Post Match Leicester 1 Chelsea 2

[SJN-Fox]

As much as I want CS to succeed ... after all, if he fails, we fail. The fact remains that we've taken 3 points from 12 ( we've now taken 11 points from the last 12 league games). Next up
is Huddersfield where I expect that we might be able to come away with a point. I don't see us getting anything from the visit of Liverpool. A trip to the coast may get us a point. I can't see us coming away with all three so that takes us into the break with 5 points from a possible 21. Even if we do get all three from Bournemouth it still only leaves us with 7 ( the number that Huddersfield already have). Everyone says that the recruitment went wrong last year and yes, it did but it also went wrong when we failed to get a Premier League quality manager.

 

[H T B]

One other point, whilst it's nice to see Harry marauding upfield he shouldn't do it against the top teams. He lost the ball twice whilst charging upfront earlier and it could have been costly.

It could of, but it wasn't
Don't panic Mr Mainwaring!!!

 

[fitz]

Everyone says that the recruitment went wrong last year and yes, it did but it also went wrong when we failed to get a Premier League quality manager.

I do wonder what the reason for nobody decent wanting the job in the summer. I think we may have too see it out for a while. Managers may not want to deal with a club where players are too much in charge. Some of the obvious influencers have already stayed their intent/willingness to move on or have done so that could work in our favour.

 

[fitz]

One other point, whilst it's nice to see Harry marauding upfield he shouldn't do it against the top teams. He lost the ball twice whilst charging upfront earlier and it could have been costly.

He probably thinks by moving play forward we may be in a better position to compete in games. Silly lad, he'll soon learn.

 

[Lako42]

He probably thinks by moving play forward we may be in a better position to compete in games. Silly lad, he'll soon learn.

He's better on the ball than our midfield.

I bet he would have played Vardy in had he been in the position Mahrez was.

 

[City Fan]

He's better on the ball than our midfield.

I bet he would have played Vardy in had he been in the position Mahrez was.

I was thinking yesterday that he'd make a good defensive midfielder as he's so comfortable with the ball and his passing is brilliant.

But then again he has majorly strengthened our central defence so we can't afford him not to be there.

 

[fitz]

I was thinking yesterday that he'd make a good defensive midfielder as he's so comfortable with the ball and his passing is brilliant.

But then again he has majorly strengthened our central defence so we can't afford him not to be there.

Huth would strengthen our central midfield....just saying for the lolz of course

 

[TornadoShaunUK]

The game against Huddersfield better yearn some points as Shakespeare's only excuse so far is 'we've had a tough start'.....

Assistant managers made perm never work out, in reality Shakespeare failed before he even began I guess and we're just seeing that play out at the minute. Once the big teams are out the way and we start dropping points against the likes of Southampton, West Brom and co. the excuse will have dried up...

 

[Rock Fox]

Tactically, at least we've learned how to stop two of the opposition's substtutes from scoring

 

[Volpone]

Still cannot fathom the half-time substitutions.

Slimani was playing well as were all the team and even though we were being dominated in midfield, we were unlucky not to have scored.

Now Slimani's confidence will be totally shot. What was the point in taking him off only to put Iheanacho on later?

Why take Albrighton off at half-time?

Everyone knew we were never going to score from open play in the second half.

We were outplayed and outclassed. Not unlucky.

 

[Lako42]

I thought it was good how we went to 3 in midfield but looked like we'd actually gone to one.

Quite an achievement

 

[Volpone]

I thought it was good how we went to 3 in midfield but looked like we'd actually gone to one.

Quite an achievement

Couldn't understand why he changed it only at half-time. Why didn't he change it before the game started? He knew how they would line up and play.

It wasn't a surprise was it?

 

[popillius]

The game against Huddersfield better yearn some points as Shakespeare's only excuse so far is 'we've had a tough start'.....

Assistant managers made perm never work out, in reality Shakespeare failed before he even began I guess and we're just seeing that play out at the minute. Once the big teams are out the way and we start dropping points against the likes of Southampton, West Brom and co. the excuse will have dried up...

This is exactly my point really.

There are those on here that think my defence of CS is because I think he will do an amazing job but it isn't. In reality, it's because I don't think he has had nearly enough time to merit heavy plaudits or suffer the heavy criticism he is getting from some. You are right in what you say; if, and it is an 'if' (this is kind of my point), we start capitulating in games that, realistically, we 'should be winning' (although I hate that phrase) then we would need to look to replace him. So far, against these types of teams we've done okay.

I know statistics mean nothing really but as a simple tool to suggest some fans are being over critical at the moment they make interesting reading. Koeman, who in a lot of quarters is said to be doing a great job in the Premier League has a win ratio of 48% for Southampton and 44.9% for Everton. Eddie Howe, another well regarded manager, has win ratio stats of 44.8% with Sean Dyche, considered indispensable at present by Burnley (yes, I know it's Burnley!) at 40.4% and Jurgen Klopp at 51.4%. Shakespeare's win ration of 47.6% looks pretty respectable in comparison.

There are loads of arguments as to why these stats, like all stats, can be made to look inconsequential but it is by the very nature of this that my point is made more relevant. Nothing is set in stone and I just think that we'd have been much more tolerant of a different manager with the same stats as CS if it had been an outside appointment.

Before the usual suspects accuse me of policing opinion or disagreeing for fun, this isn't my intention. I'm merely offering an alternative view. I can disagree vehemently with other people's opinions as others will with mine but that doesn't mean that I think they shouldn't hold them. Saying in such concrete terms that everyone will, without doubt, agree with you with so little time having elapsed however is just daft. I may very well end up agreeing with those posters in 8 or 10 games time but at least I will have made up my mind based on actual rather than predictive occurrences. If CS goes on to do well this season, I think there will still be some who think he shouldn't be there because he's not a 'real manager'.

 

[SilverFox]

I'd be very very happy if he went on to have a great season. Who wouldn't.

My view is that his appointment was a mistake because of his total lack of management experience. At the end of the day I am happy for him to do very well. Yes please.

I don't however think on the evidence of what I have seen that this will end well. My biggest problem with the whole thing is that this is an experiment that never needed to happen. If he wants to manage then he should cut his teeth in a lower division.

 

[popillius]

I'd be very very happy if he went on to have a great season. Who wouldn't.

My view is that his appointment was a mistake because of his total lack of management experience. At the end of the day I am happy for him to do very well. Yes please.

I don't however think on the evidence of what I have seen that this will end well. My biggest problem with the whole thing is that this is an experiment that never needed to happen. If he wants to manage then he should cut his teeth in a lower division.

It is a risk, on that we both agree. It's hard to judge what success will look like now after winning the title. I don't know what I'd be happy with really. A top 10 finish maybe? I think the opportunity to move into being a European spot challenger went with Walsh and the recruitment policy so I have lowered my expectations somewhat.

I think CS, from what I have seen can move us into a position where we are top 10 candidates but I may well be wrong. Only time will tell I guess. It could be worse; we could support Crystal Palace.

One thing is for sure, my blood pressure would be far more stable if some twat hadn't invented football....

...or chips.

 

[Blaarev]

It is a risk, on that we both agree. It's hard to judge what success will look like now after winning the title. I don't know what I'd be happy with really. A top 10 finish maybe? I think the opportunity to move into being a European spot challenger went with Walsh and the recruitment policy so I have lowered my expectations somewhat.

I think CS, from what I have seen can move us into a position where we are top 10 candidates but I may well be wrong. Only time will tell I guess. It could be worse; we could support Crystal Palace.

One thing is for sure, my blood pressure would be far more stable if some twat hadn't invented football....

...or chips.

Nah, they'll probably go and get a proper manager now.

 

[Miles Away]

I'm of the opinion a massive clear out was needed in the summer.

Instead we hired our long time asst, gave Ulloa and James new contracts, failed to move on anyone of significance (bar Drinkwater who we failed to replace), are playing the same formation and employing the same tactics.

 

[LudlowFox]

In fairness, it is difficult innit.

Keep the club in the Prem (the singularly most important thing for the club), bring new bods in, reshape the team and introduce new tactics - all whilst keeping the current crop of players happy. It can't be done over night. Yes, it's fair to say that we haven't made best use of the time we've had since winning the Prem, and we could have been more agressive both in the transfer market and in team restructuring. Yes, put simply, we have 'got in wrong' with some transfers but we are were we are. I think our Thai owners are cautious by nature and perhaps see a longer term goal. Let's see how the season progresses before we go all Palace on our own arses.

 

[SilverFox]

Nah, they'll probably go and get a proper manager now.

Rob Kelly is champing at the bit.

 

[David Gwilliam]

Assistant managers made perm never work out,...

"Always" and "never" are words best avoided. There is always some irritating chap who will point out Bob Paisley, Stan Cullis and Tommy Docherty.

Still cannot fathom the half-time substitutions.
Slimani was playing well as were all the team and even though we were being dominated in midfield, we were unlucky not to have scored.
Why take Albrighton off at half-time?
Everyone knew we were never going to score from open play in the second half.

.

Mr Shakespeare has said that he brought Demari on because he is a dribbler. As for Slimani I thought he was poor. I thought we played better l in the 2nd half.One of the best teams in Europe. was left desperately hanging on.

In fairness, it is difficult innit.

Keep the club in the Prem (the singularly most important thing for the club), bring new bods in, reshape the team and introduce new tactics - all whilst keeping the current crop of players happy. It can't be done over night. Yes, it's fair to say that we haven't made best use of the time we've had since winning the Prem, and we could have been more agressive both in the transfer market and in team restructuring. Yes, put simply, we have 'got in wrong' with some transfers but we are were we are. I think our Thai owners are cautious by nature and perhaps see a longer term goal. Let's see how the season progresses before we go all Palace on our own arses.

I have quoted this in full because it is such a good post.