Alot of pundits have said the nerves will kick in sooner or later for us but tonight Martin Keown made a good point. He said last season there was intense pressure on us but we came through it to stay up. We actually played better when the pressure was really on. He said now its "just a joy" Also Schmeichel, Drinkwater, Morgan, James, Vardy, King, Schlupp, Moore, Mahrez and Wasilewski was here when we won the Championship so they know what mentality is required for this situation. Yes the media scrutuny is 10000 times more the principals are the same We have used to saying fearless for nearly a year now and there hasnt been one occasion where we have shown any. Why start now? But its just the next weapon from the media after everything else failed. There is 2 man team, they havent played anyone yet, there squad is too small, what happens when they get injuries etc
Ranieri has so far played an absolute master class as usual with the media in regards to deflecting any pressure or expectations from his players. I agree what he says though about there being little pressure, our players experienced real pressure at the. End of last season during the great escape and to avoid an instant return to the championship after it had taken 10 long years to get ourselves back up. He sends the players out with freedom and tells them to enjoy the,selves and it's showing. The pressure is firmly on the teams that have spent millions and millions and millions building their squads over numerous seasons, yet have a team that has been put together for peanuts in comparison above them currently which is pretty embarrassing for them let's be honest. Top 4 finish would be Roy of the rovers stuff, completely bonkers.
If you put our current success in financial perspective, the 11 that beat Man City on Saturday cost less than Marouane Fellani
The nerves will get to you at some point but with the way things are going you'll have a 10 point lead going into the last few games and will be able to handle a wobble or 2.
Maybe but as some have said, for Leicester, the pressure of staying up far outweighs the pressure of an unexpected title challenge. For bigger clubs with that as an expectation there is a pressure. I know speaking as a fan, I feel no pressure at all, just a possible realisation of a dream. A lot of our players also had the experience of winning the championship in recent years. Obviously a different league but experience of winning a league title nonetheless
or Jordan Henderson ... or Luke Shaw ... or Lallana .... or Andy Carroll ... Berahino!!!! (if he goes) ............... bonkers isn't it?
There was never going to be pressure on us on Saturday. The pressure starts against sides like Norwich. They're must win games against sides scrapping at the bottom. It's how Southampton faded last season.
Yep while obviously we were never quite as high/good as you are this year but there was a point in last season where top 4 could of happenned if we just maintained form against the 'lower' sides. Then we ended up losing to WBA, Yourselves n Sunderland away from home all in the space of around 3/4 games. What will decide it for you now (in terms of top 4) will be your games against WBA, Norwich, Newcaslte, Swansea, us etc.
I think we are lucky that you didn't have a good start this season, or you could have been right up there too! My concern also lies with the more relegation threatened sides, they will be needing the points, and will likely park the bus to stifle Vardy running in behind and nick a winner (Villa being the most recent case of this), but i think if we keep going with the gameplan we have, we can carry on picking up points. http://www.nbcsports.com/video/leic...ity?guid=nbc_bpl_2robbiesleicester_160207&t=0 I agree with Robbie Earle, no reason that our players are going to play any different between now and the end of the season.
This sort of links in to something I was thinking. As we get closer to the end of the season, I wonder if any teams with nothing to play for my sub-consiously not be at their best lets say when they play us because let's face it, most mid table sides should be rooting for us! I wonder, a last day scenario where Chelsea have nothing to play for, if it's between us, Arsenal and Man City, I really can't see them coming full force and allowing their rivals to win
Defence isn't good enough for us this year to do anything special The bit in bold is key for you now, playing away to City/Arsenal suits you down to the ground but teams are aware of you now, I know it's another matter stopping you as no one seems to have done it yet but if you can break down the stubborn defences that are coming your way post Arsenal then bar an injury crisis there's nothing really stopping you.
You raise a very valid point, John... Let's just say, it comes to the last game of the season... We need a win to win the league, otherwise Arsenal or Tottenham will win it... I can't see Chelsea being too fussed
Oh and depending on how our results go between now n then I might be more than happy to let you have 3 points in your title bid No chance if we've still got a chance of top6/Europa though
But when teams sit back and invite us on thats when Mahrez breaks them down. Villa at home being the key example. They shut up shop at 2-0
To be fair, we broke the "easier" teams down with ease in the earlier parts of the season. The way we were swatting the relegation threatened sides out of the way lead to people saying "they haven't played anybody good yet".
If John Terry wants to become a proper Chelsea legend then he'll score a score a few own goals in that game.
True but teams weren't scared of you then, was same as us last season. Now hardly any teams will come to St Marys and actually attack us. Looking at your remaining home games... Norwich, WBA, Newcastle, Saints, West Ham, Swansea, Everton Now I'd say most of those (Exception probably Everton) will come and sit men behind the ball and make life difficult for you, which wouldn't of happened earlier in the season.
