After a win and more importantly a performance of passion, energy, tempo, teamwork, closing down, passing the small round white thing to another bloke in the same coloured top as you etc.
While all of us walked into the KP yesterday hoping to see a performance like that the vast majority of us expected the complete reverse. But what a turn around from the last few games, all the things that made us a joy to watch and difficult to play against last season were there again in abundance.
JV proved that if his teammates actually pass or create chances he will convert them.
Mahrez seemed to have his swagger and confidence back. Some sublime touches again.
Slimani reads the game extremely well and some of his movement yesterday was clever.
Yes Man City played into our hands but we still had to do our job well, and how well we did it.
So the question we are left asking is .....
Why the sudden change in performance?
Is it
1) Man City tactics played to our strengths?
2) CL group is over so full concentration is on the PL now?
3) CR read the riot act through the week and yesterday got the response to that.
4) Any other reason?
What did help yesterday was the early goal, the ground was pumping from that point and it was the first time this season that the atmosphere has truly felt like the 12th man again. Contributing factor? Hard to say.
So after all of the debate and opinions about where it is going wrong, will CR change 4-4-2 or 4-4-1-1 etc. we can enjoy the most surprising of results.
We just need to build on the confidence this will give the players and reset our focus for a tough away game at Bournemouth. If we can get a win there then our season may just be turning, we cannot afford yesterday to be a one off.
Thank you CR, thank you to the players who have all made my Sunday morning the best one in a long time.
As the saying goes " it's a funny old game".......
UTF
Aren't Sunday mornings better.....
posted on 11/12/16
Lots of humble pie to be eaten by all I guess because Claudio appears to have got hold of the situation but we aren't out of the woods just yet
Terrific performance I think in part man city was the right game for us, they are so open its just a joy for
Vardy and Mahrez. Bournemouth won't be
I think the other part is actually down to what happened against Porto. I get the feeling it was a switch flicking for Claudio - it was a shameful display and perhaps the realisation that it wasn't just going to get better hit home with everyone. They had a very frank chat after the game
The formation question was answered and we can put that to bed. The players aren't comfortable with three in the middle and they don't want to play it.
Much of this is psychological and some of it is dealing with teams lower down the division who set up to counter us in the same way.
The defensive issues are clearly still there and Amartey was still poor yesterday, giving the ball away.
I'm relieved this morning and much happier but there is still a lot of work to be done
posted on 11/12/16
I feel exactly the same, there's a bounce in my step again after that performance, it was everything we'd hoped for and more.
We got out of the blocks really early and it was like going back to the great escape when we came out and blitzed teams in the first half hour and got the game won by half time.
City were woeful at the back and we took full advantage by doing what we do best.
The CL has gone now so complete focus is on the league and the discussions held after the Porto have obviously had a positive affect.
Most importantly the players just waned it.
posted on 11/12/16
comment by Blackstarr (U12353)
posted 6 minutes ago
Lots of humble pie to be eaten by all I guess because Claudio appears to have got hold of the situation but we aren't out of the woods just yet
Terrific performance I think in part man city was the right game for us, they are so open its just a joy for
Vardy and Mahrez. Bournemouth won't be
I think the other part is actually down to what happened against Porto. I get the feeling it was a switch flicking for Claudio - it was a shameful display and perhaps the realisation that it wasn't just going to get better hit home with everyone. They had a very frank chat after the game
The formation question was answered and we can put that to bed. The players aren't comfortable with three in the middle and they don't want to play it.
Much of this is psychological and some of it is dealing with teams lower down the division who set up to counter us in the same way.
The defensive issues are clearly still there and Amartey was still poor yesterday, giving the ball away.
I'm relieved this morning and much happier but there is still a lot of work to be done
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Bit harsh on Amartey, I thought he had a really good game. Yes he gave the ball away at times but his contribution overall was very good.
posted on 11/12/16
Raniery is a genius again, after being called clueless by some fans. Funny how fickle some fans are.
posted on 11/12/16
comment by Conte'nt (U20893)
posted 1 hour, 1 minute ago
Raniery is a genius again, after being called clueless by some fans. Funny how fickle some fans are.
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Oh mate Leicester fans have been some of the most fickle in the country over the years.
posted on 11/12/16
Ok, so I'm going to go against the grain here. I think it was Man City that played in to our hands but it was great to see us get back to fighting for every ball.
The big question will actually be asked against Bournemouth. Put in another good display and I'll be confident. Struggle to create chances again against a more compact team and we'all be back to square one.
Defensively we still look a little out of sorts, although we were up against top top players yesterday. Also, we desperately need Kasper back. Zieler looks glued to his line and put us under unecessary pressure numerous times. He was lucky we weren't punished and frustrated me a lot.
I also agree Amartey didn't have a bad game but I still thought he was our worst player. King definitely to partner DD until Jan. Back to his slightly above average best yesterday and a great finish.
And finally, big credit to Mahrez and Vardy. After a lot of criticism they both had brilliant games yesterday. Mahrez back to quick, incisive passing. He needs to keep doing that.
And finally finally, Ranieri's interview revealed a lot. Why have we not changed formation? Because we don't have the players to do it and they are not comfortable. In January we need to bring in midfield players to give us more options. Everyone knows how we play, and not everyone will allow us to do it like Man City yesterday.
posted on 11/12/16
comment by Conte'nt (U20893)
posted 1 hour, 53 minutes ago
Raniery is a genius again, after being called clueless by some fans. Funny how fickle some fans are.
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Who's 'Raniery' you thick fack....
Football fans in general are fickle but to be fair Ranieri has looked pretty clueless and yesterday's performance shows we shouldn't really be losing to Sunderland and struggling against Middlesborough.
Credit to him for getting the players back on song and credit to the players themselves the criticism of him has at times been warranted
posted on 11/12/16
One reason and one reason only .......
The whole media, paper talk, TV, Radio. Fans were all slating them for "lack of effort"
Plaster that around the dressing room wall, saying over paid players and we got a reaction.
We found the 10% we were missing😀.
Back to the high intensity of last season.
Huth was clearing balls he previously wouldn't have got too.
Fuchs was magnificent Wes was focused and so on.
Throughout the team.
Just to confirm this we took our foot off the intensity and City got 2 back.
I am just pleased the extra effort got them the goals they deserved.
I
posted on 11/12/16
Whatever it was it worked.... Just the effect and intensity alone without the goals was appreciated. Some greats goals though!!!
posted on 11/12/16
Fantastic response by all connected to the club yesterday.
Absolutely brilliant!
Now let's carry it on.
UTF.