Post Match Derby 2 Leicester 2 (FA Cup)

[TornadoShaunUK]

At the end of the day Vardy or Musa has to play otherwise we have no pace up front. If we play only Slimani we are going to be doing that 4-5-1 thing lumping high balls up to the big man which nobody wants to see. I think we should persist with a flat 4-4-2 with Vardy and Slimani up front. I'd drop Drinkwater and have Ndidi and Mendy as the two midfielders with Mahrez and Albrighton on the sides. Albrighton deserves some praise for improving his performance level in recent weeks, his crosses we're often too deep yesterday but in terms of closing people down and doing the off the ball work he's doing what a lot of the team is guilty of not doing this year. Yesterday the centre of our midfield might as well have not been there as even Derby managed to ghost past them time and time again, the lack of defensive effort/awareness is astounding. Shearer put it down to them being too slow to react.

In the back four we have a real problem as none of them are playing well and we've been shown up for a lack of pace on numerous occasions, I'd keep Huth in - he's been the best of a bad bunch. Chilwell at LB over Fuchs. Additionally it's becoming increasingly apparent that we have a real weakness in the air and that includes the two CBs. We really struggle with opposition corners and IMO it's the CBs job to get up there and head those clear and inspire some defensive confidence. They aren't doing it.

 

[yackandandah]

I think if we play Vardy and Slimani together, we make more problems for ourselves. I can't see it working in our supposedly preferred, 'back-to-basics' 4-4-2. And that's aside from them not working well together.

For starters, I feel we'd need an attacking midfielder. I'm not convinced that either Mahrez nor Gray are that, they seem wide players to me. King is possibly the closest (in name) we have and he's not up to it. Kapustka perhaps but we've not seen enough of him and he's listed as a winger too.

Then it's the shape of the midfield. It almost begs diamond if you have an attacking midfielder. Or a flat three and one 'in the hole'. Then, defensively, Drinkwater sulks if he can't play centrally so it's either him or Ndidi (I know which way I'd vote btw) if we're to keep two 'wingers'.

Nah, Vardy AND Slimani opens a can of worms (if we want to supply them to their strengths). Personally, I think it's OR - then either Okazaki behind or a reshaped midfield. And the toys get thrown if the latter happens.

Our squad balance is up the swanny. Ironically, we seem to have a surplus of midfielders but none of them capable central attacking ones. Hence the interest in Ramirez presumably. If we're sticking tried-and-tested 4-4-2 with the players we have then we can't have 2 different types of out-and-out strikers. That's what makes Okazaki so valuable to us.

 

[FIF]

I think that's a bit harsh on Vardy personally.
The service from midfield should be criticised more than the strikers in my opinion.

Vardy has been poor all season. he's had plenty of chances and been terrible in all but one game.

No heart, no team play, no effort and little skill.

Haven't heard of Arsenal or anyone else showing any interest in him this transfer period.

 

[fox58]

I was at the game, I've said this before, it must look totally different on the TV and judging by comments in this thread and somewhat crontrovercially I enjoyed the game

 

[yackandandah]

I was at the game, I've said this before, it must look totally different on the TV and judging by comments in this thread and somewhat crontrovercially I enjoyed the game

I think there have been predominantly 2 ways of judging the game and that has led to the apparent contradiction. I'll over simplify for the sake of making the difference more obvious...

Looked at as just one game, disregarding current form and league positions and technique, it WAS an enjoyable match. Two well matched teams (sorry to whoever it was that is offended by this view!) both out to win. A classic kind of cup tie that the BBC will love for audience ratings etc. Both sets of fans could have come away from that having felt stirred.

Then there's the view that casts a wider context. Leicester were nowhere near as good as they were last year. That's there to see as plain as anything. Simply everyone is saying that. Derby fans may equally feel that they haven't played to standard (no idea, I don't watch them). So either set of fans could come away saying 'crap, should have won that'

Both are clearly valid points of view. I've no truck with either of them and quite honestly can agree with both. It was both a good game AND a crap game depending on your context. I prefer the first simply because I feel better about that one. (As someone here said, don't do it if it doesn't make you happy!) But also I can see the progress from the crap that was dished up at Southampton.

 

[The Old Fox]

I was entertained by this match. I would not say that City were pulling up trees, but from the low point of the last two displays, there was definite improvement.

On Vardy, I have to agree that he needs a shake up and I would like to see Musa used through the centre. There was an incident, quite early on last night, when a ball was played through almost bisecting Vardy and Oki. Last season, Vardy would have been on it, in the blink of an eye, instead, he didn't even keep up with Oki, he ambled away to no purpose. Time for a rest.

 

[SwedeFox]

Haven't heard of Arsenal or anyone else showing any interest in him this transfer period.

That train has gone permanently. He's blown his chance for a big move

 

[big_mac4824]

Vardy has been poor all season. he's had plenty of chances and been terrible in all but one game.

No heart, no team play, no effort and little skill.

Haven't heard of Arsenal or anyone else showing any interest in him this transfer period.

I think you are way off the mark there mate he has worked his socks off.

 

[FIF]

I think you are way off the mark there mate he has worked his socks off.

nah!

 

[H T B]

I think you are way off the mark there mate he has worked his socks off.

Is your tongue in your cheek?

 

[SwedeFox]

Is your head also your arse?

A bit harsh tbf

 

[homer]

He has worked his socks off - plugging his book and pissing around with OK magazine every ten minutes. Couldn't have flogged himself harder

On the pitch, however, he has been a half-arsed, useless twonk

 

[TornadoShaunUK]

That train has gone permanently. He's blown his chance for a big move

That's a bit of a shitty thing to say when the majority of fans were hoping he'd stay on. I don't think he'd have done well at Arsenal and that's kind of echoed by the fact that we aren't having the same success this year now that we get less space in the final third. That's where Vardy is most effective. It was nice to see him stay on here and I'm sure we were all hoping we could kick on from the title win last year and perhaps add some more silverware over the next few seasons. It hasn't worked out that way.. maybe this season is just a blip, but the players really only have themselves to blame for it. There is not the same application as last season.

 

[SwedeFox]

That's a bit of a shitty thing to say when the majority of fans were hoping he'd stay on. I don't think he'd have done well at Arsenal and that's kind of echoed by the fact that we aren't having the same success this year now that we get less space in the final third. That's where Vardy is most effective. It was nice to see him stay on here and I'm sure we were all hoping we could kick on from the title win last year and perhaps add some more silverware over the next few seasons. It hasn't worked out that way.. maybe this season is just a blip, but the players really only have themselves to blame for it. There is not the same application as last season.

I was happy he stayed too. I'm just stating the fact that no team is going to be willing to gamble on Vardy when he has demonstrated that he is capable of plunging into quite extraordinary depths (combined with his age)

 

[popillius]

I was happy he stayed too. I'm just stating the fact that no team is going to be willing to gamble on Vardy when he has demonstrated that he is capable of plunging into quite extraordinary depths (combined with his age)

I'm not so sure. I wouldn't be surprised to see a deadline day bid or two for him. Assumptions about his happiness here will be made and many clubs will feel they can rejuvenate a seemingly demoralised player. If they could, they may have a player who can win them a lot of games. I think a few clubs would be willing to take a punt on him; West Ham and Everton are a couple that spring to mind. I just have a feeling that there may be an enquiry at least, come Tuesday.

 

[SwedeFox]

I'm not so sure. I wouldn't be surprised to see a deadline day bid or two for him. Assumptions about his happiness here will be made and many clubs will feel they can rejuvenate a seemingly demoralised player. If they could, they may have a player who can win them a lot of games. I think a few clubs would be willing to take a punt on him; West Ham and Everton are a couple that spring to mind. I just have a feeling that there may be an enquiry at least, come Tuesday.

Very much doubt it considering he would have to take a massive wage cut. But we'll see.

 

[Jeff]

No draws so far today in the cup, so as things stand the replay will be televised.

 

[popillius]

Very much doubt it considering he would have to take a massive wage cut. But we'll see.

Perhaps not as much as you think, if any at West Ham.

 

[fitz]

Last year Arsenal this year West Aaaam at a stretch....no wonder he can't be arsed.

 

[City Fan]

Vardy has been poor all season. he's had plenty of chances and been terrible in all but one game.

No heart, no team play, no effort and little skill.

Haven't heard of Arsenal or anyone else showing any interest in him this transfer period.

0/10 then yeah?