I’m starting to think Ricardo Pereira is the greatest footballer that has ever lived. Put into perspective that we’ve just played our right back at attacking left mid and he bossed the show. Good to see Johnny Evans too finally start to settle in and look steady. Really hope we give that partnership another go. Shout out to Danny Simpson too - no coincidence that he comes in and we don’t ever look like conceding. Got to say that I really do like him in the side...
To play devils advocate, Simpson looked solid because Everton were playing their left winger in the middle for whatever reason and he barely attacked at all - not sure if he even crossed the half way line the entire game. Could have done with someone with some attacking ability - Ghezzal was by himself getting crowded out in the first half and Albrighton had to play first time balls pretty much all the time. I wouldn't so far with Ricardo but he really has grown into his role really well - hopefully some of our other players will be given the same amount of time.
I think the problem is more we are too flat in midfield. Choudhury, Mendy and Ndidi will stop teams playing but wont hurt them. First half we got pinned back too often I think Puel has realised he has to counter attack against the big teams but we need to be more aggresive and attacking against the lesser teams. We dont have another who can cut teams open like Mahrez did and he needs to be replaced properly. Gray hasnt stepped up as we hoped and Ghezzal looks out of his depth Im not against Puel staying aslong he has changes his tactics. This sideways slow football is boring and dont look like scoring
Not nessacerily. NP went 352 high pressing during the great escape. Win the ball higher up the pitch and we can hurt teams. We have enough centre halfs and attacking wing backs to do it and I reckon Iheanacho would do better in this system. Okazaki can do what he did during the title winning season aswell
I wont criticise Puel for that today. Both teams was shocking in the first half but in the 2nd we defended well and through abit of luck created that chance for Vardy Both teams looked low on energy. No Iborra on the bench surprised me. Its quite clear he wants to go but we still need him for the rest of the season. Especially if we are selling Silva, King and James
Great result! Performance poor but so were Everton. Can’t fault the set up from Puel and most of the personnel spot on. Main issue was the awful passing. Did Mendy find a team mate? They were as bad or worse though so maybe put it down to the end of a busy schedule, the early kick of New Year’s Day etc. Cardiff was disappointing but if we were offered 9 from 12 ahead of the Chelsea match we’d taken it. Tbh I’d have not been surprised to come out of those fixtures with just 3 points at Horne to Cardiff and lose the rest. Funny how it works out. We do look much more solid now so I can see Puel is building from the back, he was never going to sort everything in the summer. I’d say we are a creative CM and a winger short of a great first 11 then it’d just be squad depth.
Ricardo has been superb. He started the season quite badly defensively but always looked good going forward. Since Amartey got injured and Ricardo came first choice at RB he has really improved massively defensively. He is still young and will improve but looks more then worth £25M that we paid I felt he did well today but much prefer him down the right wing. I felt playing him there took something away from Chilwell. Rather have them attacking each full back
I fully agree - this is the reason why Silva is in demand as he has the ability to play as a deep playmaker but either hasn't been given enough time or can't adapt to the Premier League. I would like to see Iborra playing as a #10 if we don't bring anyone in as expected - he has experience playing there and is big and strong enough to be a target man.
While I agree to an extent. Silva hasnt had enough chances in an advanced role but at the same time he hasnt shown enough to suggest he deserves more chances In fairness to him his signing was a balls up from the start. I think he was a panic buy after Drinky. Yes we wanted him 12 months before but him signing was very rushed at the last minute Newport on Sunday is a big chance for alot of players. But I dont think Silva will play even if he is still here by then
Personally I like having simpson in the side so would probably put Ricardo attacking right and Alrighton left and then if we’re not winning and sub off Simpson and put Pereira at the back
I think the reason why Puel likes Amartey over Simpson is its easy to chance formation without making a sub. Amartey can play RB, CB, CM and we dont need to make a sub I prefer Simpson at right back as defensively he is sound. A few weeks back I dont think Ricardo was ready to play RB for a but but he want from a liability to a strength pretty much overnight
That was a tough watch but 3 points is 3 points. Cant fault Puel for the way he set out the team to do a job and they succeeded. He is obviously a divisive character. hard to listen to, produces teams that are hard to beat but they don't play particularly attractive football at times. Haven't always thought this but right now I think he is perfect for us. If we can finish 6th-9th with this very young team then that will be a great achievement. When we bring Benkovic and Barnes back we already strengthen which only really leaves another striker and winger from being a great team. Ricardo was outstanding again and now we have three defensive midfielders with Choudhry proving good enough we can rotate them to bring in Maddison when required. As someone said today, bet Southampton wish they were in our position.
I think Silva is gone as well. That team will be interesting as rumour has it that King might feature - can be put back into the Premier league squad from now.
