More or Leicester?

Through hard work, organisation and great skill Leicester made them look what they are, overrated and over-hyped.

Do I think Leicester can win the prem, too fucking right I do.

1) You play the system/positions your players will have playing since they were kids (so their ‘uncomplicated' brains don't have to do much thinking).

2) You don't change the side unless forced to (familiarity, bonding etc).

3) You make sure each player can run for 90 mins.

4) You make sure each player WILL run for 90 mins.

5) You make sure every ball is contested.

Maybe not dead obvious (but has made a big difference in every place I've ever worked) is that Ranieri has a 'human' quality about him.

He appears to have a light touch (er..so to speak) which appears to make a difference (any boss constantly walking around with a face like a smacked arse has a negative drip-drip effect on his workplace and workers)

Anyway, whatever it is (and I appreciate we are still talking a big if) if they do win it, any similarities with Pulis and/or Moyes will appear (certainly to me) inconsequential.

Spurs are another with a fantastic chance too, again not the same wealth as a city or Chelsea but a big difference to the Leicester situation.

Go Foxes, go Marhez, go Vardy, and go the tinker man, you lads deserve to win the EPL, you've proven to have the ability, now it's time to prove you have the balls.

On one level you're right. Take a look at Atletico Madrid's "miracle season" in 2013-14. Even winning the Spanish title and reaching the Champions' League final they still weren't in a position to hold on to their leading scorer. But what they haven't done is collapse away from competitiveness, even though Real and Barca are still working on much higher overall budgets.

The Premier League TV deal does provide a more level playing field than for a long time. There isn't the financial pressure to sell players, and if players can fulfil both their professional playing ambitions *and* their financial ambitions with smaller clubs; then they either don't have to sell or can sell for premium prices.

A couple of seasons in the top 4, with Champions League football added to the Premier League TV money, and suddenly any club is operating on a different financial basis. Yes, there'll still be an advantage to having something ridiculous like an entire oil nation's funding behind you...but the difference in quality from spending £50million on players versus £250million is, I would guess, less than spending £5million versus £50million...and more open to coaching and tactics having a greater overall bearing on results.

I can, in fact, see Leicester winning the bloody thing and then getting relegated next season as man for man they are a very limited team (plus their better players will be sold in the summer). I'd love to know what they're on as I've never seen a team run so much, echoes of West Germany 1954?

I was also of the school of thought that winning the League had become the right of just a handful of clubs, after all the results of the last 20 years would suggest that quite strongly.Only the RS,quite beautifully failing a couple of years ago, ever looked like they may break the stranglehold of United, City, Chelsea and Arsenal.

I think a couple of things have come together to change that situation this season. Firstly although the financial gulf is still huge, all PL sides have benefitted from the Sky windfall and are not having to live hand to mouth as much.

Secondly there has not been a season in the last 20 years where those top teams have been so poor. United,still struggling post Fergie,are dreadful. Chelsea have made the worst defence of a title last seen probably in 1971. Arsenal are much as they have been for a number of years, easy on the eye but soft centred and City quite frankly despite having a stellar squad only seem to play when they fancy it. I actually watched Yaya Toure out sprinted by the referee on Saturday on a least three occasions.

So when a team like Leicester come along, with a huge work ethic, no egos and lots of pace, they haven't had it as hard as they might of in previous years. But it's not just Leicester of course, although that's where the media focus is. I still think Spurs will win the league this year, another example of a well drilled team who work their nuts off.

Is this season a 'blip'? I still suspect so,but if it turns out that way,we may well regret our own missed opportunity.

The grocks are perhaps the toughest bunch of players in the premier league, and they look after the other 3.

As Ray says # 1 they outfought City who didn't like or know how to deal with the intensity or tenacity of their opponents. If they can stay free of injuries I won't be surprised if they lift the title.

But I will put one big rider on that - they better have it in the bag before they play us - because we will beat them.

Make no mistake about Leicester though, they also have some very good players and not only Mahrez and Vardy who for me are the pick.

I believe that if Everton could play with the intensity that Leicester do then we could win the championship. We can do it when we're swarming forwards but then we go to sleep. Hopefully the way we've played the last 3 games will become the norm.

Colin, maybe some thai magic lotion? Or just ginseng tea?

One question, one observation.

Question - will Leciester be as strong next season? This could just be like Ipswich getting 4th, 12 or so years ago. Who went down the following season.

Observation - Top 4 clubs taking their eye off the ball. We've seen it before. Spurs qualified two seasons running back in Harry's day, though were knocked out on the Liverpool rule by Chelsea who were having managerial issues and down the league. Utd are straightjacketed, City, their 'want to win' is lacking, and Arsenal doing as Arsenal do.

They should be cementing the top 4 as usual, but are not. It could well be back to usual next season, but rather than a one off, hopefully its an opportunity for change.

Observation 2, quite possibly the PL are shitting themselves. The top 4 are their brand. If they do not remain the powerhouses, how much will the next TV deal be worth? Even if its the same, it will show problems in the foreign market. And if Leicester and Spurs screw up early in the Champions League, its good by to 4th position. And for the domestic league, that will only be good for the competition.

I hope they do it.

Ipswich collapsed after a few good years. Gotta be way more than just losing good players. If Leicester's owners, manager and coaching all disappear, I would think they might collapse. Well, or the players suddenly all get injured, lazy or sold.

They will be in UCL next year. Here's to hoping they win it LOL

Oops, that is dour thinking!

Ipswich, Derby, Villa, Forest, Leeds, Leicester. (what is it about the midlands?).

Star Teams, rather than a Team of Stars, no nonsense Managers with a KISS plan.(yeah Ranieri, I know)

So it CAN be done, even now.

Possibly a little different as (and I'm guessing here) in that time Liverpool have probably spent more than Arsenal and not had anywhere near the rewards.

Peter 20 - 'I disagree with Eugene in that the myth has been blown away already no matter what happens'

No matter what happens?

Y...eah (!?) look no problem with anyone disagreeing with anything, but can we agree to disagree with stuff I did say, rather than stuff I definitely absolutely didn't say?

For the record - 'In fact, I've already seen enough to say I'm 97% wrong and only a huge fall now, due to injuries to their key players (who can't be replaced like-for-like) would make me consider a (slightly sheepish) ‘told you...'

As has been said they have a tremendous work ethic, add to that small/ smallish attackers who can outpace most defenders seems to be the key.
They are a one off since the Prem. began, but their methods are certainly working this season.

Nick LOL how did Athletico reach the UCL final then?

We play them late on, their last home game I think – we might be the ones to deny them...

Something I read this week that did make me chuckle though, if the miracle did happen, then Schmeichel father and son would both have won the league since it actually was their year over the park.

That's were we have now fallen down. We used to play to the end; now, it looks like all our players are on 40 a day and goosed by the 70th minute.

I know it's not anywhere near the money spend by the "top" teams, but they have still spent just over £46m on transfers within the last two seasons, only recouping £7m. That's £39m on transfers, before last season we were nearly always on a negative spend.

I hope they win it and at a canter to stick 2 fingers up to the "Sky Elite". However, this year we have Man Utd playing less attacking footy than when Moyes was there. The Shite beautifully falling apart. Arsenal being... well Arsenal. Man City being the prima donnas that they always have been, even more so because inexplicably they have told the manager that he is going at the end of the season no matter what. Great for motivation that!!

Of all the teams out there, Spurs look to be the ones that are keeping a steady go of it. We have had one absolute twat of a season so far, yet we are now 8th. This speaks volumes for the league this season.

Come on you Blues (and blues)

I was at the Leicester game and thought they were very average - we let them off the hook. Our campaign has been full of 'if onlys' while Leicester seem to have had the rub of the green with few injuries and a counter attacking style that has been more successful than usual. Taking nothing away from their achievement so far - I just think it could so easily have been us if we'd taken our chances and tightened up at the back. Oh well there's always next season!

Anyway, yes, I too would love Leicester to do it. But I have a sneaking feeling it will be Spurs.

Obviously the club would have written his apology and sent him on an awareness course.

Now, what was it Pearson's son got up to?

A great striker but as thick as a rhino's foreskin (just a shame he wasn't hoofed off that chair)

Link

That reminds, Leicester also never change a winning side.

It's not worth thinking about and my blood pressure can't take it.

I recommend enrolling yourself onto the following course, Nick:

Link

The simple truth is the that Leicester represent the classic underdog making it. The nearest parallel I can remember is Terry Griffiths winning the World Snooker Championship in Sheffield in 1979? Individual not a team sport I grant you, but he kept it going for frame after frame after and was a complete emotionally washed out basket case for months!

Leicester are doing exactly that. It may never happen again in my lifetime. That what gives giant-killing its real kudos. However, if / when they become Champions the fall-out is going to be hilarious:-

1) The BBC are going to have to re-invent their website to feature yet another team name beginning with 'L' and 9 letters. Their graphics department can probably deal with that.

2) The Premier League's money men focused on return on investment will need to use a completely different method of measurement.

3) The Leicester money men, already extremely wealthy, will probably be encouraged to invest even further and the Leicester dynamic could out-muscle 2 or 3 others of the big 5?

6) The Buddhist connection may experience a massive upswing in popularity.

7) The Glaziers will be pissed off.

8) The 'unreal' aspirations of the also-rans (including us) will be come realistic again. But were they ever?

9) Claudio Raniero will stick two fingers to Abramovich on the final day of the season. Or will he? He's probably to much of a gentlemen to behave like that.

10) Claudio may get an MBE but most probably will have to settle for the Freedom of the City.

But what if ...

a) Injuries kick in and exhaustion takes its toll?

b) The pressure of the media barons and vested interests worms its way into influencing the games away from Leicester and back to the status quo?

c) Liverpool demand a replay and are awarded a the opportunity to make amends for their defeat?

d) The 'Tinkerman' may have a relapse and go back to his former ways and unsettle the team. (I doubt it!)

Seriously, I think Leicester will cross the line first because they have already done enough to be, well, taken seriously. Also it's like a perfect storm in reverse with all the ingredients coming together, the stars being aligned if you like just this one time; no injuries, magnificently appropriate team spirit management, no other distractions, no chance of the power brokers arranging an alternative ending, and the first season when there have been so many non-performers at the same time (Chelski / Redshites and Us).

Honestly it would be so good to see them do it because they bloody well deserve it. I'm so jealous Roberto's plan had no such short-term option!

Statistically speaking, if Leicester win, they will fill quota of underdogs doing impossible, and Everton will be even further breaking into top four. Of course, maybe this the begining of massive shifts of forces in English football and Everton will find themselves in the trophy group.

(See what I did there?)

But what about the referees mate- do not underestimate the part these wallies play in the outcome of games, titles and trophies.

Never say never - half the world is corrupt and the other half couldn't give a toss, so I wouldn't be surprised to see decisions start to go against Mr Vardy and Co. In fact I would say all the odds are against them winning the title.

But to a large extent, Leicester went down this path years ago when O'Neil was in charge and applied your recipe (Ingrediants1-5) to win or nearly win cups year after year.

My cousin who lives in that shit-hole puts it all down to Walshey - or was it Big Ellio having a word in Pearson's ear when they were bottom last season and then the directors putting a 'Thou shalt not tinker' in his successor's contract.

Not exactly rocket science is it ?

Leicester are able to do it for 90 mins every match without injuries. We need to steal their training and fitness methods. We couldn't play that way with the same team every week without several of our players breaking down with a hamstring injury.

I remember him telling me they almost did it (the double) the following year too, winning the cup in 62, but (along with Burnley) were pipped to the title by Alf Ramsey's Ipswich, who played an odd wingless game that apparently took everyone by surprise and baffled everyone.

However it seems it didn't baffle everyone for too long, and once teams could figure them out, that was that.

Two years after winning the title, they were relegated, although Ramsey by then was England manager.

(imagine there would have been more interviews for Alf the England boss, but fortunately, his cockney mam spent money on elocution lessons for the Thunderbirds baddie-faced misery guts, so that paid orrff)

Regarding Ramsey and his BBC acquired accent, Malcolm Allison told a good story in his memoirs. He was talking to a fella outside Wembley, before a big game, then went and had a word with Alf, who remarked, "Wasn't that chap you were talking to a bit of a spiv?" Malcolm replied, "Yeh, like your fuckin' brother!"

In a football sense nobody on this seasons form, they may still Implode and stop themselves...but I really hope not.

More or less 2/3rds of the way in and 5 points clear.

If there is a pile up at the Premier League equivalent of Beechers Brooke, could Spurs do a Foinavon?

Of course, it took two penalties and a blatant Albrighton handball for Leicester to plunder three points at Goodison. Not a good day for most of our befuddled lads and Martinez who was far too late with the subs as we started to flag around the hour mark. We also missed Jags at the back.

Ranieri's boys know exactly what is required. That's the difference between them and all the other high energy units. There's a clever strategy underpinning everything they do. People know when and where to run. Team-mates find them without looking. City couldn't handle it the other day. Without Joe Hart it would have been a cricket score. That's another thing. They nearly always hit the target.

We should set up a panel, and highlight how the same referee, can make an opposite decision, for the same incident, depending on the teams involved.

Back to Leicester City, and isn't it refreshing watching a team, that help each other out so much. I hope they win the league.

You know what, firstly he is not 'in an argument', he is looking to pick a fight (seemingly thinking it will impress the satsuma-coloured scrubber to his left)

Secondly, the 'heat of the moment' is being generated by him - because he's pissed.

Thirdly, the fact that Okazaki seems not to have a problem, imo means nothing.

There's enough evidence to show that a footballer who can produce the goods on the field, can (and often will) be 'forgiven' anything, not just by their clubs but also by their teammates.

Evidence - In 2012, John Terry (a very good defender) was banned and fined after being found guilty of calling a mixed race player a 'fucking black c@nt', yet (presumably) the black players who play with him don't have a problem.

Also worth noting that three Leicester no-marks were sacked for their part in a 'racist orgy.'

Anyway, I only called him a xenophobe because I over-thought things and gave him the benefit of the doubt, due to his nation-specific jibe - 'Oi.. JAP!'

In future I'll stick to shrew faced racist.

(and if you don't think he's a racist, let Leicester know - they fined him for racial slurs and had to have 'clear the air talks' with Okazaki).

One thing you're right about however, is that it isn't known if he is a member of the BNP or NF.

I lived in Dublin for 8 years and was never once the subject of any anti-English (or Scouse) jibes.

In fact (unlike in Britain) I generally found, being from Liverpool, I was very well-received.

Brian (74) - 'In such cases an offensive comment is not racist in the Nazi/Ku Klux Klan meaning of the word, any more than calling somebody a fat git or a red-headed c**t means you want to curtail their civil rights or herd them off to the gas chambers.'

Maybe so, but remember, if you want to create the environment where it's considered 'acceptable' to march a group/race of people off to gas chambers, it's not something you can do overnight.

I would suggest history shows us that it begins in a small way - first name-calling, then broken windows, then business boycotts...

Imo, best to point it out, nip it in the bud, show it won't be tolerated at all.

(of course you run the risk of someone telling you 'it's political correctness gone mad' but that's fine as those people are frustrated angry nob-heads).

Who was it that said football is a simple game ruined by coaches, and it's the ultimate irony that out old mate John Inman aka tinkerman has turned onto the ultimate pragmatist. But there's no doubt it is the way to play if you've got pace throughout the side. Somebody mentioned the rat boy RS side; I'll go farther back with the Man Utd sides especially with Kanchelskis.

That being said, in Napoleonic terms he's a lucky general, but you need luck to win and long may theirs continue and please Spurs – just say no.

They have players who fit their positions as has already been said, and also every one of them is quick, they close down the oppo, and work hard off the ball as well as being pacey with it.

They do one thing we don't, and that's win the ball back by swarming their opponents - they actually remind me of Barcelona in that respect. They're direct, in your face, and one other thing that strikes me is that they've bee lucky with no injuries to key players, bar Vardy missing a game or two when he did his hamstring a little bit.

I'd love them to win the league, I really would.

Is it the end of the 'you need money' argument? Well with all the new TV money that particular playing field is being levelled a bit more, so perhaps the argument that 'we don't have any money' is more pertinent.....since, well, we do have money!

I hope they do win the league but expect if they fail those same 'experts' will smugly grin and say they were right all along and they knew they wouldn't last the distance

Mike Graham of TalkSport is absolutely lapping it up after tipping Leicester from the start. Trouble is, his assertion that 'Ranieri is a good manager and Leicester will do well' could have been claimed to have come true if Leicester had finished anywhere in the top 17!

That said, MG and Mike Porky Parry are without doubt the best thing you it the radio since Chris Morris' Blue Jam. Anyone wanting some Everton-skewed comedy banter, get onto The Two Mikes podcast. Absolute gold!

But if Man City believe that 4-4-2, pressing and pace is the key then they'll buy better players man for man than Leicester at competing in that style. And the money clubs will rise to the top again.

Competitive advantage in football is a very short term thing.