Leicester City (A) | PL | Post Match Thread

[BlueMoonAcrossThePond]

On the bright side - we won. Our offense was a bit better than of late.

On the dark side - we were lucky. There was very little between the sides. For example:
1) Vardy was likely fouled by Ortega, but luckily was a bit offside. Change things a bit and Vardy is onside and a penalty is conceded, and possibly Ortega is red-carded.
2) Leicester hit the word-work twice. Near goals.
3) Vardy fluffed a golden opportunity over the bar.
4) One or two sublime crosses went past our goal with no takers in dark blue.

Our defense remains very poor.

In particular Gvardiol made several errors which could have led to goals (one was a header back to Ortega with his back to the oncoming attacker - probably Ortega is at fault there, as he has to "shout" that Gvardiol has an attacker immediately behind him).

Lewis was frankly awful. He keeps on defending as if he's the last man. Backing up, backing up. Even when plenty of defenders are around him and what he needs to do is attack the ball, because otherwise, the attacker will have all day long to pick out the perfect pass. This happened several times.

Savinho, although good on offense today, was off again on defense. On occasions, Gvardiol has to track their right winger into our penalty box. But for some reason, Savinho isn't tracking their right back. Gvardiol is in our penalty area - and can't cover their right back - this is Savinho's responsibility. On occasion their right back is wide open, Gvariol has tracked into our penalty area and Savinho is nowhere to be seen (literally completely out of camera view). Leicester's right back delivered some excellent crosses because of this and we were very lucky that this didn't lead to goals.

Our press was not coordinated/aggressive-enough. Leicester often beat our initial press and enjoyed a lot of the ball in our half.

Bottom line - a lucky win. We really need to address our defensive problems in the Winter window if we have any hope of a top 4 finish.

 

[halfcenturyup]

Very, very few are the we games where we have less possession than the opponent. Yesterday was one of those. 55%/45%

I have to say I did wonder if the senior players had had a word with Guardiola to change things around a bit to help an under- staffed, unfit, out of confidence squad get through this tough patch. Guardiola is a stubborn fucker and maybe a little kick from the senior players was needed.

Squad morale still seems fine, and Haaland physically pushing Guardiola to acknowledge the away fans to take credit was noteworthy as well, I thought. Maybe the players are helping my him through this tough patch as well ....

 

[Roachy]

A result more important than a performance and that's what we got. Some definite and much needed improvement in a couple of players performances but as a team we didn't look particularly bright. Hopefully we can look to the 2nd half of the season with more optimism with returning players to give us a lift.

 

[Stelea]

On the bright side - we won. Our offense was a bit better than of late.

On the dark side - we were lucky. There was very little between the sides. For example:
1) Vardy was likely fouled by Ortega, but luckily was a bit offside. Change things a bit and Vardy is onside and a penalty is conceded, and possibly Ortega is red-carded.
2) Leicester hit the word-work twice. Near goals.
3) Vardy fluffed a golden opportunity over the bar.
4) One or two sublime crosses went past our goal with no takers in dark blue.

Our defense remains very poor.

In particular Gvardiol made several errors which could have led to goals (one was a header back to Ortega with his back to the oncoming attacker - probably Ortega is at fault there, as he has to "shout" that Gvardiol has an attacker immediately behind him).

Lewis was frankly awful. He keeps on defending as if he's the last man. Backing up, backing up. Even when plenty of defenders are around him and what he needs to do is attack the ball, because otherwise, the attacker will have all day long to pick out the perfect pass. This happened several times.

Savinho, although good on offense today, was off again on defense. On occasions, Gvardiol has to track their right winger into our penalty box. But for some reason, Savinho isn't tracking their right back. Gvardiol is in our penalty area - and can't cover their right back - this is Savinho's responsibility. On occasion their right back is wide open, Gvariol has tracked into our penalty area and Savinho is nowhere to be seen (literally completely out of camera view). Leicester's right back delivered some excellent crosses because of this and we were very lucky that this didn't lead to goals.

Our press was not coordinated/aggressive-enough. Leicester often beat our initial press and enjoyed a lot of the ball in our half.

Bottom line - a lucky win. We really need to address our defensive problems in the Winter window if we have any hope of a top 4 finish.

Agreed. A win is a win but it was awful again. We got lucky at times with the way Leicester just cut through our press with ease. Apart from signing players, I cannot see how the current mob can improve the defensive side of the team game no mater who is picked. They are all ‘shot’ with the only one with the slightest of energy is Kovacic who just doesn’t have the discipline to play the Rodri role.

 

[Stelea]

The area where all the other problems are stemming from is the fact we don’t have a single DM in the squad to cover the role Rodders does.

Yesterday it was Kovacic but it was crystal clear he isn’t anywhere near defensively aware enough. I counted about 15 times in the game where he was either out of position or not switched on to the opposition player/movement into space he should’ve been covering.

When Rodders is there that only happens once or twice per game as he is incredible at the role.

It leaves us woefully exposed. I think that then impacts us going forward as we’re too scared to take risks (hence the side to side nonsense) due to the fact we’ll get countered very easily.

Get a good DM in and the improvement will be enormous.

It is absolutely mindblowing that the club has allowed there to be no player in the squad that can cover that role.

Kovacic is too much ‘all action’ to play 6. If we could get a 6 he will be a great asset further up the pitch.

 

[The Colonel]

Got back at 19.15hrs.
Firstly let me applaud the away end today. We were fucking immense and Never stopped singing. No shit half and half scarves, no tourists proper fans getting the tickets is how it should be.
Thought we controlled the game for long periods and looked better. Green shoots of recovery hopefully.
Massive word for Mcatee. Looked superb when he came on. Made things happen. Get him on the pitch moving forward. Haaland a lot better. Totally different player after the goal. We are still shaky defensiveley and my concern was how easy Leicester cut through us when they attacked. We miss Dias for his leadership for sure. Hopefully a few Jan signings in midfield will help to resolve matters.
Foden is a worry. Very poor today. Lets hope he gets back to how we know he can be.
See you at West Ham.

As an aside did Leicester fans stop playing with their clackers long enough to manage a rhetorical WWYWYWS?

 

[hilts]

Cracking result thank god, can't say if we played well or not I was a tad merry and distracted by meeting up with some old friends. Something to build on I hope.

 

[blue wang]

On the bright side - we won. Our offense was a bit better than of late.

On the dark side - we were lucky. There was very little between the sides. For example:
1) Vardy was likely fouled by Ortega, but luckily was a bit offside. Change things a bit and Vardy is onside and a penalty is conceded, and possibly Ortega is red-carded.
2) Leicester hit the word-work twice. Near goals.
3) Vardy fluffed a golden opportunity over the bar.
4) One or two sublime crosses went past our goal with no takers in dark blue.

Our defense remains very poor.

In particular Gvardiol made several errors which could have led to goals (one was a header back to Ortega with his back to the oncoming attacker - probably Ortega is at fault there, as he has to "shout" that Gvardiol has an attacker immediately behind him).

Lewis was frankly awful. He keeps on defending as if he's the last man. Backing up, backing up. Even when plenty of defenders are around him and what he needs to do is attack the ball, because otherwise, the attacker will have all day long to pick out the perfect pass. This happened several times.

Savinho, although good on offense today, was off again on defense. On occasions, Gvardiol has to track their right winger into our penalty box. But for some reason, Savinho isn't tracking their right back. Gvardiol is in our penalty area - and can't cover their right back - this is Savinho's responsibility. On occasion their right back is wide open, Gvariol has tracked into our penalty area and Savinho is nowhere to be seen (literally completely out of camera view). Leicester's right back delivered some excellent crosses because of this and we were very lucky that this didn't lead to goals.

Our press was not coordinated/aggressive-enough. Leicester often beat our initial press and enjoyed a lot of the ball in our half.

Bottom line - a lucky win. We really need to address our defensive problems in the Winter window if we have any hope of a top 4 finish.

Spot on,
Hoping we can get some stability going and co-hesian. Hope we settle on a mid-field that includes Kovacic, excludes Gundogan.

Let Savio and Macatee build on their form as well as play Haaland ,KDB into form and we could actually get top 4. If Foden can sort himself out that will also help.

Right now we are the opposite of solid. We like a midtable team with some decent players.

 

[leighton]

It's a win which was needed. We scored in vital points of the game. We had several chances too. We created a bit more a positive. We also got a clean sheet another positive. McAtee getting more minutes and was a lively spark is also a positive. Maybe he will get more minutes now as a impact sub. We can now focus on Saturdays game a good 5 days to get a team ready. See who we go with KDB playing a full 90 minutes was a positive too. Savinho looked positive he could well come good for us. Lacking a goal but yesterday will boost him big time.

 

[blue wang]

Cracking result thank god, can't say if we played well or not I was a tad merry and distracted by meeting up with done old friends. Something to build on I hope.

Watch the game again, enjoy it again.

 

[give it to gordon]

Once that second goal went, I might be imaging but the whole team seem to come alive if you know what I mean. Our intensity when up a few gears. Haaland was coming deep and running at them ( shame about his passing lol ).
Midfield is still a problem perhaps this season more than ever we will rely on scoring more than conceding !

 

[dadnlad]

Noticed that what Leicester did well was wait for press two passes then play ball into space on opposite flank and run onto ball
Our passes looked sloppy slow n labored and chasing shadows

 

[stonerblue]

Finally.
Not the greatest we've ever played but they dug in and battled hard. Second goal felt like a cup final winner.

 

[M12Blue]

The area where all the other problems are stemming from is the fact we don’t have a single DM in the squad to cover the role Rodders does.

Yesterday it was Kovacic but it was crystal clear he isn’t anywhere near defensively aware enough. I counted about 15 times in the game where he was either out of position or not switched on to the opposition player/movement into space he should’ve been covering.

When Rodders is there that only happens once or twice per game as he is incredible at the role.

It leaves us woefully exposed. I think that then impacts us going forward as we’re too scared to take risks (hence the side to side nonsense) due to the fact we’ll get countered very easily.

Get a good DM in and the improvement will be enormous.

It is absolutely mindblowing that the club has allowed there to be no player in the squad that can cover that role.

Yep

 

[blue wang]

I have to say I did wonder if the senior players had had a word with Guardiola to change things around a bit to help an under- staffed, unfit, out of confidence squad get through this tough patch. Guardiola is a stubborn fucker and maybe a little kick from the senior players was needed.

Squad morale still seems fine, and Haaland physically pushing Guardiola to acknowledge the away fans to take credit was noteworthy as well, I thought. Maybe the players are helping my him through this tough patch as well ....

Would love to get an Amazon behind the scenes style show. Reckon it would be great viewing.

Pep is only human, probably been a tad wound up of late. Probably had a good night's sleep for the first time in a while.
I suspect he is not the type of human that can separate work from hidshome life.

Green shoots, if we can turn this season around it will be up there with Peps Greatest achievements.

 

[M12Blue]

Commentary on sky have us finished. Dissected everything relentlessly but failed to mention once the circumstances contributing.
Happier days round the corner hopefully

 

[Blue Theatre]

Confidence plays such a huge part in football - we were lucky to go 2-0 up, but once we did we looked much better (going forward, at least) and should have scored more.

Can only hope to carry that feeling into the game against West Ham, and then get a DM in the window. Things could start to look rosier then ?

 

[blue wang]

Once that second goal went, I might be imaging but the whole team seem to come alive if you know what I mean. Our intensity when up a few gears. Haaland was coming deep and running at them ( shame about his passing lol ).
Midfield is still a problem perhaps this season more than ever we will rely on scoring more than conceding !

Saw that, we needed that moment.
When start to believe they are champions again things will happen accordingly.

We lost our swagger and confidence, this same group of players doesn't turn to a one win in 13 overnight.

Actually believe if Halaands penalty went in last matches we would have been on the way to recovery.

Just look at Halaands body language after that goal, once that happens a few more times we will be our old selves again.

Commentary on sky have us finished. Dissected everything relentlessly but failed to mention once the circumstances contributing.
Happier days round the corner hopefully

 

[blue wang]

Saw that, we needed that moment.
When start to believe they are champions again things will happen accordingly.

We lost our swagger and confidence, this same group of players doesn't turn to a one win in 13 overnight.

Actually believe if Halaands penalty went in last matches we would have been on the way to recovery.

Just look at Halaands body language after that goal, once that happens a few more times we will be our old selves again.

 

[feedmpenzaandhewillscore]

Saw that, we needed that moment.
When start to believe they are champions again things will happen accordingly.

We lost our swagger and confidence, this same group of players doesn't turn to a one win in 13 overnight.

Actually believe if Halaands penalty went in last matches we would have been on the way to recovery.

Just look at Halaands body language after that goal, once that happens a few more times we will be our old selves again.

If we’d not collapsed against United and Haaland had stuck the penalty away against Everton the league table would have had a different look to it. Small margins and all that.