21 Feb 2021 16:09:23
Much better second half, but ultimately beaten by the better side, simple as that. There's no need to over analyse it, Dougie went missing for the Maddison goal and really Martinez should be holding onto Vardy's shot for Barnes goal. But with our best player out and Cash another key player out, losing to a top side who are second, no shame in that.
Midfield is an issue, but anyone questioning why Sanson isn't starting, there's your answer. Barkley runs round a lot, slows it down, gives it away a few times and gets subbed. Sanson comes on, fluffs his lines for a shot from a corner giving it away, fluffs his lines from a good crossing opportunity giving it away, keeps it moving at times but gets caught in between roles and has no effect.
Ramsey on the other hand, I don't think any player touched the ball more than him when he came on. Energetic, wanted the ball and whilst not always making the best decision, didn't give it away stupidly. A midfield of Ramsey, Nakamba and Luiz for me against Leeds, see if we can't get back to the first 10 games where we had a solid midfield.
21 Feb 2021 16:29:46
I think Sanson tried a bit too hard (who wouldn't when Ramsey comes on ahead of you) .
I still saw more in 10 minutes than Barkley has offered in 5 games.
I like Ramsey and think he will have a decent career with us but we were chasing the game and Smith chose to send on Ramsey who for all of his endeavour has not shown a single moment of cutting edge so far over a player who has scored and assisted throughout his career.
He needs a chance before we can say "that's why". A bedding in period is fine but when Barkley and Mcginn are performing the way they are I cannot see the justification.
21 Feb 2021 16:29:47
I don`t think you like Sanson chris, why I don`t know, we have seen 42 minutes of him.
21 Feb 2021 16:45:00
Chris its difficult to show what you're about in 10 minutes when you're chasing a game when things can get a bit disjointed.
One thing I did pick up on was that McGinn is supposedly playing in a 2 with Luiz but spends most the time further up the pitch leaving him isolated and once again, unfairly in my eyes, taken off yet again. Then all of a sudden McGinn decides to play in the position he's supposed to all game! Baffling.
Ramsey, Sanson and Trez did give us more energy and along with possibly Nakamba be starting against Leeds even if it means tweaking the system, because if we line up the same the midfield will be overrun again.
I feel Deano needs to be a bit more ruthless in team selection when its obvious to anyone who knows about football that certain players are struggling and need a kick up the backside.
Not knocking the great season we've had so far, just don't want all the hard work we've done to get there wasted.
21 Feb 2021 16:46:38
Just saying what I see, if Barkley came of the bench and had as little effect as he did, he’d get slated for it, rightfully so. We have to judge all players on the same markers, that’s all I’m doing.
21 Feb 2021 16:47:59
Spot on rk, a very good point.
21 Feb 2021 16:52:00
Moose McGinn plays where he is instructed to, if he was meant to be in a 2 with Luiz that’s where he’d be.
Surely you understand that.
21 Feb 2021 17:01:13
That's a fair comment Chris but I just can't see why Barkley keeps getting picked week after week its like starting with 10 men. I'm sure some of the bench players are watching his lack of effort and wondering what they have to do to get a chance. Its not just Barkley either McGinn is a shadow of the player we all love and either needs a rest or some home truths telling him.
It's an unforgiving league and you can't afford to carry passengers.
21 Feb 2021 17:34:53
I agree re Moose re Barkley. Hasn’t been good enough since the return from C.V. break and I have said as such. But we should judge players after we see them, people are using not selecting Sanson as a stick to beat Smith with, but Sanson came on today and continued where Barkley left off.
As you say Dave, we’ve seen 42 minutes of him, doing not a fat lot in those minutes. Yet posters are implying Smith doesn’t like the french because he hasn’t started😂.
21 Feb 2021 17:40:34
I understand that he's supposed to be playing in a 2 offering protection to the back 4, its a 4-2-3-1 not a 4-1-1-3-1 which is what it seems like most of the time. It's not McGinn's natural game admittedly sitting deeper but if he can't stay disciplined he should be at least pushed further forward and someone brought in who can comfortably play the position.
21 Feb 2021 17:53:31
I could tolerate Barkley’s poor first touches and wayward passes if I could see he was clearly giving it 100%, but I have seen no evidence of that over the last 5 or 6 games.
Rk made the point that Sanson, in the short amount of time he has been given on the pitch, is trying too hard. I agree with that observation, it’s simply not long enough to make an impression, but he’s clearly desperate to do so.
For me though both Ramsey and Sanson look hungry for it and that in itself is half the battle, and both deserve the chance to show what they can do from the start of the game.
21 Feb 2021 18:30:46
But who’s told you that’s what his supposed to be doing? If he wasn’t doing what he was told he wouldn’t be playing every week! If he’s pushing forward he’s been told to push forward. It’s simple.
21 Feb 2021 18:40:51
Totally agree Mark,
21 Feb 2021 18:57:30
Before Barkley returned I remember posting after a game (not sure which one tho I presume was after a good performance) that I thought Luiz and McGinn must be the best 2 central mids at that time. The pair played hand in glove together, Luiz the playmaker of the 2 and McGinn ratting about alongside him tidying up. They complemented each other perfectly. Since Barkley has returned the dynamic has obviously changed. If as you say that's what he's being asked to do then the question needs to be asked as why a successful partnership has been altered to accommodate, seemingly, Barkley.
21 Feb 2021 19:11:06
Yes that question does need to be asked, I agree.
Individual errors and such are down to the player, but the shape of the team the system etc, is what their being told to do, if they wasn’t playing to orders they wouldn’t be playing every week.