‘Puel in’ Vs ‘Puel out’: Leicester City supporters’ Claude Puel conflict

#PuelOut: Leicester City can do better

There are many elements which stack up in favour of firing Leicester City’s current boss from his job, accurately, including: players devoid of ideas/options, an apparent tactical ineptitude in certain strange decisions and ploys. In addition, there is: not playing to players’ strength – whether that be crosses rather than through balls to Jamie Vardy, or playing people out-of-form and out-of-position.

There is criticism over an unwillingness to drop underperforming players like Wes Morgan – now improved – instead of new signings like Caglar Soyuncu. In fact, Filip Benkovic is another producing such fine displays that there are those who wonder why he was allowed to join Celtic on loan. The labouring playing style – which, if undertaken correctly, should be snappy and direct through forward passing. If the defenders are not comfortable with the ball then it is a devoid theory for the side in any case.

Possession football is not performed or described in that flattering way at the King Power Stadium, for much of this and last season. Apparently, Puel wanted to move from hoisting long aimless or hopeful passes up field from perennial offender, amongst others, Kasper Schmeichel. Not that it is the goalkeeper’s fault every time. He is sometimes exquisite with finding feet. Occasionally.

Enforcing managerial control is essential to stop the unimaginative long balls; if not, it is being encouraged by the manager – an unacceptably poor Sunday league-style. There is no target man to even play to in the air – inexplicable and consistently baffling. Identifying these issues and correcting them seems an issue in itself. Maybe in time with practice of this methodology, the players will adapt, whereas, that is difficult to predict.

However, the only thing Puel isn’t at fault for entirely is transfers, as others are in charge of recruitment. Although, his assertion on Friday that Leicester won’t, or don’t need, to recruit in January sounded inadequate or misguided for evolution of the team.

Was the subtle French chief cleverly deflecting attention from that matter? Obviously he would not name targets anyway. Therefore, journalistic enquiries on the matter are generally futile. Leicester will probably bring back Islam Slimani, as opposed to signing a well-known/proven striker during the new year transfer window; knowing our luck. Though, he is tall enough for those lonely Marc Albrighton crosses and his goalscoring record as a Fox is astounding, per WhoScored.

TalkSPORT’s broadcaster, and Leicester City fan, Geoff Peters appears to be an advocate of relieving Puel of duty; backing up his opinion with facts. And, it is difficult to argue with his latest musings and statistics on the subject, via the tweet below:

To be honest, it is quite simple: after the glorious Premier League champions campaign of two years ago, many of the faithful want more from their club. Being as they won a title, why are they not challenging? Well, a better question to counter is: how is a city or team this size supposed to regularly compete with the afore-mentioned mega clubs of London or Manchester? Frankly, it cannot.

That does not mean improvements and stability are not attainable, Puel is Mr consistency if Leicester just want to survive and hover around 10th place and possibly lift the League Cup. To this writer, that does not sound too bad, at all. Yet, we all felt the ambition of Khun Vichai too.

Qualifying constantly for Europe, definitely lifting more trophies and so on; these aspirations can be realised with the right coach at the helm. Who that is remains to be seen.

To conclude, the Frenchmen deserves a slight bit more time, and certainly not the sack for getting Leicester to 9th place and a quarter-final. Upcoming Christmas fixtures will reveal the true extent of Puel’s team transition: where Leicester City are, versus where they should be will become clearer, after a little over half the season.