Some have pointed out quite well that we are now too far along our transition from the title team to simply revert to the tried and tested method that played to Vardy’s strengths.
4-4-1-1 is dead.
So we look at the existing squad and say, how can we improve on Puel’s shambles? My worry is that we can’t, and things are going to get worse before they get better.
The obvious change in the short term has to be to play to Vardy’s strengths. Before BS jumps down my throat, that doesn’t mean humping it forward every time we get the ball, but it does mean playing fast, direct football. With tielemans we fortunately have a player that can get us going forward after a turnover. With Maddison, Gray, Pereira and Chilwell, we have players that can break at pace.
For me, the biggest change we can make is to revert to a flat back 4, draw teams out against us and try and get Vardy some space. But as BS will correctly tell me, this is well understood by teams and can also be countered.
So what did we all end up saying on the the team thread. Basically pick the same team but try and play better? Oh.
Puel had to go. For me the writing was on the wall months ago. But looking at a squad in mid transition, and a system that isn’t working, I fear that things are going to get worse before they get better.
It is a massive job for both an interim manager to get the results that keep us safe, but then for a full time manager to come in with their plan. That plan will have to either play to our top players strengths or change the squad and sell them. We can’t go on in between.
This is a mess and unlike previous managers that had the easy option of “reverting to what worked", we can’t do that now. Let’s hope there are some
Small changes that can help, because I don’t see how there is a quick and simple fix anymore.
Depressing!
Worse before it gets better?
posted on 25/2/19
Picking up on Thorney's point about bad or worst managers, perhaps a more relevant question when it comes to a new appointment and assessing their progress, is how many successful managers have we had in the history of the club?
In the last 60 years, I reckon possibly 5:
Matt Gillies, Jimmy Bloomfield, Martin O'Neil, Nigel Pearson (though not at top level) and Claudio Ranieri (wonderfully, but briefly).
In that same period we've had 27 full time managers, which shows how difficult it is getting the right fit. What looks right in theory often just doesn't click.
Whoever it is, with a hit rate of under 20%, it's always going to be a bit of a risk. Maybe something to bear in mind...
posted on 25/2/19
We have greatly raised our standards and expectations.
Only Ranieri and O Neil actually won anything,although we did win a league cup just before my time i believe ,not sure if that was under Gillies.
I just remember Gillies being hounded out, and Bloomfield had some great players, lots of attractive football,four England players, but didnt win anything.
How things have changed,does a manager have to win something to be successful ?
I actually think we could have won something or at least got to a cup final under Puel, but he massively misjudged and ultimately failed badly.
posted on 25/2/19
we also forget in three of the last four seasons we have been in the relegation places
posted on 25/2/19
comment by thorneyfox (U5061)
posted 1 hour, 14 minutes ago
We have greatly raised our standards and expectations.
Only Ranieri and O Neil actually won anything,although we did win a league cup just before my time i believe ,not sure if that was under Gillies.
I just remember Gillies being hounded out, and Bloomfield had some great players, lots of attractive football,four England players, but didnt win anything.
How things have changed,does a manager have to win something to be successful ?
I actually think we could have won something or at least got to a cup final under Puel, but he massively misjudged and ultimately failed badly.
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Thorney, the League cup win in the sixties was under Gillies, who also took us to 3 FA cup finals and one League cup final, which we sadly lost. He also famously took us tantalisingly close to the double in 62/63 and kept us in the top flight for over a decade. In the context of our club's history, that's success.
I don't think it's essential to win silverware to be considered successful, just a good league position and hope of cup success (through taking the cups seriously!). Oh, and football that keeps you awake.
posted on 25/2/19
I sincerely hope that it will be better - how much worse are you thinking about based on our current form?
posted on 25/2/19
And that there lies the major concern Nuneaton!
posted on 25/2/19
I don’t want to appear to be clever here but Matt Gillies left after Bert Johnson went from the club, more or less in protest at his departure. Gillies himself hadn’t been in the best of health for some time and Johnson’s leaving hardly helped matters. Matt Gillies took City to 2 FA Cup Finals, the 3rd being under Frank O’ Farrell but essentially using Gillies’ players.
posted on 25/2/19
comment by Nuneaton_fox (U7936)
posted 1 hour, 47 minutes ago
I sincerely hope that it will be better - how much worse are you thinking about based on our current form?
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Bookmarking this for when we finish bottom in a couple of years time
posted on 25/2/19
comment by Foxello (U6985)
posted 1 hour, 5 minutes ago
comment by Nuneaton_fox (U7936)
posted 1 hour, 47 minutes ago
I sincerely hope that it will be better - how much worse are you thinking about based on our current form?
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Bookmarking this for when we finish bottom in a couple of years time
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I'm talking of course about current form which is why Claude got sacked. There was no need to get rid of Puel based on being in a relegation struggle - yet.
Naturally if we took present form to next season we'd be in trouble.
posted on 25/2/19
Downsouf, of course you're right, he'd gone that season, I always seem to think it was him because of that team. Apologies to Frank, should have won it too...