Should Shinji Okazaki play as a starter now?

[Drygon]

As the title says, what's on your thought about it?

Personally speaking, I think Shinji is such a vital player for the line-up. And it's not just because of his workrate, but for his brilliant link up play and movement too.

I'd like to say that Okazaki and Slimani should be our strikers up-font. Slimani should focus on scoring, both of them pressing high will be a nightmare for defences. Vardy hasn't really looked good in terms of pressing the opposition players.

Also teams are sitting so deep, which isn't Vardy's cup of the tea IMO.

 

[FIF]

I agree but Slimani has to play.

 

[TornadoShaunUK]

Possibly, Shinji doesn't get too many goals. I'd like to see a real shake up. Shinji + Slimani works for me. Gray should get more of a look in IMO as well. Chilwell in at LB and something needs to be done about the center of defence though we are short on options having not strengthened there in the last window...

 

[glyn]

As the title says, what's on your thought about it?

Personally speaking, I think Shinji is such a vital player for the line-up. And it's not just because of his workrate, but for his brilliant link up play and movement too.

I'd like to say that Okazaki and Slimani should be our strikers up-font. Slimani should focus on scoring, both of them pressing high will be a nightmare for defences. Vardy hasn't really looked good in terms of pressing the opposition players.

Also teams are sitting so deep, which isn't Vardy's cup of the tea IMO.

Funny, I think Vardy has been excellent in both the CL games and has looked far more his old self than he has done in the PL.

 

[lcfcrules]

Funny, I think Vardy has been excellent in both the CL games and has looked far more his old self than he has done in the PL.

The setup of the oppositions may have helped. In the premier league, teams have mostly worked out how to prevent Vardy playing his best game, sitting deeper and offering less space to run into. In the CL, he's been offered more of that.

Also helps when he seems to be saving his effort for the CL.

 

[harrowfox]

https://www.google.co.uk/amp/www.mi...kazaki-9054038.amp?client=ms-android-motorola

...or is it his brother?

 

[David Gwilliam]

The trouble with Shinji is that he is a striker who does not strike. He does everything else well.

Jimmy Bloomfield had the same problem. He had an energetic player who did not give the ball away and helped others play well. However, that player was not sharp enough in the box for a First Division player. Bloomfield's answer was to move Birchenall to midfield where he became one of the best in the First Division.

 

[FIF]

The trouble with Shinji is that he is a striker who does not strike. He does everything else well.

Jimmy Bloomfield had the same problem. He had an energetic player who did not give the ball away and helped others play well. However, that player was not sharp enough in the box for a First Division player. Bloomfield's answer was to move Birchenall to midfield where he became one of the best in the First Division.

Agree with you about Shinji and I have actually muted him being tried in the Kanté role though I think he'd work alongside Slimani well especially if either Mahrez or Gray were in the team to add another type of goal threat. agree about Birchenall being a striker who couldn't strike but don't agree that he was a great midfielder, I think he benefitted from being in a very good team -for me he was a weak link.

 

[Lako42]

He starts on Saturday for me.

Him and big Slim

 

[City Fan]

I've always been on the fence with Shinji, but he's starting to show me how great a player he is...by sitting on the bench.

It's so noticeable when he's not playing.

 

[Mawsley]

I've always been on the fence with Shinji, but he's starting to show me how great a player he is...by sitting on the bench.

It's so noticeable when he's not playing.

Just like when Boy Genius got banned.

But different.

 

[Chrysalis]

drygon, thank you, finally someone who agrees with me.

His quick passing and link up play is immense, we have been badly missing it this season.

 

[dpjfox]

we seem to play better with him on the pitch, he has the skill/energy to play midfield, not really a goalscorer

 

[homer]

No, definitely not

 

[TornadoShaunUK]

I think so yes but we know he doesn't get many goals - not the best finisher, so really need to get the wide players in support of the attack. Trust Claudio to pick the right starting line up for any given game..

 

[FOX Franks]

I think so yes but we know he doesn't get many goals - not the best finisher, so really need to get the wide players in support of the attack. Trust Claudio to pick the right starting line up for any given game..

Agreed, assuming this is why Musa is playing there as Albrighton doesn't get many either.

If we score three when Shinji plays though, definitely leave him in the starting XI!

 

[Lako42]

I said after the game that although Okazaki won't score many goals, the team will score more with him in the team.


People just need to allow him that role and be happy with the odd goal.

I think yesterday's was his first proper goal that didn't come off his eyelashes or knee cap.

 

[FIF]

I said after the game that although Okazaki won't score many goals, the team will score more with him in the team.


People just need to allow him that role and be happy with the odd goal.

I think yesterday's was his first proper goal that didn't come off his eyelashes or knee cap.

I think the majority a gree with you.

As long as someone scores then Okazaki doesn't need to.

I'm just glad that he was paired with Slimani, I really think that partnership has legs.

 

[fitz]

I said after the game that although Okazaki won't score many goals, the team will score more with him in the team.


People just need to allow him that role and be happy with the odd goal.

I think yesterday's was his first proper goal that didn't come off his eyelashes or knee cap.

I was impressed by how far he got it over the line. Normally he likes to try out the goal line technology.

 

[camberwell fox]

As someone else has suggested, maybe he could take on the Kante role?