Match Thread Leicester v Valencia (friendly)

[popillius]

I would call that an abnormality.

Is that exactly the same abnormality that Chelsea suffered from 14/15 to 15/16?

 

[camberwell fox]

Is that exactly the same abnormality that Chelsea suffered from 14/15 to 15/16?

That’s a slightly less abnormal, yet normal, abnormality.

 

[City Fan]

Is that exactly the same abnormality that Chelsea suffered from 14/15 to 15/16?

If I remember rightly their performances dipped at the end of 14/15, grinding out 1-0 wins. But in terms of their results, yes you’re right.

 

[M17TT C]

Bunch of ****ing bed wetters!

 

[popillius]

If I remember rightly their performances dipped at the end of 14/15, grinding out 1-0 wins. But in terms of their results, yes you’re right.

Is it the same abnormality that also affected Manchester United from 12/13 when they won the league at a canter, to 13/14 when they bombed?

My point is that performances at the back end of one season are no clear indication of what may happen the following season. They may be of course but there are many more variables which have more significant effects.

 

[City Fan]

Is it the same abnormality that also affected Manchester United from 12/13 when they won the league at a canter, to 13/14 when they bombed?

Oh the 12/13 season where they finished with 3 wins in their last 8 games.

You are correct in what you’re saying, it isn’t always the case, but that’s not the best example.

 

[camberwell fox]

You know what this boils down to in my opinion?

I would prefer to be optimistic until reality/proven wrong and some ‘seem’ to prefer to be pessimistic.

Looking at the bleak side of things is a mindset which I’m not going to criticise - each to their own, but really, are we looking that bad?

Puel seemed to change his approach in the last few games and his signings this far suggest to me at least that he isn’t going to bore the ****ng shit out of us.

I sincerely hope I am right but will jump ship after about 8 games if we are negative as **** and are stinking the league out.

Until then: We are Leicester City and we can achieve ANYTHING.

 

[popillius]

Oh the 12/13 season where they finished with 3 wins in their last 8 games.

You are correct in what you’re saying, it isn’t always the case, but that’s not the best example.

When the pressure is off and you've won the league by a country mile, experimentation and lackadaisical attitudes lead to poorer results. The gap between the 2 seasons was still astronomically large and there were far more important changes at the club which caused this than a few results at the end of a very successful season. There are countless other examples that could have been picked on top of this, us and Chelsea. Each season is a new entity. The most important variable is what happens in the transfer market and potential contractual disputes.

To some extent your point is totally valid; I understand completely the idea of momentum, Wycombe Wanderers taught me that, but it's just not as simple as the end of one season dictating the beginning of another.

As it happens, if we don't come up with a left back, a winger and a centre half then regardless of last season's performances, we are going to struggle.

 

[camberwell fox]

When the pressure is off and you've won the league by a country mile, experimentation and lackadaisical attitudes lead to poorer results. The gap between the 2 seasons was still astronomically large and there were far more important changes at the club which caused this than a few results at the end of a very successful season. There are countless other examples that could have been picked on top of this, us and Chelsea. Each season is a new entity. The most important variable is what happens in the transfer market and potential contractual disputes.

To some extent your point is totally valid; I understand completely the idea of momentum, Wycombe Wanderers taught me that, but it's just not as simple as the end of one season dictating the beginning of another.

As it happens, if we don't come up with a left back, a winger and a centre half then regardless of last season's performances, we are going to struggle.

Spoons?

 

[popillius]

You know what this boils down to in my opinion?

I would prefer to be optimistic until reality/proven wrong and some ‘seem’ to prefer to be pessimistic.

Looking at the bleak side of things is a more mindset which I’m not going to criticise - each to their own, but really are we looking that bad?

Puel seemed to change his approach in the last few games and his signings this far suggest to me at least that he isn’t going to bore the ****ng shit out of us.

I sincerely hope I am right but will jump ship after about 8 games if we are negative as **** and are stinking the league out.

Until then: We are Leicester City and we can achieve ANYTHING.

Exactly my approach. I haven't been Puel's biggest fan since the very beginning and I made no secret of this even when results were going in his favour. As much as I wouldn't really care that much one way or another if he were to go, I don't think sacking him would be fair or right without giving him time to shape the team his way with his choice of personnel. Give it 8 to 10 games and if we are seeing Peter Taylor type shit being served up I will be right with City Fan and Brown Nose calling for him to be dismissed. Until then I'm too ****ing lazy to be unnecessarily pessimistic about it all.

 

[popillius]

Spoons?

Always. You know that.

 

[fitz]

My pessimism is all about his ****ing stubbornness. We had a good opportunity to get into Europe yet he persisted with a system which clearly wasn't working. We've lost a top class player and replaced him with an unknown at this level. If that's the difference between the system working and being shite then fair enough. Can't see it myself. Hopefully he's binned the system?

 

[M17TT C]

Spoons?

I'm off to the Winchester and waiting for all this to blow over until the start of the season.

 

[popillius]

My pessimism is all about his ****ing stubbornness. We had a good opportunity to get into Europe yet he persisted with a system which clearly wasn't working. We've lost a top class player and replaced him with an unknown at this level. If that's the difference between the system working and being shite then fair enough. Can't see it myself. Hopefully he's binned the system?

I guess time will tell on the system. He hasn't replaced Mahrez with anyone and he shouldn't try. It would be impossible. Maddison is a fantastic young player and will provide heaps of creativity through the middle. I'd be tempted to play him next to Ndidi to be honest but I can see the merit in using him as a no.10. In terms of wide players he will either need to change the system which will mean adding personnel, especially to our left side, put faith in Gray there or bring in a new winger with the knowledge that he cannot be expected to do what Mahrez could. It's a tricky conundrum really.

 

[popillius]

I'm off to the Winchester and waiting for all this to blow over until the start of the season.

I'm already pissed, rocking back and forth under one of the tables. Come join me.

 

[fitz]

I guess time will tell on the system. He hasn't replaced Mahrez with anyone and he shouldn't try. It would be impossible. Maddison is a fantastic young player and will provide heaps of creativity through the middle. I'd be tempted to play him next to Ndidi to be honest but I can see the merit in using him as a no.10. In terms of wide players he will either need to change the system which will mean adding personnel, especially to our left side, put faith in Gray there or bring in a new winger with the knowledge that he cannot be expected to do what Mahrez could. It's a tricky conundrum really.

I didn't mean as a direct replacement. We were shit going forward and we've lost Mahrez and brought in Maddie. The rest is the same. I'd hoped and expected more signings to change things to make his system work, perhaps one player is enough but I doubt it. It's also massive pressure for a young unproven player to carry us.

 

[popillius]

I didn't mean as a direct replacement. We were shit going forward and we've lost Mahrez and brought in Maddie. The rest is the same. I'd hoped and expected more signings to change things to make his system work, perhaps one player is enough but I doubt it. It's also massive pressure for a young unproven player to carry us.

I think you're right in essence but I'm clinging on to the hope that there are other irons in the fire. I think if we brought in an actual footballer to play on the left and another CB we would have done okay as long as we are adaptable in our shape. I do get what you mean about creativity though - if we could get the best out of Gray and Musa it could make a difference. As much as Musa has been a laughable signing thus far, he actually looked pretty decent in pre-season and more than decent at the WC. Still, he looked pretty decent against Barcelona as well.... we all know what happened next! Gray just needs to sort out his arrogance and remember that he isn't quite as good as Ronaldo. There is a good player in there somewhere.