Puel has taken a bit of a bashing recently, so thought I’d create an article with a positive or perhaps overly optimistic outlook(depending which side of the bed you woke up on) which does have a bit of a caveat of Barnes coming back and doing well.
————-—-—-Kasper
Simpson—Morgan—Huth—Fuchs
—-——-Drinkwater—Kante————-
Mahrez—————————Albrighton
——————Okazaki———————
——————Vardy————————
Moving forward ‘we’(general/common feedback as a collective) wanted:
Quicker/more attacking full backs
Utilising Albrighton on the right more
A way to replace Kante so we weren’t overan
A way to help us not be overan at times in the middle even with the brilliance of Kante
A more attacking threat to play behind Vardy
An attacking inverted midfielder to replace Mahrez
....possible/Probable first 11 when fit January 2019:
———————-Kasper
Ricardo—Morgan—-Maguire—-Chilwell
—————-Mendy——Ndidi—————
Albrighton————-—————-Barnes
——————-Maddison——————
———————Vardy———————-
Call the formation what you want, but it’s very similar in my opinion and we’ve ticked a lot of the boxes in terms of the requests above.
Personnel change?:
Out:
A CB who doesn’t push forward
A creative CM sitting
A defensively supportive number 10
In:
A more attacking CB who can push forward
A more defensive holding midfielder with less creativity
A more attacking number 10
There’s an argument that not only is the second trio more attacking in theory, but the two CMs holding would be required with Maguire pushing on and Maddison focusIng on creativity and attack.
Now I know this all depends on tactics and the way Puel wants us to play as well but on paper and in terms of progression and evolution - I do see progress.
Some signs of evolution over revolution...
posted on 12/1/19
I think Vardy was always further forward it was just we played more direct more of the time so he got the ball quicker. If anything, I feel the area has been crowded on occasions before now (when Puel was genuinely looking to have a front 3)
In any case, comparing what Puel has kind of reverted to now to a few years ago, formation name aside, I don’t see too much difference in terms of impact and roles - specifically in relation to the two wide players.
**only a theory - but I think a heat map would show Okazaki getting into the area slightly more and tracking back into midfield/our half more, in comparison to Maddison occupying a much bigger percentage of his time settled in the in between of these two roles from Okazaki. Overall though, similar role- just more emphasis on us to be creative further up the pitch than Drinkwater’s contribution which is a good thing at times. **
posted on 12/1/19
Superb last handful of paragraphs Joby
posted on 12/1/19
The difference was in the way we played, the intensity and defending from the front, Oki was like Vardy much more than just about scoring ( good job some would say ), they both pressurised the defense working in unison and being supported by the midfielders forcing the mistakes that we could respond to with real attacking intent.
We don't do that at all anymore and you get the feeling if we when we weren't int he last 15 minutes chasing the game we'd just recycle the ball and keep possession.
posted on 12/1/19
comment by True Blue (U9486)
posted 23 minutes ago
The difference was in the way we played, the intensity and defending from the front, Oki was like Vardy much more than just about scoring ( good job some would say ), they both pressurised the defense working in unison and being supported by the midfielders forcing the mistakes that we could respond to with real attacking intent.
We don't do that at all anymore and you get the feeling if we when we weren't int he last 15 minutes chasing the game we'd just recycle the ball and keep possession.
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I agree, and with a hopefully similar-ish formation we could look to improve our stamina, fitness and intensity under Puel.
What I would say is, the industry of Okazaki was allowed because of Kante’s 2-4-1 which allowed creativity to come from behind Okazaki in Drinkwater. Without this, we have had to add two CMs for Kante’s role and seek the creativity from further forward in what was Okazaki’s positioning.
This doesn’t mean we can’t still press more though.
After losing Kante, I think the next stage would have been to cycle when we need two holding CMs and when we could afford an Iborra (with Maddison or Okazaki dependent upon opposition).
However, things didn’t flow as naturally as we wanted and I think just getting back to a settled 4411/4231 which is, as you mentioned, more direct and intense would be our first job.
Frustrating to have to rebuild something that perhaps was already there, rather than building on those foundations 2 years ago - but this is where we are at. And hopefully Puel can see that as well
posted on 12/1/19
"And hopefully Puel can see that as well"
It's what we all hope for but why don't I think he does?
posted on 12/1/19
comment by Nevsaysagoal2city (U5194)
posted 56 minutes ago
How about answering the question rather than the sacasm are we an established premier league team or is this the only season since winning the dam thing that we are secure at this stage of the season and in the top ten places.
Then tell Puel's not doing his job
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Are we secure with 31 point's ?? Always thought it was 42 points
Go 6 games without a win and your just above religation places,,
We're we not 7 the this time last year after going out the leauge cup ??
posted on 12/1/19
think you’re harsh on Albrighton there Joby. He’s shown time and time again he’s a class above the pretenders.
I think he’s earned the right to be classed as a very good premiership player.
My issue with the second team you have put down is it doesn’t include Iborra and Silva which is right, but wrong that they are leaving in my view.
The other point I’d make is that a team like Leicester can’t keep top players happy if they are on the bench. Players like Gray are the right sort of level for our squad. Not good enough to start but good enough to come on (if you know what I mean).
I think our defence is about as good as you could possibly wish for as a reserve team.
So just a wide striker and a midfielder short of a very very good squad in my view. I can understand why underperforming players mean you have bigger concerns. I think a change in approach could see under performing players get back to their best. Nacho is an obvious under achiever.
posted on 12/1/19
Just seen the team. Ignore my optimism about the middle of the park
posted on 12/1/19
Haha, 3 DM's against a team in the relegation places. .
Still, he'll be vindicated when we thrash them 1-0.
posted on 12/1/19
Some signs of evolution over revolution.
Is that called Devolution.