Shinji Okazaki

[fuchsntf]

If he could keep on his feet, he would have more to offer, he would of scored yesterday if he had kept

his balance.He does throw himself around too much, too much energy mis-used.

At Mainz he played differently took up better postions and seemed more stable.

I still would love him to succeed, but he has to get back to the style he used playing for Mainz.

For me Ulloa should now be 1st choice for the next few games, with maybe King as 1st sub.

Another thing, Schlupp has had a good season, but he seemed lost when he came on, it looked

like he was told what to do one side of the whitewash, then forgot all of it, when he ran the other

side over the whitewash to the opposite wing.

[NewEnglandFox]

He might have had a chance on this one even though it was deflected if he stayed on his feet. How he ends up on the ground though is beyond me.

 

https://streamable.com/78w6

 

Also 2 unacceptable touches outside of the 18 that led to giveaways.

 

The only positive touch he had was a give and go with Mahrez.

[Thracian]

I can't believe people still fail to realise that Shinji isn't playing as an out and out striker. His projected return of eight goals isn't actually that bad for a £7m forward playing effectively as an attacking midfielder. If Andy King played that role and scored eight goals this season he'd be lauded.

 

 

Kingy's goals and endless achievements aren't "projected" they are there to be seen but he doesn't get a look in. Even if I accept the nonsense of King being "invisible" at times despite almost always having excellent pass completion rates, I can hardly ever recall him playing as badly as Shinji in all his years and all his games.

 

For an "attacking midfielder" Shinji has precious little return in terms of goals, assists or shots and it's abundantly clear you don't want him in our box defending the kind of areas King has looked after competently enough on many an occasion.

 

Even if I were Shinji's lawyer I'd find it hard to make a case for him thus far. Just bring on the Sunderland Shinji and I'd at least harbour some hope but that fellow seems to have long gone.      

[Countryfox]

 

The only positive touch he had was a give and go with Mahrez.

 

 

After he did that touch he ran into the box and if RM had picked him out he had a great opportunity to score.   One point that gets overlooked is that both JV and RM are going through a purple patch and are finding the net with ease.  To do that they both have to be ruthless and selfish in front of goal,  which is good because it is working, but means that sometimes a better ball to someone else is missed.   This reduces the chances for both SO and LU and consequently their scoring confidence may suffer.  We all know that SO and LU can score goals but if as a team we are doing the business (second highest goals for), then why worry.   Bit of perspective.

[Babylon]

At Mainz he played differently took up better postions and seemed more stable.

I still would love him to succeed, but he has to get back to the style he used playing for Mainz.

That's because he's being asked to play a totally different game, as is pretty obvious and as he himself has stated numerous times.

[Babylon]

Kingy's goals and endless achievements aren't "projected" they are there to be seen but he doesn't get a look in.

They would be in this league where he's done nothing.

[shen]

Lots of trademark running on Saturday, but it's getting more and more obvious that he's not good enough in that role either. He needs a far better first touch.

He finally makes a great run in behind only to be surprised by the pass and touching it backwards with his back to goal...

It's his poor first touch and slow execution that leads him to those frankly comical trademark turns around himself where he usually loses the ball looking for a foul.

He didn't stop Schweinsteiger from scoring either and he rarely ever provided an outlet for his teammates (or maybe they don't want to play it into him knowing what will happen).

 

Unfortunately, Ulloa's first touch (bar the one prior to his big chance) isn't a whole lot better, exemplified when he did almost exactly the same thing as Okazaki did before him, touching it backwards about 5 yards before wildly shooting over.

 

At this point, I think we have to try out King or Kramaric in the 'Okazaki'/'withdrawn forward'-role, because they cannot be any less effective...

[foxes21]

Shinji pretty much played like Vardy at Mainz. On the shoulder of the last man.

He's being asked to play an entirely different role in CAM with us, and to be honest he's been efficient. Probably more effective in the Vardy role perhaps? Who knows.

If you numbskulls watch his movement off the ball, you'd see he has been making inviting runs from midfield when we break and making himself available but is never passed to.

Re-watch the Sunderland game for evidence.

[Len Finsbury]

Lots of trademark running on Saturday, but it's getting more and more obvious that he's not good enough in that role either. He needs a far better first touch.

He finally makes a great run in behind only to be surprised by the pass and touching it backwards with his back to goal...

It's his poor first touch and slow execution that leads him to those frankly comical trademark turns around himself where he usually loses the ball looking for a foul.

He didn't stop Schweinsteiger from scoring either and he rarely ever provided an outlet for his teammates (or maybe they don't want to play it into him knowing what will happen).

 

Unfortunately, Ulloa's first touch (bar the one prior to his big chance) isn't a whole lot better, exemplified when he did almost exactly the same thing as Okazaki did before him, touching it backwards about 5 yards before wildly shooting over.

 

At this point, I think we have to try out King or Kramaric in the 'Okazaki'/'withdrawn forward'-role, because they cannot be any less effective...

 

Glad I'm not the only one that thinks it's worth giving him a shot in this role. His game has changed over the years he's been here and had to adapt to whatever role he's been asked to play. I think he'd do exactly the same here too. It's at least got to be worth a try before spending big.

[shen]

Shinji pretty much played like Vardy at Mainz. On the shoulder of the last man.

He's being asked to play an entirely different role in CAM with us, and we still have only lost 1 game all season.

If you numbskulls watch his movement off the ball, you'd see he has been making brave runs from midfield when we break and making himself available but is never passed to.

Re-watch the Sunderland game for evidence.

 

So what if he played differently in Mainz? Why is that being brought up so often?

He's playing a role in our team now, not Mainz, which he's not exactly excelling at. What good is it making runs off the ball when no-one plays it to you and your teammates don't otherwise profit from the space created?

He's not remotely dangerous against any half-decent teams (West Ham goal apart) in this league, and he's not great at keeping the ball. He's not strong, tall or that quick and he's not a great passer either.

If lots of running and willingness is the single most important trait for his role, then King can surely do the same, but better...

[Len Finsbury]

So what if he played differently in Mainz? Why is that being brought up so often?

He's playing a role in our team now, not Mainz, which he's not exactly excelling at.

 

I think what people are trying to explain is that the role he's being asked to do under Ranieri isn't the one he was necessarily bought to do. Pearson probably saw him as a replacement/alternative to Vardy rather than behind him based on his performances for Mainz.

Unfortunately for him, with the managerial, tactical changes and Vardy's form, he's being played out of position or at least given a different role to one he's used to. The exact same thing is happening for Vardy in the England team - he hasn't exactly set the international stage alight and why? Because he isn't being played in a position to benefit from his strengths.

So why is Okazaki being played there? I'd like to think his nationality and appeal to the far east plays no part so perhaps in training, he's looked the best of the bunch as we don't really have a player whose natural game is the one Okazaki's having to do.

[Bamba's Babes]

He's crap.

[Babylon]

So what if he played differently in Mainz? Why is that being brought up so often?

Errrr because someone said he needs to start playing like he did at Mainz.

 

I can't believe this thread is still going around and around in circles. He's being asked to perform a certain role for the team, one that's not his natural game and one he clearly he's not perfect for. But at this moment in time when we need someone up top who works their socks off and to drop back into midfield he's the preferred option, for fairly obvious reasons.

 

The other options we have in Ulloa, and Kramaric might offer more of a forward threat from that area, but they aren't going to bring you the work rate and the chasing that he does. That's why he's there in games like Saturday, that's why in games we'll have more of the ball and carry more of a threat ourselves he'll drop to the bench and Ulloa will be played, as we're not as desperate for the chasing and dropping back he offers in that position.

 

It's horses for course and we're doing fine changing it up when we need to. I'm sure they will know they need a better player for that position rather than chopping and changing. But until we can get that player in who offers both things in that role, it will continue to be horses for courses.

[tylesta]

Never seen a player have such a bad game with the ball in my life he offered nothing apart from chasing down, I'm not buying this that it creates vardy more space as 8 of goals have his goals have come with okazaki off the pitch.

for the price we paid for h him we could of a better all round player I think. I'm finding it hard to think we got kramaric and okazaki for around 15 million and they have 4 goals in about 30 games between them!

[EGBFitness]

Shinji pretty much played like Vardy at Mainz. On the shoulder of the last man.

He's being asked to play an entirely different role in CAM with us, and to be honest he's been efficient. Probably more effective in the Vardy role perhaps? Who knows.

If you numbskulls watch his movement off the ball, you'd see he has been making inviting runs from midfield when we break and making himself available but is never passed to.

Re-watch the Sunderland game for evidence.

I was just about to put the same as this.

Our problem is we have different types of strikers but only play with 1 up top and in no way shape or form are we going to drop Vardy so any other forward has to fill the role of playing behind Vardy.

i don't think he has done a particularly bad job so far, there is room for improvement but if he is playing in a position he is not used to this is going to happen

[EGBFitness]

Errrr because someone said he needs to start playing like he did at Mainz.

I can't believe this thread is still going around and around in circles. He's being asked to perform a certain role for the team, one that's not his natural game and one he clearly he's not perfect for. But at this moment in time when we need someone up top who works their socks off and to drop back into midfield he's the preferred option, for fairly obvious reasons.

The other options we have in Ulloa, and Kramaric might offer more of a forward threat from that area, but they aren't going to bring you the work rate and the chasing that he does. That's why he's there in games like Saturday, that's why in games we'll have more of the ball and carry more of a threat ourselves he'll drop to the bench and Ulloa will be played, as we're not as desperate for the chasing and dropping back he offers in that position.

It's horses for course and we're doing fine changing it up when we need to. I'm sure they will know they need a better player for that position rather than chopping and changing. But until we can get that player in who offers both things in that role, it will continue to be horses for courses.

Good post.

[Babylon]

Never seen a player have such a bad game with the ball in my life he offered nothing apart from chasing down, I'm not buying this that it creates vardy more space as 8 of goals have his goals have come with okazaki off the pitch.

for the price we paid for h him we could of a better all round player I think. I'm finding it hard to think we got kramaric and okazaki for around 15 million and they have 4 goals in about 30 games between them!

I know it sounds bonkers when we've got one striker breaking premier league records, but for a while now I've wondered if scouting strikers was one of our teams weak spots.

 

If you look through the list of Strikers that Pearson etc brought in both here and at Hull, they have spent and wasted quite a bit of money. Certainly many more misses than hits. Yet with wingers, defenders and central mids we've probably had more hits than misses.

 

I suppose in part that's due to strikers being the most expensive players to buy, so you'll always pay more. But I'd have hoped for better with the money we've spent. We could also not be utilising them correctly, when you look how we've used Shinji and say Kane when he came.

[Guest Col city fan]

I know it sounds bonkers when we've got one striker breaking premier league records, but for a while now I've wondered if scouting strikers was one of our teams weak spots.

 

If you look through the list of Strikers that Pearson etc brought in both here and at Hull, they have spent and wasted quite a bit of money. Certainly many more misses than hits. Yet with wingers, defenders and central mids we've probably had more hits than misses.

 

I suppose in part that's due to strikers being the most expensive players to buy, so you'll always pay more. But I'd have hoped for better with the money we've spent. We could also not be utilising them correctly, when you look how we've used Shinji and say Kane when he came.

 

I do agree with this.

There's been quite a bit of 'Shinji bashing' recently but Ulloa's miss on Saturday has been (conveniently?) overlooked.

Ulloa really should have put that ball away and shooting to either side of the keeper would have secured us a win.

After Vardy, our strikers are all pretty average. God knows what's happened to Kramaric? (Don't forget this fella was the arse-end of 10 million quid!!)

I think its imperative to get a second, top-rate striker at the club. The existing ones (after Vards) are ok. But that's all...just ok.

If Vardy gets injured, we'll score far less goals.

[possiblygeorge]

Was overly excited when we signed Shinji, but he has been below average so far. To lose your opposition player as easy as he did is inexcusable at any level.

[Guest Col city fan]

Was overly excited when we signed Shinji, but his be below average so far. To lose your opposition player in the five yard box as easy as he did is inexcusable at any level.

 

I completely disagree with this and said as much during the game. He was FOULED... and had little chance of getting to the ball as he was being held back. Also, Kasper should have come for it. The Dane's command of his own area is too erratic.

I've not been a huge fan of Shinji..but to be blaming him for that goal is wrong IMO.

[possiblygeorge]

I completely disagree with this and said as much during the game. He was FOULED... and had little chance of getting to the ball as he was being held back. Also, Kasper should have come for it. The Dane's command of his own area is too erratic.

I've not been a huge fan of Shinji..but to be blaming him for that goal is wrong IMO.

Certainly not blaming the loss on him by any stretch of the imagination! There were a fair few minutes that had it gone the way we want the outcome of the game could've differed. Despite having less possession i thought we were a lot more damaging when we were on.

 

Shinji didn't exactly look like he was looking at the ball until it was too late and he was in an arm wrestle with Schweinsteiger

[AKCJ]

Certainly not blaming the loss on him by any stretch of the imagination! There were a fair few minutes that had it gone the way we want the outcome of the game could've differed. Despite having less possession i thought we were a lot more damaging when we were on.

 

Shinji didn't exactly look like he was looking at the ball until it was too late and he was in an arm wrestle with Schweinsteiger

You know we drew, right?

[NewEnglandFox]

I completely disagree with this and said as much during the game. He was FOULED... and had little chance of getting to the ball as he was being held back. Also, Kasper should have come for it. The Dane's command of his own area is too erratic.

I've not been a huge fan of Shinji..but to be blaming him for that goal is wrong IMO.

 

No. This needs to be let go. Shinji was FOULING Bastien, not the other way around. Shinji had both arms around him impeding him from the penalty spot to 8-ish yards out when Schweinsteiger broke free. It's not a foul to break free when someone has both arms around you. That's never a call going our way.

 

How do people fail to mention that Shinji had both arms around Schweinsteiger the whole time?

[AKCJ]

No. This needs to be let go. Shinji was FOULING Bastien, not the other way around. Shinji had both arms around him impeding him from the penalty spot to 8-ish yards out when Schweinsteiger broke free. It's not a foul to break free when someone has both arms around you. That's never a call going our way.

 

How do people fail to mention that Shinji had both arms around Schweinsteiger the whole time?

Because not everyone is looking for sticks to bash Shinji with...

[shen]

I think what people are trying to explain is that the role he's being asked to do under Ranieri isn't the one he was necessarily bought to do. Pearson probably saw him as a replacement/alternative to Vardy rather than behind him based on his performances for Mainz.

Unfortunately for him, with the managerial, tactical changes and Vardy's form, he's being played out of position or at least given a different role to one he's used to. The exact same thing is happening for Vardy in the England team - he hasn't exactly set the international stage alight and why? Because he isn't being played in a position to benefit from his strengths.

So why is Okazaki being played there? I'd like to think his nationality and appeal to the far east plays no part so perhaps in training, he's looked the best of the bunch as we don't really have a player whose natural game is the one Okazaki's having to do.

 

I completely understand this (despite the fact most are probably just echoing eachother), which is why I've been willing to forgive a lot until now.

However, he's not really performing well in his current role, so I'm starting to question if it's worth playing him there at all.

Just like Vardy on the left or right for England. Don't even bother playing him there if that's what he will get selected for. England have better options out wide.

 

Errrr because someone said he needs to start playing like he did at Mainz.

 

I can't believe this thread is still going around and around in circles. He's being asked to perform a certain role for the team, one that's not his natural game and one he clearly he's not perfect for. But at this moment in time when we need someone up top who works their socks off and to drop back into midfield he's the preferred option, for fairly obvious reasons.

 

The other options we have in Ulloa, and Kramaric might offer more of a forward threat from that area, but they aren't going to bring you the work rate and the chasing that he does. That's why he's there in games like Saturday, that's why in games we'll have more of the ball and carry more of a threat ourselves he'll drop to the bench and Ulloa will be played, as we're not as desperate for the chasing and dropping back he offers in that position.

 

It's horses for course and we're doing fine changing it up when we need to. I'm sure they will know they need a better player for that position rather than chopping and changing. But until we can get that player in who offers both things in that role, it will continue to be horses for courses.

 

Obviously, playing him there means Vardy should change position or the team should change formation. Ain't gonna happen!

 

I'm not sure why King cannot play in that advanced role. At the very least you have added aerial presence both for set pieces and in general play, a better passer and a far bigger threat going forward.

You would assume he communicates better with players like Drinkwater, Schlupp, Albrighton and Vardy, all of whom he's played plenty of games with.

No, King isn't going to run around like a headless chicken, but he will close down effectively. Before Kanté arrived, King was easily the best in our ranks regarding positional play and reading the game.

 

I just hope they've actually tried it out in training and established that it's not likely to work.