Why do people think our defense is the issue? To me it's the midfield.

[Guest ttfn]

The problem is the midfield in my opinion. It is ok off the ball but when we have the ball they are often panicky and rushed and against United looked like they didn't want the ball.

It was more evident on Saturday as United pressed us constantly, but we don't work hard enough to create the simple ball, too often players are isolated and don't have any option other than a hit and hope. The midfield should be doing that, when the defence has the ball they should be looking for it, when the attack has the ball they should be looking for it. When the midfield has the ball then the attack and defence have to be making themselves available for a simple ball and not charging forwards hoping they pick out an improbable pass.

Watch our next game how often are players isolated with no options?

I think this is true and is part of the reason we look better with Nugent in the team. By dropping off and occupying the space between midfield and attack he offers a simple 10 yard forward pass to midfielders with a limited passing range. It allows us to actually move the ball forwards through the centre rather than exclusively from wide areas.

[Guest Col city fan]

the run ended just post Christmas when we started to play 4-4-2 with James cammbiasso Hammond all fit and playing big parts.

Before that, we played that horrific diamond that often featured king and had a stint playing 4-5-1, during which as I pointed out to you nearly every goal we conceded was an individual defensive error or a set piece. No matter what the formation. The only difference is playing 4-4-2 or 4-4-1-1 we actually looked like scoring ourselves (I'd be willing to wager we score less than a goal every 180 minutes with more than two in there when nugent isn't playing and that will get you relegated)

You cannot sit there and say us being bottom proves our midfield isn't good enough, or sinle them out for the problems pre x mas. it proves the team isn't good enough not that certain areas or individuals included in the team are not.

The simple crux of this whole thing is quite simple. People are too stupid to realise that we are going to get out played frequently by better sides, Saturday is a prime example. I find it hilarious people are using a game away at old Trafford to try and illustrate their points as their desperate to look knowledgable or prove point.

things are getting better and Saturday was to be expected and Stoke was unfortunate but those two aside, we've picked up some great results for a side like us since Xmas. Playing the players and formation you don't want to play, I understand that's hard for you to swallow but trying exaggerate our flaws with nothing but an away defeat to Man U as evidence is

Or you just don't want to accept that you've basically been wrong about nearly everything this season and I've basically been right. With the possible exception of Albrighton..I dont think I gave him enough credit to be fair.

I hope you're a better player than you are a pundit because, Christ, you've dropped some bloody clangers this season! I expect that you spin a good yarn down the boozer with your chums, but I see you for what you are...basically a bit of a plonker.

[Sharpe's Fox]

Or you just don't want to accept that you've basically been wrong about nearly everything this season and I've basically been right. With the possible exception of Albrighton..I dont think I gave him enough credit to be fair.

I hope you're a better player than you are a pundit because, Christ, you've dropped some bloody clangers this season! I expect that you spin a good yarn down the boozer with your chums, but I see you for what you are...basically a bit of a plonker.

Or you just don't want to accept that you've basically been wrong about nearly everything this season and I've basically been right.

everything this season...I've basically been right.

[Guest ttfn]

Or you just don't want to accept that you've basically been wrong about nearly everything this season and I've basically been right.

I am dead.

[Guest Col city fan]

I am dead.

What have I gotten wrong this season?

The need for a DM? Cattermole or otherwise?

The over expectation on Cambiasso?

The comments about many on here, including yourself, underestimating the Premiership?

The need for a quality provider of chances?

The defence of Schlupp, Mahrez and Nugent?

That Pearson is tactically deficient?

That Knocky needed a go?

That Pearson should have not said what he said to the 'fan'?

Can't think of much I've said that I wouldn't say again?

If you wish to die, based on this, then that's your funeral.

Strange thing to say IMO.

[Guest ttfn]

What have I gotten wrong this season?

The need for a DM? Cattermole or otherwise?

The over expectation on Cambiasso?

The comments about many on here, including yourself, underestimating the Premiership?

The need for a quality provider of chances?

The defence of Schlupp, Mahrez and Nugent?

That Pearson is tactically deficient?

That Knocky needed a go?

That Pearson should have not said what he said to the 'fan'?

Can't think of much I've said that I wouldn't say again?

If you wish to die, based on this, then that's your funeral.

Strange thing to say IMO.

If ever a post best summed up a poster it's you using the phrase "basically I was right about everything". Fair play to you, it's about time somebody said it.

[Guest Col city fan]

If ever a post best summed up a poster it's you using the phrase "basically I was right about everything". Fair play to you, it's about time somebody said it.

What can you argue with? I said I was a bit previous on Albrighton. He looks better than I thought he would. Not sure what else to be honest? And lots of people have said it. Usually taking the piss. But I'm used to that.

You're biggest error was underestimating the step up. But fair play, you've admitted that.

I still think we'll end up 17th...watch this space.

[Guest ttfn]

What can you argue with? I said I was a bit previous on Albrighton. He looks better than I thought he would. Not sure what else to be honest? And lots of people have said it. Usually taking the piss. But I'm used to that.

You're biggest error was underestimating the step up. But fair play, you've admitted that.

I still think we'll end up 17th...watch this space.

There's plenty to argue with in the post you've made, let alone all of the things you have suggested that turned out to be total rubbish.

 

But you and I have trodden that road too many times before and I have binned the post I had written arguing your points because I have made a resolution not to argue with you any more. Which is probably best for me because if I just agree with everything you say I will "basically be right about everything".

[tickler28]

What can you argue with? I said I was a bit previous on Albrighton. He looks better than I thought he would. Not sure what else to be honest? And lots of people have said it. Usually taking the piss. But I'm used to that.

You're biggest error was underestimating the step up. But fair play, you've admitted that.

I still think we'll end up 17th...watch this space.

Cue the great escape theme tune. Col you tell it how it is. About the only persons opinion I trully respect on this forum...probably because it reflects my own!!

[Guest Col city fan]

There's plenty to argue with in the post you've made, let alone all of the things you have suggested that turned out to be total rubbish.

But you and I have trodden that road too many times before and I have binned the post I had written arguing your points because I have made a resolution not to argue with you any more. Which is probably best for me because if I just agree with everything you say I will "basically be right about everything".

Your choice...

[DennisNedry]

To be fair our 3 best midfielders (on form not overall) in Hammond, James and Cambiasso have all been out.

 

Drinkwater is off form and I doubt King will ever be Premier League level.

[funkyrobot]

Cue the great escape theme tune. Col you tell it how it is. About the only persons opinion I trully respect on this forum...probably because it reflects my own!!

Perhaps you could both start a forum together where you compliment each other for being right about everything. You just need to learn col's technique of commenting on his own comments. And always being right.

[Steve_Guppy_Left_Foot]

I like Col, I don't agree with some of what he says but he posts in a manner that is conducive to a healthy debate. I do think our central midfield has been the main problem since only Drinkwater and King have been available. Drinkys fall from grace has been a bit of a car crash and one that I simply didn't see coming, he was absolutely immense last year, for whatever reason he has just really, really struggled this year. Not good enough? I'm not sure, if, say, mid way through last season you'd of stuck him in a mid table Premier League team I think he'd of been very effective, certainly more effective than he's been for us in the last few games. He's clearly a confidence player and his confidence is absolutely shot. Keep playing him and he's not playing well enough, drop him and hit his confidence even harder, it's a tough situation he/we are in. We could play Cambiasso and James slightly in front of Hammond in a 3, with 1 up top, I think against United if we'd of had the personnel available we'd of done this (simply don't think Cambi or Deano were fit to start). With all 5 fit you have some decent options for each game. Also Vardy on the wing, just please no, he's not a winger and is another who is a confidence player with zero confidence.

[Manwell Pablo]

What have I gotten wrong this season?

The need for a DM? Cattermole or otherwise?

The over expectation on Cambiasso?

The comments about many on here, including yourself, underestimating the Premiership?

The need for a quality provider of chances?

The defence of Schlupp, Mahrez and Nugent?

That Pearson is tactically deficient?

That Knocky needed a go?

That Pearson should have not said what he said to the 'fan'?

Can't think of much I've said that I wouldn't say again?

If you wish to die, based on this, then that's your funeral.

Strange thing to say IMO.

I'll reply to this one as your reply to me just further highlighted your total inability to argue with me on a football level and try to get personal.

You've continually campaigned for 4-5-1 when it hasn't worked for us once. We've scored one goal playing it.

You didn't warn about over expectation re cambiasso you out and out said he was a bad signing, most people agree he's been our best midfielder this season. Signed for free.

You've slated mark albrighton for not being good enough and in the same breath called him a very average prem player. Which is exactly where we are trying to get to. To the extent where you suggested we should loan a player just so he wouldn't start.

Your preaching about under estimating the premier league and in the same thread trying to piece together reasons why Leicester City weren't able to go toe to toe with Man U at old Trafford.

You seem, for some bizarre reason, to think three or four very good games of note in a all together indifferent season has proven you right about Jeff schlup all along. I wouldn't slate him for Saturday as unlike you I apperciate the difficulty of the circumstances and playing away at old Trafford but perhaps you should throw some bile his way as he was for far from the first time this season, completely out of his depth.

If you've regularly defended nugent, I haven't seen it.

You talk about us needing a donkey in midfield to kick someone as something that obviously a point you have completely correct yet have no evidence for.

Youve stated our manager despite winning us the league last year and keeping us in touch of safety this year for being tactically deficient. Perfect he might not be I agree but that's just a very silly thing to say

And yes im not surprised you'd say it all again, every village has its idiot.

Now amazingly according to you I'm having a mare of a season because Jeff schlup has played well four times out of twenty (despite me not really saying a thing about him) and for saying we could of got better than Leo ulloa for the excessive transfer fee we paid for him because he had a decent honey moon period and has scored three league goals in five months since and plays poorly 9/10 games on the score sheet or not.

Not hard to see why your in a minority of a one and a half is it.

[Guest Col city fan]

I'll reply to this one as your reply to me just further highlighted your total inability to argue with me on a football level and try to get personal.

You've continually campaigned for 4-5-1 when it hasn't worked for us once. We've scored one goal playing it.

You didn't warn about over expectation re cambiasso you out and out said he was a bad signing, most people agree he's been our best midfielder this season. Signed for free.

You've slated mark albrighton for not being good enough and in the same breath called him a very average prem player. Which is exactly where we are trying to get to. To the extent where you suggested we should loan a player just so he wouldn't start.

Your preaching about under estimating the premier league and in the same thread trying to piece together reasons why Leicester City weren't able to go toe to toe with Man U at old Trafford.

You seem, for some bizarre reason, to think three or four very good games of note in a all together indifferent season has proven you right about Jeff schlup all along. I wouldn't slate him for Saturday as unlike you I apperciate the difficulty of the circumstances and playing away at old Trafford but perhaps you should throw some bile his way as he was for far from the first time this season, completely out of his depth.

If you've regularly defended nugent, I haven't seen it.

You talk about us needing a donkey in midfield to kick someone as something that obviously a point you have completely correct yet have no evidence for.

Youve stated our manager despite winning us the league last year and keeping us in touch of safety this year for being tactically deficient. Perfect he might not be I agree but that's just a very silly thing to say

And yes im not surprised you'd say it all again, every village has its idiot.

Now amazingly according to you I'm having a mare of a season because Jeff schlup has played well four times out of twenty (despite me not really saying a thing about him) and for saying we could of got better than Leo ulloa for the excessive transfer fee we paid for him because he had a decent honey moon period and has scored three league goals in five months since and plays poorly 9/10 games on the score sheet or not.

Not hard to see why your in a minority of a one and a half is it.

I literally think you don't read, or can't. As I imagined, your arrogance distorts your vision and perception of other's opinions, views and remarks.

1. I never said Cambiasso was a bad signing. Simply that I was not as excited as many were. I had reservations and felt we needed a different type of midfielder. I still think this. If, as you say, Cambiasso is our 'best midfielder', this shows how we clearly haven't strengthened in this area as we should have done.

2. I have campaigned for 4-1-4-1 away from home. Pearson didn't stick to this..he's changed it up too often.

3. I've never 'slated' Albrighton. Stop exaggerating. Again, I've been unsure regarding a player who was any good, being released by a club as shite as Villa. I've also said I probably got that wrong. He's looked bright when he's played. However, even Pearson can't rate him too highly when he starts a striker on the wing before Albrighton.

4. My pre-match score prediction v Utd was 3-0 to them. Again..READ... I did not anticipate us going 'toe-to-toe' with them. Where do you get this made-up stuff from? However, neither did I expect us to play a central midfield two of King and Drinkwater against one of the best midfields in the country, at the biggest domestic stadium in the country.

5. I've continually defended Nugent, not as a brilliant individual player, but for his role in the team. Again..READ.

6. I've seen potential in Schlupp, where others have absolutely muullered the kid, on this forum.

7. Yes, Pearson demonstrates some bizarre tactical decisions..as many many many people on this forum are now recognising AND stating.

8. Ulloa isn't overpriced. He's just about our only source of goals and is starved of service. Again, many disagree with you on that..but you brush it over.

Yep, in sum, you are having a mare of a season on here. The only thing you've got right really, is the periodic 4-4-2. That's worked sometimes, sometimes not. Indeed, even you yourself said we should have gone with another midfielder on Saturday. If you want me to pull your post up, I can.

[C-man]

4. My pre-match score prediction v Utd was 3-0 to them. Again..READ... I did not anticipate us going 'toe-to-toe' with them. Where do you get this made-up stuff from? However, neither did I expect us to play a central midfield two of King and Drinkwater against one of the best midfields in the country, at the biggest domestic stadium in the country.

 

 

So, actually, NP's tactics worked pretty well as we only lost by 2?

[Dickov22]

Possession is our problem. We never have enough of it, especially when we go 442. Defensively we've not been too bad recently

[Manwell Pablo]

I literally think you don't read, or can't. As I imagined, your arrogance distorts your vision and perception of other's opinions, views and remarks.

1. I never said Cambiasso was a bad signing. Simply that I was not as excited as many were. I had reservations and felt we needed a different type of midfielder. I still think this. If, as you say, Cambiasso is our 'best midfielder', this shows how we clearly haven't strengthened in this area as we should have done.

2. I have campaigned for 4-1-4-1 away from home. Pearson didn't stick to this..he's changed it up too often.

3. I've never 'slated' Albrighton. Stop exaggerating. Again, I've been unsure regarding a player who was any good, being released by a club as shite as Villa. I've also said I probably got that wrong. He's looked bright when he's played. However, even Pearson can't rate him too highly when he starts a striker on the wing before Albrighton.

4. My pre-match score prediction v Utd was 3-0 to them. Again..READ... I did not anticipate us going 'toe-to-toe' with them. Where do you get this made-up stuff from? However, neither did I expect us to play a central midfield two of King and Drinkwater against one of the best midfields in the country, at the biggest domestic stadium in the country.

5. I've continually defended Nugent, not as a brilliant individual player, but for his role in the team. Again..READ.

6. I've seen potential in Schlupp, where others have absolutely muullered the kid, on this forum.

7. Yes, Pearson demonstrates some bizarre tactical decisions..as many many many people on this forum are now recognising AND stating.

8. Ulloa isn't overpriced. He's just about our only source of goals and is starved of service. Again, many disagree with you on that..but you brush it over.

Yep, in sum, you are having a mare of a season on here. The only thing you've got right really, is the periodic 4-4-2. That's worked sometimes, sometimes not. Indeed, even you yourself said we should have gone with another midfielder on Saturday. If you want me to pull your post up, I can.

In a thread where you have pretty much claimed you've got everything right, quite delisiounary, I'm the arrogant one, good one.

1. I did read, your back tracking, unfortunately the threads been deleted so we can't go back and prove it. Your gripe had nothing to do with what type of player he is and if it did your even more of an idiot than I thought as cambiasso has spent his whole career playing holding midfield is renound for being strong in the tackle and has a very strong positional sense with good distribution and when we signed him nobody had any idea he'd be pushed further forward. If we had a good play maker that's probably the job he'd be doing but given he's better playing further forward the any of the other players at the club that's where he's been deployed. Your solution is not to sign a creative midfielder to complement him but to either push him forward to make use of some non existent attacking flair your misconceptivable seem to think he has and sign a "player like lee cattermole" and not only suggest that, talk like it's obvious, genius. Hes done exactly what I've expected him to do pretty much every time is played and that is retain possession battle and consistently give you 7/8 out of 10 pretty much ever week, he's one of the few players that actually does his job 9/10 weeks.

2. You've campaigned for for five in midfield home and away. Not seen you have a good word to say about two strikers. Back tracking again

3. That is a post I can pull and if you want to deny you claimed we should go to the market as he isn't good enough I can and will do so.

4. I don't care what your pre match prediction, i know it got under your skin when I pointed out your reading problem but this was because you were quoting posts you haven't read properly, I don't have the time or inclination to read every post on this forum, or even close to every post, so forgive me if your prediction on this game was one of them even though it is irrelevant to this discussion. you are insinuating post match that the team and formation has let the club down and things could be all so different if we did it the col way. Rubbish is the term I think you used, more than likely with nothing but stringers commentary as your source material. The choice of formation is interesting but we all know the choice of drinkwater and James is merely down to lack of alternatives. But as has been pointed out, if we did better than you thought we would, wtf are you moaning about.

5. Erm no, you read, I said if you've defended him, I've not seen it. You've certainly not gone to the lengths that I have and your the one saying Ive got nothing right battling grewkes every other weekend and I'm the one who gets everything wrong so I'm assuming you think I'm wrong to do that as well.

6. hes deserved it at times although quite why you portray me as some anti schlup antagonist I don't know as I barely Mention him, some would say your desperate to get one over on me maybe. Good luck with that it's going really well so far. Either way the lads going to have to put in many more performances like Spurs and Liverpool before you can go around telling people their wrong

7. hes made some horrendous decisions as of late but as I said "deficient" is just your archetypical bog standard frustrated Leicester City fan exaggerating things.

8. Well as I've told you Colin, to say he isn't over priced at this moment in time is to state Ade Akinbiyi was a great signing for this club. I apperciate where your coming from even I thought I'd got it horribly wrong after the United game (tbh I could still well be) and I apperciate his early flurry and cup goals leave him with many supporters that disagree with me, but, given his league form both performance wise and scoring has been exactly what I expected since then I'm inclined to think maybe the first six weeks of the season may be the exception and the last four and a half months may be the rule but even that is besides the point. I think the lack of opportunities he gets is as much a problem with his own game as it is with the service and it is impossible to say whether he is worth 8m at this juncture or not. We are half a year in to a three year deal.

To ironically take us full circle and end up with you not being able to read, read what I wrote, I said I wouldn't be adverse to it not that's what we should of done and I've no bones about you bringing it up I dont back track like you. I can see the logic it'll probably give you a very small chance of nicking something but in the end we'd of probably lost by two or more doing that, it's about as harder fixture as we will have all season

[Callabinho]

It's scooby doo's fault!!!

[Guest ttfn]

In a thread where you have pretty much claimed you've got everything right, quite delisiounary, I'm the arrogant one, good one.

1. I did read, your back tracking, unfortunately the threads been deleted so we can't go back and prove it. Your gripe had nothing to do with what type of player he is and if it did your even more of an idiot than I thought as cambiasso has spent his whole career playing holding midfield is renound for being strong in the tackle and has a very strong positional sense with good distribution and when we signed him nobody had any idea he'd be pushed further forward. If we had a good play maker that's probably the job he'd be doing but given he's better playing further forward the any of the other players at the club that's where he's been deployed. Your solution is not to sign a creative midfielder to complement him but to either push him forward to make use of some non existent attacking flair your misconceptivable seem to think he has and sign a "player like lee cattermole" and not only suggest that, talk like it's obvious, genius. Hes done exactly what I've expected him to do pretty much every time is played and that is retain possession battle and consistently give you 7/8 out of 10 pretty much ever week

Woah woah woah.

We're allowed to Cambiasso a 7 OR 8? The memo I got explicitly said "customary 8". This changes everything.