Brown Nose
Well-Known Member
We've now played six league games under our new management. All the new signings have had some game time. We've changed formation and we've had plenty of results/performances to get excited about. So what do we make of our prospects this season?
Firstly, in terms of our points return, I reckon we're about four points ahead of an average start. The West Ham away result was excellent and stands out for me as three points gained. We clearly have retained the spirit and confidence from the end of last season too.
Ranieri has done very well to keep the players together. It would have been easy for them to have started badly given the summer of negative headlines and chaos. Managing to retain the staffing structure is also clearly a plus.
On the downside, there is a problem with us defensively with our current back four. Even on the first day. it was apparent. Playing a back four is something we couldn't do last season and something we don't look very good at this time either. Much will depend on Ranieri's ability to mould the defensive side of our game over the coming months. I like some of the signs, like us retreating to conserve energy for spells in recent matches and how we've deliberately compacted the game a couple of times. This is all very Italian and not like us at all. However, I remain unconvinced of our current players ability to defend as he will want them to.
Of the players, I've not been impressed with Schmeichel. He ended last season so well but started this one just like he started the last one. I can't help thinking that an equally sound keeper technically but three inches taller would serve us better.
De Laet is not and never will be a good enough right back. I think Huth has been a shadow of his commanding self from last year. Morgan (aside from yesterday) was been excellent. Schlupp isn't a natural defender but adds so much pace and power to the team that he's now a key man. The two new defenders have both looked some way short of what is required at the moment.
In midfield, Inler isn't good enough (yet). Drinkwater has stepped up (so far) and Kante is a revelation.
Albrighton has started well on the left but does appear a luxury at times. I'd rather he was on the right. Okazaki is okay. On a good day, he has a touch of the Steve Claridge about him (this is a compliment) and on a bad day, he has the look of a Matty Fryatt (not a compliment).
Our stars are clearly Vardy and Mahrez. Both have been outstanding and have carried the team at times.
If we insist on a back four, I think the defence needs some surgery. Maybe; Simpson, Huth Morgan and Fuchs would be more solid. They'd certainly be more defensive minded and experienced. Ahead, Kante and Drinkwater should be certain starters. I'd play Schlupp wide left and Albrighton wide right. Then have Mahrez in a free role behind Vardy.
If we did play a back three (and I think a lot of our players look better in that formation) we could afford another forward player (probably Ulloa).
The twelve points we've acquired is only seven fewer than the number we started April with. Therefore, you'd think that we'll be better equipped for a season outside the bottom three. But it is still early days and much is still up in the air. I really don't think Ranieri has been able or willing to introduce his ways very much. I think he's currently presiding over a team that are quite different from anything he's managed before. I've been impressed with him as a person though and with his ability to spot what's needed during a game and make sensible improvements. I'm not sure how much of my approval of him is based on him not being at all like his predecessor and how much is earned. I do still have my fingers crossed about him.
Firstly, in terms of our points return, I reckon we're about four points ahead of an average start. The West Ham away result was excellent and stands out for me as three points gained. We clearly have retained the spirit and confidence from the end of last season too.
Ranieri has done very well to keep the players together. It would have been easy for them to have started badly given the summer of negative headlines and chaos. Managing to retain the staffing structure is also clearly a plus.
On the downside, there is a problem with us defensively with our current back four. Even on the first day. it was apparent. Playing a back four is something we couldn't do last season and something we don't look very good at this time either. Much will depend on Ranieri's ability to mould the defensive side of our game over the coming months. I like some of the signs, like us retreating to conserve energy for spells in recent matches and how we've deliberately compacted the game a couple of times. This is all very Italian and not like us at all. However, I remain unconvinced of our current players ability to defend as he will want them to.
Of the players, I've not been impressed with Schmeichel. He ended last season so well but started this one just like he started the last one. I can't help thinking that an equally sound keeper technically but three inches taller would serve us better.
De Laet is not and never will be a good enough right back. I think Huth has been a shadow of his commanding self from last year. Morgan (aside from yesterday) was been excellent. Schlupp isn't a natural defender but adds so much pace and power to the team that he's now a key man. The two new defenders have both looked some way short of what is required at the moment.
In midfield, Inler isn't good enough (yet). Drinkwater has stepped up (so far) and Kante is a revelation.
Albrighton has started well on the left but does appear a luxury at times. I'd rather he was on the right. Okazaki is okay. On a good day, he has a touch of the Steve Claridge about him (this is a compliment) and on a bad day, he has the look of a Matty Fryatt (not a compliment).
Our stars are clearly Vardy and Mahrez. Both have been outstanding and have carried the team at times.
If we insist on a back four, I think the defence needs some surgery. Maybe; Simpson, Huth Morgan and Fuchs would be more solid. They'd certainly be more defensive minded and experienced. Ahead, Kante and Drinkwater should be certain starters. I'd play Schlupp wide left and Albrighton wide right. Then have Mahrez in a free role behind Vardy.
If we did play a back three (and I think a lot of our players look better in that formation) we could afford another forward player (probably Ulloa).
The twelve points we've acquired is only seven fewer than the number we started April with. Therefore, you'd think that we'll be better equipped for a season outside the bottom three. But it is still early days and much is still up in the air. I really don't think Ranieri has been able or willing to introduce his ways very much. I think he's currently presiding over a team that are quite different from anything he's managed before. I've been impressed with him as a person though and with his ability to spot what's needed during a game and make sensible improvements. I'm not sure how much of my approval of him is based on him not being at all like his predecessor and how much is earned. I do still have my fingers crossed about him.
