard, but another one I don't think has taken the step up, Could be a handy impact sub. Have to agree, He has serious potential though. Would love him and Nuge to be given a run of games.

 

Ulloa - Record signing, Holds the ball really well, great control, good with his head, and good movement when in the box, problem is he's NEVER there anymore, constantly dropping into the CM position, anytime we hit them on the break he's nowhere near the box. If played correctly could be on top form again, But I don't expect him to get many more lucky goals like tonight. I go against the grain on Ulloa - hate him. Terrible with his feet, he needs about 8 touches to get his feet sorted, slows down play and can't hold up the ball. He can play a useful part if he keeps the hell out of the build up and stays in the box but not in the system we are playing now. For me, drop him.

 

Albrighton - Looks to have a good pair of feet on him at times, and his delivery is far superior to Schlupp or Mahrez, Has not really pulled up any trees so far but I don't think many subs would come on and improve us during games, I genuinely don't think the rest of our team are good enough. He's been shocking so far. Maybe he needs game time, but what we've seen has been atrocious. An overrated youngster from what I've seen.

 

Chris wood - Not made much impact in his few appearances apart from his lucky goal against Everton (well positioned in his defence) Has nothing to offer. Get rid

 

 

 

 

This may sound like a Knee Jerk reaction based on tonight, but it's been brewing a while.

 

I cannot think of a single player in our squad who would be a regular starter for any other team bar Burnley.

 

I'm sure our players aren't as useless as they are playing currently, Sometimes we have good spells of attack but look to just miss that final piece of genuine premier league quality, that mixed with rock bottom confidence and all of them being off form and not sticking to their tasks well has put us in a very tough situation of getting 2 points from 10 games and seemingly in freefall with the upcoming games. Now we have to try and attract premier league players to the team who are bottom.

 

To be completely hones I think we need ATLEAST 5/6 players to even have a hope of surviving.

 

Left Back

Centre Back x2

Left Winger 

Strong Box to Box Midfielder 

Striker to partner Ulloa 

 

 

I'm sure I'll get abuse for this post but if anybody has any solutions to our problems please enlighten me.

[The Doctor]

Kasper yesterday is what he needs to be all season - dominant and brave in addition to his excellent shot-stopping. 

 

De Laet - gets some unfair criticism, he managed to do what very few will do and keep Sterling quiet, but allows crosses to come in too easily. Looks like tactics though, even with Simpson in yesterday they were playing narrow and standing off

 

Simpson - On yesterdays, I'd prefer De Laet. Limited, but a decent enough back-up.

 

Wes - Been a last-ditch rock, but that masks that he's half a yard off every time.

Was - Poor yesterday but looked fine, sold down the river by Wes and Kasper the previous two games.

 

Konchesky - Poor, so very poor.

 

Mahrez - When he's on it he's very good, but he seems to scream inconsistency.

 

Cambiasso - Creative, but his brain is about 5 steps ahead of everyone else and his passing is wasted. Still easily our best player.

 

James - Steady, reliable but not much of an aid either creatively or in front of goal

 

Drinkwater - just hasn't made the step up

King - Looked fine, very comfortable at this level, would have him in a 3 with Cambi and James

 

Hammond - Surprisingly solid. Think we could definitely improve on him, but he's been fine when he's played.

 

Albrighton - Lost deer in the headlights

 

Schlupp - If he had control over his feet or a footballing brain he'd be world class. Physically very good, when acting on instinct excellent, when asked to do anything which requires control and time, abysmal. Very much a younger dyer.

 

Vardy - Huffs and puffs but seems like the Vardy of 12/13. Calls for England caps seem a distant memory now

 

Nugent - another grafter who isn't quite good enough for this level

 

Ulloa - good finisher, but needs to stay in the box more.

 

I think it's a gentle evolution rather than revolution that's needed in January - a better partner for Wasyl at CB, a new left back and someone who can compete with Ulloa.

[Al-aLondon-Foxile]

I think it's a slightly harsh view of the squad. Did any of us think that this was gonna be easy? We haven't spent mega money, maybe we should have invested more heavily but I think they've been wise, and we must also be patient. They're very much the same group we had last year, a team which was very good together. This is now a team that's very poor together, and therein lies the problem for me, there is a lack of self belief and confidence which will be hard to find at this point. I can't explain the reason for it, going on this run after the famous 5-3 win which put the icing on what was already a good start to the season. I said when I walked away from the Burnely game that we'd rue that injury time goal, and that we were in for a hard fight. I'd focus on defence in January, and hope that if we can find some solidity there there then the rest of the team will settle and play with more belief that any mistake won't be punished, and we might start to look like our old selves again. Keep the faith, and let's get some grinders back!

[Julian Joachim Jr Shabadoo]

Hammond - Surprisingly solid. Think we could definitely improve on him, but he's been fine when he's played.

 

I think he needs to be brought back in asap, we definitely seemed more together when he featured at the start of the season

[cityfanlee23]

Another Wasyl at the back? Only if you want another 2 points from the rest of the season. Guy's a pub player.

 

My point exactly, His pace is atrocious and players get past him with ease, Think Morgan would have handled Benteke better yesterday if he was available. Not a fan of wasilewski personally.   

 

I really thought players such as Drinkwater James Vardy Kasper De Laet Mahrez would all make the step up comfortably.

The standard is better than I thought but I still don't think for a second we are any worse than Villa, Burnley, WBA, Palace, QPR. We are just a shadow of the side we were last season. We've got worse

 

Personally think he should just be given a run again instead of james, He's not been amazing but james has been no better, no matter how poorly he is training not being able to get in the team, I still rate him higher than james. He's better going forward atleast, If not get king on again. 

 

It seems as though every week we see a new player or two hopping back into form (Schmeichel and Nugent yesterday), and one or two losing it after decent performances (Mahrez, Schlupp, and James yesterday). Not really too many people who are just woeful week in, week out (though Konchesky, De Laet, and Vardy are certainly getting to that point), just can't seem to show up as a team any more. Different individual decide to show up every week and that's not good enough.

 

Schlupp's best match this season was at left-back, play him there next match (going to have to anyway, but Konchesky's shit every week and we don't seem to be thinking about making the change unless it's forced). Simpson had a few issues yesterday too but I didn't have a heart attack whenever somebody ran near him, so play him again. Vardy, surprised he's not being scapegoated as much, if not more than Nugent. Just runs at people or into space but does nothing with it. Doesn't even have the link up play of Nugent. Move Ulloa up higher and play Nugent behind him, same as at the beginning of the season. 

 

This. Our team collectively are not good enough, And we have had atleast 5 players per match playing shite which ruins the whole team performance, I fear mostly due to genuinely not being good enough rather than just patchy form, they have the ability every so often to beat their men and have a good game, but not consistently good enough week in week out. 

 

I think we need ATLEAST 5 players in who can cope at this level.