Tony Elsby
New Member
What a pity City's manager and coaching staff don't have requalify every year in their chosen profession.
You can just imagine the clipboard of an independent assessor giving marks out of 10 in the various categories...
TEAM PERFORMANCE:
Consistently below the standard expected or required.
Two new forwards, Blake and Connolly yet to score. One goal only from other newcomer Dublin. Lack of consistent effort from many players. Not particularly combative under pressure and not inventive enough to open tight defences. Mid-table position from games against limited opposition.
Overall 4/10.
DISCIPLINE:
A long-standing problem at Leicester and again poor. Sendings off have given the team a considerable handicap reducing their chances of success.
2/10
ENTERTAINMENT:
Not close to the traditional standard of the club especially at this level. In nine games there has only been one glimmer of light, entertainment wise...that being in the home game against Sheffield United. 2/10.
HOME FORM: Diabolical. Leicester have the perfect stadium to impress in this division. But, form has been nervous, uncertain, lacking in fluidity and belief. One win in four. Not a compliment to the coaching staff. 1/10.
SELECTION: Often hard to fathom. Selectors persist with players who are clearly off form or unfit without obvious justification. 5/10.
TACTICS: City often seem to be one step behind the opposition tactically, particularly against Millwall and Burnley. Simply not imaginative enough against packed defences nor sufficiently committed to going forward as a team, particularly in the closing stages of games. Any creditable pattern of play in the nine matches so far has been stiffled by poor passing, misunderstandings or lack of continuity. 4/10
INSPIRATION: Odd players Keown, Nalis, Walker, Connnolly (briefly), have had a steady start to their season but it is impossible to pick out anyone as being outstanding so far and some players have made woeful contributions. 2/10.
ATTENDANCES: Beginning to drop - a sure sign of discontent - but unquestionably reflecting the prospect of paying substantial amounts of money to watch indifferent and uninspiring football. 5/10.
PROSPECTS: Not entirely hopeless. Seven points from the last nine was an improvement although the team never looked convincing as potential promotion chasers. Do not seem to have the personnel to frighten the opposition in this division so the problems of discipline and of playing many games with two or three players well below their best need to be addressed. Even then it will be a battle that will require managerial cunning and inspiration. Few signs of these qualities as yet because the problems, while glaring, have still not been addressed. 4/10
PASSION: The management have failed to stir any real passion at the Walkers so far this season. New players have had odd moments but have not really excited the crowd and the team has often been guilty of poor passing, a lack of inventiveness or devil. By and large players lost have been replaced by vastly inferior alternatives and if there is any talent in the reserves it is not being given much chance to come through. Result. Quiet crowds - a bad sign. 4/10.
Overall assessment 33/100.
This represents a significant underperformance for a club of Leicester's stature and demands the conclusion. Must do better and quick.
Have I been too harsh?
Team Rebuilding:
Defence: 8/10. Signs of improvement on previous season.
Midfield: 6/10. Patchy. Easily overwhelmed by physical opponents. Indifferent passing. Not notably inventive.
Attack: 3/10. Connolly and Dublin have had their moments but effect is poor. Scoring ratio below required standard. Blake still to score or register a significant controbution.
You can just imagine the clipboard of an independent assessor giving marks out of 10 in the various categories...
TEAM PERFORMANCE:
Consistently below the standard expected or required.
Two new forwards, Blake and Connolly yet to score. One goal only from other newcomer Dublin. Lack of consistent effort from many players. Not particularly combative under pressure and not inventive enough to open tight defences. Mid-table position from games against limited opposition.
Overall 4/10.
DISCIPLINE:
A long-standing problem at Leicester and again poor. Sendings off have given the team a considerable handicap reducing their chances of success.
2/10
ENTERTAINMENT:
Not close to the traditional standard of the club especially at this level. In nine games there has only been one glimmer of light, entertainment wise...that being in the home game against Sheffield United. 2/10.
HOME FORM: Diabolical. Leicester have the perfect stadium to impress in this division. But, form has been nervous, uncertain, lacking in fluidity and belief. One win in four. Not a compliment to the coaching staff. 1/10.
SELECTION: Often hard to fathom. Selectors persist with players who are clearly off form or unfit without obvious justification. 5/10.
TACTICS: City often seem to be one step behind the opposition tactically, particularly against Millwall and Burnley. Simply not imaginative enough against packed defences nor sufficiently committed to going forward as a team, particularly in the closing stages of games. Any creditable pattern of play in the nine matches so far has been stiffled by poor passing, misunderstandings or lack of continuity. 4/10
INSPIRATION: Odd players Keown, Nalis, Walker, Connnolly (briefly), have had a steady start to their season but it is impossible to pick out anyone as being outstanding so far and some players have made woeful contributions. 2/10.
ATTENDANCES: Beginning to drop - a sure sign of discontent - but unquestionably reflecting the prospect of paying substantial amounts of money to watch indifferent and uninspiring football. 5/10.
PROSPECTS: Not entirely hopeless. Seven points from the last nine was an improvement although the team never looked convincing as potential promotion chasers. Do not seem to have the personnel to frighten the opposition in this division so the problems of discipline and of playing many games with two or three players well below their best need to be addressed. Even then it will be a battle that will require managerial cunning and inspiration. Few signs of these qualities as yet because the problems, while glaring, have still not been addressed. 4/10
PASSION: The management have failed to stir any real passion at the Walkers so far this season. New players have had odd moments but have not really excited the crowd and the team has often been guilty of poor passing, a lack of inventiveness or devil. By and large players lost have been replaced by vastly inferior alternatives and if there is any talent in the reserves it is not being given much chance to come through. Result. Quiet crowds - a bad sign. 4/10.
Overall assessment 33/100.
This represents a significant underperformance for a club of Leicester's stature and demands the conclusion. Must do better and quick.
Have I been too harsh?
Team Rebuilding:
Defence: 8/10. Signs of improvement on previous season.
Midfield: 6/10. Patchy. Easily overwhelmed by physical opponents. Indifferent passing. Not notably inventive.
Attack: 3/10. Connolly and Dublin have had their moments but effect is poor. Scoring ratio below required standard. Blake still to score or register a significant controbution.
