Now that it looks like NP is coming, it got me pondering who will we not see in a Leicester shirt in the near future. Three names immediately sprang to my mind: Beckford (moody and never appears to give his all - NP won't stand for that) Bamba (tries to play fancy stuff out of defence - NP prefers the no nonsense approach) Danns (has he played a decent game for us) Incidentally, of the new arrivals I think that he will take to Nugent, Mills, Konchesky and Peltier.
He tried to sign Danns, so there's something about his game that he likes Bamaba could go either way, although I do forecast a few icy moments for them Beckford is the most at risk but only because his game is more predatory and not work rate generated - Pearson likes players who put a shift in and Beckford, much like the Yak will produce the goods but from a different style of watching/waiting for the moment play
And another thing springs to mind, we have a bit of a dilemma - We have given Waggys song to paul konchesky - Do we take it back and give to Waggy again - And if we did that Do we sing he hates Hu'ull - Anyone who saw the sheer delight from PK when he scored against Burnley will know how much the goal meant to him, he loves playing for Leicester - But what about Waggy when he scored against Bristol City, he was over in from of the East Stand thumping his badge Can they both have the song?
If beckford goes then so be it. I was happy when he signed but if he isn't bothered then he doesnt deserve to wear the shirt. Obviously he should be given more time though. The arrival of pearson and possibly a winger might well change beckfords fortunes.
There is a school of thought that I subscribe to that Pearson's appointment might improve Bamba as a player. I'm not sure what people want from him. If he passes it out from the back, which hasn't cost us a goal thus far, then people criticise him for not hitting it into row Z more, and then when someone like Mills hits it into row Z, people criticise him for not playing it out from the back. Personally, I think the no nonsense - passer combination at CB is a good one to have. It's no bad thing to have a CB who also has technical ability and is (for the most part) competent about when to use it. There are times when he's guilty of over-playing and that is what I mean about Pearson (a very good CB in his day) improving him and getting him to be more selective about when he does. If we were to discard him for the odd bit of flamboyance then we would be losing a very good defender because, if you don't consider him in possession, he has all the skills to be a top quality centre-half. As for Beckford, again it remains to be seen whether the harder line stance might fire a rocket up his arse or he'll moan and sulk but don't write him off yet. There is also strong player characters in the squad that will pretty much run the dressing room and make sure no-one steps out of line. I'm talking about the likes of Wellens, Howard, Mills. The whole squad will have their chance to impress Nigel in the training sessions and I'm sure he'll come with an open mind and it's up to the players to take their chance to impress the manager because there will be no favourites under Nige.
Hmm From someone who was sorry to see Sven go, his policy of selecting a player come what may, did frustrate me at times
..as said Nigel doesn't put up with any messing about, think all the players will know this, even the ones who weren't here from his last spell, I'm sure the players who were have filled them in... expecting a huge up lift in attitude, think Sven, was maybe too nice a bloke, Nigel on the other hand will have them working together and funny enough I think Jermaine will respond to go on and become a far better player than we've seen... just got me fingers crossed he's appointed tomorrow so he can get to work....
I think Nigel will like Nugent and Peltier Waghorn will get a new lease of life here again and he will be happy again here. I think Bamba and Beckford will have to change their style a little or Nigel wont be happy with them. Maybe Nigel will but Bamba further up the pitch, Beckfords work rate will need to be increased and his ego needs to be keep a little more under control or i see another DJ Campbell situation happening
NP likes defenders who can pass the ball out. James Chester for us strokes the ball about. Fair enough Hobbs is more of a hoof out type, but this doesn't mean that your more cultured defenders won't get a look in.
I think NP will turn Bamba into the CB in the League, if he's not already. Along with Mills they will be the pair. Just don't expect to see Wellens cross the halfway line anymore!
Funnily enough, the opposite was true of us. He had Hobbs who you've mentioned isn't that comfortable with the ball at his feet and Wayne Brown who couldn't pass to save his life. By all accounts, he's been playing passing football with you guys and I think with the squad we have, it would suit us more than the long ball game.
Our back 5 under Nigel was for long parts of the season Weale Neilson Hobbs Brown Berner Not a patch on our current back 5 with the ball at their feet
Our back 5 of: Basso, Rosenior, Hobbs, Chester & Dudgeon is first class. Maybe the best in the league?
No Schmeichel Peltier Mills Bamba Konchesky They are better. If we get a better left back that would be prem class
This. If we had any sort of midfield then I doubt we'd concede any goals. Kasper is probably the best goalie in the league. Mills-Bamba complement each others styles extremely well. Koncheskey is losing pace but he kept Snodgrass in his back pocket last sunday. Defensively and mentally sound. Peltier is a great find. He's much better defensively as Naughton (and he was rated as one the best right back we've ever had) he lacks it attacking-wise but with a good right winger (which Sven failed to purchase) then he'll be awesome.
