Official Leicester City FC Thread

HIF · Post #421 » by **HIF** » Mon Jul 20, 2020 8:49 am

So there is just 1 match to go for us in this topsy turvy prem season. It looked like we'd walk into the CL even after the restart but now we'll need to get something (and most probably need a win) against Manu on the final day. If not 5th seems likely and no CL. Surely a letdown but to put things into perspective 5th place and a semi and quarter final in the cups and a place in the Europa league is a pretty good haul for a small club like us. If it was offered before the season started there isn't a Leicester supporter who wouldn't have happily accepted

Before euphoria or depression sets in next Sunday here's a run down on our squad this season.

Jonny Evans CB 45 apps 2gl 2ass. Jonny has been one of the biggest successes of the season for us, he nurtured Soyuncu through his first season and he put in good performance after good performance. Maybe the condensed end to the season was a little difficult for him and I am disappointed with his goal tally but at 32 I think we've got a mainstay for our defence for at least a couple more years Grade A -

Kasper Schmeichel GK 43 apps. Kasper is a great shot stopper and can keep the team in games but maybe his fantastic shot stopping hides a few weaknesses that also hurt the team. He is poor at coming out for crosses and doesn't have control of the 6 yd box. His distribution isn't so good and he's always capable of a terrible mistake alongside a genius pass. It's hard to complain about such a good servant but I've always been open to getting in a new, taller goalkeeper and I'll stay with that pov. Grade B

Youri Tielemans CM 43 apps 5 goals 8 ass. Youri has been the biggest disappointment this season for me. BR has stuck with him through thick and thin but Youri has not reproduced the play he showed at the end of last season when on loan. Don't get me wrong, he's a good player but not yet a CM maestro. For me his biggest problem is that he is slow and that he passes backwards far too much. I also find that he often hides from the game seemingly not wanting the ball when he should be actively looking for it. Still he is young, only 23, so maybe I'm just expecting too much too soon.Grade D

Caglar Soyuncu CB 42 apps 1 goal 1ass. A great first season in the PL for Caglar, he came in as replacement for Maguire and for most of the season he's done better than we'd expect Maguire to do. He does get a little hot headed at times and he needs to be more careful with some of his tackles and perhaps a little more judicious with some of his forays but who can complain with his overall output. Maybe another goal or two should be expected. Only 24. Grade B

Harvey Barnes M/W 41 apps 7 goals 9 assists. I've heard supporters complaining about Harvey, how can they do that? He's 22 and looking a great talent. If he'd been a Manchester or Chelsea player, the media would have hailed him as king and he'd be in the England team. That's not to say he's the finished product, far from it. His shooting is erratic, he sometimes goes missing defensively and he hasn't yet the experience to always make the right decision but what a player he is going to be. Fast and skilfull and already gaining strength an academy player that should become a star. Grade: B-

danfantastk32 · Post #422 » by **danfantastk32** » Tue Jul 21, 2020 4:42 am

HIF wrote:So there is just 1 match to go for us in this topsy turvy prem season. It looked like we'd walk into the CL even after the restart but now we'll need to get something (and most probably need a win) against Manu on the final day. If not 5th seems likely and no CL. Surely a letdown but to put things into perspective 5th place and a semi and quarter final in the cups and a place in the Europa league is a pretty good haul for a small club like us. If it was offered before the season started there isn't a Leicester supporter who wouldn't have happily accepted

Been a crazy season, no doubt. Best of luck to your boys this weekend. Your a good squad....and a couple years back, we called you champions. Go get that CL spot. I believe

The_Brecht · Post #423 » by **The_Brecht** » Tue Jul 21, 2020 8:18 am

I think you're a little harsh on Tielemans.
Comparing to last season I feel like Rodgers isn't playing him in the same attacking role as last season.
5 goals and 8 assists in a more controlling role is pretty good.

HIF · Post #424 » by **HIF** » Tue Jul 21, 2020 9:03 am

danfantastk32 wrote:
HIF wrote:So there is just 1 match to go for us in this topsy turvy prem season. It looked like we'd walk into the CL even after the restart but now we'll need to get something (and most probably need a win) against Manu on the final day. If not 5th seems likely and no CL. Surely a letdown but to put things into perspective 5th place and a semi and quarter final in the cups and a place in the Europa league is a pretty good haul for a small club like us. If it was offered before the season started there isn't a Leicester supporter who wouldn't have happily accepted

Been a crazy season, no doubt. Best of luck to your boys this weekend. Your a good squad....and a couple years back, we called you champions. Go get that CL spot. I believe

Thanks

HIF · Post #425 » by **HIF** » Tue Jul 21, 2020 9:07 am

The_Brecht wrote:I think you're a little harsh on Tielemans.
Comparing to last season I feel like Rodgers isn't playing him in the same attacking role as last season.
5 goals and 8 assists in a more controlling role is pretty good.

I'm sure that I am harsh on Tielemans. And you're correct that he is better when he has no defensive responsibility, however Maddison is far better in the AM role his feet and brain are quicker than Youri's, as it is Youri is very fortunate to have N'Didi sweeping up behind him. Whatever the reason I hope he sorts it out for next year and becomes the player we all thought that we'd bought.

The_Brecht · Post #426 » by **The_Brecht** » Tue Jul 21, 2020 3:12 pm

HIF wrote:
The_Brecht wrote:I think you're a little harsh on Tielemans.
Comparing to last season I feel like Rodgers isn't playing him in the same attacking role as last season.
5 goals and 8 assists in a more controlling role is pretty good.

I'm sure that I am harsh on Tielemans. And you're correct that he is better when he has no defensive responsibility, however Maddison is far better in the AM role his feet and brain are quicker than Youri's, as it is Youri is very fortunate to have N'Didi sweeping up behind him. Whatever the reason I hope he sorts it out for next year and becomes the player we all thought that we'd bought.

I feel like Tielemans and Maddison should develop a partnership like De Bruyne and Silva, with Ndidi playing the Fernandinho/Rodri role. Would benefit everyone imo.

HIF · Post #427 » by **HIF** » Wed Jul 22, 2020 12:29 pm

End of season player review continued:

Ayoze Perez 39 apps 8 goals 5 assists. BR clearly likes Ayoze but he doesn't play him in a position that is best for his game and he never plays 90 minutes. He's a difficult one for me to decide on. He often runs around hard and at time looks to have great feet and skill but he also seems to make poor decisions and his end product isn't great BUT I think that's very much down to how BR plays him. He could be better for us and he would be better elsewhere. He certainly hasn't lived up to the expectations his pre-season held but he also seems to be a confidence player who hasn't been given the confidence. If we had a true (consistent) winger then he'd probably not get time on the pitch but when he plays the no.10 role he looks pretty decent. I think he'll be at Leicester next season but I'm hoping that we actually get the player that fits BR's game which would make Ayoze redundant. Grade C

Jamie Vardy 39 apps 23 goals 7 assists. He may have been out of sorts or not fully recovered since his injury last Christmas but Jamie still is on course for the golden boot. He is an enigma. He is a living legend. He's 33 and could still be performing for us in 3 years. Jamie is the trye difference between us being title contenders and just a top half team. He's an incredible player who still isn't used correctly by BR a lot of the time. If he clicks on Sunday we'll be playing CL football next season, if he doesn't it'll be EL. How and when we replace him is the real question for the future of LCFC. Grade A

James Maddison 38 apps 9 goals 3 assists. At 23 he has the world at his feet - as long as he can keep his head out of the clouds - he has all the attributes needed to be a major star but he has to keep working at them hard to perfect them. He has really quick feet and a powerful shot, he can see a great pass and he can make it, he can take great free kicks and corners but maybe he just hasn't done that enough this season. He hasn't found the consistency that will turn him into one of the best players in the world. He needs to stop reading the press and get down to working harder on his game and he can be a big name in European football next season. Great potential but a little disappointing. Grade B

Wilfred N'Didi 38 apps 2 goals 1 assist. Perhaps the best tackler/interceptor in the prem. Rightfully we talk about him as a successor to Kanté. If it wasn't for his all too often poor/heavy first touch he would be the next 100M+ player. He is the anchor in front of the back line that covers for the rest of the midfield who are certainly better on attack than they are on defence. His legs are elastic and he eats the ground as well as other players. Only 23 yo. He really is a great footballer, who will only get better with experience, he will also become more of a goalscorer as he has a great header on him and "can" hit the ball well. Grade A

Dennis Praet 35 apps 1 goal 3 assists. I'm amazed that he has so many appearances for us but then again most are probably just a few minutes at the end of a match as sub. He did have a short run as a starting midfielder before the lockdown where he looked good but he has been prone to a few mistakes as well. Is he the man who should start alongside Maddison and N'Didi rather than Youri? He doesn't have the attacking potential of youri but he certainly gets himself up and down the park better. It's perhaps too early to really make a decision about him. He's decent but is he CL level decent? Hopefully next season will show us. Grade C+

Ricardo Pereira 33 apps 4 goals 3 assists. His injury before lockdown has really really hurt us. with him we would already be cemented in 3rd and sitting pretty. He is our player of the season and for me the best attacking WB in the world. Even though he played as RB he was the best winger in our team and so dangerous when he decided to rove forward. The only upside of his injury is that it means teams won't poach him from us this summer. Great player Grade A+

TBC

Post #428 » by **Cactus Jack** » Wed Jul 22, 2020 10:26 pm

You're welcome! Good luck on Sunday.

HIF · Post #429 » by **HIF** » Thu Jul 23, 2020 9:01 am

Cactus Jack wrote:You're welcome! Good luck on Sunday.

It's in our own hands but they are rather decimated by injury to our defence. A victory over ManU and we are in the champion's league. A draw and a loss for Chelsea against Wolves and we are in the CL. Chelsea are likely to get a draw against Wolves and so secure CL which means we need to beat the darlings of the Prem (and VAR) in order to secure our place.

Here's hoping.

HIF · Post #430 » by **HIF** » Fri Jul 24, 2020 3:05 pm

and on we go...

Ben Chilwell 34apps 3 goals 4 assists. Another young lad from our academy who has made the breakthrough to become England's starting LB this season. He gets a lot of **** from Leicester supporters, mostly undeserved. He's young and still learning, he has great pace, goes forward well, can head a ball and is good defensively with the speed to cover his teammates. His crosses are his weakness which is a shame given that he tries so many but that'll come with practice and experience. Lots of talk about him going to Chelsea or elsewhere but I really don't think anyone is going to pay the required price to lever him from our team - though a Maguire situation is not beyond reality. Grade B

Demarai Gray 28 apps 3 goals 5 assists. Another of our young crop but maybe the one who has disappointed the most. He shows signs of great potential but he continues to fail when given the starts. I expected him to step up this year and become an integral part of our attack but he's better suited to the bench. He has great feet and good speed but he just doesn't seem to have a footballing brain and his shot is often snapped and wayward. Still very young and still with great potential but maybe he needs a move somewhere else though if he does I'd be hoping for at least £20m. Grade D-

Hamza Choudhury 28 apps 1 goal 1 assist. another young local lad who has come through the academy. I absolutely love him - more than BR does - he has a good footballing brain is lively and can hassle and tackle. He's unlucky to be in a team that has N'Didi in the DM role otherwise he'd be a regular starter week in and week out, and with that he would be growing before our eyes. I believe he can be a future England captain and I hope he gets the chance to show his worth for us next season. Grade B

Marc Albrighton 25 apps 0 goals 5 assists. One of our title winning team who is still getting starts. Marc is a 100% effort player and certainly knows how to get down the wing and get that ball into the box. However I think it's more a sign of how inexperienced and weak we are at wing that he is doing more than making sub appearances. He has done great things for our club - including our first CL goal - but he really isn't any onger good enough to be starting in a top prem side. Hopefully we see a lot less of Marc next season. Grade C-

Kelechi Iheanacho 25 apps 10 goals 4 assists. I'm not sure why BR doesn't give Kelechi far more playing time and starting time. Yes we have Jamie Vardy but we really should be playing a second attacker or at least a no.10 who scores regularly. Kelechi is still young, only 23, he knows how to score and he knows how to link up play. I hope that BR hasn't made him feel unwelcome and wanting a move but I fear that could be the case. Needs more gametime. Grade B

James Justin 17 apps 1 goal 2 assists. Another youngster (the 5th out of 6 here that are around 23). James looked good in his cup appearances but has been thrust into full time use because of Ricardo's injury. He's done well although it was a little early. Last season he was only playing League 1 football. He looks like he'll be a great buy , I've confidence in him but he's no Ricardo. Grade B-

HIF · Post #431 » by **HIF** » Fri Jul 24, 2020 3:32 pm

Christian Fuchs 17 apps 0 goals 0 assists. Christian has played more than I expected this season and he's been given another year's contract. He is an intelligent footballer who will surely be able to help our youngsters including the 2 young LBs on our books and when needed he can fill in admirably for a few games. His legs maybe on the way out but his brain is still in and he has a good throw on him. Grade C-

Wes Morgan 16 apps 0 goals 0 assists. Captain Fantastic could yet have a say on our season. I really thought this was a season too many (he's also been given another for next year) but he is a wise old head who can steady a rocking team and with our decimated backline it looks like he'll be in the team against Manchester and I wouldn't put it past him to both throw his body in front of a goal bound effort and then pop up with a header to take us back to the CL. I really can't believe he's still getting first team football but after lifting our Prem trophy I can't really critisize the guy too much either. Grade C-

Nampalys Mendy 8 apps 0 goals 0 assists. He's a decent player but he isn't anywhere near as good as N'Didi or Choudhury so I guess that Mendy will be leaving us this summer. His injury put paid to any chance he had of making it at Leicester and maybe he wasn't as good as I thought he was. Grade D-

Ryan Bennett 5 apps 0 goals 0 assists. Ryan came in on loan from Wolves in January and hasn't had a sniff of football until our injury crisis which has thrown him in at the death. His play shows why he hasn't even been on the bench and I can't see him getting any playing time next season if , as rumoured, we have to buy him because he's made 5 apps. He's not a bad player, he's just too slow for our play. Grade E

Danny Ward 4 apps . He has been unlucky not to get a few more starts for us but that is the life of a no.2 goalie. Grade C.

Luke Thomas 2 apps 0 goals 1 assist. The surprise of the end of the season. a 19yo academy lad born locally who has looked good in the u23s, he made an incredible debut (though his second game was much harder). He looks like he will be a good replacement for Chilwell should he be signed by Chelsea though more than likely he'll be on loan with a championship team next season. Dream start though which looks good for his future. Grade B+

Matty James 1 app . Matty has been injured for about the last 5 years. hopefully he's now fit and can get a job at a championship side for next season. Grade n/a

Filip Benkovic 1 app. Finished the season at Bristol and finally got play time and looked good. Potentially our replacement for Jonny Evans and hopefully good enough to get some starts next season. Grade n/a

George Hirst 1 app Got a few minutes as sub against spurs, didn't look out of place, hopefully the future is bright for him. Grade n/a

Kiernan Dewsbury -Hall 1 app Second half of the season out on loan. Probably will start next season on loan too. Grade n/a

HIF · Post #432 » by **HIF** » Sun Jul 26, 2020 6:40 pm

5th in the prem
League cup semi finalists
FA Cup Quarter finalists.

The season may seem a little of a letdown but it really isn't.

We should have qualified for the Champion's league after our first half of the season but we didn't have the depth or experience to do so. If we had we'd maybe have made the last 16 , maybe not. The Europa league is something that we can challenge for and aim at least for the semi-finals. It also reinforces to our owners that we need to buy in the summer, if we do that adding experience to our young and upcoming squad next year could be even better.

We are going on a European tour.

danfantastk32 · Post #433 » by **danfantastk32** » Mon Jul 27, 2020 6:30 am

HIF wrote:5th in the prem
League cup semi finalists
FA Cup Quarter finalists.

The season may seem a little of a letdown but it really isn't.

We should have qualified for the Champion's league after our first half of the season but we didn't have the depth or experience to do so. If we had we'd maybe have made the last 16 , maybe not. The Europa league is something that we can challenge for and aim at least for the semi-finals. It also reinforces to our owners that we need to buy in the summer, if we do that adding experience to our young and upcoming squad next year could be even better.

We are going on a European tour.

Yeah, sorry to hear about the CL. Was rootin for your boys. Hopefully the owners throw a little $$ down, like you mentioned. Amazingly enough.....$ity and Chel$ea plan on throwin cash around, so the league will be a tough go next year.

We'll see. $$$ isn't everything...but it sure helps.

HIF · Post #434 » by **HIF** » Sun Sep 13, 2020 1:57 pm

First match of the season and N'Didi is our CB.

That's a big problem.

We need a winger to replace Perez, we need Madderz on to orchestrate and we need Ricardo and Evans back.

We also need to step up and win this match in the second half.

HIF · Post #435 » by **HIF** » Sun Sep 13, 2020 2:57 pm

West Brom 0 Leicester 3

Great second half. Poor first 25 minutes

Kasper 7

Castagne 9
N'didi 6
Soyuncu 7
Justin 5

Mendy 8
Praet 8
Tielemans 6

Barnes 6
Perez 6

Vardy 8

Albrighton 7
Maddison 7

Castagne was very good.

danfantastk32 · Post #436 » by **danfantastk32** » Sun Sep 13, 2020 4:50 pm

Good start to the season. 3-0 has to feel pretty nice.

HIF · Post #437 » by **HIF** » Mon Sep 21, 2020 12:09 pm

Leicester 4 Burnley 2

Top of the league.

But I'm not fooling myself. We've beaten 2 very weak teams and could easily be thrashed at the Etihad next week.

We started the match rather poorly again but after 20 minutes we became a slick, fast moving, beautiful passing team.

Harvey Barnes particularly stood out with his best performance in a long time beating all and sundry down the left wing. Castagne again looked class down the right and his teamwork with Praet and Tielemans means that Maddison (our most skilfull midfielder) isn't assured of getting his place back. Praet was my MOTM with a really great display getting into the box and being the threat that has been missing for a lot of this calendar year. More impressive was the fact that he looked for and made intelligent passes in and around the box, as did Castagne. I thought Youri started weakly but by the end of the match he was slipping some incredible passes through for the others. At the back Leicester again had a makeshift defence with new boy Castagne and the glowing Soyuncu the only 2 who will start once our injured are back. N'didi again filled in at CB and was better than against West Brom but it still seems wrong to play the best defensive midfielder in the prem out of position. Thankfully Mendy did an excellent job in N'Didi's role. James Justin may have scored a goal but he is a player who was playing League1 only a short time ago. His positioning defensively is still questionable and he was bullied and the direct cause of both the goals we conceded. Up front Vardy was his usual self but didn't see much of the ball but I'm afraid that Ayoze Perez must be nearing the end of his tenure as a starter. He was fairly ineffective and defensively he didn't seem as bothered as he needs to be.

Ratings

Kasper 6
James 5
Soyuncu 8
N'didi 7
Castagne 8
Mendy 8
Tielemans 6.5
Praet 8.5
Barnes 8
Perez 4
Vardy 6

HIF · Post #438 » by **HIF** » Mon Sep 21, 2020 12:19 pm

New winger has arrived:

I think this means Ayoze Perez is finished as a starter (and probably will be lucky to make the bench for Prem games).

Definite upgrade and something we've really needed.

danfantastk32 · Post #439 » by **danfantastk32** » Sun Sep 27, 2020 5:25 pm

Well done!

KG Leonard · Post #440 » by **KG Leonard** » Sun Sep 27, 2020 5:57 pm

Good win, congrats.

Also as Roma fan i was sad to lose Chengiz Under, he is wonderful, speedy,technical winger. If he fits in he will add dribbling skills,good play on the wing.