Sorry, cant agree with this. They can play on it perfectly fine, force corner after corner and we cant even get a shot on target in the entire game and that's the pitches fault? This was a rubbish display from a bunch of individuals masquerading as a team. Silva could be excused possibly but the rest were awful. Slimani didn't receive much service but his first touch does a donkey an injustice and Gray for all his protestations of not being treated fairly in respect of match time should have waltzed this if he is as good as he believes he is. I'm not usually this critical but this was just awful. Its been mentioned before about our lack of creativity and if Mahrez does go then we need a really good replacement as while we still have Iborra, Ndidi and Siva in the middle none of those will make up for his loss.
You’re right, it was awful, the players can only blames themselves. Things like pitches can make a difference though as that’s one of the reasons teams have Home advantage. They are used to the pitch and have the crowd etc. I didn’t really notice anything about the quality of the pitch but I did think it was really narrow compared to ones in the premier league. The ball forever seemed to be out for throw ins
When I saw that starting line-up I had doubts that we would still be in the competition at the end of the match. It was an awful display, and some of that has to go down to the fact that for 60 minutes we were fielding a bunch of individuals who had not played together. Individual quality sometimes counts for little if your team mates aren't where you expect them to be. Perhaps it's a little unfair to say but Barnes showed absolutely nothing. The midfield of James and King was never going to create anything, and Silva didn't know where he was supposed to be and was anonymous. Dragovic and Amartey were the pick of the defence. Benalouane made some good challenges but his positioning and use of the ball are just woeful. Gray never seemed to find the space he normally has and was crowded out by a hardworking Fleetwood midfield. As for Slimani, what can we say? Yes, he had no service of any note and no support until Okazaki came on, but resorted to his customary habit of committing silly fouls all over the place that relieved pressure on the opposition. I do think the pitch and home advantage played an important factor in the result, but that theory will only be proven if we can beat them comfortably in the replay.
To link your points re Gray and their pitch, as I said above, I really thought the pitch seemed very narrow. I’d have hoped he’d be able to adapt but it may explain why it constantly looked like he has no space maybe
Would like to see Silva play, it seems like he still does need to build up match fitness again. Surprised he played for the u23s before Chelsea, but fair do's putting faith in James, seemed to work out well.
Hopefully we will put out a pretty strong side for the replay. Jakupovic Amartey Benalouane Huth Fuchs Barnes Silva Iborra Gray Iheanacho Slimani Subs: Hamer, Dragovic, Albrighton, King, Choudhury, Vardy, Diabate
No idea what he’ll do. I’d put Jako in goal Amartey and Fuchs at full back as that’s seems to be the only option anyway Centre backs, if he insists on resting Mag and Drag, I’d sooner see Huth with Hughes who have partner each other and played well in recent U23 games by all accounts. Huth may be good experience to play alongside Hughes. Rather that than Benny Silva and Iborra in the middle Gray Barnes Albrighton Slim or Nacho
Should be easier to play a weakened team on a good pitch. I’d go with: Jakupovic Amartey (who else?) Dragovic Huth/Benny Fuchs (who else?) James Silva Gray Barnes Musa Ihenacho Bench: Hamer, Maguire, Iborra/N’didi, King, Mahrez, Vardy, Slimani
Its hard to play them at their place as the pitch is a real leveller for them At our place we should be able to move the ball much better and let our class shine through
Agree that the pitch is a factor, we played a weakened team at Sheff Utd and outclassed them but the pitch was good, not like the bog at Fleetwood
#LCFC XI to face Fleetwood Town: Jakupović, Amartey, Dragović, Benalouane, Fuchs, Iborra, Silva, Mahrez (c), Gray, Iheanacho, Slimani. Subs: Vardy, Hamer, Maguire, Okazaki, Ndidi, Barnes
1-0 Nacho Apart from the goal, nothing else of note to report first half. Lots of possession but no penetration in the final third.
Better 2nd half and 2-0 Nacho after VAR appeal. Another moment of history for LCFC and one for the pub quiz
He is the first ever 4th substitute (1 extra is allowed in extra time) and scored the first ever VAR goal.