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Leicester City Home 2/3/13 – Briefing Notes
Written by HarryfromBath on Wednesday, 27th Feb 2013 15:49

HarryfromBath assesses the mood in the opposition camp ahead of Saturday's game by delving into their forums.

Overall

Many Ipswich supporters with longer memories will remember the gnawing anxiety of being a top six team in the spring. The Foxes had a blip in February after picking up five straight wins in January. Tuesday’s win over Blackburn greatly alleviated the Foxes mood, and there was an “onwards and upwards” mood after this victory.

“It’s mental. As soon as we reach the top two, we screw things up”, ”I’m worried”. This was the mood after picking up one point from games against Blackpool, Charlton and the Posh before their win over Blackburn. There is a dread fear of Leicester (a) ending up in the play-offs or (b) missing out altogether.

Any team on a charge through the play-off places will flick the anxiety switch, “Watford are looking good and are our biggest threat for an automatic place”. The Hornets are perceived as the big threat to join Cardiff in the top two, and (even worse) Forest’s resurgence could see Leicester squeezed out of the top six altogether.

Nigel Pearson

For the most part, fans are supportive of their manager, “The Sven sweet shop was catastrophic on so many levels, and what Pearson has achieved in a relatively short period is exceptional”, “Many people seem to understate how difficult it can be to move players on and get ones in that will improve the team."

However, I was surprised to see a ‘Pearson Out’ thread on one site. He is not universally loved: “We seem to lack anyone on the side lines with the ability to quickly assess what’s going wrong in games and to make effective changes to our style and personnel.

He was called ‘stubborn’ on several threads with the “lack of an adequate Plan B.”. “Tactically he is struggling to counter the mounting pressure that he puts himself under thanks to the rigid set up of his team".

His “military like instructions” are seen by some fans as having affected players' flair and confidence. He is “not a risk taker”, “It is his tactics (or lack of) that is going to doom us to yet another year of second division football”.

Interestingly, a goodly number of fans were complaining about his “refusal to sign loan players to refresh us”. Leicester have only two first team squad players on loan, Michael Keane (from Manchester United) and Harry Kane (from Spurs).

Tactical Dilemma

“Pearson is a 4-4-2 man and rarely differs. This influences his signings”, “In almost all games, we have played with two wingers and plenty of width in 4-4-2, but people moaned that a midfield duo can be overpowered”.

This concern has caused Nigel Pearson to experiment with a 4-3-3 formation, but this has created different problems: “Playing three centre forwards in a 4-3-3 does not work for us, as two of the forwards are further from the goal and play different roles.”

The change in formation has created round pegs in square holes with creativity suffering: “We haven’t got enough variety in central midfield”, “Where is the creativity / spark coming from?”

One comment zoned in on the central problem with 4-3-3: “In certain circumstances we don’t commit ourselves wholeheartedly. We concede ground we don’t have to and we don’t get people forward fast enough when we get possession. It is so clear it makes you want to weep at times.”

One fan noted: “We have not been closing down from the front as quick as what we have been doing.”

Against Charlton, “it wasn’t really our defence that was a problem. Being able to break down a team is key!”, “Charlton were superbly organised. They closed us down knowing we did not have an alternative style of play.”

With David Nugent injured, they switched to an orthodox 4-4-2 against Blackburn, with “wide men on the ‘correct’ side getting in crosses and two big men up front.”

All three goals in their victory came from headers. Although there was euphoria after their win, there was some caution. “Few teams will be prepared to give our midfield the space they had against Blackburn.”

Defence

There were few critics of what is a regimented defence. Kasper Schmeichel was praised fulsomely for an “outstanding save” against Blackburn. The former Notts County and Leeds keeper is vice-captain and is highly regarded.

“I could watch Wes Morgan defend all day.” Captain Wes Morgan (signed last year from Forest) is widely eulogised, described as “a beast”, “solid” and “an animal”. “No need to have a ‘player of the season’ vote. He has had it in the bag for a long time.”

The one possible weakness is loanee Michael Keane, who is seen as suspect in the air, and who was “shaky once again” against Blackpool, as he has been in recent games: “He has been dominated in 2/3 games we should have won and have not.”

Having said this, he “gave Rhodes nothing” on Tuesday. Some fans would welcome back Sean St Ledger for his solidity and experience. “It is time for more experienced players to step up.”

The success of the full backs seems to be linked to the tactical success of the team. They can do damage when they are given time and space. Belgian right-back Ritchie De Laet has “quick feet and superb pace”, but he has been targeted by Foxes when he cannot get into the game. On the opposite flank, former Fulham defender Paul Konchesky is regularly described as “consistent” and “steady".

Midfield

“Our midfield is surprisingly inexperienced. Not one quality player we can call on with the know-how and experience in such a crucial part of the pitch as well.”

This repeated concern explains the manager’s tactical change to a more solid structure. The feeling is that “there is a lack of experienced midfielders on the market. Who could we bring in?”.

Many Foxes want to stick with 4-4-2: “We topped the league with Lloyd Dyer and Andy King in the team most of the time. They have become peripheral players with Anthony Knockaert and Ben Marshall favoured (in a narrower 4-3-3).”

Winger Ben Marshall has come in for most criticism on the left flank, with his “woeful delivery” of set pieces being hammered. “What do we do with our corner opportunities? B…er all usually.”

However, some fans are fed up with the scapegoating of the 21-year-old midfielder.: “He is very young. It simply does not help when fans air their frustration so vocally at him.”

One Fox was “surprised at the omission of Lloyd Dyer during their poor run. Marshall is technically better but much easier to mark”. “With Dyer benched, we have lost pace in the side”. “We have become a slow team when attacking”.

Marshall greatly benefitted from a change in formation and a move to the right wing against Blackburn, assisting two goals. He “played some excellent balls and great crosses, and took players on”.

In the centre, Welshman Andy King attracts most praise. He was their best player against Blackpool and Blackburn. He “broke everything up”, “played it simple” and “tied everything up brilliantly” and brought great balance to the team. He “dictated play in his fulcrum role” on Tuesday, and “hassled in the midfield once again”.

Twenty-two year old Danny Drinkwater partners King in midfield. “When he plays well, so do we,” was a typical comment.

“Love the way he gets his body in front of players to win the ball – reminds me of Neil Lennon.” High praise. It is worth remembering that they can be prevented from establishing a rhythm, hence Pearson’s switch in formation.

Frenchman Anthony Knockaert is on the opposite flank to Marshall. The 21-year old is “impishly dangerous” but “still is not as effective as he could or should be”. There is a suspicion about the ex-Guingamp player’s confidence, as he can “tail off” and “look frustrated” in games. “He is always a threat, but I do expect better.”

Strikers

“We seem to create loads of chances but never convert them into goals. We need to have more killer instinct and be more ruthless”, “There is a lack of goals from set pieces, with only four defender goals all season and few supplementary goals from (a protective) central midfield”. Foxes feel that much reliance is placed on the frontmen, and they struggle when they dry up.

Leicester’s blistering run in January was partly due to the goals of New Zealander Chris Wood. However, their fortunes lately have been linked to the form of their new striker. Against Blackpool, they said: “Our in-form striker had a shocker today,” with his performance (including a penalty miss) described as “awful”, “dreadful” and “gash”.

The mood around the striker changed dramatically on Tuesday against Blackburn, "his movement was a constant problem”, “he creates so much space for his team” and was an “absolute bargain”. Foxes have started to give him his own song.

He was partnered on Tuesday by new loanee Harry Kane. He scored a debut home goal and was described as “complete forward who looks like he is good with his feet, in the air and also seems to have, like Wood, a good footballing brain”. He “dropped off well” to give the Blackburn defence “problems in the final third”. A promising partnership is emerging.

Top scorer David Nugent is praised as a “hard worker” but “his spark, touch and enthusiasm have deserted him” in recent games. The switch to 4-4-2 against Blackburn was due to his injury, as Vardy was not deemed good enough to hold a starting place.

“Jamie Vardy, learn how to control the ball, you excuse for a footballer! Muppet!”, “Vardy is a non-option. He has bags of enthusiasm, but, right now, no more.”

The striker has been used as an impact substitute, but with little enthusiasm from the stands. “Our team have been four times more likely to score without him playing than with him playing.”

Leicester City Fans Views on ITFC and the Game

“On to the next ‘must win’ game”. Most Foxes were very pessimistic after their poor run, predicting 1-1 draws at best. Optimism abounded after the Blackburn game: “We need to build on this win at Ipswich on Saturday.”

“Onwards to a tough away game at an improved team motivated by revenge to a thrashing we handed them,” was more typical. “Hopefully we already have the mental edge over Ipswich after thrashing them last time”. The glass is either half empty of half full.

At least one Fox has a good memory, commenting: “Just hope it doesn’t snow.” Another hoped for a win over the “potato shaggers” which surely cannot be scientifically possible. The volatile mood was captured well by one fan who said: “We’re well in the hunt!! 2-0 to Ipswich. Pearson out! Ha!”

Other Points

The anxiety and lack of perspective from supporters was a huge theme to emerge from looking through the Foxes supporters’ websites. In the midst of the wellspring of neurosis, I found some sane and rational voices with a still small voice of calm.

Two comments rang out of the darkness, firstly: “It is not easy being a fan of most clubs, but if people think that this is a hard moment to support Leicester, then God help us.”

My favourite, found in a ‘will we make the play-offs’ thread was this: “Unfortunately, the one thing in football that is required from everyone, fans, management, players and owners is the one thing that nobody has. Patience.”

The best website I found was foxestalk.co.uk and there was some additional feedback on talkingballs.co.uk.




Please report offensive, libellous or inappropriate posts by using the links provided.

unbelievablue added 16:49 - Feb 27
Great stuff and much appreciated Harry!
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michaeldownunder added 21:21 - Feb 27
What a great blog, will pass this onto Mick so he can work out how to beat Leicester
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TR11BLU added 08:54 - Feb 28
'Potato Shaggers' ha ha!!!!!!
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Pessimistic added 12:56 - Feb 28
Thanks for that Harry. It was a very interesting read. I just hope Nugent remains out of the action on Saturday too. That could make all the difference!
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Edmunds5 added 20:56 - Feb 28
Found this insight interesting, good stuff. Leicester will no doubt be a threat but I can see us getting a point.
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budgieplucker added 00:08 - Mar 1
Another super blog from Harry, very well done and thanks mate. I enjoy reading your articles and look forward to your next offering.

Hey Phil what about slipping Harry a retainer to encourage him to keep up the excellent work.
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urbanblue added 10:32 - Mar 2
Nice one Harry .... Cheers !
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