Have we turned a corner? Post Man City

[cityfanlee23]

Another game, Another loss. 

But this is not a 'Pearson out' thread as we have all become so accustomed too in the past few months, Leicester city are 

currently in a losing run that we NEED to get out of, And FAST. But did we Really expect something from this game a couple of hours ago?

 

Unfortunately this is a results business as we all know, but today was key in seeing how we will perform against the Elite

and a loss against Manchester City could surely be forgiven if our play was vastly improved?

 

We played with determination and an attacking sense that we only saw last season and early in this one, the likes of Vardy showing

his Dickov like determination to hassle the defenders, and Kings usual simple yet effective style in the middle of the park.

I genuinely felt coming into the 2nd half that we could easily nick something from the game, A feeling I cant admit to feeling for a fair few months.

 

Today I thought we played a very positive game and look as though we may be turning the corner if we can build on today's

play and add a few more clear cut chances. 

 

 

 

Ben Hamer - It's Hamer time, and will be for at least 6 weeks longer, And for me he did not disgrace himself, pulling off smart

saves during the game, Commanding his area, and apart from the mistake he made for City' goal (Got knows what he was doing)

Looked as though he could potentially be a very good player for us in the coming weeks he showed he can stop shots well,

but also his distribution was good, the way he flighted balls more often than not reaching a leicester player, but also

with the pace and height for us to actually challenge those headers against such a physical team (Rather than the usual kasper slow lofted ball into the sky) 2 games and 2 pleasing performances, Lets hope he can keep this up and build on this for 6 weeks, because if he plays how he did today with the same positivity, and does not get let down by his defense, Could give schmeichel a real problem getting back in.

 

 

Danny Simpson - For me has been superior to De Laet based on his performances I've seen, and I really hope we can catch him in his prime,

and bring out that young Right back we heard so much about at Newcastle. His crossing was not perfect but dangerous at times,

and with more chances to settle into this style of play he could be a decent asset, Looked comfortable at the back against 

players the calibre of Nasri and Silva, Questions as to his positioning for their goal but overall looked pretty solid

considering he did not get alot of cover, also he attacked well.

 

Was and Wes - Judging these both as a unit rather than individually as I feel they are both very similar players as well as their 

overall performances when together, Unfortunately I fear neither is a natural leader, although their heart is in it, 

We have the worst defensive record in the premier league at present and they have both consistently made mistakes, 

Positioning for their goal was atrocious for such experienced players (although wes was drawn into that position to block the cross)

They were average and didn't do a lot completely wrong, but they were controlled by man city' attackers and I never really

felt comfortable watching them defend, my confidence in the pair of them has gone to be blunt. But thats based on this season rather than today alone.

Both completely one footed, and if the ball is in a situation where either have to use their weaker foot, they turn and 

pass back to the keeper almost every time which inevitably ends up in the keeper under pressure and launching it to nobody.

 

 

Konchesky - Experienced but still makes amateur mistakes, He was okay today, a bit one footed as well and doesn't even seem

confident with a simple pass on his right foot which often means him turning back and passing it to the defence, which is not ideal

when you have such an attacking player like jeff schlupp in front of you trying to get forward. He did not do a lot wrong today but was very average and needs to be on the bench come january as an experienced sub.

 

 

Andy King - Today the Midfield looked quite solid against the likes of Yaya Toure and Fernando, arguably two of the toughest midfielders

in this division, King stuck to his usual job, Hassled the midfield, controlled the ball well, simple passes linking up play.

He stuck to his duties today and didn't look to go roaming out of position too often which was probably wise against the opponents. Happy enough with his contribution.

 

Esteban Cambiasso - Played very well today, won quite a few of his headers, his passing was very good, often finding good balls over

the top to vardy (Not ideal but still positive in getting vardy on the back of the defenders)

His main praise for me is his interceptions, He made a hell of a lot of interceptions and positioned himself well in the midfield 

to break down play and link up the attacks. Played well, Great to see him and Joe hart sharing a moment after the free kick and well respected.

 

Danny Drinkwater - Suddenly we looked solid in midfield again, He done his usual job and played very well for me, for somebody who 

would naturally need to get himself back to form from being on the bench constantly he looked as though that old spark was coming back and i

cannot believe he's not been started sooner.

 

Riyad Mahrez - An absolute nuisance but his constant battle with himself to decide what to do is getting frustrating,

Consistently ripping man city apart today only to lose the ball trying to take on too many players, prime example the late knockaert free kick, the ball comes back to riyad off the wall, he takes on 2 players and skins them, only to either flick a dinked cross into the centre or pass it out to danny simpson on his own on the right wing, No. He decides to try and dribble through a wall of 3 players, promptly setting up the counter attack. However our most influencial player today, Will be a 15m player if he can just sort out his delivery and that final product, no complaints for his effort.

 

Jeff schlupp - Had a good spell in the first 25 minutes, and looked positive, running at sagna and playing inside to midfield,

Another that is one footed though and consistently slowing play down deciding whether to take a player on or not,

often stopping still for moments where he then decided to turn and pass the ball back, RUN AT THEM JEFF.

 

Jamie vardy - Caused Mangala and Kompany problems getting in behind and chasing them down, but again didn't have the supply to the feet

behind the defence where I think he really excels, A Lot of effort again but not sure he has the quality to really be a prize asset for us at this level.

However I'm keeping faith that given better supply he could hold his own, Time will tell.

 

 

Subs - (Positive substitutions) 

 

Knocky - Made something out of nothing when coming on, turning players inside out to earn the late free kick, he looked

very positive and it was good to see him running forwards as always, Not a lot of end product but that's the running theme as a unit of players.

 

Powell - Very positive when he came on, chasing down and getting FORWARD when he got the ball, Does he have the quality?

Time will tell but he did look a bit rusty in his control, Let's hope he can add something new to our attacking issues. He worked hard chasing down.

 

Ulloa - Didn't really do a lot in the time he had, controlled a few balls and won a few headers but more often than not only

heading to nobody or not having the support around him to pass before he had 3 city players on his back.

The chance at the end I didn't expect a goal but you have to do better than that. 

 

 

Manager - Nigel pearson looks to have addressed a few issues of previous games sending out a team with more cohesion who looked a bit more controlled and solid all over, at times playing some beautiful football out of tough situations.

 

 

The main factor for me, is that the running theme for months has been individuals making stupid amateur mistakes, and as a whole looking completely void of any confidence or ability at this level.

Today though although with no complete Stand out Performances (maybe riyad) TOGETHER, as a TEAM and a unit, we looked relatively solid tactically, and also in our individual battles on the pitch, with a more passion, and a more direct style (bar the end where we resorted to hoofball again) we looked like a team who could maybe, just maybe, nick a few results over the coming weeks.

 

No doubt in my mind do we still at least 5 players to give us a chance of staying up, today apart from the negative result I was more than happy with the way we applied ourselves to the task and played a positive game against one of the best teams in the world.

 

This is however as stated at the start of this thread, a results business. 

 

Have we turned a corner? I hope so. Roll on january. 

 

Left Back

Left Winger

Centre Back

Hustle and bustle CDM

Striker or 2 

 

 

 

EDIT - Could De Laet Play Left back? he has confessed to being confident anywhere in the back 4... He's better than Konchesky but inferior to Simpson IMO.

[The Horse's Mouth]

De Laet can scarcely play right back.

[Harry - LCFC]

Tempting to call it that but I think we need to win a game before we can say that. A step in the right direction though, a few seem to have changed their outlook a little after what we saw today.

[roger the dodger]

nah still had it in my book i am afraid

[cityfanlee23]

Tempting to call it that but I think we need to win a game before we can say that. A step in the right direction though, a few seem to have changed their outlook a little after what we saw today.

 

I don't think we are far off it to be honest.

[The Horse's Mouth]

We won't know until we win, and our best chance of winning is at Hull. Knowing our luck Bruce will get sacked next week.

[Hitesh]

How? we couldn't take any corners today!

Joking aside, we did play a lot better today and with 5 in the middle it was an improvement. We didn't create many clear cut chances though. Big test against West Ham next week, that will be the proof!

[Thrill Bert Fox]

Yep I think we have gone now. In all honesty Nigel cannot decide if he wants to take games to teams or defend and we are not good enough to defend. Lack of signings has been our downfall along with poor tatics in my view. Only chance we really have is to bring in pulis and see what happens before someone else gets him

[cityfanlee23]

Yep I think we have gone now. In all honesty Nigel cannot decide if he wants to take games to teams or defend and we are not good enough to defend. Lack of signings has been our downfall along with poor tatics in my view. Only chance we really have is to bring in pulis and see what happens before someone else gets him

 

 

You're a cheerful old bark arent you  :xmaslaugh:

[Thrill Bert Fox]

No just a realist

[DANGEROUS TIGER]

As so many people have stated over the season. It's all about winning. We lost, again!

[Matt]

We played well today, but let's not get too excited. We had many false dawns over the years and I see no reason why this is any different.

Why can't we perform, play well, give ourselves a chance against the 'lesser' teams in the league? Why are we only putting a shift in against Everton, Chelsea, Arsenal, Man Utd, Liverpool (Who were shit, they made us look half good), Man City?

If we played like that last week we might have had a chance.

Just for the record and taking nothing away from the team today but Man City weren't anything special, they didn't even get out of 2nd gear, we played well but thing a lot of it was down to Man City not playing half as good as they can.

[Thrill Bert Fox]

I really want to see us have a chance of staying up we need to give pulis a chance now before its too late. Nigel's just not very good at turning sound bad runs and we are in one of those at present - I think?

[Raj]

...clutchingat straws...we were mediocre...they didn't even get out of 2nd gear....we are just lying down like a dog

[Harry - LCFC]

...clutchingat straws...we were mediocre...they didn't even get out of 2nd gear....we are just lying down like a dog

 

Are we? I think we're fighting pretty hard personally.

[jamesmilner]

we did ok. they looked like a team who'd just played away in a tough champs league game , to be honest . west ham away will tell ya !!

[Dr The Singh]

No!

[Raj]

Are we? I think we're fighting pretty hard personally.

keep hearing this fight fight crap...i could run around that pitch all day too...its not a running track its a football pitch and nite many have the brains or know how to make that so called running count for anything.

Did hart have a shot to stop today???no...mind you ee did run around alot so fair doo!!!

[Harry - LCFC]

keep hearing this fight fight crap...i could run around that pitch all day too...its not a running track its a football pitch and nite many have the brains or know how to make that so called running count for anything.

Did hart have a shot to stop today???no...mind you ee did run around alot so fair doo!!!

 

We had chances. I think that's fairly clear. I also think it's fairly clear we looked a capable team today. Totally inaccurate to say we lied down and accepted defeat today.

[cityfanlee23]

I'm worried about konchesky vs Enner Valencia to be honest

[Guest ttfn]

I do think we look like we're going to start winning again soon, but then again the cold facts are that we've lost 4 in a row and 8 of the last 9.

[Matt]

we did ok. they looked like a team who'd just played away in a tough champs league game , to be honest . west ham away will tell ya !!

 

We'll be shit there.

 

They're doing well but i'd still consider them one of the 'lesser' teams, better than us, alot better than us, but a mid-table team - Not even top 10 i'd say.

 

Therefore going back to my point that we only turn up against the good sides we'll be shite against these.

[Matt]

I do think we look like we're going to start winning again soon, but then again the cold facts are that we've lost 4 in a row and 8 of the last 9.

 

That's a comment like the 2 years in the Championship when every week someone came up with the 'sooner or later we're going to hammer someone'...it only took us about 3 years to hammer someone.

[Raj]

We had chances. I think that's fairly clear. I also think it's fairly clear we looked a capable team today. Totally inaccurate to say we lied down and accepted defeat today.

chances???

Did hart make any decent saves?

I must have been in.the bogs!!!

[Guest ttfn]

That's a comment like the 2 years in the Championship when every week someone came up with the 'sooner or later we're going to hammer someone'...it only took us about 3 years to hammer someone.

My favourite was when we said we were going to turn somebody over under Sousa and then we got beaten 6-1 at Portsmouth.