Ric Flair Posted 4 May 2023 Share Posted 4 May 2023 5 minutes ago, ronnup said: Absolute horror show waiting for Monday night again. Monday at 3pm pal, chin up. 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alf Bentley Posted 4 May 2023 Share Posted 4 May 2023 1 hour ago, sacreblueits442 said: ...we were not effectively pressing up top, we all have to go together, it cannot be half hearted!!! I agree in principle, but not sure it's viable in practice with Vardy in the team? I've long believed that Vardy's supposed "age-related loss of pace" is marginal, if not fictional. Recent games with him in form, getting better service and us moving the ball forward quicker support that theory, I think. But he definitely presses a lot less than a few years ago - perhaps because he no longer has the stamina to keep pressing and to still make rapid runs off the defensive line. I suppose we could do high presses as a team but less frequently and more selectively. Daka could perhaps press more, but I'd definitely want Vardy to start given recent form and don't fancy starting 2 strikers at Fulham. But, as @ClaphamFox said, we definitely need to be less open in midfield. Bringing in Mendy for Ndidi could be a good change, especially as Fulham should have less physical/aerial threat without Mitrovic and Ream. They are good in possession, though, and Mendy is good with his movement & reading of the game. In particular, he quickly finds space, keeps possession but moves the ball on quickly with short, simple passes. I'm glad we're moving the ball forward quicker under Deano and playing some longer through balls, but we were playing too long and giving up too much possession against Everton. Mendy could help avoid that. Not sure what formation would be best, though? Perhaps 4-3-3 with Maddison on the right but floating inside? Though that potentially exposes Castagne to a lot of pressure.... The alternative would be to play 4-2-3-1 and drop Tielemans or Soumare. But the former is always a potential match-winner and the latter has given us added vigour () and forward movement under the Deano regime. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Trevor Benj Posted 4 May 2023 Share Posted 4 May 2023 I live in London so got a ticket in home end and going on my own. Where will people be drinking before/after? I’d be keen to watch the Everton game with other fans. Is stags head still run by a Leicester fan, I’ve not been there for years! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
melvinmmelvin Posted 4 May 2023 Share Posted 4 May 2023 Last night's results going 'our way', although Liverpool only edging past Fulham 1-nil: not sure whether that result is good, bad or indifferent 🙁 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FoyleFox Posted 4 May 2023 Share Posted 4 May 2023 1 hour ago, ClaphamFox said: Amazingly, the bookies have us as marginal favourites for this one. They also had us at 5000 - 1 to win the league and favourites for relegation in 2016, so I wouldn't consider they have great insight 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Leicester_Loyal Posted 4 May 2023 Share Posted 4 May 2023 2 hours ago, And Joachim goes throoough said: That’s the spirit 👍 2 hours ago, Sol thewall Bamba said: Realistic though! Was heavily pissed and annoyed after the Everton game when I posted this. 2-1 win now 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stu Posted 4 May 2023 Share Posted 4 May 2023 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post moore_94 Posted 4 May 2023 Popular Post Share Posted 4 May 2023 Dean Smith Pre-Match Press Conference vs Fulham Injuries? “The only thing fresh is that Ricardo is training with us. He’ll train on Saturday and Sunday as well. Kel has responded to treatment. We may get him back for the last two games. We weren’t hopeful of that when he first picked up his injury.” Everton? “We made the game too open and gave too many chances away. The games previously, we’ve not given too many away. That was my disappointment. We didn’t protect our goalkeeper. That defensive disorganisation was the disappointment.” Any decision on penalty takers? “As of yet, there hasn’t been. Madders was down to take the penalty and unfortunately missed. Since then, we’ve not discussed it.” Vardy? “People will have seen in his performances the hunger, desire, the work-rate, that his legs are still there and his brain is still there. We’re really pleased he’s in a good place at the moment.” Vardy's previous drought? “He knows as well as anybody, he’ll be judged on goals. He hasn’t had the pitch-time or the chances. But he’s created a penalty for us, scored against Leeds, and scored and hit the bar against Everton. He’s in a good vain of form, which is important.” Allardyce? “No, not worried. I’ve got no control over that. It doesn’t surprise me they’ve gone for Sam. You don’t manage over 1000 games if you’re not a good manager.” Desperate to avoid going to last game? “I wouldn’t say desperate, but I’d like to avoid it. I want to be safe as soon as possible. We’d like to have had a win against Everton but we did move up two places. Our goal difference gives us a point over the other teams down there. We have to focus on being better defensively against Fulham.” Improvements made? “I thought the players looked like they lacked confidence and were lethargic. I think we’ve got rid of that in the attack. What’s pleased me most is the care the players have shown in the shirt. That’s been shown every day in training.” Fulham? “The Mitrovic ban has clearly affected them, but their performances against Man City and Liverpool were there. They’ve really impressed me. They were really good last year in the Championship. The squad is a really good one. They’re certainly better than in previous years.” Nearly safe with a win v Fulham? “No idea until after the game and you look at the table.” What are you doing on weekends, with games on Monday? “All I’m doing is coaching and watching results come in. I’d much rather be playing. But we’re enjoying it and feel like we’re getting a response from the players.” Getting best out of Vardy? “We’ve had to play more to his strengths. We know he’s very intelligent making runs, but you need balls into the areas. It was a fantastic ball from James Maddison for the goal. He will make the runs and make things happen. You have to have a supply line to him.” Vardy fitness? “All players like to get in that rhythm. It’s a week’s run up to games. There’s a week in between games, so there’s six days of recovery. He’ll be fine.” Points needed? “There’s points available in every game. We’ve got four games left and believe we can take points in all four. We have to be better in defence than we were against Everton. I believe we can score goals but it’s about time we got a clean sheet.” Evans? “He’s training with us. He’s trained really well. It’s nice to have that experienced head around. Lads can pick up his knowledge. He’s a great character to have around.” Ricardo? “Ricky is due to train on Saturday. He part-trained yesterday. If he comes through Saturday, I’m sure he’ll be in contention for Monday.” Halfway through management spell? “There’s been progress. You can see belief in the players. That was something we had to lift straight away. If you do that, you get better performances and better results. They were disappointed with some defensive aspects against Everton, but it only needs little tweaks.” What little tweaks? “We need to protect the middle of the pitch. We were open on transitions. I don’t think we can afford to do that.” 5 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cruzFOX Posted 4 May 2023 Share Posted 4 May 2023 Thank god we have these guys almost ready to come back. We need options in games where we need to change it up. I feel a little more hopeful now. Saying that Fulham against Liverpool did not look like a team on the beach! They still have dangerous players like Willian and that young guy who have a habit of dribbling past defenders and getting into the box. if we allow that it will be the same chaos with Cags & faes trying to keep the ball out. Iverson has been a rock but he needs more protection ! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cincinnati Fox Posted 4 May 2023 Share Posted 4 May 2023 2 hours ago, Trevor Benj said: I live in London so got a ticket in home end and going on my own. Where will people be drinking before/after? I’d be keen to watch the Everton game with other fans. Is stags head still run by a Leicester fan, I’ve not been there for years! Do they still have that neutral stand? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post Sol thewall Bamba Posted 4 May 2023 Popular Post Share Posted 4 May 2023 Great to potentially have Ricky and Seniorman back. Evans no doubt will bump his knee getting on the coach and have to have another 8 weeks out though the poor thing. 3 7 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post Gamble92 Posted 4 May 2023 Popular Post Share Posted 4 May 2023 3 hours ago, Ric Flair said: Monday at 3pm pal, chin up. Did you know Matt Upson had a son called Chin? Sorry I'm going delirious. Brendan has ruined my life. 7 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
foxgas Posted 4 May 2023 Share Posted 4 May 2023 (edited) Memo to Mr Smith and team. N'didi and Soumare does not work, we give the ball away too much, exposing a fragile defence. Either of them with Mendy or a switched on KDH might just work. Edited 4 May 2023 by foxgas Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FoxFossil Posted 4 May 2023 Share Posted 4 May 2023 Is Mendy dead? Surprised in BSLB pod he was never mentioned in place of Ndidi. Perceived wisdom seems to be we need a tall Ndidi to help defense, but if Soutar plays then this notion goes away. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
st albans fox Posted 4 May 2023 Share Posted 4 May 2023 1 hour ago, Sol thewall Bamba said: Great to potentially have Ricky and Seniorman back. Evans no doubt will bump his knee getting on the coach and have to have another 8 weeks out though the poor thing. Kel might make newcastle he should make West Ham I’d like to think we could get a win before kel is back ……. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Leicester_Loyal Posted 4 May 2023 Share Posted 4 May 2023 Evans surely has zero intention of ever playing for us again? He’s been stealing a wage for 18 months. 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gamble92 Posted 4 May 2023 Share Posted 4 May 2023 1 minute ago, Leicester_Loyal said: Evans surely has zero intention of ever playing for us again? He’s been stealing a wage for 18 months. Hardly in the Bertrand school of burglary is he Don't begrudge him a few injuries after helping us into Europe. Bit like if vardy isn't up to it next season, there's been much more horrendous examples of Rudkin spunking the wage budget. For want of a better phrase. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Leicester_Loyal Posted 4 May 2023 Share Posted 4 May 2023 (edited) 10 minutes ago, Gamble92 said: Hardly in the Bertrand school of burglary is he Don't begrudge him a few injuries after helping us into Europe. Bit like if vardy isn't up to it next season, there's been much more horrendous examples of Rudkin spunking the wage budget. For want of a better phrase. No offence mate but that sort of attitude is exactly why we’re in a financial mess. We keep handing out lengthy overpriced deals to blokes who aren’t up to it anymore, we really need to stop being so generous. Edited 4 May 2023 by Leicester_Loyal 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FoyleFox Posted 4 May 2023 Share Posted 4 May 2023 27 minutes ago, Leicester_Loyal said: Evans surely has zero intention of ever playing for us again? He’s been stealing a wage for 18 months. That could apply to half the squad with our injuries these past couple of seasons! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gamble92 Posted 4 May 2023 Share Posted 4 May 2023 12 minutes ago, Leicester_Loyal said: No offence mate but that sort of attitude is exactly why we’re in a financial mess. We keep handing out lengthy overpriced deals to blokes who aren’t up to it anymore, we really need to stop being so generous. It's the fact Rodgers made players in that position completely outcast and maxed out the wage budget combined with not qualifying for Europe. If the only issue was Evans getting injured in the last year of retirement, we should have a player he signed as competent back up and a player wanted by Champions League clubs. What we got was him holding grudges and ****ing everything up 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
StanSP Posted 4 May 2023 Share Posted 4 May 2023 Good to see Smith acknowledge/recognise the midfield area is weak and we need to protect the ball better. Trouble is, even our most 'talented' midfielder doesn't seem to realise that he will be pressured and dallies on the ball too often. Did it vs Wolves, and once or twice vs Everton. But then the positive is that we're managing Vardy better and making use of his runs in behind as opposed to pointless lumps over the top. They actually have some purpose with him leading the line as he used to. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gurru991 Posted 4 May 2023 Share Posted 4 May 2023 30 minutes ago, Leicester_Loyal said: Evans surely has zero intention of ever playing for us again? He’s been stealing a wage for 18 months. I really dislike the expression "stealing a wage". We offered him a contract and he accepted it. Everyone knew his age and the probability of injuries so in effect LCFC were rolling the dice. It's always a problem for any club to decide to offer contracts to older players but I guarantee that if Leicester hadn't, another club would have done. Evans isn't stealing anything that wasn't given to him. 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Leicester_Loyal Posted 4 May 2023 Share Posted 4 May 2023 1 minute ago, gurru991 said: I really dislike the expression "stealing a wage". We offered him a contract and he accepted it. Everyone knew his age and the probability of injuries so in effect LCFC were rolling the dice. It's always a problem for any club to decide to offer contracts to older players but I guarantee that if Leicester hadn't, another club would have done. Evans isn't stealing anything that wasn't given to him. It's merely an expression, see my other post above. Weird how he keeps getting different injuries every few weeks, then when he's not injured he's got a cold/virus. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
davieG Posted 4 May 2023 Share Posted 4 May 2023 Following their 1-0 win at the King Power Stadium in January, Fulham are looking to complete the Premier League double over Leicester for the second time, previously doing so in 2003-04. Leicester have earned five points from their past three Premier League games (W1 D2), despite conceding the first goal each time. It's one more point than they’d earned in their previous 10 games (W1 D1 L8), while they last had a longer unbeaten run between May-August 2022 (5 games). Fulham have lost three of their past four Premier League home games (W1), as many as they had in their first 13 at Craven Cottage this season (W6 D4). 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ronnup Posted 5 May 2023 Share Posted 5 May 2023 17 hours ago, Ric Flair said: Monday at 3pm pal, chin up. Ha! Excellent news Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts