Shinji Okazaki

[Arriba Los Zorros]

He isn't very smart in his chasing like Vardy though, Vardy knows when the defender has nowhere to go and goes like a train at them, Okazaki does it at the wrong times and gets passed around him.

We concede a lot of goals with him on the pitch though, you must see that? And our comebacks have coincided with playing well, and him being hooked. Surely that can't be argued, even if just coincidence?

And our first clean sheet of the season came in one of the only games he didn't start.

Put that with his 0 assists and 1 solitary goal, I think we should have someone offering more on his place.

And does makes space for Vardy, surely a genuine goal threat would make more space for Vardy?

Swan Lesta is right, Okazaki and Vardy work as a unit, which in turn allows Vardy to be more effective. I can understand you being underwhelmed with Okazaki because at times he has looked poor, but its the same as Nugent, he fits in well to the system which makes the team more effective as a result. I'll stick my neck out and say we will start to lose frequently with Ulloa and Vardy up front, because Ulloa wants us to pin back teams so he can score from headers and lay offs in the opposition penalty box whilst Vardy wants the defence to come out so he can use his pace to get in behind, we can't do both....

[Arriba Los Zorros]

Swan Lesta is right, Okazaki and Vardy work as a unit, which in turn allows Vardy to be more effective. I can understand you being underwhelmed with Okazaki because at times he has looked poor, but its the same as Nugent, he fits in well to the system which makes the team more effective as a result. I'll stick my neck out and say we will start to lose frequently with Ulloa and Vardy up front, because Ulloa wants us to pin back teams so he can score from headers and lay offs in the opposition penalty box whilst Vardy wants the defence to come out so he can use his pace to get in behind, we can't do both....

[Arriba Los Zorros]

 

Swan Lesta is right, Okazaki and Vardy work as a unit, which in turn allows Vardy to be more effective. I can understand you being underwhelmed with Okazaki because at times he has looked poor, but its the same as Nugent, he fits in well to the system which makes the team more effective as a result. I'll stick my neck out and say we will start to lose frequently with Ulloa and Vardy up front, because Ulloa wants us to pin back teams so he can score from headers and lay offs in the opposition penalty box whilst Vardy wants the defence to come out so he can use his pace to get in behind, we can't do both....

 

Mods delete pls wrong button......

[goose2010]

I don't want to write him off yet, but he has been so poor, it's hard not to. I think some of the stuff he does probably does go unnoticed and he does provide Vardy with space, but he isn't a goalscorer which is worrying. If Vardy gets injured, we need someone to step in and I don't think Okazaki would be capable of that. He seems so off the pace at the minute. Maybe he'll take a season to adjust like Vardy did, or maybe not. Who knows.

 

Seriously mate its 10 games, how can you write a player off after 10 games??

[Dan]

When did he last have a shot?

[Nick]

Seriously mate its 10 games, how can you write a player off after 10 games??

 

Hallelujah + 1

[goose2010]

Hallelujah + 1

 

Glad I'm not the only one, I cant see why fans of all clubs are so quick to write people off these days, its the same with managers. Personally you cant judge a player or manager until after a full season.

[ImBlue]

Firstly I was referring to last night in answer to your comment of criticism that he looked tired and his running was pointless.

He wasn't partnered with Vardy for most of last night and my remark referred to him closing down in isolation - forward players should work as a team to do that, so efforts are not pointless.

Your inference of Shinji not being 'smart in his chasing' comment' - really?

We got a clean sheet (In all honesty God knows how, considering their chances and penalty shouts - Certainly KS had a couple of good moments), yeah but created less chances than in any other match and scored less goals.

I recognise your concerns but I don't think you want to see or appreciate what he offers to the team - a team four points clear of sixth place in the Premier League.

We leak goals for lots of reasons - pinning that on Shinji may well be an accusation too far though my point was about playing the high pressure game which forces defences to boot upfield and lose possession which prevents them controlling the game playing the ball from the back on the floor.

Who else do we have that will do the running and the pressing in that role? (Nobody springs to mind)

Lastly, you are sounding/posting/grinding like Col City circa 2013-14. (sorry Col.)

Scored less goals?

Are you ignoring the basic fact we have scored more when Okazaki isn't on the field? And that we concede more when he is? I don't mean to be patronising, but games have changed for the better too often when he's been replaced.

[ImBlue]

When did he last have a shot?

I don't remember any at home, not a single shot do I remember.

[Gerard]

Seriously mate its 10 games, how can you write a player off after 10 games??

 

Because of the what we've seen so far.

 

I don't want to vilify any of our players and want all of them to succeed but there is mounting evidence that he isn't good enough. I was criticised on here last week that I don't understand the game if I can't see what Okazaki brings to the table and shouldn't judge him on goals and assists. It only takes a game or two to see if a player is quick, good in the air or has talented feet, Okazaki doesn't excel in any of these areas.

 

The No 10 should be one of the best players in the team and work rate and harrying the opposition just isn't good enough if that is your primary asset at this level. If we want someone to do that maybe we should sign Mo Farah who has a much better engine and is much quicker. Failing that play King in CM and Kante as No 10 as King will probably get more goals. 

 

That wasn't a serious comment btw but you get my point.

[ScouseFox]

When did he last have a shot?

 

pretty sure ulloa had a mad stat for about 3 months of last season where he didnt have a shot either didn't he? 

[ImBlue]

pretty sure ulloa had a mad stat for about 3 months of last season where he didnt have a shot either didn't he?

But already had close to 10 goals*

[Guest MattP]

Don't think we can really compare him to Vardy, Vardy came from the non-league to the Championship, that's an absolutely ridiculous step up in qualify, that would take huge time to adapt.

 

Truth is I don't know if Okazaki will make it but after a really promising start I do have a bit of worry over him given how his form has dropped to the point you don't see him lasting beyond a half on the pitch, probably be easier when he gets up to speed with the language as well.

[inckley fox]

Wasn't there last night but thought he was solid at the weekend. I'm not sure we're getting the best out of him but his performances have been decent. He performs a similar role to Kante only further up the pitch. You can barely see Kante for the jizzum continuously being sprayed in his direction yet Okazaki gets labeled as disgusting. Weird.

 

He doesn't actually win the ball very much, though. The idea that him running around a lot makes it possible for others to score by knackering the opposition seems odd, because surely any athlete could do the same. It's not like his running is especially intelligent, nor is it putting a lot of pressure on the ball. And when he's on the ball, he's far too easily knocked off. I'd hate to dismiss him as a flop yet, but he's going to have to put in more displays like that second half on Saturday, when he did apply genuine pressure, and less like his previous six or seven outings.

 

Ooookkaayyyyy.

So he takes it into feet and drops it off to midfielders, and does a lot of pointless running. It's worth noting I think that he was the only one tired yesterday, and he was so far off the pace the hull defenders just passed it around him, chipped it over him etc. To say they were comfortable with him on the pitch was an understatement.

He won't get 5 league goals or assists this season, just hasn't got enough in his locker.

 

I don't know what he's got in his locker, but the hope has to be that it's something we haven't seen yet. Based on what those who say they've seen him play in Germany say, we probably need to see more of him in and around the box before we laugh him out of town.

 

Glad I'm not the only one, I cant see why fans of all clubs are so quick to write people off these days, its the same with managers. Personally you cant judge a player or manager until after a full season.

 

But we do, all the time. Gordon Lee is a hero based on half a season, Taylor - rightly - a villain because of six crazy months (in spite of having had a 13th place finish over a full season), Holloway considered one of our worst ever managers because of a six month spell, Ranieri currently worshipped because of three. And it's the same for players. Plenty of players had less opportunities than Okazaki, Kramaric and Inler only to be dismissed as rubbish, be it Kermorgant, Canero, Moreno or Gunnlaugsson. And it goes the other way too (see Collymore, Russell, Piper). Okazaki - and Inler and Kramaric - will at some point have to do what every good LCFC player (and manager) does at some point, and firmly seize their chance. Because there's a good reason why under-performing players, and managers, don't tend to get the luxury of a full season.

[Dickov22]

I'm not even that bothered that he's not banging the goals in. The point is, he just isnt contributing enough full stop. No one can convince me otherwise.

[ImBlue]

I'm not even that bothered that he's not banging the goals in. The point is, he just isnt contributing enough full stop. No one can convince me otherwise.

Summed up well.

What's most concerning is it isn't down to lack of effort, or being unlucky (think Nugent with crossbars, open goals etc) it just seems to be a lack of quality.

[Babylon]

We sling crosses into him, pointless, jumping height is about 5'9. Put the ball over the top, pointless, he wasn't faster than Hull's slowest defender. Give it into feet, it either went straight back or he miscontrolled and next thing he was doing one of them pathetic sliding tackles.

Can someone tell me something he does other than run around (quite slowly)?

He scored a decent amount of goals in a decent league, so he clearly has something. Again, I stress the point I'm not sure he's being utilised in the way he was perhaps originally bought for. Until he is, then it's hard to judge fairly. I said the signing stunk of failure when it happened and got rounded on, but it's far to early to slate the bloke.

 

As for goals, 60% of goals have come with him on the pitch and he's played about 64% of minutes available. So there isn't much to show we score more without / without him on the pitch.

[Ric Flair]

He scored a decent amount of goals in a decent league, so he clearly has something. Again, I stress the point I'm not sure he's being utilised in the way he was perhaps originally bought for. Until he is, then it's hard to judge fairly. I said the signing stunk of failure when it happened and got rounded on, but it's far to early to slate the bloke.

 

As for goals, 60% of goals have come with him on the pitch and he's played about 64% of minutes available. So there isn't much to show we score more without / without him on the pitch.

 

Yeah I agree. I was hoping last night he was instructed to play the number 9 role and the whole team ethos was to play to his strengths but i'm not sure that really materialized? There aren't too many players who thrape a load of goals in the Bundesliga and then completely flop in the PL but it's not impossible. I am a bit concerned about how he seems completely out of it when it comes to attacking the box and being on the end of chances though. As it's been mentioned, I think he's probably only had 2 or 3 shots all season and none since West Ham away in the 2nd game. That is a very disturbing stat and i'm not sure how it can be dressed up or down other than to be concerned.

 

We made excuses for Kramaric last season and now there's a growing opinion he's done here. At what point will Okazaki be considered useless for Leicester, I hope he makes it here but there's little to his game right now as an attacking threat.

[Guest Col city fan]

I'm finally struggling to see exactly what it is that Okazaki is contributing to the team?

It's not goals. He's no Vardy. It's not an aerial presence or a target man. And he's not a creative type player who will contribute with lots of assists.

It must be something...we're 5th in the table. But what exactly is it? It can't just be work - rate and running about a lot.

Bizarre..

[fuchsntf]

He isnt playing like he did for Mainz, in quality of service or performances.

Strange thing Mainz are this season, missing the bite he brought THEM.

I am still labouring on the thought, he did some of his best work behind the front men, coming from Midfield.

Though my son and I are BVB supporters, because of the geographical location, we see more of Mainz, although not this season.

Both of us thought at the time, ok everybody deserves a chance a season, before one can judge a player, but city

Okazaki partnership, on age and step up, left us somewhat wondering why.

But as mentioned, and no other buys at the time, lets give him the season.

If Kante as hit the ground running, maybe Shinji and Inler might need a bit longer, but must be this season.

[cityfanlee23]

It's pointless running if playing a 'high press' isn't played well by your strike partner or team mates, yeah.

 

But let's blame Shinji for doing his job.

 

Genius.

 

 

He came in as a player who scored 15 and 12 in 2 seasons and had a fair few assists,

He gets here, Cannot score.. so all of a sudden his job is to link up play?

 

If that is the case, I'll say again, If linking play is his new job, he's actually quite a fair way behind david nugent statistically per 90 minutes. 

Nugent played alot more yes... But per 90 minutes is an average, so he has to improve a hell of a lot more than he is playing now, Either Shinji is not playing very well and being overrated, or Nugent was massively underrated, in which we should have kept him and not signed Shinji.

 

He's meant to be a striker not a CF or attacking midfielder.

[Fez of Mahrez]

Yes, we're fifth in the table but Okazaki is not one-eleventh of the reason for that. We've got a few attacking players who are in the form of their lives and that's helping the team to draw games we should lose and win games we should draw.

 

Having said that, I'm not sure it's as simple as introducing a different player into his position and expecting even the same results, let alone better ones.

 

It's a similar thing to Nugent - we looked better with him in the team because he played that position behind the strikers intelligently even if he wasn't up to it technically. He had the positional sense and workrate but not the touch and passing.

 

We need that player behind the front two because we don't have the players to retain possession, so you need someone pressing their midfielders out of possession and then acting as an out-ball on the counter-attack.

 

I'm not sure you can play Ulloa and still get the best out of Vardy. Ulloa is a focal point, he slows the play down and there's no way of fitting him and a number 10 into the team without altering the formation so much that it would either destroy us completely (e.g. a diamond 4-4-2) or be something Ranieri would never try anyway (3-5-2, seemingly).

 

I think he'll stick with Mahrez behind Vardy for our next few games and then revert to Okazaki for the tough run in December knowing that we'll need that pressing a lot more, hoping that his form improves.

[cityfanlee23]

Yes, we're fifth in the table but Okazaki is not one-eleventh of the reason for that. We've got a few attacking players who are in the form of their lives and that's helping the team to draw games we should lose and win games we should draw.

 

Having said that, I'm not sure it's as simple as introducing a different player into his position and expecting even the same results, let alone better ones.

 

It's a similar thing to Nugent - we looked better with him in the team because he played that position behind the strikers intelligently even if he wasn't up to it technically. He had the positional sense and workrate but not the touch and passing.

 

We need that player behind the front two because we don't have the players to retain possession, so you need someone pressing their midfielders out of possession and then acting as an out-ball on the counter-attack.

 

I'm not sure you can play Ulloa and still get the best out of Vardy. Ulloa is a focal point, he slows the play down and there's no way of fitting him and a number 10 into the team without altering the formation so much that it would either destroy us completely (e.g. a diamond 4-4-2) or be something Ranieri would never try anyway (3-5-2, seemingly).

 

I think he'll stick with Mahrez behind Vardy for our next few games and then revert to Okazaki for the tough run in December knowing that we'll need that pressing a lot more, hoping that his form improves.

 

 

I'm not so sure he would if played correctly, 

 

He does slow play down at times I admit, but I don't think that's because he cant play fast football.... Countless times he has come on from the bench and all of a sudden we have sparked into life and played faster than we were before.. I think he has the ability to work in a counter attacking team.

[cityfanlee23]

Glad I'm not the only one, I cant see why fans of all clubs are so quick to write people off these days, its the same with managers. Personally you cant judge a player or manager until after a full season.

 

I've only seen 1 person "write him off" where they have said he will never be good enough, 

even if there are more that have "written him off" it's only a fractional %

I've not written him off at all, I just think he's massively overrated because he runs around alot, I don't think he's as important to our success as he's made out.

[Fez of Mahrez]

I'm not so sure he would if played correctly, 

 

He does slow play down at times I admit, but I don't think that's because he cant play fast football.... Countless times he has come on from the bench and all of a sudden we have sparked into life and played faster than we were before.. I think he has the ability to work in a counter attacking team.

 

I'm not convinced, particularly from the start of a match. Plus Vardy is thriving as the lone striker. He's got the freedom to take up any position he wants along the front line and use the space. I like Ulloa - I was one of the few who was pleased we signed him - I just don't see him fitting well into this team, but maybe we'll find out.