What was Pearson thinking?

[canadaukfox]

I'm afraid Vardy looks devoid of confidence at the moment. Compared to the Vardy of last season, he's miles off that player who chased everything down, finished cooly and worked well with Nugent.

I've just watched MOTD Burnley v Palace and saw Dwight Gayle bury two chances. He's a similar player to Vardy (both small, quick, play off the shoulder of the last defender). The difference is in confidence. Gayle now has ten Prem goals for the season. How many has Vardy got?

These things matter immensely in the final shake up.

If played, Vardy must start scoring goals.

You mean Palace started their top scorer? In some crazy belief that recent performance is the best indicator of future performance?

Has anyone sat Nigel down and explained this radical concept to him? ;|

[Guest Col city fan]

You mean Palace started their top scorer? In some crazy belief that recent performance is the best indicator of future performance?

Has anyone sat Nigel down and explained this radical concept to him? ;|

Interesting point this.

There was a piece on the radio earlier questioning Pearson for leaving "17 million quids worth of strikers on the bench".

It does, with hindsight, seem a strange decision.

[KFS]

Can I just say, if I were given the resources that Nigel was offered on the weekend, I would have done exactly the same thing. Please explain what he should have done differently?

The only thing I might not have done is bring Lawrence on.

He was setting up a style for Kramaric to come into, and it might have worked but for some tighter marking on Bojan.

Starting Ulloa against Stoke at home would just have been long ball from the off. Morons like Konchesky see "ooooh, big man up dere, hooooof".

[Bettsj2]

Can I just say, if I were given the resources that Nigel was offered on the weekend, I would have done exactly the same thing. Please explain what he should have done differently?

The only thing I might not have done is bring Lawrence on.

He was setting up a style for Kramaric to come into, and it might have worked but for some tighter marking on Bojan.

Starting Ulloa against Stoke at home would just have been long ball from the off. Morons like Konchesky see "ooooh, big man up dere, hooooof".

Ulloa and Kramaric would have been the better pairing than Vardy and Nugent. I'm sorry but the tactic of hitting the corners for Vardy to run on to is torturous to watch and a little embarrasing.

With what he had at his disposal:-

Hamer

Simpson

Was

Wes

Schlupp

Albrighton

Drinky

King

Knocky

Ulloa

Kramaric

Played on the floor with tempo that side has the quality to win the game.

The personel he picked promoted the long game.

[KFS]

Ulloa and Kramaric would have been the better pairing than Vardy and Nugent. I'm sorry but the tactic of hitting the corners for Vardy to run on to is torturous to watch and a little embarrasing.

With what he had at his disposal:-

Hamer

Simpson

Was

Wes

Schlupp

Albrighton

Drinky

King

Knocky

Ulloa

Kramaric

Played on the floor with tempo that side has the quality to win the game.

The personel he picked promoted the long game.

Schlupp who's had a lot of success on the wing, Kramaric who's hardly trained, and Ulloa the target man against physically dominant side.

He went for pace, and if Vardy vs United and Nugent vs Liverpool turned up, we're a different beast.

I think the players let us down yet again.

[canadaukfox]

I get not starting Kramaric, what with his permit only being finalized the day before. I dont get Ulloa (again). Dropping your top scorer cuz youre worried konchesky n wes will hoof it instead of 'play it out?'

I shit meself everytime these 2 have the ball for more than a nanosecond...

[Haydos]

No.

 

 

Watch Bojan's performances, then watch Nugent's.

 

 

They both play in the same position, yet the level of performance is vastly different.

 

 

 

Bojan drifts into spaces, nugent doesn't. Bojan moves with the ball, Nugent doesn't. Bojan anticipates, nugent doesn't. Bojan looks a thread, nugent doesn't.

 

Bojan had a better junior record at La Masia than Messi....Nugent doesn't. Is it really surprising?

[KFS]

I get not starting Kramaric, what with his permit only being finalized the day before. I dont get Ulloa (again). Dropping your top scorer cuz youre worried konchesky n wes will hoof it instead of 'play it out?'

I shit meself everytime these 2 have the ball for more than a nanosecond...

All I'm saying is that, given the resources available on the weekend, I agreed with his team selection.

He was obviously going for a different style of play. And we were actually looking somewhat competent with it in the first half.

What I continue to misunderstand is the last 10 minute tactic when we aren't in a winning position... Humping it up against experienced Prem defenders. Has that even worked for us yet?

[DANGEROUS TIGER]

If we continue like this and Vardy continues like this, no comparison will be made. We won't be a Premiership club.

Sadly, you are right.

 

How much do you think he's worth at the moment? Certainly nowhere near the supposed £5,000,000, WBA are quoted to have considered offering. I reckon, about what we paid for him, which I think was £1,000,000. He will never be a Premiership quality player, that's for sure.

 

If we still have him, and are back in the Championship next season, I just wonder if he can recapture the form he showed last season?

[MC Prussian]

Sadly, you are right.

 

How much do you think he's worth at the moment? Certainly nowhere near the supposed £5,000,000, WBA are quoted to have considered offering. I reckon, about what we paid for him, which I think was £1,000,000. He will never be a Premiership quality player, that's for sure.

 

If we still have him, and are back in the Championship next season, I just wonder if he can recapture the form he showed last season?

Who said he was in the first place?

 

We've all come to admire his very own Cinderella story, making it to the Premier League from Non-League football. It's a huge ask for anyone in his shoes at his age to deliver. If fans expectations were a bit lower, we wouldn't really have this discussion on here.

 

He did a very fine job last season, but you don't go out there and reproduce that in an instant. In particular, not against the type of classy defenders in almost every PL team we're facing week in, week out. It's one thing running Championship defenders ragged (most of them being rather slow) - in this division, centre-backs are strong AND fast for most part and most full-backs are full internationals with (insert country here).

 

Also, he only works when the other parts within the team are well-oiled. That means getting service from midfield and having a good understanding with his other strike partner, be it Nugent, Ulloa or now Kramaric. If one of them can't step up on the day, Vardy's usually a bit lost on his own.

[Guest MattP]

I've been thinking about this for two days and I still can't understand why we set out not to do everything we did against Villa.

Albrighton and Knockaert did more than enough last couple of games to start again, what a terrible message to send to the former.

King in any 442 doesn't work, he was virtually anonymous and we got completely overran. Hammond has to be in there and James covers so much ground and always wants the ball, he's become essential.

As for Vardy over Ulloa, just totally baffling, one can clearly score goals at this level, the other simply struggles too. Add to the fact we already beat Stoke before with a goal from Ulloa and it's all the stranger. The hoofing to Ulloa is often just replaced by hoofing into the channels for Vardy.

Still completely behind Mr Pearson but that was absolutely bizarre stuff to dismantle a side that was playing well and finally showing some confidence.

[Dr The Singh]

I've been thinking about this for two days and I still can't understand why we set out not to do everything we did against Villa.

Albrighton and Knockaert did more than enough last couple of games to start again, what a terrible message to send to the former.

King in any 442 doesn't work, he was virtually anonymous and we got completely overran. Hammond has to be in there and James covers so much ground and always wants the ball, he's become essential.

As for Vardy over Ulloa, just totally baffling, one can clearly score goals at this level, the other simply struggles too. Add to the fact we already beat Stoke before with a goal from Ulloa and it's all the stranger. The hoofing to Ulloa is often just replaced by hoofing into the channels for Vardy.

Still completely behind Mr Pearson but that was absolutely bizarre stuff to dismantle a side that was playing well and finally showing some confidence.

Pearson is limited manager with limited ability at this level, he will be with us in championship where he belongs and we can then cheer and say how good a manager he is!!

[Strokes]

I've been thinking about this for two days and I still can't understand why we set out not to do everything we did against Villa.

Albrighton and Knockaert did more than enough last couple of games to start again, what a terrible message to send to the former.

King in any 442 doesn't work, he was virtually anonymous and we got completely overran. Hammond has to be in there and James covers so much ground and always wants the ball, he's become essential.

As for Vardy over Ulloa, just totally baffling, one can clearly score goals at this level, the other simply struggles too. Add to the fact we already beat Stoke before with a goal from Ulloa and it's all the stranger. The hoofing to Ulloa is often just replaced by hoofing into the channels for Vardy.

Still completely behind Mr Pearson but that was absolutely bizarre stuff to dismantle a side that was playing well and finally showing some confidence.

Spot on matt, it sums up exactly how I felt/feel.

Hopefully the FA cup can give us a return to form, and a positive feel going to old Trafford. The sooner Stoke is forgotten the better.

[Monsell1976]

I've been thinking about this for two days and I still can't understand why we set out not to do everything we did against Villa.

Albrighton and Knockaert did more than enough last couple of games to start again, what a terrible message to send to the former.

King in any 442 doesn't work, he was virtually anonymous and we got completely overran. Hammond has to be in there and James covers so much ground and always wants the ball, he's become essential.

As for Vardy over Ulloa, just totally baffling, one can clearly score goals at this level, the other simply struggles too. Add to the fact we already beat Stoke before with a goal from Ulloa and it's all the stranger. The hoofing to Ulloa is often just replaced by hoofing into the channels for Vardy.

Still completely behind Mr Pearson but that was absolutely bizarre stuff to dismantle a side that was playing well and finally showing some confidence.

Keeps happening, like the diamond that didn't work, but continued.

Some seem to think Pearson tries to be to clever with his selections, ok some changes were forced, but the ones you brought up, adds to the argument that he's over thinking it.

Just wish when we get players in form we let them have a run, albrighton must be gutted, and thinking why the **** to even bother to impress.

And then two of our most out of form strikers get the nod yet again, neither look a threat at this level, but we persist with nugent week after week, and vardy needs to go out on loan, a confidence player that has none, and in current form should be nowhere near the first team.

[lgfualol]

What ever happened to Pearson never changing a winning side. Injuries permitting

We did great vs Aston Villa and he goes mess it up.

[Dan]

I've been thinking about this for two days and I still can't understand why we set out not to do everything we did against Villa.

Albrighton and Knockaert did more than enough last couple of games to start again, what a terrible message to send to the former.

King in any 442 doesn't work, he was virtually anonymous and we got completely overran. Hammond has to be in there and James covers so much ground and always wants the ball, he's become essential.

As for Vardy over Ulloa, just totally baffling, one can clearly score goals at this level, the other simply struggles too. Add to the fact we already beat Stoke before with a goal from Ulloa and it's all the stranger. The hoofing to Ulloa is often just replaced by hoofing into the channels for Vardy.

Still completely behind Mr Pearson but that was absolutely bizarre stuff to dismantle a side that was playing well and finally showing some confidence.

 

On the money as usual. I'd have taken pretty much anything over what we did on Saturday.

 

He was a bit limited with the midfield in his defence. The only possible alternative would've been 4-3-3 with King, Drinkwater & Lawrence as the midfield trio like against Newcastle.

[LCFCSOULBOY]

Pearson is just f..ck..g clueless. He has cost us more games with his tinkering and tactics than any of the players ever have this season. I honestly believe that he thinks he's the business. I am going to admit it. That he is a tenth of a manager that Gravel Throat is. He has less of a squad, but at least they are competitive. We just set up for the least amount of clatiral damage. Then he can say it was a game of fine margins. Fu.k off

Pearson. Let the lads have a go. Sh.t or bust. Let us be proud of our boys. You thought you had a squad that could compete at this level. Well let the compete. No more sitting back then boot it up field. Hoping Vardy may get a touch. If his first touch doesn't end up in the stands. We have you until the end of the season so just let the lads play and stop meddling. Admit it you just don't have it at this level.

[truebluethroughandthrough]

Pearson is just f..ck..g clueless. He has cost us more games with his tinkering and tactics than any of the players ever have this season. I honestly believe that he thinks he's the business. I am going to admit it. That he is a tenth of a manager that Gravel Throat is. He has less of a squad, but at least they are competitive. We just set up for the least amount of clatiral damage. Then he can say it was a game of fine margins. Fu.k off

Pearson. Let the lads have a go. Sh.t or bust. Let us be proud of our boys. You thought you had a squad that could compete at this level. Well let the compete. No more sitting back then boot it up field. Hoping Vardy may get a touch. If his first touch doesn't end up in the stands. We have you until the end of the season so just let the lads play and stop meddling. Admit it you just don't have it at this level.

Morning Ian. Clatiral you say, classic

You mean the managerial mastermind that is a whopping 3 points ahead of us?

With the same amount of victories.

And only one more goal.

Yeah obviously ten times the manager.

Tit.

Another loss, another reason to hurl dummies out of the pram.

[truebluethroughandthrough]

Admittedly, some of nigels selections and substitutions leave me absolutely staggered but then so do many other managers. Little niggles, training issues, fitness levels, frame of mind etc. all have to be considered before team tactics and selection occurs. So we never really know ALL his reasoning in team selection anyway but given the fact of the forced changes in the middle, it very much limited his options.

Imo, Matty James is one of the most integral players we have.

If Matty plays well, we play well, he was also instrumental in Danny's player of the season award, the trust between the two is apparent for all to see.

The partnership between Matty and Cambiasso was starting to emulate this of late, I thought.

To lose them both AND have our best defensive midfielder in Hammond out, was always gonna be hard.

As for np leaving Albrighton out, beggars belief but Leo deserved to be dropped and Andrej got the 25min appearance most expected.

And we still limited them to only two shots on target despite conceeding the majority of possession.

Anyway, onwards and upwards.

[indierich06]

Morning Ian. Clatiral you say, classic

You mean the managerial mastermind that is a whopping 3 points ahead of us?

With the same amount of victories.

And only one more goal.

Yeah obviously ten times the manager.

Tit.

Another loss, another reason to hurl dummies out of the pram.

Spot on. Says it all about some on here. I honestly get the feeling there are people who just haven't liked the bloke since he came back and can't wait for him to be sacked regardless. History will view him as one of the best managers we've had in recent years, but the abuse he gets on here is absolutely unreal.

[MC Prussian]

Sod that, I'm more and more tending to the question "What are our fans thinking?".

[Corky]

Pearson is just f..ck..g clueless. He has cost us more games with his tinkering and tactics than any of the players ever have this season. I honestly believe that he thinks he's the business. I am going to admit it. That he is a tenth of a manager that Gravel Throat is. He has less of a squad, but at least they are competitive. We just set up for the least amount of clatiral damage. Then he can say it was a game of fine margins. Fu.k off

Pearson. Let the lads have a go. Sh.t or bust. Let us be proud of our boys. You thought you had a squad that could compete at this level. Well let the compete. No more sitting back then boot it up field. Hoping Vardy may get a touch. If his first touch doesn't end up in the stands. We have you until the end of the season so just let the lads play and stop meddling. Admit it you just don't have it at this level.

 

Calm down man, it's only a game.

[Silverdaz]

I get the feeling he's very much a 'the lads been great in training' sort of manager, when sometimes you have to pick the person with the most talent or ability. Loyalty could be a downfall.

So if a play doesnt give his all in training and mucks around your saying that because he has got talent he should automatically start a game look at Powell for instance supposedly this lad had talent but his time keeping and effort in training supposedly was abysmal

[Steve_Guppy_Left_Foot]

Lost the game in central midfield, think it's clear we should of gone with a 3. Didn't have 3 fit/available central midfielders. Did the best we could, just outplayed in the middle of the park.

[the-blue-wildabeast]

Lost the game in central midfield, think it's clear we should of gone with a 3. Didn't have 3 fit/available central midfielders. Did the best we could, just outplayed in the middle of the park.

Could be not have thought outside the box? Drinky and king as holding midfielders with someone like Nugent, Knocky, Albrighton etc as an advanced creative midfielder, with may Ulloe upfront and Vardy and Schlupp either side? Couldnt have been any less effective could it. When the going gets tough he lacks the imagination and thinking to get through it, whether that be injuries or the two very long runs of defeats he struggled to halt. I believe he is a pretty limited manager that is OK picking a decent steady 11, but has few answers when the steady 11 becomes ineffective or suffers injuries.