I think the gtf substitution today highlighted the bare bones of the squad. In addition we had three right wingers in the squad and jeff playing on the left in an unnatural position (albeit a solid performance). I think this week will be make or break for us with the transfer window. I was so disappointed, given the character the team showed, that we had to rely on gtf in cm. At that point in the game we were in with a chance and in fact it was his lack of pace that resulted in the second goal. I have been disappointed with the lack of transfer activity but had faith in nige. If we dont add the 3-4 players we need to compete in games, like today when squad depth is crucial, I really will worry. Rant over and tbf the team showed we can compete with the big boys today, great performance. Just a bitter sweet for me given that with some quality on the bench we may have been able to snatch a point.
Yes, depth needed in Central midfield, it's a bit unfortunate that after 2 games, 3 players in that position are already injured though. Hopefully James and Drinkwater will be back for Arsenal, but we now know already how important capable back up is. I imagine a deal or two this week will be concluded to give us some more bodies and options.
Yeah, i don't think we should go over the top about this. We can't rush out and get any old midfielder on a three or four year contract because Drinky, Hammond and James will miss a couple of matches. I'm glad these injuries are happening in games that we're unlikely to win anyway. We should be full strength by the time we play Palace, Burnley and Newcastle.
You say that but imo a "full strength" squad is being able to have formations such as 451 available with two cms backup as a minimum... we have 4 in the squad. Looking at how nige is gonna set up against the big teams we are going to play a high tempo and press teams. For this reason I think we need 1-2 more cm a left winger and preferably an option at rb. Its all well and good saying that when players return we will be okay but there are going to be injuries and suspension throughout the season and optimistically im confident we can steer well clear of the bottom three if we can get a bit more depth. Been a lot of talk of a sol bamba return and I think having somebody like him on the bench yesterday would have been ideal to slot in the mid instead of gtf. We all know about his defensive frailties but how about a backup cm when you need a player to harass midfields?
Remember, we're limited to a 25 man squad so more than one player to cover each position isn't possible. Ideally, you'd have three keepers, a replacement for each outfield place (which makes 23) and a couple of utility players (one of which would be Schlupp, the other likely to be a winger/striker as these are more often substituted). So four in centre midfield is about the norm. We could do with someone who could play there if needed though - maybe we already have a player like that and aren't aware (GTF? Maybe not!)?
I'd say you need another striker to partner Ulloa, cover in CM, a better LB than Konch and maybe a defensive mid. Better get the wallet out...
Lot of Konch knockers on our own forums, but so far, the guy has done all right. Intercepted 2 headers against Everton when it looked like they may score. Aint got a bundle of pace, but who needs that when you can block and foul. With regards to a strike partner, really looking forward to Vardy gaining fitness. Could definitely do with another central midfielder with Drinks and James both having been injured, but King has really stepped up, and Hammond has shown that he can cut it for 70 mins at least. Hope King is offered a new contract after this window shuts. My biggest concern would be Was returning to Anderlecht. Leaves us well short at CB - where is Ignasi Miguel, and perhaps a cheeky little bid for James Chester, as I understand Nige is still on his Xmas card list.
You looked decent against Everton, but your defence doesn't half look fragile. A lot of my Leicester supporting friends went on about how well you kept Chelsea at bay for 70 mins, but in truth it's 4 goals in 2 games, including 2 at home. I know it's only early doors, but it pays to have a balance of pace and ball playing ability in your back line; we have Robertson (who's been our standout signing) and Elmo as WB who can both attack and defend, Davies who is our all rounder, Chester who's been our best player so far this season (red card aside, naturally) and hopefully, by close of play tomorrow, we'll have Michael Dawson to shore things up. Was has the turning circle of a bus and while he can tackle, he'll get shredded for pace by the likes of Sturridge or, dare I say it, Shane Long; we saw it when we first came up with Wayne Brown - he was unbelievable in the Championship but as soon as he started a PL game, he got done. You know your card is marked when Emile Heskey is doing you every five minutes. Morgan isn't exactly mobile either. Maybe somebody like Bassong from Norwich or Ekstrand at Watford would be a good fit. I think your midfield is great, Drinkwater is a future captain and I think both he and James will make decent internationals. Your wide players I think will also prove to be a good investment. Incidentally, I don't know what you'd class as a 'cheeky' bid, but given the amount British players are going for at the moment (and Everton were looking to offer £8m for Davies, who is older), I think he'd be out of your price range come the end of the season. And he didn't play a full season under Pearson, so it's not likely they'll be big mates. Abdoulaye Faye is out of contract though, he also handily doubles as a striker in a pinch.
So a Hull City fan can't have an opinion on another team? A team based in a city where I spent six years living? It's not like I'm wumming you, cheer up grasshopper.
It's called context. I assume you wouldn't mind having a season like we just did? I was comparing your squad now to the way ours looked in our first PL seasons (2008 and 2013). The thread title is called 'thread bare squad', which is obviously something you need to address and it's something our manager was adamant we weren't going to experience in our first season. Feel free to disagree, it's just my opinion but I think you guys need some more quality in depth. Can you honestly look at your squad right now and tell me it's Premier League quality? Or is it a mixture of players who might be good enough and players who are still running on the adrenaline of being promoted? Your squad isn't brimming with top flight experience - I count Albrighton, Konchesky, Nugent and Upson as your players with Premier League experience (I'm not counting Schmeichel or Wood as they barely played any in comparison) and out of those four, only Konch and Albrighton are gonna be first teamers.
To be fair to Sterling, he makes some decent and valid points and I see no attempt to be wumming. Most Leicester fans will agree that we are light in defensive cover Sterling. RB cover is an issue obviously. Liam Moore can move there but he is going to be a star in the future and so far looking really good at CB If we finally get Cambiasso in, that would sort CM (with our injuries) and would like another winger and quality forward, which Nige is trying to address this week. Morgan is more mobile than people think. Pearson even said so himself the other week. Anyhow, lets take stock on Sep 1st and see what we have then!
Actually, it's the not606 forum and it's for all clubs, that's rather the point of it, I believe the Leicester forum is called Foxestalk.
I see he is not wumming but why put an article that is more about how good are hull (to be fair did mention their shortcomings their first time), than Leicester on a Leicester forum He is comparing squads so why the 8-3 inbalance I think we've got charlie back
Because comparing the squads man for man would be totally pointless, we have two very different sets of players who play in two very different ways (and formations). I'm just pointing out that when we were in your position last year (I can only go on our club), we brought in both PL experience (Figueroa, Davies, Huddlestone) and unknown quantities (Livermore, Gedo, Boyd, Sagbo) alongside our Championship promotion squad and it balanced well. We survived and set a pretty good example to promoted clubs as to what can be achieved.
