Brown Nose
Well-Known Member
Two wins fortunately gained against the run of play. Two draws fortunately achieved against the run of play. Three defeats, two of which were well deserved and one was unlucky (Brighton).
That leaves us 13th, 5 points clear of the relegation zone and 6 points away from our finishing position in the last two years. All in all, it's a bit shit.
We're almost exclusively playing a back four (630/659 mins). Schmeichel is a constant. His performances have been okay but his passing has been terrible. The other defensive constant is Soyuncu. He's played every minute and has looked part okay and part a mess. Vestergaard started promisingly but he's demonstrated his limitations recently. He cannot be isolated or exposed for pace. He is a lump who can pass. He's a perfectly okay fourth choice central defender. Our support acts are Amartey (not good enough) and Evans (not fit enough). We need Evans fit soon as it is obvious that he needs to be alongside Soyuncu. We badly miss Fofana.
At full back, we have a confused mess. On the right we've swapped between Ricardo and Castagne. At the beginning of the season, Ricardo looked great and Castagne looked unfit. Now it's the other way around. On the left, Bertrand started pre-season looking excellent and then got Covid. Since then, he's looked like an old man in a charity match. Thomas isn't good enough to be anything other than a back up. We badly miss Justin.
Summarising our defensive play requires an honest assessment of our ability to play out from the back. Without Evans, Fofana and Ricardo in form, we can't do it.
You'd think that central midfield would be easy - Ndidi and Tielemans. We know that pairing works and they've been played together most often. However, they are not playing as a two alongside one another. They are playing one deep, one more advanced. Often with a third midfielder in there just to add to the confusion. Now Ndidi is out and we have the shambolic situation of having loads of midfielders but none of them seem to be trusted to play. We badly need Ndidi back quickly.
In the creative roles, the positive is Lookman. He's better than expected so far although he is yet to score or assist. And there he isn't alone. Albrighton is the only creative player that has scored in seven matches. Barnes has one assist and is the only one to do that from this area of the pitch too. This is a horrendous mess. We have plenty of options, none of them seem fit or on form. The only other worthwhile point is how overplayed Maddison is - 7th most used player this season and no positive contribution in any of those appearances.
We then have three forwards. Vardy is doing great with a goal or assist every 89 mins. Iheanacho has been criminally underused and has a goal or assist every 82 mins. Daka has only 22 mins so far and looks miles short of the required standard at the moment. It's a no brainer to play the two in form forwards together every game. Anything other than this is madness.
So, when we play Man Utd in a couple of weeks, some things are clear. We have to play Vardy and Iheanacho up front. Lookman should also start (on the left!). Tielemans and Soyuncu and Schmeichel are obvious too. Castagne has earnt the right back slot. If Evans is fit, he has to play too. If not, we have no choice but to play Vestergaard. Ndidi is missing so we have no option but to play Soumare alongside (not ahead of) Tielemans. Left back and right midfield are our weakest positions just like they were last season, and possibly the season before that too. How we paper over those cracks will be key until certain players rediscover how to do football.
Schmeichel
Castagne Soyuncu Evans ?
? Soumare Tielemans
Iheanacho Vardy Lookman
That leaves us 13th, 5 points clear of the relegation zone and 6 points away from our finishing position in the last two years. All in all, it's a bit shit.
We're almost exclusively playing a back four (630/659 mins). Schmeichel is a constant. His performances have been okay but his passing has been terrible. The other defensive constant is Soyuncu. He's played every minute and has looked part okay and part a mess. Vestergaard started promisingly but he's demonstrated his limitations recently. He cannot be isolated or exposed for pace. He is a lump who can pass. He's a perfectly okay fourth choice central defender. Our support acts are Amartey (not good enough) and Evans (not fit enough). We need Evans fit soon as it is obvious that he needs to be alongside Soyuncu. We badly miss Fofana.
At full back, we have a confused mess. On the right we've swapped between Ricardo and Castagne. At the beginning of the season, Ricardo looked great and Castagne looked unfit. Now it's the other way around. On the left, Bertrand started pre-season looking excellent and then got Covid. Since then, he's looked like an old man in a charity match. Thomas isn't good enough to be anything other than a back up. We badly miss Justin.
Summarising our defensive play requires an honest assessment of our ability to play out from the back. Without Evans, Fofana and Ricardo in form, we can't do it.
You'd think that central midfield would be easy - Ndidi and Tielemans. We know that pairing works and they've been played together most often. However, they are not playing as a two alongside one another. They are playing one deep, one more advanced. Often with a third midfielder in there just to add to the confusion. Now Ndidi is out and we have the shambolic situation of having loads of midfielders but none of them seem to be trusted to play. We badly need Ndidi back quickly.
In the creative roles, the positive is Lookman. He's better than expected so far although he is yet to score or assist. And there he isn't alone. Albrighton is the only creative player that has scored in seven matches. Barnes has one assist and is the only one to do that from this area of the pitch too. This is a horrendous mess. We have plenty of options, none of them seem fit or on form. The only other worthwhile point is how overplayed Maddison is - 7th most used player this season and no positive contribution in any of those appearances.
We then have three forwards. Vardy is doing great with a goal or assist every 89 mins. Iheanacho has been criminally underused and has a goal or assist every 82 mins. Daka has only 22 mins so far and looks miles short of the required standard at the moment. It's a no brainer to play the two in form forwards together every game. Anything other than this is madness.
So, when we play Man Utd in a couple of weeks, some things are clear. We have to play Vardy and Iheanacho up front. Lookman should also start (on the left!). Tielemans and Soyuncu and Schmeichel are obvious too. Castagne has earnt the right back slot. If Evans is fit, he has to play too. If not, we have no choice but to play Vestergaard. Ndidi is missing so we have no option but to play Soumare alongside (not ahead of) Tielemans. Left back and right midfield are our weakest positions just like they were last season, and possibly the season before that too. How we paper over those cracks will be key until certain players rediscover how to do football.
Schmeichel
Castagne Soyuncu Evans ?
? Soumare Tielemans
Iheanacho Vardy Lookman
