Off Topic The General Chat Thread.

I watched the whole match and MOTD2 and couldn't believe my ears when Jenas was singing his praises. What did he actually contribute in our 'key moments'? Did he contribute anything to the 3 goals?

In the first half he was nowhere to be seen. Granted, he wasn't alone. In the second half he got more involved and did take his defender on, but he still had no end product. The first chance he should have buried. The second one he made space for the shot and hit it straight at the keeper (again) and lashed the rebound high and wide. The third effort he cut inside and missed the target again. For the penalty, he saw Vardy go down and hit the ball tamely at the goalkeeper from an angle where he was never going to score. You can't count that one as an assist! If the ref hadn't given the penalty it would have been another run with no end product. The lad does show some promise at times but goes missing far too often for far too long. If he was contributing 10 goals a season then fine, but at the moment he flatters to deceive. Those missed chances can cost us points and lose games.

 

It's not just Jenas buddy ... he gets top marks on almost every match assessment ... the corner from which the first goal stems came from one of his runs . . Bartley pulls Vardy back because he has got goalside of him and Barnes has gone past the full back and may well have put Vardy in if he hadn't been sent tumbling ... the second pen is a leg stretched out to nick it from another Barnes surge into the box only for James to get to the nick ahead of O'Shea and get clattered ... but apart from those, he wasn't involved

 

He won a corner; he might have made a pass; he lost a challenge and a team mate wins a penalty. Wow! What a player!

He shoots straight at the goalkeeper from 4 yards; he misses the target from 6 yards; he misses the target again from 10 yards; totally absent in the first half hour.

I think you (and the 'knowledgeable' pundits) are too easily pleased, Fosse.

 

He unsettled defences ... he is raw and is still learning his trade ... but he offers far more in making us dangerous as a team than the likes of Albrighton or Gray ...

I'm not overly bothered about how much he helps the defence ... let's make the opposition do far more of that ... and he does that every time he gets the ball.

Hopefully he notches a couple of one on ones soon and goes on to fulfill his potential ...

 

He's not a youngster now. He's been around for a few seasons and should be familiar with what's required of him. I think his problem is mentality rather than lack of ability. He has speed and skill but lacks that mental toughness that the top players have (even at his age) to remain calm when the big moment comes. I would like to see him up his work rate and get involved more to increase his self confidence so that he starts to intimidate defenders and influence a match. That's just not in his character at the moment. The coaches - physical and mental - need to work on him more.

 

He's still only 22 ... yes he has a lot to learn but Ronaldo at the same age was overly full of stepovers and inconsistent to say the least ... just think you are being unduly harsh on a player that was undeniably a key element in that opening day win ... the West Brim defence was petrified every time he got the ball ... Albrighton is never going past anybody and will invariably find the first defender or no one with the vast majority of his crosses .. I for one would much rather see Barnes name on the team sheet... but it's all about opinions ...

 

As frustrating as it is that almost every shot from Barnes is at the keeper, he's had 1 full season and is 22. I'm prepared to allow me time for him to develop before my patience wears thin. The comment about not being a youngster and a few seasons of chances, without clear progress does however apply to Gray.

 

I hadn't really noticed him during the game, but Jenas's examples showed that he was a threat, until he attempted to shoot.

We all know that if he could finish, he'd be coveted by the "top 6" sides, hes been given plenty of opportunity and Rodgers sure seems to believe in him. I really want to see him improve and hit 15-20 goals/assists in all competitions this season.

Hes certainly one to stick with given that 1) We don't have anyone better and 2) We have more urgent positions that need addressing.

 

*or cross.

Rodgers seems to have given up on Gray seeing he wasn't even picked for the bench despite apparently having a good preseason so has no real competition for a starting place - hopefully will still have motivation to improve.

 

Barnes got 6 goals and 8 assists last season in his first full season at the highest level. I don’t think that’s bad, especially the assists and especially as we can all see he could have bagged so many more with a cool head. I’d be hoping he can reach double figures in both this season which would be great progress for him.

 

We were excellent this evening ... great to watch, quick, exciting, inventive and clinical ... and weathered a formidable physical onslaught ...

 

Involved in everything again today ... he's getting seriously good ... Southgate must be noticing him ...

 

Gonna give a further shout out to Papy Mendy... he has been really impressive in both games of the new season ... starting to see what Claudio obviously saw in him ... always shows for the ball and is terrific in confined space ...

 

We'll be even better when Evans returns and Ndidi can slot back into midfield, and Under can take Perez's position. When Maddison is fully fit what happens then? Who makes way, or does he have to wait? It seems Praet is the fall guy but he's looked our best midfielder for these first two games and Tielemans played well last night too. I'd say make Maddison wait but I feel Praet will have his nose put out of joint.

 

Will be very disappointed if Maddison just walks back in, we have looked much better as we are these two games. Praet seems to bring the best out in Youri too.
Anyway thought we were excellent last night, that ball from Tielemans was a thing of beauty and Castagne looks a constant threat down the right. Justin looked very good going forwards and took his goal well, also links better with Barnes than Chilwell did. Some concerns around him defensively though being caught out for the booking last week and bullied twice to lose out last night. Likely down to experience anyway but I’d imagine Ricardo and Casagne will be the two when Riccy is fit. I wouldn’t even look too much into the conceding twice to Burnley as its been a manic weekend for goals anyway.

 

He looks a menace cutting in from the left, imagine having that on both sides with Under!
Not sure if being called up for England is a good thing mind...

 

Not sure Brendan will be dropping Mendy anytime soon ...he has been great ...

 

I don't want to take all the credit for the improvement in Barnes's performance last night, but he does seem to have taken on board my previous comments.

He was positive, confident and dangerous against a tough defender from the first minute and showed good composure. Thoroughly deserved his man of the match award, and thought he presented himself well in the post match interview.

We played some great flowing football throughout the match. Justin was put under a lot of aerial pressure and was found wanting in that area. Fuchs would probably have been more solid, but no longer has the legs to get up and down the pitch. Tielemanns and Praet were exceptional in midfield, and even Perez showed himself better. Vardy's hold-up play continues to improve and he no longer just lashes a hopeful ball across the area when he comes under pressure.

We will have an interesting selection problem when we get Ricardo back and if we get another left sided defender.

 

Excellent performance again. I really do like Praet and as mentioned above, will be the fall guy so Maddison comes back in. I felt there was no need to bring Maddison on last night, it was a change made just for the sake of it. Give him 90 mins against Arsenal in the cup to get him up to speed.

Nobody deserves to be dropped for Man City next week. If you play well, you deserve to keep the shirt, regardless who is waiting in the wings.

 

Very positive performance. Knowing what the opposition will do and having a plan to counter doesn't automatically lead to success but we were far superior. Some could be critical of James Justin and probably justifiably but he was bought from a Div 1 side with potential to develop and has been thrown in sooner than expected so I think he is going ok. We now have an embarrassment of riches in midfield and what a great problem to have. As others have said Mendy has been superb but for me Praet has been absolutely outstanding. Burnley had players missing but finished tenth last season so no mugs. Loved every minute.