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Post by dirtygary69 on Jan 9, 2021 18:54:07 GMT
Or is it simply a case of too many games with a depleted squad?
Not for the first time in the last month or so, I thought we ended up looking absolutely knackered for most of the second half.
I didn’t see an awful lot wrong first half and other than the front two, it looked fine. Then the wonder goal changed it completely. Having said that, I don’t think even if it went to HT at 0-0 we’d have done much better in the second half as we absolutely died, especially the last 30 minutes. Their quality shone through and we completely went.
Hopefully it now means the players coming back from injury will be a bit fitter and the rested players will come back with a bit more energy after a couple of weeks off, but we have looked out on our feet in the final 30 minutes, probably since the Cardiff game.
I think we need another couple of signings this window, or I can see us sliding down the table. However, on today’s basis, it does show how much we’d have to step up if we did get back into the PL. They just walked it second half.
I don’t think today is anything to especially worry about, that Leicester team was miles better than anything else we’ll face this season, but we did seem to fall apart alarmingly after the second goal.
If we continue with this approach, however much sympathy I have with MON over certain options, I can see the second half of this season being a grind. Luckily, it appears that we are after another LB/LWB and we have to hope we can afford another striker because Vokes and Brown won’t get us anywhere. It’s obvious we need to rotate Fletcher where we can as he can’t play every game.
MON still should have everyone 100% onside, but he does need to show what he’s really about in the coming weeks so that we don’t fade away whilst struggling to score goals. We clearly aren’t going to concede many goals in the league, but we can’t keep a clean sheet every game.
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Post by iglugluk on Jan 9, 2021 18:57:37 GMT
Leicester certainly looking alot fitter and that shouldn't be the case. Skillful? Yes.. but fitter? Should be a no.
Like you say scheduling is certainly alot harder in The Championship but it was still noticeable
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Post by cobhamstokey on Jan 9, 2021 18:58:58 GMT
Or is it simply a case of too many games with a depleted squad? Not for the first time in the last month or so, I thought we ended up looking absolutely knackered for most of the second half. I didn’t see an awful lot wrong first half and other than the front two, it looked fine. Then the wonder goal changed it completely. Having said that, I don’t think even if it went to HT at 0-0 we’d have done much better in the second half as we absolutely died, especially the last 30 minutes. Their quality shone through and we completely went. Hopefully it now means the players coming back from injury will be a bit fitter and the rested players will come back with a bit more energy after a couple of weeks off, but we have looked out on our feet in the final 30 minutes, probably since the Cardiff game. I think we need another couple of signings this window, or I can see us sliding down the table. However, on today’s basis, it does show how much we’d have to step up if we did get back into the PL. They just walked it second half. I don’t think today is anything to especially worry about, that Leicester team was miles better than anything else we’ll face this season, but we did seem to fall apart alarmingly after the second goal. If we continue with this approach, however much sympathy I have with MON over certain options, I can see the second half of this season being a grind. Luckily, it appears that we are after another LB/LWB and we have to hope we can afford another striker because Vokes and Brown won’t get us anywhere. It’s obvious we need to rotate Fletcher where we can as he can’t play every game. MON still should have everyone 100% onside, but he does need to show what he’s really about in the coming weeks so that we don’t fade away whilst struggling to score goals. We clearly aren’t going to concede many goals in the league, but we can’t keep a clean sheet every game. We had a team today that had a large number of players coming back after time away and it showed. When you look at the team Shawcross - first start of the season. McClean - coming back having had Covid Batth - first start after time out Allen - out for a year Clucas - out for a few months Mikel - 2nd game back after a couple of months back That’s half a team trying to get fitness. Add to that our front 2 and it was never going to end well. |
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Post by Deleted on Jan 9, 2021 19:00:07 GMT
Fitness is bound to play a part when you can’t hold a football and dictate the pace. For months I’ve mentioned our ability to play at our own tempo, mainly because we can’t put 3 passes together. It’s sidewards backwards sidewards hoof! Then chase the ball like puppies.
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Post by potterburt on Jan 9, 2021 19:00:24 GMT
I know what you mean, I’ve been wondering about our fitness - and also whether it ties into all the injuries.
seems we fade away at the end in some games e.g V Cardiff
Could it be new training regime from MoN? Just unlucky? Signs of poor discipline from players in a weird lockdown year? - I’m guessing training together as a squad will have been effected massively this year.
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Post by a on Jan 9, 2021 19:01:13 GMT
We actually played a pressing game second half which may be part of the reason why we faded. That with Shawcross looking unfit (understandably before someone starts to cry at me), Ba’ath who is slow and a change to an unfamiliar defence against an incredibly fast team (Barnes for one) meant that it was always going to show our frailties
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Post by butlerstbob on Jan 9, 2021 19:02:17 GMT
Leicester rested 2 yes 2 players from the first 11 that won away at Newcastle 2 - 1 in the prem and they are sitting 3rd in the league, that coupled with our injury list today was to be expected! I think people are over reacting a little on here!
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Post by neddy on Jan 9, 2021 19:07:11 GMT
I agree a bit of over reaction I think but would have felt better if we lost by only say 2 but in the scheme of things our whole focus should be on the league and we have until the end of January to try and solve our problems!
It must be so difficult though to offload players which I guess is the key to allowing room to bring players in. Big couple of weeks coming up and I really hope we can wheel and deal!
Come on transfer team! And MON talk em in!
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Post by boweryboy on Jan 9, 2021 21:48:06 GMT
I think it was,we needed to much time on the ball,and had it taken off us,and when they had it they just ran away from us, and alarmingly some of our players gave up the chase too often !!
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Post by Staffsoatcake on Jan 10, 2021 12:27:14 GMT
I think our main worry is too many players are just not good enough.
Too many who couldn't pass water, trap a sand bag,and slower than a one legged man.
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Post by chuckrocky on Jan 10, 2021 13:00:05 GMT
Don’t confuse being slow with being unfit.
Leicester had a very youthful and pacy side out, we put out what’s got to be one of the slowest ever Stoke sides.
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Post by lawrieleslie on Jan 10, 2021 13:04:20 GMT
Commentary mentioned the difference in fitness level between the two teams.
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Post by medwaypotter on Jan 10, 2021 13:15:15 GMT
Commentary mentioned the difference in fitness level between the two teams. Not surprising, they spent the whole 90 having a jizfest over Leicester. |
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Post by TinkerT on Jan 10, 2021 13:17:47 GMT
Fitness isn't the worry, burn out is. He's played FAR too many players over december and christmas and not used all his sub's, now we're seeing why our players are fucked. This and the fact our players coming back from injury haven't been able to be eased in as much as we would like, both faults fall with the manager I'm afraid.
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Post by questionable on Jan 10, 2021 13:34:41 GMT
I think our main worry is too many players are just not good enough. Too many who couldn't pass water, trap a sand bag,and slower than a one legged man. Bang on Brown was an eager participant, kept running and getting on to balls, then err... nothing whatsoever. Looks like an athlete but never a footballer, again probably on par with a mid to low level Championship club which is exactly what we are. |
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Post by waddosnavy on Jan 11, 2021 11:42:40 GMT
Watching the weekend games, certainly Leicester looked fitter and the large skill gap between our present team and what would be required to compete at Premier League level was extremely evident.
In contrast Crawley with what we would expect to be lesser skilled players looked fitter (for the whole 90 minutes) and had the skill and teamwork to know where to clear the ball to upfield knowing there would be players to challenge, win the ball and make goalscoring opportunities.
Whilst we may state that our players have played many games, remember quite a few are subbed after 60 minutes or so. It would be interesting to see over a season how many minutes players are actually on the pitch. In 71/72 season Jackie Marsh played 41 league games, 12 League Cup and 8 FA cup. I've not included several extra time games and of course there would be several minutes 'injury time' but his 61 matches equates to 5,490 minutes! I don't think any of our present players will get anywhere need that.
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Post by dingdongbell on Jan 11, 2021 15:51:43 GMT
Or is it simply a case of too many games with a depleted squad? Not for the first time in the last month or so, I thought we ended up looking absolutely knackered for most of the second half. I didn’t see an awful lot wrong first half and other than the front two, it looked fine. Then the wonder goal changed it completely. Having said that, I don’t think even if it went to HT at 0-0 we’d have done much better in the second half as we absolutely died, especially the last 30 minutes. Their quality shone through and we completely went. Hopefully it now means the players coming back from injury will be a bit fitter and the rested players will come back with a bit more energy after a couple of weeks off, but we have looked out on our feet in the final 30 minutes, probably since the Cardiff game. I think we need another couple of signings this window, or I can see us sliding down the table. However, on today’s basis, it does show how much we’d have to step up if we did get back into the PL. They just walked it second half. I don’t think today is anything to especially worry about, that Leicester team was miles better than anything else we’ll face this season, but we did seem to fall apart alarmingly after the second goal. If we continue with this approach, however much sympathy I have with MON over certain options, I can see the second half of this season being a grind. Luckily, it appears that we are after another LB/LWB and we have to hope we can afford another striker because Vokes and Brown won’t get us anywhere. It’s obvious we need to rotate Fletcher where we can as he can’t play every game. MON still should have everyone 100% onside, but he does need to show what he’s really about in the coming weeks so that we don’t fade away whilst struggling to score goals. We clearly aren’t going to concede many goals in the league, but we can’t keep a clean sheet every game. We had a team today that had a large number of players coming back after time away and it showed. When you look at the team Shawcross - first start of the season. McClean - coming back having had Covid Batth - first start after time out Allen - out for a year Clucas - out for a few months Mikel - 2nd game back after a couple of months back That’s half a team trying to get fitness. Add to that our front 2 and it was never going to end well. |
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Post by dingdongbell on Jan 11, 2021 15:53:57 GMT
Factor in that they are all over 30 with a lot of miles on the clock, it was hardly surprising that we made Leicester look very lively .
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Post by femark on Jan 11, 2021 16:50:00 GMT
You'll always get more tired without the ball than with it. We didn't stretch Leicester at all, so it's no wonder they weren't tired.
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Post by dirtclod on Jan 11, 2021 18:18:48 GMT
We were a mediocre Championship side playing the 3rd place team in the PL and it showed.
1) Those Leicester players were way faster than ours. (They should be - they are in the PL)
2) They seemed to always have the ball while we chased it. (They should have, they are in the PL)
3) Their passing was more accurate, positive and crisper. (It should be, they are in the PL)
4) They were far more creative. (They should be, they are in the PL)
5) They made less mistakes than we did. (That should be, they are in the PL)
So...Half our team just came off injuries/ailment, making these fitness/skill/speed gaps even greater.
Leicester ARE fitter, more skilled, far better paid and used to playing better competition every week. The 4-0 score was only surprising in that it wasn't worse.
How can one judge how good/bad we are in the Championship based on that game? It just illustrated the difference between a PL team and a lower-league team. Getting a little upset is understandable - I don't like losing either. But getting my knickers twisted over this game? I just can't cough up enough delusion or energy...sorry.
A similar thing occurs in the US when the Pro baseball teams play exhibition games against AAA Minor League teams. But... every AAA minor league team has 9 players that can play in the upper league - they are just being "stored" as backups in AAA due to lack of roster-space. Even so, it is rare to see one of these minor-league teams win those games.
Championship football sides have what, maybe 3 or 4 players that could get off the bench in the PL? So there's even MORE of a gap between PL and Championship teams.
I think that's a great tribute to the Cup competitions because once in a blue moon, a lower-league team will out-hustle and actually WIN one of these games out of sheer desire.
Leicester now returns to a league where any screw up costs a place and several million dollars. The only breather you get is playing lower-league teams in a cup - some on here need to realize that WE were that breather.
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Post by NassauDave on Jan 11, 2021 18:21:31 GMT
It is for me mate. 20 yard jog and I’m fucked.
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Post by lordb on Jan 11, 2021 19:18:57 GMT
It is for me mate. 20 yard jog and I’m fucked. Should get to the bus stop sooner then |
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Post by independent on Jan 12, 2021 13:43:14 GMT
Fitness isn't the worry, burn out is. He's played FAR too many players over december and christmas and not used all his sub's, now we're seeing why our players are fucked. This and the fact our players coming back from injury haven't been able to be eased in as much as we would like, both faults fall with the manager I'm afraid. Yes he probably has. But had he rested players and lost touch with the play off positions would you be happier. I think the manager knows what he's doing with the limited resources available to him. I see people on this forum grasping at any straw that's available. Verlinden and Edwards only being the latest examples. I am not an admirer of Vokes but suggesting that X couldn't be worse than him is wrong. X could and probably would be worse. This mess is going to take a couple of years to fix. |
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