I accept that it's still only pre-season and the emphasis is on building up fitness and sharpness ahead of the season, but is anyone else slightly concerned about our lack of creativity and finishing in the games so far?
I thought we did ok out in Hong Kong, but at Luton, MK and Wolves we were poor in these areas. It's difficult to judge with the differing line ups and multiple substitutions, but I don't feel anybody is setting the world alight.
Mahrez and Vardy still seem to be our best creative and scoring prospects, and with Mahrez likely to move on we can't rely on Vardy alone.
Hopefully we will see some new additions soon which might address this.
Looking through the squad I feel we have many players who do a job, but are hardly what you'd call dynamic. I'm thinking of the likes of King, James, Okazaki and Ulloa etc. We then have a lot of potential talent who have yet to fully deliver. The likes of Musa, Gray, Amartey, Slimani, Lawrence and perhaps even Chilwell.
I don't mean to sound negative, but I haven't seen anything yet in pre-season to make me think that some of our fringe players can play a more influential role this season.
As I say, if we can attract some more creative flair and finally get the Iheanacho deal over the line in the near future, I'd be much happier.
Just wondered if anyone else felt the same?
Lack of creativity? Should we be concerned?
posted on 30/7/17
Ian
Im not getting too hung up on psf results for the very reasons that youve highlighted ( changing line ups, mass substitutions, hot conditions ( in Hong Kong) and lack of real competitiveness.
Cast your mind back 2 years. How many of us said then after preseason ' yeah this lot can win the league'
However I do share your concerns re creativity and lack of goals. Our simmer signings so far are a central defender ( much needed) a defensive midfielder ( an unknown quantity) and a back up keeper ( well backup unless the club know something about Kasper that we dont, or theyve taken Nevs comments on board).
Id like to see more attacling flair, and it looks like the club want that too. Hopefully Ian Acho will help with the goalscoring department and theyve already bid 40 million fot Gylfi, so they know there is a requirement there.
Bring on the season (proper football) and the end of the window. Then we will see where we are.
UTF
posted on 30/7/17
Yes definitely. We were lacking a creative spark towards the back end of last season and it seems to have continued over pre-season.
I quite enjoyed the Liverpool match especially the 1st half but since then we haven't really demonstrated much decisiveness that was in abundance prior, of which i was hoping we'd see again.
Yes it's only pre-season but there seems to be a glaring miss. To sign Gylfi Sigurdsson and Iheanacho would take this team forward. Just getting KI would only bolster an already inflated mediocre strike force in need of quality to supply it.
Also coming up against a 3-4-3 or 3-5-2 massively stifles us. And more teams are adopting this was of playing, which worries me a little, as we are well behind in being able to match it up
posted on 30/7/17
All I can add here is yes,
We lack flair and we have always struggled to break teams down especially those that park the bus,
posted on 30/7/17
The mercury article sums it up perfectly. We shouldn't worry, but we can't help but worry!!
I don't think it's a problem. Our style of play relies on fast tempo, pressing and countering. It's hard to play like that in pre season when you want to avoid injury and build up fitness.
So no, we shouldn't worry, but we do need Nacho in as a minimum. His pace and finishing would help a lot.
posted on 31/7/17
That was some pretty shocking defending to allow Cavaleiro all that space to score! Dreadful.
posted on 31/7/17
I am worried yes, especially if Mahrez leaves. Even if we sign Ihenacho, I think we need another centre back, a winger and a creative midfielder personally.
posted on 31/7/17
Regarding a new centre-back, City have been linked with 18yr old Malang Sarr of Nice for a rumoured £20,000,000. Chelsea, Arsenal, Real Madrid & Barcelona reportedly keen also.
Any substance in this, i don't honestly know. Looks fairly decent though, Can play centre-back or on the left side of defence.
Release clause supposedly 40 million Euros.
West Brom linked with a number of CB's - does this mean Evans is on his way somewhere?
posted on 31/7/17
West Brom have made him club captain, I doubt he's going anywhere.