As long as Vardy keeps this up, Wood won't stand a chance of taking his place. More likely Nuge will lose out if Wood does recover his former form. But for now, keep it as it is, and fair play to Pearson for giving Vardy another go - I didn't think we'd see much of him again.
I do think there is some significance in Vardy having been given the number nine shirt - now I've not been Nigel Pearson's biggest fan where it comes to man management, but if that was his idea to convince Vardy of his backing and belief, it has been inspired....
Wood needs to come off the bench and make an impact like he did when he come on against Leeds. He was a nuisance and he hit the post
I think Wood will have to wait until there's an injury or suspension, then make yourself undroppable. That's what Drinkwater did over James and Moore over St Ledger. Pearson has shown that this first eleven is not set in stone - if you're good enough, you'll get in. Which is how it should be. And just to clarify on my previous point, although I didn't think we'd see much more of Vardy in a Leicester shirt, I'm not that surprised he's starting to live up to the potentially we all saw in his few games for us last season. I always thought he could cut it at this level - eventually (the operative word here). It was always going to take time to adapted to life at this level and there was too much pressure last season with the ambition of our owners. I was very surprised he never went out on loan, but perhaps in retrospect he's learnt more about our club and our approach to the game by NOT doing so. Again, you have to credit Pearson's thinking here. Whatever Pearson and/or Vardy have done, it's worked. He's arrived - and quicker than many of us expected.
Danny Drinkwater wasnt thought of as first choice but since James got sent off Drinkwater has really returned to his form from early last season. Thats what Wood will have to do but its alot easier being a striker then a midfielder.
It's true though. If a striker is banging in goals you can't drop him. It's not so straight forward when picking midfielders. That fact that some people slate a player as good as Andy King proves that.
... not always so straight forward ... e.g Adam Le Fondre, Jermaine Defoe to name a couple - both have come off the bench and scored regularly yet didn't really fit in with a manager's preferred formation etc ... Pearson has gone for more of a pressing game this season - which Wood doesn't bring - also for a big lad Wood doesn't hold the ball up very well - indeed neither him nor Vardy have a particularly good first touch - it may be Wood that has to settle for coming off the bench - he can finish and may be more use when the game has opened up and defenders are tiring. .
I think of our striker Vardy would have the best success as an impact sub As a defender who would you rather see come on? A big lad or someone with pace and isnt going to give you a moments peace?
... the point is Proud - Pearson is playing Vardy from the start for that very reason ... he is pressurising defenders into hurried clearances etc giving us opportunities to win the pall from such clearances - Wood just hasn't got the zip to do that ... 'defending from the front' has become a bit of a cliche - but that's what Vardy does ..
Vardy got his chance because Nugent was injured at the start of the season and then Wood struggle for form. Vardy has since taken his chance and at this moment neither Nugent or Vardy are going to lose their place. Wood needs to come off the bench and probably score the winner and then make a simaliar impact in the next game and then Nigel will have selection problems But its alot better now with 2 strikers in form and Chris Wood backing them up rather then 12 months ago where Nugent was scoring and Vardy was declining with only Waghorn and Futacs backing them up
... personally I'm not sure about that - there was an article at the beginning of the season where Pearson publicly gave Vardy his backing and said he had never lost faith in the lad etc etc ... Wood also had a very dismal end to the season. I think that Pearson decided he would start the season with Vardy doing exactly what he is now - closing down the spaces and putting the opposition defenders under as much pressure as possible - I also think that at this moment Vardy is one of the first names on the team sheet - he has undeniably had the most direct impact of any player in terms of the goals we have scored.
Pearson has always had faith in Vardy and he is hardly going to openly say anything otherwise We all though Nugent and Wood would be first choice this season but all thought Vardy might have adapted to the league and be able to play a role as an impact sub. No one expected him to play like he has, he got his chance through injury and loss of form to others and he has took his chance. Ideally he would have a few more goals to show for it but in nearly every game he has had a key role in some of the goals. As I have said Vardy still have a few rough edges but his all round performances has grew alot since last season. He just needs abit more belief in himself at times and needs to be more clinical when the ball comes to him in and around the box
I think Pearson has given all the squad (minus Gallagher) at least one chance this season. Vardy took his chance, as have Moore and Drinkwater.
I think Drinkwater has probably been our best player so far. He's really worked on the attacking aspect of his game and been rewarded with a few goals.
He didnt start the season too well despite a few goals. Since Matty James come out the team Drinkwater has been superb
