Off Topic The General Chat Thread.

They are all such basic mistakes from experienced players.

Rodgers was blaming the performances on the fact that the team has a lot of naive youngsters. Who are they?

Very disappointed he chose Vardy to start over Daka.

 

Bertrand was at fault for the 2nd goal IMO as he was so deep it was unbelievable. I know Tielemans was at fault for losing the ball for the 1st goal (from a stupid ball from Cags) but we still had time to get in correct defensive positions. As for the 3rd goal, Barnes HAS to stop the cross from coming in…..just no effort at all!

Maddison missed an absolute sitter and Vardy had a great chance with that very late header, but just got too much on it.

I think some of our players think they are better than they actually are.

The only plus for me was Youri got a good 75 minutes under his belt.

We really do need to beat Newcastle on Sunday, or I fear the boo boys will be out in force come the final whistle.

 

If he hasn't already decided, this could be the game where Youri decides his career could be better elsewhere. We really need those silver bullets of JJ and Fofana coming back soon and injecting some confidence into the back three/four. Even a 0-0 against Newcastle might be a result at the moment.

 

Copy and paste my previous response... that's precisely what happened. Its infuriating that it's basic mistakes. Time and time again.

Some years back, and not that long ago, we weren't very good. The players were playing to the best of their ability (generally) that was just their level. Now we know the current squad are better than their performances are at present because we've watched them do it, regularly. It's

And Brendan, for God's sake never select Bertrand ever again.

 

I think it was on Twitter I saw a statement saying..."Bertrand must be the only free transfer that is overpriced!"

 

I hate to say it, but I agree with many rival fans that the extra games in the Europa League takes more out of a team of our depth than we care to admit. Together with the crucial injuries we've had (esp. those at the back), I think we're now done for this season and should concentrate on keeping well above the relegation zone, and adding squad depth in the upcoming transfer windows. I still think we'll see some excellent results later this season, but they'll be more poor ones until the defence is fully rebuilt and regains some sort of confidence.

 

Bertrand at left back with Barnes in front of him doesn't fill anyone with confidence. Opponents will see that combination as a weakness. Bertrand looks like what he is, a player who is past his best and bought as cover for others. Harvey Barnes needs to up his work rate and show some steel for once in winning the ball back. We need everyone pulling together at times like this. No room for passengers or anyone not prepared to show 100% commitment. There's no need for desperation, rashness in challenges or conceding needless free kicks. That won't help. Just need every player to concentrate, read the game better and do things properly. Like we know they can.

 

Although the fact we're actually playing him is no laughing matter

 

Good to pick up the win today and claim a clean sheet in the process, just hoping Evans isn’t too badly injured. In truth Newcastle looked vulnerable at the back and the difference in the end was that we had more quality in the last third than they did. Tielemans made us tick along with Maddison, and Daka seems to be gelling with his team mates allowing Vardy a rest. All in all, although we weren’t totally dominant as the score line suggests a bit of confidence should be restored.

 

There will be much sterner tests than Newcastle, but you can only beat what's put in front of you. Evans must surely be on his last season with all the strains he's picking up. Apart from Wilf's first touch at centre half and a couple of times Cags nearly getting caught in possession, we weren't too severely pressed at the back. In fact, without Evans we seemed less willing to keep passing the ball aimlessly across the back and didn't cause ourselves too many nervous moments, so every cloud etc.

But what a difference Youri makes. What an absolute gem of a player. He's always in the right place at the right time, be that in defence, midfield or attack. Blessed with sublime skill and vision as well as composure, he is the complete all-rounder. His 2 goals were pure class. He has to be our number one penalty taker. The keeper never looks like getting anywhere near them. And Maddison looks a different player with Youri in the side. The way he cushioned that ball from Daka for the third goal was as good as anything all afternoon.

In my opinion, Daka looks to offer so much more than Vardy at the moment, and has to start more games. In fact the only one who I thought was slightly disappointing was Soumare. He lacks pace and, for a big bloke, he doesn't show enough aggression or determination.

Hopefully that win and performance will have done our confidence a world of good.

 

A few controversial views of mine after the game:

- we looked a lot better with Ndidi at CB. I’d continue this till Fofana is back (or try Vestergaard again? I’m sure he didn’t get this bad overnight…)

- Daka is in better form than Vardy. Regardless of whether he is or isn’t, after a 4-0 win he should start the next game on merit otherwise what incentive is there for him - and what a sub Vardy is to have

On a different note, if Tielemans does go in the summer, I’d love to see all that money go straight onto Connor Gallagher - what a player he’s shaping up to be.

 

Nothing too controversial there, Ed. The only thing I would say is that I think we need Wilf in midfield to partner Youri, as Soumare is not currently up to the job. So that would leave Vastergaard as centre half. As you say, he should be able to fill that role as he's been used to it a club and national level. Depends on whether he is able to play. But we do need JJ and Fofana back, and a fit Ricardo. I think Perez and Lookman should consider a much longer period of self-isolation. For their own well-being, obviously.

 

I can only see a back three with Castagne, Ndidi and Thomas. Nelson too young and Bertrand too slow. Five in the middle to help control and protect and then Vardy Daka/Barnes up front.

 

It’s off, just been confirmed that tonight’s match is postponed thank goodness

 

And Everton. Double edged sword, fixture pile up vs maybe having a fit squad at the time. Must be tough for you lot over there with another round of Covid making life difficult.

 

I think we're better off having them postponed. I was dreading seeing how we lined up last night with no fit centre halves. Hopefully now, Evans and Soyuncu will be fit for the next game, and by the time the games are rearranged Fofana and Justin will be back so we can play those games with more of a scope for selection.

 

You don’t go to Anfield, go 3-1 up and then change all your tactics to give them possession.

I don’t get the Bertrand substitution at all. KDH was more than holding his own and so was Daka.

If the game had VAR then the “tackle” on Ricardo would have been a straight red ( it was much worse than Kane’s yellow card tackle last week on Robertson) and I also think Jota would have seen red for the elbow on Thomas.

Why the hell didn’t Vardy take a penalty? He is our main penalty taker, I just don’t get it!!!

Apart from missing the header for their 95th minute equaliser, I thought Ndidi was excellent. What a stunning goal from Madders.

A huge chance of making the semi’s was missed last night, due to changing tactics when we really didn’t need to.

 

Vardy hurt his hamstring with half an hour to go, with all the subs used up. Priceless!
Surely Daka should have been left on as he has younger legs than Vardy so should have a better chance to recover for Sunday.
If Soyuncu and Pereiras injuries are long term then our defence will be stretched even further.

 

I don't know if the changes were made with a view to trying to keep everyone fit for the next 2 league games.

I was surprised we could field such a strong side. And I have to agree that we would probably have had the upper hand if that awful assault on Ricardo had been punished properly. That was a real career ending challenge.

Bertrand is really becoming a fans' favourite. Unfortunately for the opposition fans.

 

We still had another substitution as we only made 4 to Liverpool's 5.

I agree, take Vardy off and keep Daka on.