Leicester 2 - 2 Everton Post Match

[ClaphamNorthFox]

Really felt we missed a trick by not playing Mendy in midfield as our midfield really looks out of balance. With him he can pass and do the dirty work so I don’t understand why he was not getting a game! 

[CosbehFox]

19 minutes ago, coolhandfox said:

Not sure it was tactical at all, we just go dragged into playing their game rather then our, which can happen when the pressure is on.

We couldn’t beat the first press first half which is worryingly where we are at now technically (and our confidence). 
 

Personally felt the glaring error made by Smith was not to instruct our players to close down Everton’s crosses. Stop the cross, stop the chance. Didn’t do it on their equaliser 

[Tommy Fresh]

28 minutes ago, Finnegan said:

One of the angriest I've been at a performance in months. A good example of why Smith can't have the job full term. 

 

It was a Championship coach deploying Championship tactics. Just lumping it long and surrendering the initiative is bad against any Premier League team but doing it against a Dyche side was especially stupid.

 

Doing it against a Dyche side that has averaged a goal every other game all season, is massively short of confidence and is there for the taking was just unforgivable. We coughed up the highest xg they must have created all year, chance after chance let them have. Why? 

 

Tielemans and Maddison comfortably two of the best ball players anywhere outside the Big Six and even Soumare coming in to some decent form, we could have passed them off the park but oh no. We're just going to keep smashing it long and acting surprised when it comes straight back. 

 

All of their chances (and but for Iversen's heroics they could have scored a hat full) came from us punting it long and letting them come back at us on a wide open pitch, again and again and again. Completely avoidable. 

 

And it's not even like that was the players bottling it, that was a deliberate tactical approach. They were doing what they were told and whag they were told was just ridiculous. Smith has been OK up until now, I love that he's put a bit of spirit and fight back in to the squad but last night was, tactically, offensively stupid. 

Said it in another thread, but can only imagine he was very keen on not losing this or the Leeds game. Aware winning puts us out of sight, but losing also does the opposite. He's got us at the front of the relegation group of teams now and we just have to match 2 of them in the final 4 games to now stay up.

[ozleicester]

5 minutes ago, Tomlcfc133 said:

We beat Fulham and Liverpool. 

Is this past tense..are you a time traveller 

[Oldfox67]

I realise KDH lacks prem quality, however, we need some blood and guts for the last four games of the season, and I think he's currently a better option than Ndidi. KDH and Mendy's energy, to disrupt the oppositions midfield and lay the ball off to a Tielemans or Maddisson seems like the logical option, lack of height would be my main worry. Very concerned with a possible lack of fight from a few of the current selection.

[Pliskin]

1 minute ago, Tommy Fresh said:

Said it in another thread, but can only imagine he was very keen on not losing this or the Leeds game. Aware winning puts us out of sight, but losing also does the opposite. He's got us at the front of the relegation group of teams now and we just have to match 2 of them in the final 4 games to now stay up.

This is it. It’s just a case of keeping a head of the curve. I’m hopeful for Fulham, I think we can keep our heads above water going into Everton. Our tricky games are Liverpool and Newcastle. Every teams has tough games, I’d argue our tough games are slightly easier than any of the others. 

[PAPA LAZAROU]

16 hours ago, Sampson said:

As much as people were digging out Maddison and Barnes in the match thread, this result is on our defence. Everton are the 2nd worst side in the division and could’ve scored 6 or 7 if not for Iversen

you have to look further up the pitch than the defense. No existence in midfield was and still is the problem. Our defense was under the cosh for most of the game because they overran our so-called midfield top-quality Maddison and Tielmans, With Barns doing feckall to help out the defense as well. Put the blame where it really belongs.

Edited 2 May 2023 by PAPA LAZAROU

[Tom12345]

20 minutes ago, GlenParvaFox said:

My theory with Maddison taking the penalty is:

He's just announced him and his partner are expecting twins and he wanted a goal to mark/celebrate the occasion - ball under the shirt, thumb in mouth celebration.

 

There's no way he was legitimately ahead of Vardy on the takers list.

maybe

[oz was my hero]

28 minutes ago, Finnegan said:

One of the angriest I've been at a performance in months. A good example of why Smith can't have the job full term. 

 

It was a Championship coach deploying Championship tactics. Just lumping it long and surrendering the initiative is bad against any Premier League team but doing it against a Dyche side was especially stupid.

 

Doing it against a Dyche side that has averaged a goal every other game all season, is massively short of confidence and is there for the taking was just unforgivable. We coughed up the highest xg they must have created all year, chance after chance let them have. Why? 

 

Tielemans and Maddison comfortably two of the best ball players anywhere outside the Big Six and even Soumare coming in to some decent form, we could have passed them off the park but oh no. We're just going to keep smashing it long and acting surprised when it comes straight back. 

 

All of their chances (and but for Iversen's heroics they could have scored a hat full) came from us punting it long and letting them come back at us on a wide open pitch, again and again and again. Completely avoidable. 

 

And it's not even like that was the players bottling it, that was a deliberate tactical approach. They were doing what they were told and whag they were told was just ridiculous. Smith has been OK up until now, I love that he's put a bit of spirit and fight back in to the squad but last night was, tactically, offensively stupid. 

Have to agree that pumping long balls was stupid . I think that stemmed  from the midfield shape. Ndidi and soumare were both very deep and not pressing. It also pushed  youri further forward. Imo his better games are when he is deeper dictating the passages of of play. As we all know, wilf would struggle to pass wind. When we did get the ball the movement  and options were zero. Nobody was buzzing about wanting the ball. It was all very laboured. As has been said we look unfit. Barnes and Thomas might as well have been selling hot dogs outside for their contribution.  Castagne when he did try to venture had nothing to hit so ends up turning back. Everything  I'd then through  a congested  middle which everton pressed really well.  Players need to move s lot faster and want the ball a lot more for things to change

[Finnegan]

9 minutes ago, Tommy Fresh said:

Said it in another thread, but can only imagine he was very keen on not losing this or the Leeds game. Aware winning puts us out of sight, but losing also does the opposite. He's got us at the front of the relegation group of teams now and we just have to match 2 of them in the final 4 games to now stay up.

 

..... So all the more reason to not play the way we did? 

 

To be clear, I'm not objecting to our tactical approach because it wasn't pretty enough or it didn't create enough. 

 

It was completely and totally reckless and completely surrendered the game to one of the poorest teams in the league. They have zero creativity anywhere and we let them create stacks. If Iversen hadn't played like prime Buffon we'd have been hammered. 

 

When we actually changed our approach, dropped Tielemans deeper and started keeping it on the deck (after the horse had bolted and it was two all) they couldn't get out of their half for large periods let alone anywhere near our goal. 

 

Now they've gone off having had their most productive game in ages with new confidence. 

[RowlattsFox]

I feel like we played OK yet we would have lost if it wasn't for a brilliant goal keeping performance. Everyone has a field day against us when it comes to having attempts on goal. When alwe struggle to create any more than the odd chance. 

 

Pleased if how we played after going 2-2, looked the more likely winner without creating too much and didn't look like we were purposely playing for the point and sitting back. 

 

Both goals avoidable, silly from Castagne and Thomas has to braver and head the ball. 

[st albans fox]

If they don’t have DCL then they can’t play like they did - I thought he was the o/s outfield player on the pitch last night 

 

this is probably the first game he’s been fully fit for them 

 

their recent record was a draw at palace , a heavy defeat against newcastle (where they more than competed until half time and then capitualated once two behind). They don’t look great defensively on transition. It’s a worry that we weren’t able to exert any control over that game apart from fifteen minutes second half after we made a change. newcastle and liverpool will be backs to the wall playing on the break. 

[Daveb5569]

Looking at the game they did put us to the sword, and the Maddison penalty miss WOW, they are fighting for their lives and it was the game for the keepers must say think Iverson was again outstanding. Barnes needs to step it up as the end product was lacking. I think with Fulham being mathematically safe I really do think that we can get something, Forest have Southampton next hopefully the Saints will beat them.

[TrentFox]

How many times have you replayed the penalty scene with Youri just laughing at Madders and telling him to sod off? I’m up to about 40. Getting slightly angrier with each iteration 😖

[Tommy Fresh]

18 minutes ago, Finnegan said:

 

..... So all the more reason to not play the way we did? 

 

To be clear, I'm not objecting to our tactical approach because it wasn't pretty enough or it didn't create enough. 

 

It was completely and totally reckless and completely surrendered the game to one of the poorest teams in the league. They have zero creativity anywhere and we let them create stacks. If Iversen hadn't played like prime Buffon we'd have been hammered. 

 

When we actually changed our approach, dropped Tielemans deeper and started keeping it on the deck (after the horse had bolted and it was two all) they couldn't get out of their half for large periods let alone anywhere near our goal. 

 

Now they've gone off having had their most productive game in ages with new confidence. 

Pressure makes people do funny things, I imagine you'll see a different approach and attitude against Fulham where a loss won't directly put us in the shit. I doubt his idea last night was to let Everton have a load of efforts on goal was it, but I imagine he was looking to not over commit. Also I wouldn't of trusted Youri to be as instrumental as you think he would of been, he was very sloppy last night. Also you'll probably find as the game went on Everton were also thinking lets not lose this now, and probably dropped deeper hence us dominating a bit more. 

Edited 2 May 2023 by Tommy Fresh

[trabuch]

Oh shit. It wasn't a bad dream.

[gerblod]

Too much pessimism and picking out players to lambast for, what I believe, was a valiant effort, considering they're only just coming out from under the negative influence Rogers had been inflicting on the squad for two seasons. How long do youse think it takes to get Rodgers out of the system?

Iversen was superb, but Faes and Söyüncü had decent to good games. Souttar  hasn't got their mobility, but watching Luke Thomas covering Tarkowski at set pieces made me realise how slight he is. That was an error by someone which remained unrectified.

Soumaré was a bit player again. Still wants to play elegant football in a dogfight. Agreed about Vards or Tielemans taking the penalty. Maddison is an exceptional player but you need a clear mind for penalties. He's often a little too full of himself. Anyone who's advocating he should go is just plain stupid or 'overemotional' - he's the best midfielder we've had since Mahrez left. At least he'll put in a decent shift for City - unlike Tielemans. Tielemans is akin to Soumaré - never looks like he's aware of the need for committing to a game.  

Castagne was also good - except for one monumental act of stupidity - have to put that down to too much adrenaline. Barnes didn't have a bad game either - he might get baulked 50% of the time but he caused problems and anxiety for their defence.

Vardy - what can one say - except stuff all his detractors. Still one of the most intelligent, unselfish and skilled players in English football.

Wilf and Luke Thomas - maybe, in different ways, not up to being selected in this situation. Mendy and Souttar should be in the team ahead of Soumaré and Wilf.

Like  @volpeazzurro states, no-one at left back has become the consistent go to figure. Thomas had a great half season when he had the job thrust upon him and JJ was looking the business until his injury. Chilly went off the boil, but I think a section of boo-boys got to him. Castagne simply is a right-back by inclination.

Smith maybe understands that things can't be changed overnight. The crowd need to respond to this with 100% commitment and support. It's OK to whinge and complain on here (not really), but the players need bucking up in the most positive way possible. Madders appealed for that last night. The fans owe it to the lads.

 

[Finnegan]

10 minutes ago, TrentFox said:

How many times have you replayed the penalty scene with Youri just laughing at Madders and telling him to sod off? I’m up to about 40. Getting slightly angrier with each iteration 😖

 

I can't believe Vards let either of them get anywhere near it. 

 

Madders just isn't a penalty taker and Tielemans has largely been found out. He's got one spot, he puts it within a postage stamp of the exact location every time. Saveable height off to the keeper's right.

 

It was even on Pickford's bottle down as like 100%, 0%, 0%

 

Vardy was absolutely buzzing in that first half. Yeah he's missed a couple of pens historically, they all have, but Vardy for me would have absolutely buried that last night. I believe that to my core. 

[Vazman]

25 minutes ago, Finnegan said:

 

..... So all the more reason to not play the way we did? 

 

To be clear, I'm not objecting to our tactical approach because it wasn't pretty enough or it didn't create enough. 

 

It was completely and totally reckless and completely surrendered the game to one of the poorest teams in the league. They have zero creativity anywhere and we let them create stacks. If Iversen hadn't played like prime Buffon we'd have been hammered. 

 

When we actually changed our approach, dropped Tielemans deeper and started keeping it on the deck (after the horse had bolted and it was two all) they couldn't get out of their half for large periods let alone anywhere near our goal. 

 

Now they've gone off having had their most productive game in ages with new confidence. 

This is the best description I've heard, and makes perfect sense, perhaps if we do manage to stay up, and it's a really big "if" the decision on whether to keep Smith and Co needs to be thought about a bit more.

[Guest Mee-9]

1 hour ago, Finnegan said:

One of the angriest I've been at a performance in months. A good example of why Smith can't have the job full term. 

 

It was a Championship coach deploying Championship tactics. Just lumping it long and surrendering the initiative is bad against any Premier League team but doing it against a Dyche side was especially stupid.

 

Doing it against a Dyche side that has averaged a goal every other game all season, is massively short of confidence and is there for the taking was just unforgivable. We coughed up the highest xg they must have created all year, chance after chance let them have. Why? 

 

Tielemans and Maddison comfortably two of the best ball players anywhere outside the Big Six and even Soumare coming in to some decent form, we could have passed them off the park but oh no. We're just going to keep smashing it long and acting surprised when it comes straight back. 

 

All of their chances (and but for Iversen's heroics they could have scored a hat full) came from us punting it long and letting them come back at us on a wide open pitch, again and again and again. Completely avoidable. 

 

And it's not even like that was the players bottling it, that was a deliberate tactical approach. They were doing what they were told and whag they were told was just ridiculous. Smith has been OK up until now, I love that he's put a bit of spirit and fight back in to the squad but last night was, tactically, offensively stupid. 

Couldn’t agree more. 
 

Played right into Everton’s hands last night. The fact some of their fans came away thinking they’d dropped 2 points is a disgrace.

That game should have been over at half time in my opinion. Completely naive performance.

 

[st albans fox]

13 minutes ago, TrentFox said:

How many times have you replayed the penalty scene with Youri just laughing at Madders and telling him to sod off? I’m up to about 40. Getting slightly angrier with each iteration 😖

 

52 minutes ago, GlenParvaFox said:

My theory with Maddison taking the penalty is:

He's just announced him and his partner are expecting twins and he wanted a goal to mark/celebrate the occasion - ball under the shirt, thumb in mouth celebration.

 

There's no way he was legitimately ahead of Vardy on the takers list.

according to smith madders is our no 1 pen taker …..

then kel 

then Youri
Crazy but apparently that the case

 

49 minutes ago, Lionator said:

Penalty taking is a bit weird. We all know Riyad is crap at penalties yet if they get one in the champions league final, he’ll be taking it even with Haaland and De Bruyne on the pitch. 

He really wouldn’t ….. it’ll be the Viking 

[Vazman]

2 minutes ago, Finnegan said:

 

I can't believe Vards let either of them get anywhere near it. 

 

Madders just isn't a penalty taker and Tielemans has largely been found out. He's got one spot, he puts it within a postage stamp of the exact location every time. Saveable height off to the keeper's right.

 

It was even on Pickford's bottle down as like 100%, 0%, 0%

 

Vardy was absolutely buzzing in that first half. Yeah he's missed a couple of pens historically, they all have, but Vardy for me would have absolutely buried that last night. I believe that to my core. 

With Vardy's confidence on Goal, I suspect he would have destroyed the netting, and we would be 2 points better off, all hypothetical and we will never know, but what an absolute crap decision allowing Maddison to take the penalty.

[Ian Nacho]

I have a bad feeling we will look back at this game as a real missed opportunity. The decision making process of Maddison being the penalty taker baffles me, and Smith’s comments post-match that Maddison is an assured penalty taker is the first time I’ve disagreed with him since he came in. Our midfield is a real problem area and we get cut through it so easily; Ndidi looks like a mistake waiting to happen, and Tielemans looks like he’s towing a caravan. Thought we were really poor last night and were lucky to come away with a point. 

[smudgerfox]

Two new problems spotted last night 

1 working the ball to the edge of their six yard box not taking a shot , working it back out again to 18 yard box , getting dispossessed and setting up their counter - awful awful decision making

2 passing quite unnecessarily to a teammate who is clearly offside when in space yourself  

[SK3Blue]

22 minutes ago, gerblod said:

Too much pessimism and picking out players to lambast for, what I believe, was a valiant effort, considering they're only just coming out from under the negative influence Rogers had been inflicting on the squad for two seasons. How long do youse think it takes to get Rodgers out of the system?

Iversen was superb, but Faes and Söyüncü had decent to good games. Souttar  hasn't got their mobility, but watching Luke Thomas covering Tarkowski at set pieces made me realise how slight he is. That was an error by someone which remained unrectified.

Soumaré was a bit player again. Still wants to play elegant football in a dogfight. Agreed about Vards or Tielemans taking the penalty. Maddison is an exceptional player but you need a clear mind for penalties. He's often a little too full of himself. Anyone who's advocating he should go is just plain stupid or 'overemotional' - he's the best midfielder we've had since Mahrez left. At least he'll put in a decent shift for City - unlike Tielemans. Tielemans is akin to Soumaré - never looks like he's aware of the need for committing to a game.  

Castagne was also good - except for one monumental act of stupidity - have to put that down to too much adrenaline. Barnes didn't have a bad game either - he might get baulked 50% of the time but he caused problems and anxiety for their defence.

Vardy - what can one say - except stuff all his detractors. Still one of the most intelligent, unselfish and skilled players in English football.

Wilf and Luke Thomas - maybe, in different ways, not up to being selected in this situation. Mendy and Souttar should be in the team ahead of Soumaré and Wilf.

Like  @volpeazzurro states, no-one at left back has become the consistent go to figure. Thomas had a great half season when he had the job thrust upon him and JJ was looking the business until his injury. Chilly went off the boil, but I think a section of boo-boys got to him. Castagne simply is a right-back by inclination.

Smith maybe understands that things can't be changed overnight. The crowd need to respond to this with 100% commitment and support. It's OK to whinge and complain on here (not really), but the players need bucking up in the most positive way possible. Madders appealed for that last night. The fans owe it to the lads.

 

The players owe the fans a performance, some of them are giving 100% but I didn't see enough in the 50/50s in terms of fight from some.  The fight on the pitch then fires up the fans, it's a two way street.