There's an article on the BBC website today entitled "How has Iheanacho become so prolific?"
It's an interesting question, and one where they don't really get to the bottom of it. They talk about his record in a strike partnership with Vardy, and that has always been good. Even when he was in and out of the team it looked like they had a much better understanding than Vardy and Slimani had, for instance. What's interesting at the moment is that they look like they're constantly trying to set each other up. That despite Vardy currently looking like he needs the barn doors pointing out to him.
There is an element of him taking his chance, and his chances. Injuries forced the issue to the point where we completely ran out of attacking midfielders - except maybe Marc Albrighton being asked to play out of position - to the point where we didn't have any other fit senior options. Whether Rodgers truly had faith in him at that point or whether he was picked by default, we may never know. The picking of Perez up front earlier in the season when Vardy was out suggests it may be more of the latter.
But I have some additional ideas as to how the Juniorman has blossomed into the Seniorman over recent months.
- Firstly, the obvious question of momentum. You get a good start, you keep going, you feel good, you can get a self-fulfilling prophecy. This looks like years of frustration - maybe at his own performances - being released right now. The guy looks like he believes he can do anything, and he's actually doing them. Week after week he's succeeding and getting a buzz from it. His confidence must be sky-high, and his teammates are delighted for him and set on keeping it that way.
- Secondly, I wonder whether lack of crowds has made a difference. I think players are affected in different ways by having no fans around. Vardy for instance seems to thrive off getting barracked by opposition fans, and I wonder whether that's a reason why his scoring rate has dropped this season. The determination to rub it in someone's face might be a real driving force for him. But on the other hand, getting barracked by opposition fans might hurt Iheanacho. Or even letting down fans of his own club. I don't know, but it occurs to me as a possibility considering the statements offered by a couple of teammates that he's struggled to get his training ground form out onto the pitch in the past.
- Finally, I wonder whether there is a simple psychological difference: Previously, he has been given opportunities and had to prove himself to keep them. Such situations are all about the individual, having to prove that you belong in the squad. But this situation has been different. With injuries or absences affecting Maddison, Barnes, Praet, Perez and Under, along with continued struggles for the likes of Ricardo, there was a time when he wasn't just picked or given an opportunity - it was a time when his club, manager and teammates needed him. Again, sometimes people react positively to different things. Perhaps being relied upon is a driver for Iheanacho.
Whatever the reason, or combination of reasons, it's been a stunning turnaround from a player who clearly had ability but couldn't quite apply it and tired in games to a player who looks undroppable and must be giving opposing managers headaches about how to stop him. As I've said in another thread, I don't think Palace did much if anything wrong with his goal against them. He just reached a long ball, bullied his marker without entirely beating him, then just slammed it into the top corner like it was the most natural thing in the world. Incredible scenes. And with an FA Cup final on the horizon, let's hope he keeps it up.
Iheanacho: Season Saviour!
posted on 28/4/21
Wash your mouth out OWF - you mean POTS after Tielemans!
Otherwise a superb post that I agree entirely with.
I think my view on Nacho was always consistent - he’s a natural finisher and a good player but maybe just not suited to the Prem or us.
The number of touches he needed made him look like he’d do well in France or Germany where the leagues are slightly different. However I could always see a good player in the right system. Looks like he’s found that system and stroke partner. Both seem critical to his success, but he deserves credit for working so hard during that hard time, and sharpening up his tough and finishing so he can succeed in the prem.
Credit to the man.
posted on 28/4/21
comment by Merseysidefox (U4842)
posted 1 hour, 9 minutes ago
Wash your mouth out OWF - you mean POTS after Tielemans!
Otherwise a superb post that I agree entirely with.
I think my view on Nacho was always consistent - he’s a natural finisher and a good player but maybe just not suited to the Prem or us.
The number of touches he needed made him look like he’d do well in France or Germany where the leagues are slightly different. However I could always see a good player in the right system. Looks like he’s found that system and stroke partner. Both seem critical to his success, but he deserves credit for working so hard during that hard time, and sharpening up his tough and finishing so he can succeed in the prem.
Credit to the man.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Didn't want to upset True Blue!
Intrigued about your reference to Kelechi'S stroke partner. Am I missing something?
😂
posted on 28/4/21
Ian always had a pretty good eye for goal when presented with an opportunity. The problem was getting the opportunities.
He’s not a big target man and he’s not particularly quick. The lone striker role never seemed to suit him. He wasn’t as adept at Vardy
posted on 28/4/21
^^** hmm posted before I’d finished writing.
I was going to say ..... he wasn’t as adept as Vardy at racing onto a through ball and didn’t really seem comfortable playing with his back to goal and laying it off.
It’s clear to me that he needs to play in a two. This current formation allows him to do that. It will be interesting to see what happens when Barnes comes back as I’m still not sure he’d be the answer if BR reverts to a lone striker.
The other thing that I considered is that in some ways he’s good for Vardy. As a two it takes the pressure off JV being the main goal threat, which he’ll need as age catches up with him. It could even help JV extend his career with a slightly new role as support striker.
posted on 28/4/21
While it's Great for Ian, spare a thought for poor Harvey who is now out for the whole Season and needs a second operation.
Still, half a Season puts him miles ahead of Tilly for POTS, along with most of the rest of the Team of course.
posted on 29/4/21
comment by Merseysidefox (U4842)
posted 16 hours, 14 minutes ago
Wash your mouth out OWF - you mean POTS after Tielemans!
Otherwise a superb post that I agree entirely with.
I think my view on Nacho was always consistent - he’s a natural finisher and a good player but maybe just not suited to the Prem or us.
The number of touches he needed made him look like he’d do well in France or Germany where the leagues are slightly different. However I could always see a good player in the right system. Looks like he’s found that system and stroke partner. Both seem critical to his success, but he deserves credit for working so hard during that hard time, and sharpening up his tough and finishing so he can succeed in the prem.
Credit to the man.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Am I the only one seeing "stroke partner"?
posted on 29/4/21
comment by The_Dungeon_Master (U4830)
posted 8 minutes ago
comment by Merseysidefox (U4842)
posted 16 hours, 14 minutes ago
Wash your mouth out OWF - you mean POTS after Tielemans!
Otherwise a superb post that I agree entirely with.
I think my view on Nacho was always consistent - he’s a natural finisher and a good player but maybe just not suited to the Prem or us.
The number of touches he needed made him look like he’d do well in France or Germany where the leagues are slightly different. However I could always see a good player in the right system. Looks like he’s found that system and stroke partner. Both seem critical to his success, but he deserves credit for working so hard during that hard time, and sharpening up his tough and finishing so he can succeed in the prem.
Credit to the man.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Am I the only one seeing "stroke partner"?
----------------------------------------------------------------------
I got there first! See post 17.
😂
posted on 29/4/21
comment by old warwick fox (U11640)
posted 6 minutes ago
comment by The_Dungeon_Master (U4830)
posted 8 minutes ago
comment by Merseysidefox (U4842)
posted 16 hours, 14 minutes ago
Wash your mouth out OWF - you mean POTS after Tielemans!
Otherwise a superb post that I agree entirely with.
I think my view on Nacho was always consistent - he’s a natural finisher and a good player but maybe just not suited to the Prem or us.
The number of touches he needed made him look like he’d do well in France or Germany where the leagues are slightly different. However I could always see a good player in the right system. Looks like he’s found that system and stroke partner. Both seem critical to his success, but he deserves credit for working so hard during that hard time, and sharpening up his tough and finishing so he can succeed in the prem.
Credit to the man.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Am I the only one seeing "stroke partner"?
----------------------------------------------------------------------
I got there first! See post 17.
😂
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Glad to see we both love a good stroke partner.
posted on 29/4/21
comment by The_Dungeon_Master (U4830)
posted 1 hour, 59 minutes ago
comment by old warwick fox (U11640)
posted 6 minutes ago
comment by The_Dungeon_Master (U4830)
posted 8 minutes ago
comment by Merseysidefox (U4842)
posted 16 hours, 14 minutes ago
Wash your mouth out OWF - you mean POTS after Tielemans!
Otherwise a superb post that I agree entirely with.
I think my view on Nacho was always consistent - he’s a natural finisher and a good player but maybe just not suited to the Prem or us.
The number of touches he needed made him look like he’d do well in France or Germany where the leagues are slightly different. However I could always see a good player in the right system. Looks like he’s found that system and stroke partner. Both seem critical to his success, but he deserves credit for working so hard during that hard time, and sharpening up his tough and finishing so he can succeed in the prem.
Credit to the man.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Am I the only one seeing "stroke partner"?
----------------------------------------------------------------------
I got there first! See post 17.
😂
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Glad to see we both love a good stroke partner.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
If only we’d known all along that this is all it would take to get him firing!
posted on 29/4/21
😂 well, at least I “stimulated” some people with my comment.
I meant to strike, but clearly I stroked the wrong button on my phone!!