Always interesting reading reviews after a defeat, especially this time of the season. There are many fans that go OTT but plenty with rose tinted glasses.
I have to say our recent form has been pretty poor, even in our good run in Jan we were fortunate against M'boro and Wolves. I think our problem stems from the fact we have a young squad and a small one too along with our fringe players just not being good enough. There is a lot of pressure on the younger players but there is no one to push them or change for a few games should they need a rest or they are out of form.
There is no doubt this team is better than last season and Pearson has shaped a half decent squad together, getting rid of a lot of deadwood. He has to take a lot of credit for this. However you do feel he has missed a trick and perhaps our Jan form stopped him from buying a couple more players in transfer window but I think he should have looked for some extra quality and a tough midfielder. We have dropped so many points to lower placed sides as we have been kicked out of games and these points could really cost us at the end of the season.
Our away form is also just not good enough, we can't score for some reason and just seem to be a one trick pony. Same tactics, same formation and same results! Teams around us seem to be able to string a run of results together and should they lose they get back on track quicker. Like it or not I think Nige has to get us up this season or he is out - I get the feeling a lot of fans are turning.
We're still in the top 6 and to have been there for most of the season is great. Definite chance of play offs but lets face it there are better teams above us. Let's hope Nugent's neck is on the mend and we can pick up enough points to at least give us a chance to finish in the top 6 cause our form and the teams we have to play in the run in won't make it easy. As fans lets cheer the lads on, and really get behind them, if we're annoyed let's vent on the way home or on here but not in the ground and let's stick together!!
Rose tinted or realistic...?
posted on 3/3/13
You see i think we have a half decent squad and that's the problem hlaf of them aren't decent.
Vardy, Gally,Waghorn, Fuctas, Wellens i could go on.
The first team picks itself only the recent resurgence from King has put an pressure on the midfield.
Yesterday did those who went think the team turned up expecting to win or where Ipswich more motivated.
Either way it not over yet a playoff place and a good end of season sprint who knows. Either way NP should stay. Its his Team His problem or his success.
posted on 3/3/13
Very good and sane post from AJB1, I reckon, and much good sense in this thread generally (so far....). Brace yourselves, for the doomsters and the ra-ra club alike.
posted on 3/3/13
Agree with you all here, great posts, nothing more to add really. Disappointed with yesterday's result, why it ruins my weekend every time we lose still baffles me. It wasn't my fault, there's nowt you can do about it, but over the years nothing changes my Saturday night blues.
posted on 3/3/13
So do you think Nige has these thoughts too, or is he on another wave length!? Just going back to the midfield if we had some one to put a foot in when we are under the cosh it often raises other performances on the field.
It frustrates me so much that from the start if the season I knew we would be having these kind of debates about lack of a ball winner/experience in the middle of the park. The team have done so well against a number of teams and it is just such a shame we blow it against lesser opposition which could cost us. And so many fans think the same.
We have to go us this season or next as when the new prem money comes in the teams coming down will have more money for longer giving them a much bigger advantage. I think the owners realise this and hence why Nige could be out if we don't go up this season.
One thing is for sure, our home games as vital now as we have some tough away games left, and with our away record we may struggle to pick up points.
posted on 3/3/13
Good to see some more measured comments on here in the light of yesterday's disappointment – btw Inilesta, I have the same problem – like having a hangover without the alcohol.
Just wanted to pick up on Dung and prawn's comments about the youthfulness of the team.
Yesterdays team had an average age of 23.5 – but if you break that down a bit (and I'm sad enough to have done it!) – the average age of the defence is 26, the midfield 22 and strikeforce 20.
This perhaps goes someway towards explaining our season: best defence in the league (yesterday Wes's mistake cost us, but heaven knows, he's long overdue a mistake), inconsistent but sometimes brilliant elsewhere.
This is the most talented Leicester side I can remember for years, with great potential, but it isn't the finished article – yet.
posted on 3/3/13
I think ultimately, although it is a little unfair to put so much pressure on one player, our aspiration of top 2 may depend largely on Andy King's role and form between now and the end of the season.
posted on 3/3/13
Apparently King was our best player yesterday, but despite his good individual form we still lost!
I still believe any two of King, Drinkwater and James (relatively in-form) is a strong central midfield pairing. Unfortunately, with Drinkwater currently needing a rest, we find James out injured.
posted on 3/3/13
I know that Pearson is by far the best manager we've had outside of the Premiership, what's that now, 9 years.
On that fact I don't think I'll panic and trust in NP to do his job to the best he can, if it's not good enough this year hopefully he'll still be here next year to take us further forwards than he already has.
posted on 3/3/13
The biggest disappointment this season must be Marshall, who really looked to be the business in 11/12. Rather than kicking on he has regressed, with his performance against Blackburn a rare, welcome but soon extinguished reminder of what he used to do regularly. When Knocky was doing the business instead this mattered less, but he too has brought precious little to the team latterly.
posted on 3/3/13
I'm not sure what's been wrong with Marshall this season, although there have been a few rumours. Although I didn't see his performance yesterday, I think he's been better of late - not fully back to his old self, but certainly an improvement on earlier this season when he looked completely lost much of the time.
Knockaert is out of form right now, as is Drinkwater. They'll come good again, but I suppose this is the downside of having young players in the team.