Whilst overall I am still living the dream which started with us doing the impossible –especially in this day and age- and becoming Premier League Champions and with it entry into the Champions League.
Also the dream continues with our club already through to the last 16 knock out round as section champions no less. Yes Leicester City –amongst clubs like Real Madrid, Barcelona, Bayern Munchen, PSG ,Monaco ,Juventus ,Atletico Madrid
So as I posted early this season- I had no ambitions in the Premier League this season –only to hold our position as a Premier League club and enjoy the European dream. Part two of that is surely reached…. We are in the top 16 clubs in Europe….
But now it is time to address the fact that part one –remaining in the Premier League next season – is under threat. Today’s game at Sunderland confirms our peril.
We would be stupid not to recognise that and analyse what is wrong and what we can do.
There have been serious failures in the overall management of the club which is seriously affecting the team position and Ranieri’s range of options.
Most telling of all is we have nobody in the squad currently able to partner Drinkwater in midfield -having to oscillate between yesterday’s man King and maybe a tomorrow man in Amartey. King is now an embarrassment in terms of defensive responsibilities. Never with any propensity or ability to win the ball he now is further exposed when in his own half by the current “ pressing" of opponents when he is in possession which he defrays by giving suicide balls to the back four irrespective of their own position to handle.
Our squad is deficient both in midfield and full back with the only other specific full back in the squad being the youngster Chillwell –one for tomorrow but whose confidence was shaken by the complete run around he had from Chelsea in the cup game.
So let’s look at the Walsh legacy – a man who was never short on self promotion and was also a favourite of many on this board.
Kramaric, Ulloa, Benoualane, Inler. Gray, Amartey, Ziehler. Hernandez, Mendy ,Musa, Kapulska, Slimani – over 95 million pounds worth bought on his responsibility and none have yet measured up to the money spent. Our recruitment policy has been a failure. £28 million for Slimani must represent the worst investment ever, He makes Ulloa look mobile and shows little endeavour in all round play.
Added to that is the nonsensical long term contracts doled out to squad players whose best days are behind them but seemed to have been given as thank you for their contribution in our fantastic title winning season. Bad economics and bad tactics. I already highlighted this on previous posts. Vardy’s wallet is slowing him down
So Ranieri has a problem –we are in a relegation fight and he is overloaded with players new to Premiership and unproven plus an imbalanced and ageing existing squad. He needs our support –as do the team
Significant to me last match were the number of “ supporters" sitting in my region –who materialised in the second half of last season- enjoyed our success but seemed to be the first to show their disgruntlement at the players during the match now we are struggling.
The crowd support is massively important and although there are problems – our support during the matches is essential.
Somehow although January is a notoriously difficult time to recruit –we have to at least improve midfield options.
We are in a dogfight
Tough times
posted on 4/12/16
To be fair Dunge I always felt (particularly recently) that you saw something in King the rest of us didn't. He's a tidy sideways passer but he's never really been particularly dynamic at this level and it's no surprise that without a Drinkwater next to him that he's struggling so badly
That being said, he's performances recently have been particularly atrocious but then again he's not the only one
posted on 4/12/16
comment by Blackstarr (U12353)
posted 57 minutes ago
To be fair Dunge I always felt (particularly recently) that you saw something in King the rest of us didn't. He's a tidy sideways passer but he's never really been particularly dynamic at this level and it's no surprise that without a Drinkwater next to him that he's struggling so badly
That being said, he's performances recently have been particularly atrocious but then again he's not the only one
----------------------------------------------------------------------
King was my main concern after Mendy got injured. He's reliable, but not in the right ways
posted on 4/12/16
King is being set up as an unfair fall guy here for me. He's not a holding midfielder. That's not his skill. It's not what he's good at.
He's good at playing further forward and getting in to the box. So yes, he's been very poor in a role that he can't play. That's a shame.
We need Mendy back and quickly. It's become evident we'all need to recruit in Jan. For me it's time to drop Mahrez or move him central. He's doing nothing where he is.
posted on 4/12/16
I've just re-read the OP and it's an embarrassment.
Our entire predicament being laid at the feet of Steve Walsh, the man who most people recognise as being pivotal to us winning the title
How is it his fault that we paid £30m for Slimani after he had joined Everton? His team simply observe the players and recommend based on where the manager feels the team needs strengthening.
Walsh likely also suggested several players who could make an impact now. Like Gueye- but he doesn't control over whether Rudkin and co pursue that target
A shocking article really. The reality is we have lost Walsh and Kante and look at us.
posted on 4/12/16
You can blame three things
1. the pre-season world tour.
2. The lets beat the Champions effect
3. Trying to get back up after the efforts of the last two years - The after the lords majors show effect.
We have to bring in players that are not ready and those who should perform havn't. I would say that earlier there was a Marhez only passing to Slimani rumour and that's why i believe they had the team meeting.
posted on 4/12/16
Time for another team meeting then Nev. At the minute it's not even Mahrez passing to Slimani! It's Mahrez getting surrounded by 3 players and losing the ball. Albrighton not even getting balls into the box and Huth and Morgan hoofing it to nowhere.
Without Drinkwater and Schmeichel its an abberation. And I don't even rate Kasper that highly but he's better than Zieler
posted on 4/12/16
Zieler i heard had a good game yesterday with some good saves?
posted on 4/12/16
comment by Nevsaysagoal2city (U5194)
posted 1 hour, 9 minutes ago
Zieler i heard had a good game yesterday with some good saves?
----------------------------------------------------------------------
He looked OK. Saves you would expect him to make.
Nothing he could have done about the goals
posted on 4/12/16
Comment Deleted by Site Moderator
posted on 5/12/16
comment by HuthTheGreatest (U21175)
posted 21 hours, 38 minutes ago
Eight one star votes. Bona fide sharticle.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Well that's the best example of pot calling the kettle black!!!!!