Would be a good fit but he would have a LOT of work on his hands as their defence is so poor. Just hope that when he inevitably goes to his next club this season that he doesn't take all his team with him
F@€k me thats quick! I doubt that they will get rid of Dick after 2 games, though if they dont inprove sharpish, he'll be first fired. Pearson had a job keeping us up with his players, i dont think he'd be able to do it with Sunderland.
I don't think so either, but I keep thinking of how we were top of the Premier League in October 2000 under Peter Taylor after Pearson left, only to fall away massively after the O'Neill influence died and, eventually we dropped back into the Football League. Right now, we're riding high on the back of Pearson's achievements - Ranieri has been sensible enough to not live up to his nickname. But eventually, he will want to make his own mark, and only then will we know if Ranieri is the right man. As much as I'm happy with the potential of our signings, I am equally concerned that at least two of them have been reluctant to come. There's nothing wrong with assessing you're options, but stating that you'd prefer to join another club before coming to ours doesn't exactly make you believe their hearts are in it. Hopefully, now they've made the decision, they'll be quickly won over and give their all. Last thing we want is more unrest behind the scenes. Things look good at the moment, but we've seen too many false dawns over the years to take it for granted.
... personally I don't find the scenarios comparable... the insecure Taylor set about dismantling O'Neils squad... selling those good players most closely associated with the O'Neill 'brand' ... by contrast Ranieri has impressively (IMHO) improved the squad he inherited.. whilst cutting the 'chaff' ... and (touch wood) ...done something that Nigel Pearson tangibly hadn't managed.. - enabled Drinkwater to transform into a genuine looking top flight midfield talent to boot
Well, it's a bit early to say Ranieri's players have improved the squad - not one as broken into the first team yet! Time will tell on that score. Regarding the "chaff", I think Konch's days were numbered whatever, you and I always disagreed on Nugent (although £4m is good business I think) and I don't really like to see us selling young talent like Wood, albeit his chances in the Prem were going to be limited (would have preferred to see him go out on a season-long loan to a top of the Championship type side). Drinkwater - he has obviously worked with and studied Cambiasso; Pearson brought Esteban to the club not just for his ability on the field, but also to pass on his wealth of experience to our young midfielders. Any improvement in Drinkwater is down to Pearson/Cambiasso/Drinkwater or even our owners (if they convince Cambiasso to come), the only credit you can give Ranieri is that he's picked Drinkwater - but since we started the season with only two fit midfielders with Premier League experience, it wasn't exactly a stroke of genius.
... really? ... you don't think this squad is better than the one we started last season with?... OK .. but must say I am baffled...
... Dammed if he does and damned if he doesn't .. so Drinkwater's improvement down to anyoneBUT Ranieri ... just wonder why it never happened last season ... you need to get over Pearson
It clearly is too early to say much about the new signings (only Okazaki has played a decent amount) but it's quite clear that we have improved, they just need the time to prove it. While I think that the start is more down to the previous manager than the current one, Ranieri should be commended for realising that we've got a great thing going here. and keeping the continuity and confidence. Here's hoping it continues.
I don't really agree with either opinion here. Drinkwater was an unfortunate casualty of having someone of Cambiassos quality last year, but glad he has stuck with it and given 2 good performances sofar this year. You could give credit for Cambiasso for being someone to learn from, or credit Ranieri for recognising his talent and selecting him over new signings, but ultimately, its down to DD himself for staying at a competitive level.
Yep. N'Golo came in a few days before the Sunderland game so he wasn't a viable option and Drinkwater made himself undroppable for the West Ham game with an excellent performance (which he duly backed up).
Sean Dyche is about to spend "9 million pound notes" on Brentford striker Andre Gray who used to play for Hinckley The irony of that
If NP goes to another prem club he won´t have a cat in hells chance of poaching our players, unless they are just squad players that ain´t getting much of a run out. NP will not have any thing to do with where we finish because I really believe we won´t be in a relegation battle this season. We are in better shape than last season without a doubt. The new players are being introduced into English football bit by bit so don´t worry about a newbie being on the bench, we do have competition for places aswell. The squad, with Inler included, is looking very strong & good for a mid table finish. NP has gone, thanks for the good times, CR has took his place, needs a good crack at it, so lets just move on & cross every thing that we have a dam good season... I`D LUV A CUP FINAL MIND.
please log in to view this image Former Chelsea boss Claudio Ranieri wants Leicester to be a new Premier League superpower Can´t do that without a few `top class players`.
I don't KNOW the squad is any better, because I haven't seen enough of the new players, apart from Okazaki, who was signed by Pearson, not Ranieri. Because, as Wizard said, he wasn't really given a chance last season. Drinkwater hasn't been made into a Premier League player by Ranieri in the four or five weeks he's been here, on that I'm certain! I believe in given credit where credit's due. If that's to someone who is no longer at the club than so be it. Sorry if that doesn't fit within the blinkered "I only rate who we current have" mentality of the typical football fan...
