All we need to do is replace Kante and sign competition for Simpson And if Schlupp goes replace him. Which I think we will end up with Robbie Brady I think we will see De Laet, Inler, Moore and James leave aswell 1 defeat doesnt mean we should panic.
Nothing to worry about for me either, the new players just need some time to settle into how we play. Hernandez/Morgan partnership wasn't going to be as strong as the Huth/Morgan partnership from day 1, also feel Musa needs time to really see the movement of Vardy to understand how we play. Credit to Hull, like they said on MOTD, they defended deep and didn't allow Vardy to do his thing, i certainly don't think Arsenal will be sitting deep next weekend.
you might have a point Weller ... say 'might' because I don't think Albrighton was the difference personally ... The main problem was the defence ... Hernandez had an 'uncomfortable' afternoon against his namesake and him and Wes together were pretty shakey ... add to that Kasper having a bit of a mare (idiculous throw out that led to their second when we were on top) and looked shakey with Huddlestone trying to block him at their set plays ... We lacked physicality in the midfield and if I'm honest, based on the pre-season games, I'd have personally preferred to see Schlupp their as an optioon to Albrighton and Andy King is certainly not the answer as a partner for Drinky ... Okazaki holds the ball up way better than either Vards or Musa ... so agree with you there. The front 4 could well destroy less physical teams but were lightweight in the physical battle ... Needs to be put into perspective ... we were well on top for the last 20 mins of the first half and could easily have gone in at least 2 up ... that would then have been a completely different game ... Claudio will have taken a lot from the game and hopefully we will see a couple of quality signings coming in ... especially if Schlupp does go ... as looks likely.
Forgot we still had Inler - what is happening with him as there are no rumours linking him to anyone and he doesn't have a shirt number? James however still has his number - I do think he could be part of CR's plans. RdL is going to Villa and Reading are deparate to sign Moore. Schlupp > Brady.
... why so harsh on Gray ... has to be more than the penalty incident ... ref got that wrong in that the offence was outside the area ... but Huddlestone did come down on his achilles without doubt ...
Im just nervous every time they attack Simpson. We need cover...even if its a young up n coming defender. Simpson needs direct competition for his place so he doesn't get complacent which he has done throughout pre-season and last weekend
A little unfair on Simpson IMO, as he gets very little cover from Mahrez. He very often has 2 players to mark.
Last season Kante and Drinkwater covered Simpson alot Fuchs never had a problem as Albrighton always got back to help out
that is what Matic used to do for us - to make Eden immaculate. Attacking players are made great by their hard working Defensive Midfielders.
Nothing to do with that, it was definitely a foul. He spent the entire game whining to his teammates about everything they did, I'm amazed nobody decked him, he wouldn't have lasted five minutes in my veterans team.
Am waiting to see how you line up this season - am really tempted to put Hazard in my fantasy football team.
what, you tempted?? Eden should be in there already in all the teams. He is going to fly like the season before. Formation will be different. This season we will play with all 11. Rarely we had 11 last season I am just worried about our Defense. All old war horses - weighing us down now.
We shall see tonight - I think Conte might play him as a pure winger and make him stay on the touchline as is a very regimental type of manager. As for your old war horses - our first choice CBs are 31 and 32, and our backups are 27 and 36...
North of 30 is not a major concern for CBs. That is were I would love Ivan to Partner JT. But we keep pushing Ivan to RB were he is so caught out like Moreno. Azpilicueta is moved to LB where his positional awareness is sometimes suspect. This unsettles everything for us and still managers continue with this s#!t. I hope Conte sees this and fixes it.
Team selection & tactics aside, it was my fault we lost - I predicted we would win! I'll have to sacrifice my position in the prediction league and revert back to my pessimistic forecasts.