Firstly, contrary to popular opinion (yes, I do read these boards when I'm not posting...), the reason I have been away from the board for the last few weeks is not due to the upturn in fortunes, but because I had been concentrating all my break time internet usage on the General Election, and then spent the last 10 days in mourning (yes, I am a Labour supporter, please be kind as I am very bruised at the moment )
Well, what can I say. The last two months of this campaign have in many ways mirrored the first month - an astonishing return to the early season form that saw us draw with Everton and Arsenal, push Chelsea all the way and beat Stoke and Man Utd. I, like many, believed that the early season form was still there, and that the team were still capable of pulling in those kind of performances and results. Sadly, from October to March, this level of performance was simply not there, which led to even the most optimistic of fans righting off our chances of survival by mid-February.
The form since the West Ham match has been simply outstanding. For me, it boils down to three key factors;
1) The change in formation. The 5-4-1 formation clearly did not work, although many believed that three centre backs was the way to go, not least to protect the vulnerable Morgan. The reason it didn't work was because it was far too defensive - we played with two defensive full backs, the wingers were constantly tracing back and too often we left the one striker too isolated up front. Changing to 3-4-1-2 was a tactical masterstroke by Pearson - and I don't say that often! It allowed us to stick with three at the back, and crucially with Huth as the lead centre back instead of Morgan, allowed us to play with more attack minded wide players in Albrighton and Schlupp and allowed Mahrez freedom to play behind the strikers, thus freeing him from his defensive responsibilities which were not his strong point.
2) The introduction of Marc Albrighton - Most of us had been calling out for it for months, but the inclusion of Albrighton has been an integral part in us staying up. His experience on the right hand side and his willingness to track back, whilst delivering exquisite crosses at every opportunity, has added much needed quality, work rate and experience to the side. It is such a shame he was not played more from the start.
3) The rebirth of Jamie Vardy - I'll admit, I wrote Vardy off from quite early in the season (as I did 2 years ago...) but he has proved me wrong yet again. His energy and workrate has been influential in our upturns and he has finally started to form a formidable partnership with Ulloa. Going forward, I would rather see Kramaric playing as I believe his overall game is better than Vardy's, but Vardy has certainly proved himself to be a valuable asset.
And finally, the elephant in the room. Everyone knows that my view of Pearson has not been positive for a long, long time now. I still struggle with his abrasive management style, and do wish he would learn to be more respectful during his post match interviews. But for the second season running, I have got it wrong with him - he has proven himself at this level and proven himself to be a capable manager at this level. The sign of a good manager is someone who has the guts to change things, and our switch to 3-4-1-2 along with the introduction of Albrighton has proved pivotal. So well done Nigel, you've got it right in the end.
I know there has been some talk about his future on here, and I will try to sift through the various comments at a later date. From my point of view, I think it would be incredibly harsh to ditch him now after what he has achieved in the last 2 months. Given my track record and past agenda with the man, I think it is wrong for me to get involved any more than that.
Now we desperately need to get Huth signed, Cambiasso signed up and start to build the squad so that we can begin to establish ourselves. We need to ensure that we don't just have a good start and good end to the season, the way to succeed is to be consistently consistent, ala Stoke and Swansea. That is who we should be aspiring to be like, and there is no reason why we cannot emulate their achievements.
Well done Nigel and the boys
posted on 18/5/15
I would have thought the Labour party were too right wing for you, Foxello...
Fair play to you though, and I agree with much of this. I think one big factor to add (which you've touched upon but isn't perhaps mentioned as much as it should be generally) is that we've had a big players step up in each section of the pitch.
Schmeichel's form has improved significantly since early season, perhaps the threat of Schwarzer taking his place has energised him. Huth has come in and been a class act who's steadied the defence, to the point where we've just achieved something like 5 clean sheets in the last 6. Vardy as you say has really put in a shift over the last month and has terrorised defences perhaps feeling a bit tired in the final quarter of the season, and Cambiasso has just taken the whole team by the scruff of the neck and exuded dominance and positivity. He simply would not give up and has pulled several players on the journey with him.
Other players have found form too, for instance Morgan picking up performances and King forming a very attractive partnership with Cambiasso, but I think the fight was led by these 4 players stepping up and taking responsibility in their section of the pitch.
posted on 18/5/15
Thanks for the contribution Foxello. It’s a shame that you don’t post more often as, despite our previous run-ins, I think you bring a new dimension to the debate.
I agree with much of what you’ve said here. It’s amazing how the spine of the team: Schmeichel, Huth, Cambiasso, Vardy improved us in the latter part of the season and gave us the platform for our more creative players and wing backs to shine. For me the biggest difference (of many) was Huth. We were only losing games very narrowly - often to the odd silly goal conceded from a defensive error. Many of us could not understand why Morgan was continually being selected but, played with Huth, his form has been a complete revelation. This defensive rigidity gave us a platform to build and I hope that Huth (or other alternative CB targets) are top of NP’s recruitment list in the summer.
In terms of NP you are only too aware that we have been at opposite ends of his approval rating. It seems, however, that you have warmed to him a little now. You might be surprised that over the season my rating of him has, on balance, cooled. I still think that he is now, unequivocally, the best manager we’ve had since O’Neill, but I have a few question marks about his tactical nous (before and during a game) and his reliance on pace and endeavour over quality. How far he can take us remains to be seen but, for now, I’m extremely happy that he remains our manager and that we decided to stick when so many would have decided to twist.
posted on 18/5/15
I too share many of your views about the manager. I don't really like his sometimes abrupt persona but undoubtedly some of this was down to the intense pressure of the job. So I apologise for writing him and the team off far too quickly.
I do think he faces a massive second season and may lose some key players. Cambiasso and Huth are must signings and with all the speculation around De Gea, I wouldn't be at all surprised if Utd come sniffing 'round for Kasper, and that is an offer he couldn't refuse.
But Pearson has really pulled this one out of the fire and may one day be described in the same terms as Pullis - get Pearson and you won't go down- which makes him an extremely valuable commodity.
Good luck for next season all concerned and I for one misjudged you.
PS - but the election went the right way!
posted on 18/5/15
Foxy i won't mention the war.
Good post and manfully coming on here.
I also think how can you dump the manger after that.
As for the key players and formation yes i agree but i feel that every player who has been asked to step up in the run in has done there bit without shirking and those players who could not get into the squad where there supporting from the sidelines
posted on 18/5/15
Great article Foxello & commiserations on the GE result.
The only blue team I support plays at the King Power stadium and thank God we have the "Great Escape" to help us over the disappointment of 7th May.
I was critical of NP before the turnaround and had hoped he would either leave or be sacked so I must apologise for doubting him and the players - I'm glad he and they have (not for the first time) proved me wrong and I add my congratulations to all concerned.
What would really cap off the season in style for me would be for "Birch" to do his run at the QPR game either dressed as an ostrich or, better still, in a "Bernie Clifton" ostrich rider outfit!
posted on 18/5/15
Politics over Football ?.
posted on 18/5/15
Can only join with those applauding the players - astonishing spirit of never say die. Pearson must of course take a good deal of credit for that, no question.
But I really cannot agree that he has "proven himself to be a capable manager at this level".
Lest we forget, the stats - even after a freakish last dash - are Won 10 , Drew 8, Lost 19. We are very very lucky still to be in this league. Sentiment makes him impregnable, for now. But we must expect much better next season.
posted on 18/5/15
It's all about learning Malling and he's learnt how to be a manager in this league. It's like studying to become a surgeon (not me) it takes time to get there but once they've successfully performed their first procedures, they become surgeons and its the same for Pearson and the playere. After a difficult maiden season, they've eventually all proven they're good enough.
posted on 18/5/15
I do hope you are right Arro, I honestly do. And I do think NP deserves the chance to show that you are. If the wheels are coming off again by Xmas, the owners will however need to some very serious thinking.