Match Ratings : Leicester 0-1 Crystal Palace - Vote Now

[Corky]

Schwarzer- 6 (Commands the box and quickly distributes. Kicking is mixed but throwing is accurate)

 

Simpson- 2 (My word, just dreadful)

Morgan- 3 (All over the place, one great interception before Gayle got there but bullied by Sanogo, outwitted by others)

Was- 7 (Him and Huth have to start on Tuesday, comfortably our best CB)

Konchesky- 5 (Standard Konch really, good and bad bits)

 

Mahrez- 7 (Lively, quality display with purpose and always our biggest threat)

James- 5 (Some good tackles mixed with heavy touches today)

Cambiasso- 5 (Quick when passing, slow in front of goal, needs another man with him in the centre)

Schlupp- 3 (Not a good performance)

 

Nugent- 6 (Hit the bar, bad cross from a good position, set up our best opportunity, linked well)

Ulloa- 2 (Terrible. Could barely control the ball or be bothered to jump when not being held)

 

Subs- 

 

Albrighton- 5 (Should've been on earlier)

Kramaric- 5 (Neat touches, comfortable on the ball but too far back to make an impact where it matters)

Vardy- 5 (Made their keeper make a couple of saves)

[Dickov22]

Schwarzer 6 Not a lot to do but haven't seen the goal back yet so not sure if he could have done more maybe

 

Simpson 4 To be fair to him, Zaha is a very skillful player, not easy to mark. His distribution and lack of overlapping his winger is poor though. Still prefer De Laet.

Morgan 5 Wes had a brilliant first half including a great block early on. Second half he was a disaster against Sanogo. Just couldnt deal with him at all and he could have cost us more goals.

Wasilewski 7 Couple of ridiculous fouls but I thought he played well. Fantastic block on Sanogo late on also.

Konchesky 5 Not his worst game but his crosses were crap.

 

Cambiasso 7 First half he was pretty brilliant I thought. Best player on the pitch. Quieter second and seemed to tire. Not his fault Pearson insists on playing him in a 2. Needs to play in a 3 because he doesnt have the legs, but he'd always be one of the first names on my teamsheet

James 6 Grew into the game, good second half.

Mahrez 7 Quality player, so good one on one. Good to have him back and he never ever stops trying to make things happen for us.

Schlupp 4 Worst game in ages. He was daydreaming all game.

 

Ulloa 3 His first touch is dreadful. He did get fouled a lot and kept going, but this was a terrible performance from him.

Nugent 6 All round play decent but once again he's cost us. Scandalous we are persisting with a player who has 1 goal from open play all season.

 

Albrighton 5 As my Villa STH friend said in the summer, loads of effort, puts in a decent cross but very average player. He was right. Does the same thing every time - head down and run down the right wing.

Vardy 6 Thought he looked sharp when he came on and had 2 very decent efforts at goal that were half chances

Kramaric 6 Scandalous he didnt start. We are bottom of the league and don't score goals - play him for f**k sake.

 

Pearson 1  - Like him, but week after week now I'm becoming completely fed up with his baffling team selections and tactics. Main points:

 

1) Zonal marking - I was screaming right before the corner was being taken that Hangerland (tallest player on the pitch) had a free run at goal and wasnt being marked. Even if we put someone on him just to put him off, hold him, track him whatever. Just do something ffs. He wins the header, sets the goal up. Basic

2) 2 wingers - In my opinion you CANNOT play 2 wingers in the Premier League. 3 centre mids is how we should always set up. Especially if Cambiasso is in there because he doesnt have the legs to play in a 2. We constantly play 442. Ridiculous

3) Kramaric - We are not in a position to leave a player out who we have spent £9m on. He's a goalscorer, and Nugent and Vardy are nothing of the sort this season. He needs a real run of games to stand any chance of playing well

4) Konchesky - I cannot believe here we are in the Premier League playing with him as left back.

5) Drinkwater - I thought he did ok a Man Utd, and always seems to play well with Matty James. I cant even recall these two starting more than a few games together in the same 11. Why not?

 

We've had it. Pearson will not save us.

[lgfualol]

Mahrez MOTM

Ulloa and Simpson super low ratings

[bovril]

Schwarzer 7 - MOTM

 

Simpson 3 - 'mare

Was 6

Wes 4

Konch 5

 

Mahrez 6 - tried to make things happen in 1st half but often 'all fart and no shit' as one poster put it

James 5

Cambi 5

Schlupp 4 - flashes of danger mixed with periods of farce

 

Nugent 6 - thought he was good

Ulloa 2 - one of the worst centre forward displays I've seen at new Filbo

[benpicko]

Can't believe some of the ratings Cambiasso is getting

[Dickov22]

Can't believe some of the ratings Cambiasso is getting

 

First half he was head and shoulders above anyone else on the pitch.

[Lcfc_1995]

Simpson Ulloa and Morgan were terrible today, didn't think much of schlupp either today in the second half, thought Albrighton looked promising when he came on!

[eunmac]

I think the decision to play Ulloa over Kramaric probably cost us the game today. Ulloa contributed nothing except the usual bucket load of fouls. Worst record in the league. Should have been off at half time at least.

 

Kramaric has not been given a chance to shine yet and this should have been it. So far he's come on late at Stoke 1-0 with bus parked plus ManU where there was no service at all. Now this game, the one game where he would have been able to show his skills against a weaker defense when we have almost 70% possession across the game, and Pearson brings him on again at 1-0 and the Palace bus is well and truly parked. Also brings off Nugent instead of a woeful Ulloa. 

 

Cambiasso and Schwarzer - our overall distribution much better with these two in the squad although I would have taken Cambiasso off mid-second half for Hammond (if he'd been selected).

[Kitchandro]

The 3 subs were our best players on the day, I think that sums it up.

[Dickov22]

The 3 subs were our best players on the day, I think that sums it up.

Ha ha. Albrighton was not better than Mahrez and Cambiasso today.

[Kitchandro]

Ha ha. Albrighton was not better than Mahrez and Cambiasso today.

 

That's funny because he was by quite some distance.

 

Cambiasso was pretty poor so I find it laughable you even put him in the equation.

 

Mahrez flattered to deceive again, tricky but what did he actually create?

[Dickov22]

That's funny because he was by quite some distance.

Cambiasso was pretty poor so I find it laughable you even put him in the equation.

Mahrez flattered to deceive again, tricky but what did he actually create?

If you watched that first half and thought Cambiasso was 'poor' I cannot even be bothered to debate with you. It'd be a complete waste of time because you clearly have no idea.

[Karljohn]

I honestly must watch a different cambiasso to everyone else as I see an old man who's legs have gone, sees a pass others don't..... yes thats because it's not there, to slow,weak in the tackle offers no cover for whoever plays in the middle with him and constantly just let's people run off him!!! I will probably get shot down but if he was a no name we snapped up from Italy he wouldn't get half the love in he gets he'd be getting hammered

Agree with this, and I'm amazed how he missed at Swansea, the open net v Liverpool and today. Those were game changing chances.

[Kitchandro]

If you watched that first half and thought Cambiasso was 'poor' I cannot even be bothered to debate with you. It'd be a complete waste of time because you clearly have no idea.

 

You're the guy who hates Wasilewski aren't you? So I'll take anything you say with a pinch of salt. Besides, I understand football much better than you so what you say is pretty meaningless frankly.

 

Cambiasso gave the ball away many, many times today and that's why he was poor. This is pretty basic stuff, even for you.

[TOMBlcfc]

Cambiasso was great first half and not bad second. Just getting criticism after nugent was too scared to go for it himself, not suprised he fumbled it, why on earth did he end up with the ball!

[Dickov22]

You're the guy who hates Wasilewski aren't you? So I'll take anything you say with a pinch of salt. Besides, I understand football much better than you so what you say is pretty meaningless frankly.

Cambiasso gave the ball away many, many times today and that's why he was poor. This is pretty basic stuff, even for you.

I don't hate Wasilewski. If you see my ratings above I gave him the highest. I thought he played well today. Cambiasso's use of the ball at times in the first half was sublime. Faded second half, but to say Vardy Kramaric and Albrighton were all better than him is laughable

[Guest ttfn]

Schwarzer 5 - failed to stop the one effort they had on target. Otherwise didn't feel that his command of the penalty area was particularly great.

Simpson 2 - Absolutely terrible. Not only got run ragged by Zaha but his control was atrocious.

Wasilewski 8 - How he must wish he was playing centre back for our opponents. In total command in the air and decent on the ground:

Morgan 4 - Needs dropping. If Wasyl comes out of the team for Huth i will edge closer towards the Pearson out camp because whilst we need a new centre back it ain't Marcin that needs replacing.

Konchesky 5 - meh. We need better.

Mahrez 7 - Magnificent first half in which he was to my mind comfortably the best player on the pitch. Knackered second half.

James 5 - failed to get a grip on the midfield even when 2 v 2. For all our possession he seemed clueless with what to do with it.

Cambiasso 5 - Thought he wasn't great today. Sadly he indulged in the team'a disease of panicking in front of goal and rushing forward moves. Spent too long lurking on the edge of the penalty area rather than helping to build up play.

Schlupp 4 - Back to a marginally less shit version of pre-Xmas Schlupp.

Nugent 5 - As usual worked hard but I'm afraid he is a total coward in front of goal. Twice today he had great chances to shoot/score - once he chipped the ball harmlessly over the bar and the second time he tried to take the ball around Speroni despite evidently not having the space to do so. He routinely bottles big moments in big games by passing the buck/ball to somebody else even when he is better positioned.

Ulloa 2 - Absolute horse shit. To be fair I have quietly supported MP's view that Ulloa was not good enough for a while now (notably his goal at Spurs overshadowed a poor overall display) but today was absolutely unacceptable. We created probably 5 great opportunities and none of them fell to him. Coincidence? I think not. Some people maintain that his hold up play is good but frankly you must have astonishingly low expectations because his first touch is as bad as Vardy's half the time. We cannot afford to carry a striker who "only scores goals" at this level, especially when he has only scored 2 goals in our last 19 league matches.

Subs:

Albrighton 6 - Like Knockaert, Mahrez and to a lesser extent Cambiasso, I like that he has the balls to receive the ball in tight spaces and attempt to conjure something with it.

Kramaric 5 - Get in the fvcking box.

Vardy 6 - Looked sharp, would have had 2 goals against a Championship keeper.

Pearson 2 - Why sign Kramaric if he's not going to start games like that?

Ref 2 - Shit. again. Not just against us either, the free kick that Vardy almost ended up scoring from was a joke.

Palace 4 - Basically a luckier version of us. Fast, skillful wingers, the manager making a prat of himself on the touchline and woefully lacking in composure in front of goal.

As I'm only posting in the match ratings thread from now on I'll hope you'll allow me to indulge myself by saying that as disappointing as today was I've read some really interesting stuff from a wide array of posters, particularly inckleyfox and MattP both of whom are at opposite ends of the Pearson spectrum. Personally I think I stand more with MattP - that Pearson has turned this club around and deserves the indulgence of a relegation to set us right in the long run. But I acknowledge what inckley is saying - there comes a time when you have to say that it has got a bit embarrassing and the failure to learn from past mistakes is making us a bit of a laughing stock.

Not scoring at home to Palace, Stoke, Sunderland and West Brom is unacceptable. Not scoring at home to only one of them would be dire. How people think that our favourable run in will save us given our abject failures in our "winnable" home games is beyond me. 3 points adrift or 30, if you're scoring 0 goals AT HOME to that lot you're in trouble. I think we're goners and I just hope we continue to fight between now and the end of the season.

[theessexfox]

The 3 subs were our best players on the day, I think that sums it up.

Pardon? What did Albrighton do? 

[dbtcity]

You're the guy who hates Wasilewski aren't you? So I'll take anything you say with a pinch of salt. Besides, I understand football much better than you so what you say is pretty meaningless frankly.

Cambiasso gave the ball away many, many times today and that's why he was poor. This is pretty basic stuff, even for you.

Agreed but he's Esteban Cambiasso so on that basis alone he deserves a 7

[Bettsj2]

Pardon? What did Albrighton do?

For a start he actually looked like he wanted the ball and when he got it, tried to do something creative every time. We need courage and endeavour at the minute not safe, square passes and actions that require zero grapefruits.

[Dickov22]

Agreed but he's Esteban Cambiasso so on that basis alone he deserves a 7

Not having that. I never went over the top about signing him and even I have said before that people give him higher ratings because of who he is. I absolutely do not though. I thought he was head and shoulders above anyone else on the pitch first half yesterday.

[artursteppe]

I honestly must watch a different cambiasso to everyone else as I see an old man who's legs have gone, sees a pass others don't..... yes thats because it's not there, to slow,weak in the tackle offers no cover for whoever plays in the middle with him and constantly just let's people run off him!!! I will probably get shot down but if he was a no name we snapped up from Italy he wouldn't get half the love in he gets he'd be getting hammered

 

I honestly must watch a different cambiasso to everyone else as I see an old man who's legs have gone, sees a pass others don't..... yes thats because it's not there, to slow,weak in the tackle offers no cover for whoever plays in the middle with him and constantly just let's people run off him!!! I will probably get shot down but if he was a no name we snapped up from Italy he wouldn't get half the love in he gets he'd be getting hammered

You should maybe try watching the game with your eyes open. Best reason I can think of for you to be so wrong. Cambiasso, Was and Mahrez were head and shoulders above everyone else with the three subs also doing very well when they came on. 

[theessexfox]

For a start he actually looked like he wanted the ball and when he got it, tried to do something creative every time. We need courage and endeavour at the minute not safe, square passes and actions that require zero grapefruits.

I have agreed that Albrighton should have been given a chance in recent weeks and has been playing well when he's coming on, and yes he did look up for it and look to make things happen yesterday, but his quality wasn't there in his brief appearance yesterday. Cambiasso started so many attacks with quick, sweeping balls out to the left, and Mahrez murdered their left back, created a couple of good opportunities. 

[Dickov22]

I have agreed that Albrighton should have been given a chance in recent weeks and has been playing well when he's coming on, and yes he did look up for it and look to make things happen yesterday, but his quality wasn't there in his brief appearance yesterday. Cambiasso started so many attacks with quick, sweeping balls out to the left, and Mahrez murdered their left back, created a couple of good opportunities.

Spot on

[Steve Earle]

Mostly 4s (Simpson, Morgan, Konchesky, Schlupp, Ulloa, Kramaric) and 6s (Schwarzer, Wasilewski, Mahrez, James, Albrighton, Vardy),with Cambiasso (7) MOTM and Nugent a 5.

And for me that was a career and season defining 5 for Nugent. We are a better 'team' with him in it. None of our other forwards links midfield and attack as well. His work-rate is exceptional and he gets into great positions. And then it goes wrong, much moreoften than it goes right, and even more so at this level than at Championship level, where defences often allow the two bites at the cherry that Nuge seems to need. His woeful floaty effort in the first half, and his reluctance to shoot when taking on Speroni in the second half, were brilliant examples of his failings, and of the team's. You won't win games at this level, nor stay up, if you waste chances like that. The trouble we have is that without Nugent in the team, will we even make the chances to miss?