CHAPELALLMAN wrote: ↑Sun Jan 31, 2021 4:57 pm
TBF Paddy owed the fans , the team and the manager a decent performance. One quality he has as a forward is that he passes the ball well for a C/F, so he interacts well with maurauding FBs, wingers and the no 10.
I'd been worried about Bamford the last couple of games. He seemed to be throwing his arms in the air and looking up to the sky too much. His attitude didn't seem right. Bielsa saw it when he pulled him after 60 minutes for Roberts.
Today his body language and work rate were excellent. He even acknowledged after the game that he hadn't been play well (rather than complaining that his teammates never gave him the right pass). Early assist (I don't think he has many), an emphatic finish and then the selfless lay off to Harrison - who tends to get most of Bamford's complaints. That 3rd was a good chance even though Schmeichel had good coverage. Most strikers would have it but a class act by Bamford
SG90 wrote: ↑Sun Jan 31, 2021 4:56 pm
Wonder if Struijk perhaps could sneak into the Dutch squad for the Euros? Maybe Harrison for England too?
I would prefer them to stay at home! We lost Cooper, Koch, Raph, to injury and Rodrigo to illness when they went off on international duty....let Struijk develop with Bielsa
SG90 wrote: ↑Sun Jan 31, 2021 4:39 pm
Having such a huge cushion means we can just relax and play without any huge pressure for the last 18 games, something we have never been afforded under MB. Can see a few letting themselves unleashed.
SG90 wrote: ↑Sun Jan 31, 2021 4:41 pm
Meslier had another chance to catch the ball and punched it, then nearly spilled the follow up. Has he been instructed to punch or is he not capable of catching it?
Was a easy catch to make too, young Mes had a excellent game making seven saves.
Today we out Leicestered Leicester. We weren't so gung ho, counter attacking, and we let them have the ball. I wonder if that's how we'll operate against the top sides now.
andrewjohnsmith wrote: ↑Sun Jan 31, 2021 5:03 pm
I'd been worried about Bamford the last couple of games. He seemed to be throwing his arms in the air and looking up to the sky too much. His attitude didn't seem right. Bielsa saw it when he pulled him after 60 minutes for Roberts.
Today his body language and work rate were excellent. He even acknowledged after the game that he hadn't been play well (rather than complaining that his teammates never gave him the right pass). Early assist (I don't think he has many), an emphatic finish and then the selfless lay off to Harrison - who tends to get most of Bamford's complaints. That 3rd was a good chance even though Schmeichel had good coverage. Most strikers would have it but a class act by Bamford
1964white wrote: ↑Sun Jan 31, 2021 5:08 pm
Was a easy catch to make too, young Mes had a excellent game making seven saves.
Most of them were simple, easy saves. There was one he tipped around the post for a corner, but was very untroubled throughout. On the other hand, Schmeichel kept them in it in the first half.
andrewjohnsmith wrote: ↑Sun Jan 31, 2021 4:44 pm
Loved that tackle. Cooper had his best premier league game so far. He threw himself in front of so much. There was one moment where Strujik was less than a yard away from a shot and was ready to block and Cooper threw himself in between Strujik and attacker.
Plus he's got his confidence and voice back. He was really quiet when he first came back from injury. I was starting to think he had doubts about his game. But he was being the vocal and physical leader today that he was in the championship.
Velotrax wrote: ↑Sun Jan 31, 2021 4:01 pm
The stream I was watching had Foxes commentators, their tone changed when we got the 2nd, they even began slagging their own players off
Byebyegeegee wrote: ↑Sun Jan 31, 2021 5:00 pm
Excellent game of football, enjoyed it thoroughly (the result helped of course). Is it just me or did we hit more long balls from the back today than we usually do? I think that helped defensively as there seemed to be fewer attempted short passes in dangerous areas.
Well done the lads, to a man they all played their part. Hope the injuries are not too serious.
Far more longer balls from the back, there is a happy medium, and against the better sides like Leicester we don't want defenders caught in possession or making sloppy passes into the defensive midfield area.
Hopefully Rodders & Rafa aren't seriously injured. Though they are probably the two players we can replace the easiest at the moment. Alioski can have a stay of execution at left back, continue with Dallas and Klich in midfield... I'd be tempted to bring Hernandez in on the right wing rather than Costa or Poveda.
Chilli D wrote: ↑Sun Jan 31, 2021 4:45 pm
I feel we have more than enough cover for Rodrigo with Klich, Hernandez and Shackleton but unfortunately Costa and Poveda are not at Raphinha's level. He'll be a huge loss.
SG90 wrote: ↑Sun Jan 31, 2021 5:08 pm
Today we out Leicestered Leicester. We weren't so gung ho, counter attacking, and we let them have the ball. I wonder if that's how we'll operate against the top sides now.
Tweaking tactics really does work. Bielsa is still learning as well as the players in the PL.
mothbanquet wrote: ↑Sun Jan 31, 2021 4:52 pm
Unfortunately couldn't see the game but just watched the highlights. As stunning as Paddy's goal was, his squaring to Jack for the third was just so selfless, and that's to say nothing for the assist for Dallas's goal. He went above and beyond today.
Brilliant today Moth, honest enough to openly admit he had been poor of late
Anonymous wrote: ↑Sun Jan 31, 2021 4:36 pm
Fantastic performance and win. Think that's the first time I haven't been panicking through the whole game against a top side. We really looked the part today, and did enough defensively to contain them. Well chuffed.
...Spot on Sara...a great all round team performance....
Ron Swanson wrote: ↑Sun Jan 31, 2021 5:14 pmFar more longer balls from the back, there is a happy medium, and against the better sides like Leicester we don't want defenders caught in possession or making sloppy passes into the defensive midfield area.
Hopefully Rodders & Rafa aren't seriously injured. Though they are probably the two players we can replace the easiest at the moment. Alioski can have a stay of execution at left back, continue with Dallas and Klich in midfield... I'd be tempted to bring Hernandez in on the right wing rather than Costa or Poveda.
Playing the ball in a diamond at the back ( including the keeper ) can make us vulnerable to a press. Some longer ball distribution from the back makes us less predictable.
andrewjohnsmith wrote: ↑Sun Jan 31, 2021 4:53 pm
Well what a great day. 1-1 at half time, I was thinking, there isn't one player having a bad game. We looked in control. We should have been up but for a fantastic Schmeichel save. We couldn't get a handle for 1st 20 minutes of 2nd half but hung in well. The way we hit them on the break for all 3 goals was just fantastic.
Strujik looked great today. Cooper was really solid too. Looked like Bamford might have a quiet game but bagged another emphatic goal and 2 assists. Really can't complain about anyone's performance, everyone stuck to their task really well and it paid off.
The injuries are a bit of a worry. Looks like we'll start Klich next game and I like that 3 man midfield shape we had after Rodrigo went off. I'd never drop Rodrigo, but you have to say the shape seems better against good sides, whereas Rodrigo as a 10 works better against sides like Newcastle and West Brom.
I have been saying for months we should play big Pascal at the back, a massive aid for Cooper to cope with aerial challenges. Hopefully Marcelo realises now Struijk is not a DM & is much more useful in his accustomed position. Another major plus today
andrewjohnsmith wrote: ↑Sun Jan 31, 2021 5:03 pm
I'd been worried about Bamford the last couple of games. He seemed to be throwing his arms in the air and looking up to the sky too much. His attitude didn't seem right. Bielsa saw it when he pulled him after 60 minutes for Roberts. I agree Andrew, I think some frustration was setting in, all strikers go through patches, and with them its far more highlighted if they are not scoring.... Good decisions by managers turn things around, spot on again Andrew, MB did the right thing when he pulled him off. I anm sure he would have have had a good chat on the training field also.
Today his body language and work rate were excellent. He even acknowledged after the game that he hadn't been play well (rather than complaining that his teammates never gave him the right pass). Early assist (I don't think he has many), an emphatic finish and then the selfless lay off to Harrison - who tends to get most of Bamford's complaints. That 3rd was a good chance even though Schmeichel had good coverage. Most strikers would have it but a class act by Bamford Most unselfish act by a striker seen in a long long time.
offloaded in the summer I suspect
