Leicester City vs PNE - an observation

[★PsYcHoSpiKe★]

went to this game today - for any interested it finished 1-1

two things really stuck out for me in this game:-

1) How fat is Taylor-Fletcher? but even then had a bit of pace for a 'large' lad
2) Is it law in Leicester that, at away games, as many fans as possible MUST wear full kit to the game - if I'd have had my camera on me the Full Kit W@nkers thread would have crashed the server after today.


Schmeichel got a bit of stick with the old 'Ya Dad's a c*nt and so are you' but to be fair Schmeichel Snr. was pretty class as a player - Casper just looks like he's a bit of a c*nt.

Good to see Big Wes again - but as far as enthralling, Foxes really weren't. I know it was a pre-season friendly, but it's hard to see where the premiership goals are going to be coming from this season.

 

[Strummer]

Their target is 17th.

Do they have the quality for that? Not sure.

I think they could be like last seasons's Norwich, undone by a lack of threat in front of goal.

But still, as long as they get twelve points I couldn't care less!

 

[★PsYcHoSpiKe★]

Schmeichel spends a lot of time no where near his line or in position realy

 

[Barry]

If I was a Leicester fan it would be Wes at center half that would be my main worry.

 

[MaxiRobriguez]

Think Leicester will be alright next season.

 

[Carlos]

I think Leicester will stay up. Can't say I have feelings about it either way

 

[Huxley]

If I was a Leicester fan it would be Wes at center half that would be my main worry.

I think the majority of them are more concerned about their defence then anything else.

 

[Barry]

I think the majority of them are more concerned about their defence then anything else.

I don't mean this is a horrible way just an observation having seen Wes play hundreds of times for us but for me it's a shame that sureaz has left these shores.... I can't stand the buck toothed freak but as one of the cleverest strikers around he'd have definitely had Wes pants down for at least 180 mins this season..... I've always said put Wes in a situation where he needs to think and he's f**ked.

 

[tropix]

It's hard to say whether or not he'll survive the step up, but if you're one of the best defenders in the Championship you've got to have a go at some point. I didn't think that the Hull defenders would be any good last season but I was wrong about that. I'd love to see him do well to be honest

 

[Barry]

It's hard to say whether or not he'll survive the step up, but if you're one of the best defenders in the Championship you've got to have a go at some point. I didn't think that the Hull defenders would be any good last season but I was wrong about that. I'd love to see him do well to be honest

Don't get me wrong I think he is a good defender but as a footballer he is very limited, time on the ball with time to think his brain can't compute. When he played for us he had three passes in his locker short pass to center midfielder facing him, which he would invariably receive straight back, then a long ball into the channel and finally a ball high up to the striker about throat height.

 

[Kelvin's Local]

Wes was shit for them last season. Their defence is going to be a real let down. Right now it looks like Schlupp and Moore will start. Young defence that...

 

[Gary]

You missed the most important question on everyone's lips.... How did Joe Garner look?

 

[tropix]

Don't get me wrong I think he is a good defender but as a footballer he is very limited, time on the ball with time to think his brain can't compute. When he played for us he had three passes in his locker short pass to center midfielder facing him, which he would invariably receive straight back, then a long ball into the channel and finally a ball high up to the striker about throat height.

Don't forget the occasional mad dash upfield with the ball. 'What the feck is he doing'

He probably will struggle to handle world class players playing on his shoulder, but it's one of those things where he just won't know until it happens. He probably peaked about a year or two ago so he might've been best doing it then

 

[Barry]

The one that used to worry me was the slow bouncing ball when he's facing his own goal with a striker bearing down on him..... With just a little bit to much time to think.... Think he cost us a goal in a playoff semi doing that.

 

[★PsYcHoSpiKe★]

You missed the most important question on everyone's lips.... How did Joe Garner look?

only played the last 10 mins - had a shot on goal nothing much though.

One PNE player to watch for the future is Hayhurst - very fast and precise passing

 

[adam09]

The one that used to worry me was the slow bouncing ball when he's facing his own goal with a striker bearing down on him..... With just a little bit to much time to think.... Think he cost us a goal in a playoff semi doing that.

A bit like Psycho v San Marino? I live and work in Leicester and know plenty of Leicester fans and I can't say I heard any grumblings about Wes last season - they won the league quite comfortably so I can't imagine he was that bad.

Suarez had most defenders' pants down at some point of last season, including Jagielka and Cahill at the WC. It's a bit silly to assume Wes is going to become world class and stop him in an accomplished manner just because he's playing in the Premiership. As said above, Hull's defence did ok and they are also limited or in Alex Bruce's case, the stereotypical clogger.

Also, what other passes do defenders have in their locker other than play it long towards a forward or knock it short to someone near them? Not quite sure what your expectations of a CB are, how many CBs have you ever seen produce Beckham-esque passing range and accuracy?!

 

[Project Zeus]

Don't forget the occasional mad dash upfield with the ball. 'What the feck is he doing'

He probably will struggle to handle world class players playing on his shoulder, but it's one of those things where he just won't know until it happens. He probably peaked about a year or two ago so he might've been best doing it then

He'll be alright in the Premier League then. All of the truly world class players play in Spain and Germany. Suarez was the only one remotely close we had in England.

 

[LCFC_Mark]

Wes was shit for them last season.

No he wasn't.

 

[tropix]

He'll be alright in the Premier League then. All of the truly world class players play in Spain and Germany. Suarez was the only one remotely close we had in England.

It's a subjective thing I suppose. I'd say that Van Persie, Aguero, Sanchez, Ozil, Silva, Fabregas, Costa, Drogba, Mata, Eriksen, Oscar etc. are world class but that's just my opinion

It's a big step up for owd Wes at any rate

No he wasn't.

I'm not sure why the 'he was shit' comment was made to be honest. It's not like any of us are in a position to judge his week to week performances anymore

 

[★PsYcHoSpiKe★]

he played about 20 mins yesterday - didn't really do much to be fair


Foxes brought a massive 386 fans with them though!

 

[valspoodle]

It seems an odd game to schedule. Plenty of Midland teams to play a friendly against. Difficult travel for the fans and nothing out of the ordinary opposition.

 

[Barry]

A bit like Psycho v San Marino? I live and work in Leicester and know plenty of Leicester fans and I can't say I heard any grumblings about Wes last season - they won the league quite comfortably so I can't imagine he was that bad.

Suarez had most defenders' pants down at some point of last season, including Jagielka and Cahill at the WC. It's a bit silly to assume Wes is going to become world class and stop him in an accomplished manner just because he's playing in the Premiership. As said above, Hull's defence did ok and they are also limited or in Alex Bruce's case, the stereotypical clogger.

Also, what other passes do defenders have in their locker other than play it long towards a forward or knock it short to someone near them? Not quite sure what your expectations of a CB are, how many CBs have you ever seen produce Beckham-esque passing range and accuracy?!

Come on son you cant compare Wes to Pearce to win your argument ones a rolls royce and the others a ford orion. I know Pearce looked all left foot but out the two one was an international, composed under pressure, a player other players have told in print was Mr reliable the others Wes Morgan. Statistically your completely correct that Wes looked good last year because statistically he played for the best team by far in the league...however next season he wont be, he wont be chasing back with Ishmael Miler or simon cox chuntering along behind him hoping to get a nick, he'll have Van persie and Rooney and Costa all players that given half a chance will score, its a massive step up for the lad as it is for all his team mates and personally i dont think that side of his game is developed enough to cope with the demands that the prem will bring, if thats the game that Leicester are going to try and play. If they let him just defend he'll possibly be ok but like ive said time to think, hes very limited.

Like you've said quality had the pants down of the two england center halves, nobody's suggesting you instantly up your game when you become a premier league player but an intelligent player like the for mentioned Alex Bruce (probably with massive help from his dad) has adapted his game so that his liabilities and weaknesses dont stand out so much so that he doesn't get exposed time and time again. A prime example of a player who didnt adapt is Darren Moore at Derby, now he was awful possibly the worst premier league center half ive seen. Watch Liverpoool 6-0 Derby at Anfield to see him getting raped by Babel and Torres, it was gruesome and hilarious at the same time.

As for defenders not being able to play the ball???? Just compare when they played side by side Wilson and Wes again total chalk and cheese, one was comfortable on the ball the other clearly wasent. The need for a player at the back to be able to play football and have a long and short passing game is prevalent now more than ever,especially at the top level. Germanys goalkeeper at the world cup was described almost as a sweeper expected to be able to pick a pass so the expectations of the players just in front of him as with all successful teams that are copied the demands will become greater... Most if not all center halves in the top league look very comfortable in possession, they can pick a pass and are not just hit and hope merchants playing the percentage game which is what Wes certainly was in his time with us.

I always remember going to watch us at home V Weymouth and a passage of play perfectly summed up Wes, it always stuck with me as there was a old bloke who sat infront of me for years and i never ever heard him say anything, not even cough but at one point in the game Wes hit a percentage pass and the bloke jumped off his seat and shouted "f***ing DEAD HEAD.. THINK!" never forget it as it was out of character for the chap but with the beauty of youtube ive think ive managed to find the passage of play... i know he was young but it wasent the only time we saw him do this was it....? in fact id say it was a feature of his career here.

4:49 in he receives the throw first using his short pass then gets it straight back and decides to use his percentage ball.....

See, Limited.

 

[Tnewton_1988]

Wes was shit for them last season. Their defence is going to be a real let down. Right now it looks like Schlupp and Moore will start. Young defence that...

They could take Danny Collins off us for much needed Premier League experience!

 

[adam09]

Come on son you cant compare Wes to Pearce to win your argument ones a rolls royce and the others a ford orion.

Pearce was a top flight player playing in an international (admittedly against terrible opposition), Wes was a League 1 player in a League 1 game (against terrible opposition). It's relative and irrelevant. Players at all levels make mistakes in similar scenarios and it boils down to a lack of concentration and execution. Human error.

The things you criticise Wes for are things every player does. I'm pretty sure if you go through the England world cup games you'll see Cahill or Jagielka welly a long ball forward quite aimlessly and I know you'll find Gerrard belted numerous passes off for throw ins and goal kicks. Uruguay scored from a punt forward which was misjuged by the England centre backs. Point is, they are top 6 Premier League centre backs and they make mistakes. Wes might not make a mistake all season but he still might simply be not good enough. Personally I think he might lack a yard of pace and speed of through to be really good but I don't see many of Leicester's players doing much better so I don't see why he would be singled out.

 

[Barry]

Pearce was a top flight player playing in an international (admittedly against terrible opposition), Wes was a League 1 player in a League 1 game (against terrible opposition). It's relative and irrelevant. Players at all levels make mistakes in similar scenarios and it boils down to a lack of concentration and execution. Human error.

The things you criticise Wes for are things every player does. I'm pretty sure if you go through the England world cup games you'll see Cahill or Jagielka welly a long ball forward quite aimlessly and I know you'll find Gerrard belted numerous passes off for throw ins and goal kicks. Uruguay scored from a punt forward which was misjuged by the England centre backs. Point is, they are top 6 Premier League centre backs and they make mistakes. Wes might not make a mistake all season but he still might simply be not good enough. Personally I think he might lack a yard of pace and speed of through to be really good but I don't see many of Leicester's players doing much better so I don't see why he would be singled out.

Because hes the only Leicester player ive personally watched play hundreds of times and therefore feel in a position to be able to comment on the pros and cons of his game.