Aleksandar Tunchev has re-joined the Leicester City squad following his loan spell with Crystal Palace. Having signed a new one-year contract with the Foxes during the summer, the 30-year-old Bulgarian defender joined the Eagles back in August to play some regular first team football following a long spell out with a knee injury. He made ten appearances for Dougie Freedman's side during his three-month stay at Selhurst Park, making an important contribution to an impressive start to the season, which has seen Palace break into the top six. Tunchev has now returned to Belvoir Drive and is currently receiving treatment for a groin injury with City medical staff. Just in time for Nigel return with Sol Bamba suspended for the next match he may get a chance.
For me a fit Tunch is a "shoe-in" - Mills' distribution is pretty awful and, if I'm honest, I think a combination of Tunch and Bamba would be my first choice pairing (could experiment with 3 central defenders of course). Would also like to see Michael Ball given a chance at left back because Konchesky seems vulnerable at times (although he has been better of late). Of more importance however is service to the front men and I'd like to see some genuine width - perhaps giving Sclupp a try - actually Schlupp and Peltier as wing-backs with 3 central might just be the answer... woul love to see it as an option / experiment.
I think we should get a new left back. Konchesky doesnt look good enough to me, Berner's legs have gone and maybe now Nigel is back he may give him a coaching role like he did for Chris Powell. I havent seen Michael Ball play but from bits and pieces i have seen and the fact he hasnt played all season he isnt good enough either Nigel will like Matt Mills and i think he has been quality after his shaky start to the season
A fully fit Michael Ball is a class act Mills has come on in terms of his overall defending but his passing is woeful .. particularly when he goes any longer than 10 yards ... needs a technical plyer alongside him and just in front and should kepp his passing as short as possible ...
I expect Nige to get the best out of our back four, so expect it to remain Konchesky, Mills, Bamba and Peltier. Consistency is important at the back, but Tunch can be the first sub, sent St Ledger out on loan now.
I agree that consistency can be very positive - but when it is goal leaking that is consistent - still maintain we could do with a better technical player alongside one of our 'ball winning' centre-bacls
With Sol it is more his decision making - when to show technical ability that is in question - but realistically he does not have the best first touch I've ever seen... Tunchev on the other hand is extremely comfortable on the ball and can also distribute - because he has learnt his trade in a league where possession and control is a top priority. What Sol does have is the speed and strength to get himself out of a hole when his first touch doesn't go quite as intended.
To be honest, the defence are doing OK, the reason we're conceding goals is because we're not bossing games enough, especially at home. This is the failing of the midfield. Adding width with provide more room and help us keep possession.
Yeah, I would agree. I think it would be wrong to throw him aside because of the odd lapse of concentration and saying that 'he won't suit NP's style' because, if you take out ability on the ball and just focus on defensive ability, he is very good - potentially one of the best in the division if he performers near or at his best more regularly. As you said, it's no bad thing to have a defender who can play the ball out of defence, just so long as he chooses the right moments to do it and knows when to play the percentages and that is what Nigel will instill into him. There is a compelling argument that Bamba could actually benefit from Nigel's appointment.
I would like to see us bring back Bruma and play a back four of Bruma, Bamba, Berner and Ball ... trust me they would be alliteralitively brilliant.... Would only be surpassed if we managed to take Chris Samba and Emmanuel Frimpong on loan ... just to hear a commentator say "Samba, Bamba, Frimpong"... I'll get my coat....
