[Archived] Leicester City vs Blackburn Rovers: Tuesday 17th September 2013

[Kamy100]

We cannot stop our opponents scoring , we need clean sheets ....

How , that is obtained ? i am not sure ...

I agree, but we have had this problem for the last three years in that we just don't keep clean sheets. Dann and Hanley look good during games, yet we always seem to concede a goal, even the last 2 home games against Barnsley and Bolton, for large periods we were the better side but still managed to concede goals, is it lack of concentration at the back? Or is that our defenders are not good enough?

[DE.]

I agree, but we have had this problem for the last three years in that we just don't keep clean sheets. Dann and Hanley look good during games, yet we always seem to concede a goal, even the last 2 home games against Barnsley and Bolton, for large periods we were the better side but still managed to concede goals, is it lack of concentration at the back? Or is that our defenders are not good enough?

It's the midfield imo. The gap between the midfield and defence is ridiculous at times, and allows numerous shots from distance.

[Parsonblue]

The 2-1 score line doesn't come close to reflecting the difference between the sides. We couldn't have complained if Leicester had scored four or five such was their dominance. Until we got the penalty we weren't in the game with Rhodes being a passenger without support. Whilst the Rovers is a young side with some potential they are also a young side who make plenty of mistakes. Our midfield was awful last night in terms of both defence and attack. Cairney, Evans and Lowe were unable to pass the ball to a blue and white shirt and only Cairney improved during the final 20 minutes when Leicester tried to sit on their lead and attack on the break. It was no surprise that Marshall and Evans were hauled off as they contributed very little.

I still believe the Rovers will finish mid-table but this game showed just how far we are away from competing at the top end of the table. We desperately need some quality in key areas but the finances are clearly not going to allow that to happen.

[cesus]

It's the midfield imo. The gap between the midfield and defence is ridiculous at times, and allows numerous shots from distance.

I agree, I often watch us for winning the cleared ball be it our clearance or the opponents and the amount the opposition wins the ball is appalling usually at least 4 to 1.

[OJRovers]

that would be judgemental surely?

I'm surprised Judge hasn't been playing, he would give us a link to Rhodes, he's just had a baby so maybe that has affected his fitness?

[CAPT KAYOS]

Can't give teams a 2 goal start, need to be more positive from the off.

This is the be all and end all in my opinion.

It as the same at Bumley and the previous away games - far too negative and we are not good defensively.

More about the selections really - I agree Rhodes should be doing more to get 'himself' into the games ( I thought he was excellent a Bumley btw) so would be more interesting to hear what the fans that were there thought about his performance last night.

Its Bowyer that needs looking at really (tin hat on) with the ' hold in the first half tendendcy and try and break in the second half' attitude as its giving us too much to do. His comments after the game worry me also with him concentrating on the penalty rather than our own downfalls.

We all knew the issues were there before with regard to the back up /fellow foward player and although I am a great believer of 'getting on with it' and not using it as an excuse we have been unfortunate with the injuries in the attacking area.

Judge to me has to be the obvious link at present ( despite his disappointing performaces thus far) but he needs to be given the chance.

Lowe is far too much a negative for our cause and I think it needs to be looked at putting him in at RB ( to porve himself) and possibly moving Kane into the midfield.

[arbitro]

The 2-1 score line doesn't come close to reflecting the difference between the sides. We couldn't have complained if Leicester had scored four or five such was their dominance. Until we got the penalty we weren't in the game with Rhodes being a passenger without support. Whilst the Rovers is a young side with some potential they are also a young side who make plenty of mistakes. Our midfield was awful last night in terms of both defence and attack. Cairney, Evans and Lowe were unable to pass the ball to a blue and white shirt and only Cairney improved during the final 20 minutes when Leicester tried to sit on their lead and attack on the break. It was no surprise that Marshall and Evans were hauled off as they contributed very little.

I still believe the Rovers will finish mid-table but this game showed just how far we are away from competing at the top end of the table. We desperately need some quality in key areas but the finances are clearly not going to allow that to happen.

I agree with most of that but to add how that part of our game plan was for the back four to get the ball from Kean even when under pressure. Quite simply we aren't good enough to play it out from the back and Leicester knew this. As soon as one of them got the ball they were quickly put under pressure and invariably ended up holding the ball aimlessly. We have serious limitations in this respect and Bowyer has to change this tactic particularly away from home.

[Shabani]

I think Bowyer is doing the right thing with his post match comments.

This is a young team that is playing in a very tough league, most of them relatively new to the club.

The last thing they need is for Bowyer to lay into them after matches. A lot of this team are players whose careers have not gone the way the expected, many are young and have been jettisoned by bigger clubs, some struggling to prove they belong at this level. Bowyer knows how to handle young lads, it's a given they will make mistakes, but he'll be looking at how they react rather than making knee jerk subs and team line ups

We will definitely be playing on this league again next season, so this year is a chance to rectify the finances and build for next year

[G Somerset Rover]

Marshall had another cracker then. Have we bought his twin brother or something?

He's supposedly a bit of a playmaker, capable of the sublime. From what I've seen so far that couldn't be further from the truth. He needs dropping, and possibly even a few reserve games to hopefully get him going.

[booth]

I'm surprised Judge hasn't been playing, he would give us a link to Rhodes, he's just had a baby so maybe that has affected his fitness?

It does sting a bit.

[T.J.Newton]

I dare say the commentator makes a valid point. the same point that I made when I said that Rhodes would be cut adrift without Dunn or Rochina. Do we therefore blame the entire team because one player cannot adapt to a change in conditions?

btw Pedersons gone now so the target of your ire has now fully switched over to Lowe I presume Simon? It appears that you need a hate figure every season to function properly and given that in the past it's been the likes of Flitcroft, Neill, Friedel (ffs) and Pederson on the field and Souness and Allardyce off it whilst I seem also to rem you gave plenty of enthusiastic support to Ince and Kean. Sorry but I'm afraid that some of your opinions don't hold all that much validity imo.

Youre having a go at people for unfairly criticizing lowe(a player whos average at vest even at this level) yet you yourself are constantly having a go at rhodes(a player who hasnt stopped scoring since he joined the club)

[roversR4ever]

Ok positive is we were better this time away at Leicester than last year.

To me its becoming pretty clear that Cairney needs to play much deeper. Whether he can the number 10 attacking mid role is pretty irrelevant because with out hin in the deeper cm role our distribution as a team falls apart. Lowe seems to hugely benefit alongside Cairney - I reckon Cairney gives him confidence that someone is there to pass the ball around as there is no doubt that Lowes own simple passing works better when Cairney is there. Also our defenders especially hanleys look a lot more comfortable having Cairney there to receive a pass.

Lowe is a defensive cm simple as that - he may develop into a box to box player over the years but he isn't yet. He needs a player like Cairney alongside him.

Now if Evans can do the defensive work that Lowe does and cover the ground that Lowe does but can offer a little more to the team in terms of passing then play him instead of Lowe BUT with Cairney in the team the other cm primary job is the grunt work to help cover for Cairneys weaker defensive side. Of course Williamson would help as well.

The real burning question is who can play the attacking mid role? Without Dunn and Rochina its either Judge or Marshall. Marshall is low on confidence so maybe Judge? Id want to try Judge next game - we need to see quickly if he can be good enough in that role.

If no then the loan market becomes critical. We also need another striker - one who is mobile and can hold up the ball etc because it would give us another option - play him along side Rhodes - it might help with having that option in terms of possession.

Of course if Dunn comes back within a week and can play most games (even if not full games) until Rochina comes back then that helps. But as we are already finding out we need a back up!

There is no doubt that as soon as Cairney dropped deeper we looked a much better team. It worries me if we lose him in Jan.

[den]

Ok positive is we were better this time away at Leicester than last year.

Did you go Rovers4ever, because we have other reports saying we were poor last night?

[Plastic Head]

Rhodes needs a partner a-la Radford/Quinn/Bell/Thompson to Garner.

4-5-1 isnt good for him.

What is Chris Sutton up to these days?

[booth]

40 years old and playing none league football. Wish he was a few years younger.

[Steve Kean's Hypnotoad]

Rhodes needs a partner a-la Radford/Quinn/Bell/Thompson to Garner.

4-5-1 isnt good for him.

What is Chris Sutton up to these days?

Disagree with that personally. We've tried numerous strike-partners with Rhodes since he arrived (Best, Kazim-Richards, Campbell) and the only one that worked was Gomes briefly in the Kean days of you score 4, we'll score 5.

Rhodes to me is simply a way of ensuring good chances are scored, he doesn't do anything else. So its a case of Rhodes will be at his best when we're creating the most chances, which I think is when we're playing Dunn/Rochina in a 4-4-1-1.

[G Somerset Rover]

Disagree with that personally. We've tried numerous strike-partners with Rhodes since he arrived (Best, Kazim-Richards, Campbell) and the only one that worked was Gomes briefly in the Kean days of you score 4, we'll score 5.

Rhodes to me is simply a way of ensuring good chances are scored, he doesn't do anything else. So its a case of Rhodes will be at his best when we're creating the most chances, which I think is when we're playing Dunn/Rochina in a 4-4-1-1.

Bowyer knows this, but he does need to stop trying to play Cairney there in Dunn/Rochina's absence. As others have pointed out Cairney is best dictating play from deeper, alongside Lowe/Williamson/Evans.

If Judge isn't up to the role then Bowyer needs to get on the blower to Desai despite today's shocking financial figures and beg for a loanee because let's face it, we won't be able to rely on Dunn with Rochina out.

[windymiller7]

The 2-1 score line doesn't come close to reflecting the difference between the sides. We couldn't have complained if Leicester had scored four or five such was their dominance. Until we got the penalty we weren't in the game with Rhodes being a passenger without support. Whilst the Rovers is a young side with some potential they are also a young side who make plenty of mistakes. Our midfield was awful last night in terms of both defence and attack. Cairney, Evans and Lowe were unable to pass the ball to a blue and white shirt and only Cairney improved during the final 20 minutes when Leicester tried to sit on their lead and attack on the break. It was no surprise that Marshall and Evans were hauled off as they contributed very little.

I still believe the Rovers will finish mid-table but this game showed just how far we are away from competing at the top end of the table. We desperately need some quality in key areas but the finances are clearly not going to allow that to happen.

Surely that's good when we're playing in red?

[DavidMailsTightPerm]

I am curious (from those that went) - how did King play when he was moved alongside Rhodes. Does anyone think this could be an option - afterall he gives us pace up front which we sadly lack with JR - and this will take pressure off Rhodes.

[Steve Kean's Hypnotoad]

Bowyer knows this, but he does need to stop trying to play Cairney there in Dunn/Rochina's absence. As others have pointed out Cairney is best dictating play from deeper, alongside Lowe/Williamson/Evans.

If Judge isn't up to the role then Bowyer needs to get on the blower to Desai despite today's shocking financial figures and beg for a loanee because let's face it, we won't be able to rely on Dunn with Rochina out.

Yeah good point. Actually maybe we are better trying Best up there with Rhodes when Dunn/Rochina aren't available and playing long-ball. Our centre-mids are all much of a muchness for me, very average players with little composure in possession.

[pick32]

I don't think a strike partner is what Rhodes needs its more of a Dunn or Rochina type player playing of him, Crainey is more suited playing cm and spraying passes about. We need to try judge out there I think it's his best position with King and Taylor supporting on the wings.

[RevidgeBlue]

One thing you can never criticise Lowe for is his effort. IMO Lowe is nowhere near as bad as you make him out to be - I would be curious as to how you felt he played in our last home matches ?

I did say he gives 100% to be fair.

He played well in those 2 games with Cairney alongside him, prior to that he looked atrocious with the similar style of player Marrow alongside and had a poor game imo on Saturday with Evans alongside. Didn't see last night's game but according to the commentary we were on the offensive when he played a terrible pass which led directly to the crucial second goal.

Imo he looks ok if we're dominating a game anyway but if we need to dig in and dictate a game when things aren't going so well, he has little or no influence on proceedings.

[rog of the rovers]

Add Leicester away to West Ham Utd away as a definite bogey fixture.

A win on Saturday is important to get back on track.

Interesting looking at Palace's away record last season.

P23 W6 D7 L10

Home form going to be crucial

[West Yorks Rover]

I don't think a strike partner is what Rhodes needs its more of a Dunn or Rochina type player playing of him, Crainey is more suited playing cm and spraying passes about. We need to try judge out there I think it's his best position with King and Taylor supporting on the wings.

I notice you live in Blackburn, could you do us all a favour and nip down to Ewood to have a word with GB, your post is spot-on IMO.

If Judge is'nt the answer for that position, we need a talented youngster on loan pretty damn quick.

[Parsonblue]

Surely that's good when we're playing in red?

Well spotted. Perhaps that's were they were going wrong they kept finding the blue shirts instead of the red ones. On a serious note, we badly need a quality playmaker in midfield who can actually pass the ball. Sadly, these tend to cost money and aren't readily available on the "free market". Not for the first time in away games, Rhodes became a spare part because he received no service and is unable to create much for himself. Put him in the Leicester side and he would have a field day with their ability to open up defences with their quick, incisive passing in and around the penalty area.