The point re Leicester is that they are a good side at the top of the league , so we should not feel too low as they did not completely dominate us . Agree re middle aged / over weight men wearing replica shirts ....but as is so often said on here , each to their own .
As a rotund middle aged man I can honestly say that I baulked at this season's home shirt refusing to look like a jaundiced Michelin Man. I have the away shirt- most away shirts pre Gola actually though most have gone to the charidee Shoppe.
To change the subject a bit, isn't it great that on football chat shows like the Monday Night Club on 5Live, that when they're talking about relegation, our name never even comes up. Who would have thought that at the beginning of the season? What an achievement!
In Leicester's last 38 Premier League games , for all intents and purposes a full seasons games , the Foxes have lost only 4 of those games .Ironically , it all started a few days after April Fools .
Leicester are in the fortunate position that occurs to most clubs only once in a generation - the exact combination of players, tactics, confidence and manager/coach to get them playing far and away better than logic would suggest. Mahrez's goal was terrific against us, but I would suggest that he would not have even tried that shot last season, and will probably try it next season and put it into the stand every time. This is not to belittle Leicester's achievement and I hope they go on to lift the title, but almost certainly they could have the same players next season and end up in mid-table or worse. Only those clubs who can consistently reinforce their squads with top quality signings can keep at the top. Of course in The Foxes' fans case they will enjoy it far more than the average Man U, Chelsea, Arsenal etc. fan who expects this level of success every year.
Some interesting points Hornette ... how many of our games or Spurs for that matter have you actually seen in their entirety? Only team that has really done a number on us this season was Arsenal at our place ... even then the scoreline did flatter them a little ... but for a very dubious last minute penalty we wiuld have played Spurs 3 times, taken 4 points from them in the league and dumped them out the cup ... as it was they did go on to beat our reserves in the cup replay at ours ... only to then lose to Palace with irtually their first team playing. As to quality of performance ... I've watched a lot of live football this season but can't say I've seen anybody surpass our performance at Man City ... Yaya Toure and David Silva substituted because they couldn't get into the game ... we were really that good ... As to the game against you ... I think we deserved the 3 points overall ... I still don't know how Vards missed the open net from the Mahrez pull back in the first half ... I think credit must go to the defender for the challenge ... but I always thought we contained your attack well enough .. in fact, I expected more having watched the highlights of your excellent attacking display at Old Trafford ... indeed United's displays against you and West Brom should fill us with confidence in terms of being a barometer ... becuase we absolutely battered West Brom in midweek but just couldn't get over the line ... It's all about opinions mind ...
Would have to agree about Ake, didn't look out of place at all and worked really well with Holebas. Not sure about Prodl had real trouble turning and Vardy definitely sat on his shoulder rather than Ake but considering the late change thought he did OK. Amrabat works hard and with his movement makes Oghalo look statuesque. As for Capoue I thought he was poor on Saturday and when I saw Abdi coming on I assumed it was for him not Suarez. The biggest issue I had on Saturday was how, in general, our midfields first thought was to turn sideways or backwards without even looking at a forward pass, it gives defences so much time to organise and close down. It only takes a few passes over defenders to make them start thinking we have more options and dropping off a bit to hedge their bets. Would also have to agree with whoever said about only giving Oulare a couple of minutes, surely if you are going to play "hail mary" football you have to give it a chance to work ? ( before I get too much abuse I'd like to point out that wouldn't be my plan A even if it did work quite well for us about 30 years ago !! )
Have to say that overall you did deserve the 3 points. You were faster, stronger and more committed and certainly more dangerous up front. For me, it has also been Arsenal to have been the only team to really "do a number" on us as well, for about 20 mins they ripped us apart when we played them at our place - we have the return fixture in a few weeks. I really hope Leicester win the league, it sends a brilliant message to all the other smaller clubs (and I do not mean any disrespect at all in that comment) that we can compete on the pitch with these monsters and sticks 2 fingers up to all the football hacks and pundits. You have been a breath of fresh air this season and I am very pleased for you all.
I too hope that Leicester win the League. But unless the same thing happens (i.e. a "small" club wins the PL say every third or fourth year) then this season will be seen as a flash in the pan and things overall will not change - the "big" clubs will continue to monopolise the top positions and the Europe entries and get steadily richer as the years progress. There does need to be some kind of equalisation mechanism put into place between the clubs in the PL and indeed between the divisions. I don't know how it would work though against the vested interests.
Personally I'm hoping that the 'mega-bucks' TV deal for next season onwards isgoing to level the playing field somewhat ... it will certainly raise considerably the pricing targets for the majority of clubs ... sure the big boys will still take the very top marketed players ... but the middle tier can now find players like, Mahrez, Kante, Ighalo, Payet, Lanzini, Mane, Shaquiri, Arnautovic, Bojan, Delofeu, Affelay, Andre Ayew etc who really help narrow the gap towards the Sky 4 ... they are certainly not going to get an easy ride of things
