Match reports supplied by Brian Langston unless otherwise stated
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Tottenham Hotspur x-x Leicester City
Premier League - 10 February 2019
I sometimes wonder what on earth goes through a manager’s mind, and today I guess is no different to any other game under Puel.
Before people jump up and down about Puel, and people know my views, oh to well on the subject, I’d love to know his theory on leaving Vardy out of the side, was it down to his comments last week or the so called training ground bust up, if there has been a difference of opinion between players and manager, then to leave your only forward on the bench, well I give up.
Onto the game and City for a change started well and with chances that fell to Barnes, Maddison, Gray to name 3, would all those chances cost us in the long run, the answer was yes, a pinpoint cross from Eriksen found a totally unmarked Sanchez who from 5 yards buried the ball past a helpless Schmeichel. To be honest from what I was watching, totally against the run of play, but taking your chances is paramount at this level.
The game right from the start was set up for Vardy with spurs playing the way spurs do, open and a lot of the time expansive game which even with gray as the striker was all so obvious, and would and should have played into cities hands with Vardy starting.The game was end to end, but with spurs missing Kane , llorente struggled to impress, and with Son diving more than Tom Daley, could City get back into it.
Has half time approached the city fans singing for Vardy to come on, but the more we sang, I believe the more Puel thought no he’s not. On the hour mark Vardy came on and the penalty spot beckons with a clear penalty awarded and was the fairy tale about to be written, no, a well struck penalty was brilliantly saved by Lloris, and within a minute, spurs were 2 to the good through Eriksen.
I honestly believe if Vardy had buried the penalty, we could have gone on and won the game, as we were playing some really good football but just not clinical enough.
The game got a bit scrappy for a bit until Ricardo broke down the right and put a square ball across the 6 yard line and Vardy scored, and the city fans started to dream of an away win.
City were by far the better side in many parts of the game and certainly finished the strongest, but from an attack, spurs broke away and son, was one on one with Kasper and the in form striker buried it clinically past the helpless keeper. So 3-1 the final score, but we certainly deserved something from the game, but if chances aren’t taken like today, then you will get turned over.
My MOM today was Evans, and for Puel a simple question, Why oh Why leave Vardy out.
So a run of games now that if we don’t pick up points soon, we could get dragged into the dog fight at the bottom???
Premier League - 10 February 2019
I sometimes wonder what on earth goes through a manager’s mind, and today I guess is no different to any other game under Puel.
Before people jump up and down about Puel, and people know my views, oh to well on the subject, I’d love to know his theory on leaving Vardy out of the side, was it down to his comments last week or the so called training ground bust up, if there has been a difference of opinion between players and manager, then to leave your only forward on the bench, well I give up.
Onto the game and City for a change started well and with chances that fell to Barnes, Maddison, Gray to name 3, would all those chances cost us in the long run, the answer was yes, a pinpoint cross from Eriksen found a totally unmarked Sanchez who from 5 yards buried the ball past a helpless Schmeichel. To be honest from what I was watching, totally against the run of play, but taking your chances is paramount at this level.
The game right from the start was set up for Vardy with spurs playing the way spurs do, open and a lot of the time expansive game which even with gray as the striker was all so obvious, and would and should have played into cities hands with Vardy starting.The game was end to end, but with spurs missing Kane , llorente struggled to impress, and with Son diving more than Tom Daley, could City get back into it.
Has half time approached the city fans singing for Vardy to come on, but the more we sang, I believe the more Puel thought no he’s not. On the hour mark Vardy came on and the penalty spot beckons with a clear penalty awarded and was the fairy tale about to be written, no, a well struck penalty was brilliantly saved by Lloris, and within a minute, spurs were 2 to the good through Eriksen.
I honestly believe if Vardy had buried the penalty, we could have gone on and won the game, as we were playing some really good football but just not clinical enough.
The game got a bit scrappy for a bit until Ricardo broke down the right and put a square ball across the 6 yard line and Vardy scored, and the city fans started to dream of an away win.
City were by far the better side in many parts of the game and certainly finished the strongest, but from an attack, spurs broke away and son, was one on one with Kasper and the in form striker buried it clinically past the helpless keeper. So 3-1 the final score, but we certainly deserved something from the game, but if chances aren’t taken like today, then you will get turned over.
My MOM today was Evans, and for Puel a simple question, Why oh Why leave Vardy out.
So a run of games now that if we don’t pick up points soon, we could get dragged into the dog fight at the bottom???
Leicester City 0-1 Manchester United
Premier League - 03 February 2019
So the bandwagon that is Manchester United rolled into town under the rejuvenated guidance of ole gunner Solskjaer and the multi million pound squad that goes with the name Manchester United.
With the well deserved point gained on Wednesday at Anfield, I was expecting the same 11, but was shocked to hear that Albrighton had pulled a hamstring in training and Barnes starting, but out of one players miss fortune is another players chance and overall I thought Barnes took it with all guns blazing. I sort of understand the team selection today but was disappointed not to see Tielemans at least on the bench, a proven playmaker with bags of experience even at his age and a player that I believe we are very lucky to have, and hope that he does not go the same way as Silva and Iborra??.
The game started at a none premier league pace and in a rather subdued manner, it was a defensive mistake again, this time with Ricardo giving the ball away cheaply and Pogba found Rashford with an inch perfect pass, and the England striker took it in his stride and buried the ball past a helpless city keeper, another early and needless goal given away and another up hill fight from the off. After the goal, City and the fans settled and although nothing concrete in clear cut chances, better and more clinical passes may have caused Utd more problems, but this is where the problem lies in playing two defensive midfielders, and both too similar in how they play.
So back to the game and it never looked like it was going to be another 5-3 or even close to it, City never looked threatened in respect of them looking like they would equalise and Utd I thought had another gear or two to go up if needed.
The half time whistle came and although only one down, a tinker of personnel at half time was clear to be seen with more creativity needed in the midfield, but none appeared.
Credit where credit is due and City started much the stronger in the second half, a bit quicker and better movement causing Man Utd something to think about.
City although not clinical in there finishing, caused a couple of great saves from De Gea, from Maddison and from Ghezzal, when his shot on another day and another keeper may have gone in the top corner.
The game overall never really flowed, and was mainly down to really poor and inconsistent refereeing by Mike Dean, and his happy go lucky attitude with dishing out yellow cards. So overall we never reached the heights of Wednesday night and that sums up why we lost today. United by no means were on top form, and to be honest, did not need to be today, and like I said earlier, one or two gears to go through if really needed.
I understand totally that we are a young squad and we will undoubtedly get better, but we also have to look at how we set teams up against opponents, and stop continually playing the same formation. I’m really looking forward to seeing Tielemans play, and would love to see him against spurs next Sunday along side choudhury in the middle of midfield, but that will not happen?.
So Wembley bounds next Sunday and a trip to see spurs at there now accustomed new home. Overall disappointed today, as we never lived up to the heights of Wednesday and the inconsistency that is our season to date. My MOM today was Barnes,I’m so pleased he is back, as he is direct , enthusiastic and one of our own.
Premier League - 03 February 2019
So the bandwagon that is Manchester United rolled into town under the rejuvenated guidance of ole gunner Solskjaer and the multi million pound squad that goes with the name Manchester United.
With the well deserved point gained on Wednesday at Anfield, I was expecting the same 11, but was shocked to hear that Albrighton had pulled a hamstring in training and Barnes starting, but out of one players miss fortune is another players chance and overall I thought Barnes took it with all guns blazing. I sort of understand the team selection today but was disappointed not to see Tielemans at least on the bench, a proven playmaker with bags of experience even at his age and a player that I believe we are very lucky to have, and hope that he does not go the same way as Silva and Iborra??.
The game started at a none premier league pace and in a rather subdued manner, it was a defensive mistake again, this time with Ricardo giving the ball away cheaply and Pogba found Rashford with an inch perfect pass, and the England striker took it in his stride and buried the ball past a helpless city keeper, another early and needless goal given away and another up hill fight from the off. After the goal, City and the fans settled and although nothing concrete in clear cut chances, better and more clinical passes may have caused Utd more problems, but this is where the problem lies in playing two defensive midfielders, and both too similar in how they play.
So back to the game and it never looked like it was going to be another 5-3 or even close to it, City never looked threatened in respect of them looking like they would equalise and Utd I thought had another gear or two to go up if needed.
The half time whistle came and although only one down, a tinker of personnel at half time was clear to be seen with more creativity needed in the midfield, but none appeared.
Credit where credit is due and City started much the stronger in the second half, a bit quicker and better movement causing Man Utd something to think about.
City although not clinical in there finishing, caused a couple of great saves from De Gea, from Maddison and from Ghezzal, when his shot on another day and another keeper may have gone in the top corner.
The game overall never really flowed, and was mainly down to really poor and inconsistent refereeing by Mike Dean, and his happy go lucky attitude with dishing out yellow cards. So overall we never reached the heights of Wednesday night and that sums up why we lost today. United by no means were on top form, and to be honest, did not need to be today, and like I said earlier, one or two gears to go through if really needed.
I understand totally that we are a young squad and we will undoubtedly get better, but we also have to look at how we set teams up against opponents, and stop continually playing the same formation. I’m really looking forward to seeing Tielemans play, and would love to see him against spurs next Sunday along side choudhury in the middle of midfield, but that will not happen?.
So Wembley bounds next Sunday and a trip to see spurs at there now accustomed new home. Overall disappointed today, as we never lived up to the heights of Wednesday and the inconsistency that is our season to date. My MOM today was Barnes,I’m so pleased he is back, as he is direct , enthusiastic and one of our own.
Liverpool 1-1 Leicester City
Premier League - 30 January 2019
A masterful display of concentration, tactical awareness and hard work earned Leicester a well deserved point at a snowy and cold Anfield.
The game started in the worst possible way, with city defence still asleep and mane brilliantly turning and curling the ball into the bottom corner giving Kasper no chance and after 3 minutes I thought here we go a net fall. To City's credit after the poor start and not for the first time this season !!! we quickly got into the game and closed down the attacking threat of mane, Sala and Firmino, with the back 4 looking pretty solid.
With the pitch heavy and snow clearly still showing on the grass, this stopped the normal free flowing football that Liverpool have shown all season taking affect, and in a way helping city at times.Overall city had the clearest chances after the opening Liverpool goal, and a clear opportunity for Maddison from 5 yards out from an inch perfect cross from Albrighton and instead of shooting , he looked like he tried to knock it back across the six yard line and clear chance gone.
The crowd was certainly not in true Liverpool voice and that was a combination of them not playing as they have done all season and Leicester actually closing down and clearly holding their own, not nervous and certainly not overawed in any way. Mid way through the first half and a through ball between Maguire and Evans for mane and when Evans slipped and Maguire brought down mane, my head dropped and I was half expecting red, but it was yellow.
With halftime approaching a needless tackle by Robertson on I think Albrighton, allowed city to push all in-sundry up for the impending free kick, the ball came over and a scramble on the penalty spot and the ball only half cleared and a Chillwell header back into the six yard box and Maguire slotted home and the travelling fans fully deserving the goal to warm there cockles up and go in 1-1 at half time.
The second half started in somewhat ( to me anyway), a strange way by the kop end being cleared of snow on the pitch allowing the ball to be passed much quicker and clearer and an obvious advantage to Liverpool kicking towards their kop end. To be honest I have witnessed this before, many years ago at Portsmouth , not snow that time but a flooded pitch, that was in such a state that day that the game should never had started anyway, but if one end is being cleared, then both should be ?
The second half was very equal and city having the best opportunity to win the game, and never more so than when Gray broke clear down the left and with Robertson coming across to cover, Maddison who had made up a country mile was open on the penalty spot, and a square ball would have found him with the goal at his mercy, but Gray being gray, never looked up and tamely shot and the chance went begging.
The final 10 minutes was relentless pressure from Liverpool, which you would expect, especially kicking towards the kop, but never really cut out clear cut chances.
The final whistle went and City earned a massively impressive point from a really difficult place to go, but a point that all from Puel , the players and the fans can be proud off.
So now to the weekend and a big game against another of the so called big 6 and a home game against Man Utd. If we play anything like we did Tonight, then why can’t we go one better and pick up 3 points.
I thought overall tonight, that Puel, although he annoys the life out of me, got the tactics spot on, although I really think he has got to get Choudhury into the starting 11.
My MOM was Maguire, but closely followed by the other 10.
#averyhappyfanwhosawfightspiritsomegoodfootballandawellearnedpoint.
Premier League - 30 January 2019
A masterful display of concentration, tactical awareness and hard work earned Leicester a well deserved point at a snowy and cold Anfield.
The game started in the worst possible way, with city defence still asleep and mane brilliantly turning and curling the ball into the bottom corner giving Kasper no chance and after 3 minutes I thought here we go a net fall. To City's credit after the poor start and not for the first time this season !!! we quickly got into the game and closed down the attacking threat of mane, Sala and Firmino, with the back 4 looking pretty solid.
With the pitch heavy and snow clearly still showing on the grass, this stopped the normal free flowing football that Liverpool have shown all season taking affect, and in a way helping city at times.Overall city had the clearest chances after the opening Liverpool goal, and a clear opportunity for Maddison from 5 yards out from an inch perfect cross from Albrighton and instead of shooting , he looked like he tried to knock it back across the six yard line and clear chance gone.
The crowd was certainly not in true Liverpool voice and that was a combination of them not playing as they have done all season and Leicester actually closing down and clearly holding their own, not nervous and certainly not overawed in any way. Mid way through the first half and a through ball between Maguire and Evans for mane and when Evans slipped and Maguire brought down mane, my head dropped and I was half expecting red, but it was yellow.
With halftime approaching a needless tackle by Robertson on I think Albrighton, allowed city to push all in-sundry up for the impending free kick, the ball came over and a scramble on the penalty spot and the ball only half cleared and a Chillwell header back into the six yard box and Maguire slotted home and the travelling fans fully deserving the goal to warm there cockles up and go in 1-1 at half time.
The second half started in somewhat ( to me anyway), a strange way by the kop end being cleared of snow on the pitch allowing the ball to be passed much quicker and clearer and an obvious advantage to Liverpool kicking towards their kop end. To be honest I have witnessed this before, many years ago at Portsmouth , not snow that time but a flooded pitch, that was in such a state that day that the game should never had started anyway, but if one end is being cleared, then both should be ?
The second half was very equal and city having the best opportunity to win the game, and never more so than when Gray broke clear down the left and with Robertson coming across to cover, Maddison who had made up a country mile was open on the penalty spot, and a square ball would have found him with the goal at his mercy, but Gray being gray, never looked up and tamely shot and the chance went begging.
The final 10 minutes was relentless pressure from Liverpool, which you would expect, especially kicking towards the kop, but never really cut out clear cut chances.
The final whistle went and City earned a massively impressive point from a really difficult place to go, but a point that all from Puel , the players and the fans can be proud off.
So now to the weekend and a big game against another of the so called big 6 and a home game against Man Utd. If we play anything like we did Tonight, then why can’t we go one better and pick up 3 points.
I thought overall tonight, that Puel, although he annoys the life out of me, got the tactics spot on, although I really think he has got to get Choudhury into the starting 11.
My MOM was Maguire, but closely followed by the other 10.
#averyhappyfanwhosawfightspiritsomegoodfootballandawellearnedpoint.
Wolves 4-3 Leicester City
Premier League - 19 January 2019
Defensive frailties cost City a share of the points in an entertaining and somewhat bazaar game at Molineux.
A 4-3 defeat was no consolation for city and now go into a run of games, Liverpool and spurs away and a home game against Man Utd when I do wonder what to expect, win ,draw or defeat .A sloppy start and loss of control from Gray allowed the ball to be pushed out to the wing and a ball in found Jota to beat Simpson and prod home. The opening exchanges was all Wolves, and with the defence at sixes and sevens, a cross found Bennet who had a free header after Morgan and Maguire were left marking space and 2-0.
The second goal sparked city into life and two good saves from the Wolves keeper from Gray I thought we are not out of this yet ! City left out Albrighton, Maddison and Choudhury, which surprised me, 3 names I would have down as starters all day long, not sure how Mendy kept his place ahead of Choudhury and although Gray scored, is he ahead of Albrighton, in my opinion no, but there you are. The game continued to flow from goal to goal and with half time approaching could City get a goal back pre break, but with all the huff and puff they could not blow that Wolves defensive unit down.
So could Puel get his half time team talk over to his players in the 15 minuets allowed or would we carry on the way we were first 20 minutes. The second half started with city on the offensive and city within 7 minutes were level, a great through ball found gray and he buried the ball in the bottom corner and then a break away again and a semi clearance found Barnes who struck a right footed shot that took a deflection of Coady and 2-2.
Could City find another gear and get the lead, that in a round about way probably would have deserved, the answer was no ! A brilliant ball from Neves found the lively jota who beat Morgan and buried the ball past Kasper. With the clock ticking and city champing at the bit for another equaliser , Morgan rose amongst 3 Wolves defenders and headed in and surely a well deserved share of the points.
City went looking for the winner and it was a typical City break from Wolves that cost us a deserved share of the spoils and that man Jota again to complete his hat trick and another defeat.
Some points from today’s game tells me, that you cannot play Simpson and Morgan in the same starting 11, although Gray scored, should he be ahead of Albrighton? And how Choudhury did not start ahead of Mendy is beyond me. So although disappointed again, the game I guess was lost in a round about way in the first half with that defensive display, but positive feeling from how we fought back.
With no game next weekend, a lot of work has to be done, who will lead that work on the training ground next week, is a question all city fans will be talking about again next week and beyond. In my humbling opinion for what it’s worth, as much as I’m not a Puel fan, the grandeur of a new manager is not going to happen this side of the end of May anyway.
My MOM today was the hard working and total selfless effort of Vardy.
Premier League - 19 January 2019
Defensive frailties cost City a share of the points in an entertaining and somewhat bazaar game at Molineux.
A 4-3 defeat was no consolation for city and now go into a run of games, Liverpool and spurs away and a home game against Man Utd when I do wonder what to expect, win ,draw or defeat .A sloppy start and loss of control from Gray allowed the ball to be pushed out to the wing and a ball in found Jota to beat Simpson and prod home. The opening exchanges was all Wolves, and with the defence at sixes and sevens, a cross found Bennet who had a free header after Morgan and Maguire were left marking space and 2-0.
The second goal sparked city into life and two good saves from the Wolves keeper from Gray I thought we are not out of this yet ! City left out Albrighton, Maddison and Choudhury, which surprised me, 3 names I would have down as starters all day long, not sure how Mendy kept his place ahead of Choudhury and although Gray scored, is he ahead of Albrighton, in my opinion no, but there you are. The game continued to flow from goal to goal and with half time approaching could City get a goal back pre break, but with all the huff and puff they could not blow that Wolves defensive unit down.
So could Puel get his half time team talk over to his players in the 15 minuets allowed or would we carry on the way we were first 20 minutes. The second half started with city on the offensive and city within 7 minutes were level, a great through ball found gray and he buried the ball in the bottom corner and then a break away again and a semi clearance found Barnes who struck a right footed shot that took a deflection of Coady and 2-2.
Could City find another gear and get the lead, that in a round about way probably would have deserved, the answer was no ! A brilliant ball from Neves found the lively jota who beat Morgan and buried the ball past Kasper. With the clock ticking and city champing at the bit for another equaliser , Morgan rose amongst 3 Wolves defenders and headed in and surely a well deserved share of the points.
City went looking for the winner and it was a typical City break from Wolves that cost us a deserved share of the spoils and that man Jota again to complete his hat trick and another defeat.
Some points from today’s game tells me, that you cannot play Simpson and Morgan in the same starting 11, although Gray scored, should he be ahead of Albrighton? And how Choudhury did not start ahead of Mendy is beyond me. So although disappointed again, the game I guess was lost in a round about way in the first half with that defensive display, but positive feeling from how we fought back.
With no game next weekend, a lot of work has to be done, who will lead that work on the training ground next week, is a question all city fans will be talking about again next week and beyond. In my humbling opinion for what it’s worth, as much as I’m not a Puel fan, the grandeur of a new manager is not going to happen this side of the end of May anyway.
My MOM today was the hard working and total selfless effort of Vardy.
Leicester City 1-2 Southampton
Premier League - 12 January 2019
It’s always best to have a start, middle and end to a good read or in this case my blog.
So the story starts at 2 pm and I’m listening intensely to the team selection, given out on Radio Leicester and yes 8 changes and why not the idiot of a manager averages 5 or 6 per game anyway so another couple between friends, that’s ok .
So the team picked and yes we are playing Southampton at home, and this is no disrespect to Southampton fans!!!!, but what the hell is Puel playing 3 players of all the same mold in central midfield field for, we cannot play Choudhury, Ndidi and Mendy in the same team at home, it’s like playing 8 defenders with the keeper. We surely have to set up 4-4- 2 or 3-5-2, and use the attacking prowess that we have in absolute abundance.
The game started and yet another slow one by city, and after about 10 minutes, Mendy who had a shocking game today inadvertently pulled down Long and a clear penalty given by Oliver the ref, who overall had a shocker of a game, and Ward - Prowse stepped up and planted the ball in the top corner giving Kasper no chance.
The first half was about has exciting as watching paint dry, with array passing, no movement and lack lustre play, with shocking play from all bar a couple of players.
With puel out signs popping up around the ground today, the census of opinion on our not so beloved manager are there to be seen even if you don’t really do social media.
Back to the game and with the game getting a little touchy at times with some hard tackling and handbags on a couple of occasions it was not long before Chillwell was chopped down on the far side and a straight red should have followed but the spineless ref only booked Valery.
With Leicester first effort on target after 25 minutes , surely the formation and alarm bells should have rang in Puels burning ears, especially from me, if I can see the problem then surely he can. So with the game drifting like snow in the wind, Valery surprisingly pulled back Albrighton and a second and deserved yellow and then Red, saw the Southampton player heading for an early bath. The sending off did nothing for inspiration for a poor Leic first half and with half time approaching and my throat needing a rest, Shane long broke clear and with Mendy making another mess of his defensive duties long slid the ball home at the neat post, which I thought at the time Kasper did not cover with glory.
So my middle part of my blog, reads, awful first half, from poor formation, to no passing to feet, to no movement and even worse link up play, Southampton went in deservedly 2-0 Up. So to the second half and with Mendy rightly going off along with the hard working and a surprise to me Albrighton, City brought on gray and the recalled Harvey Barnes, got his first game of the season. City pushed on for a goal and it came after an hour when Ndidi hit home from 6 yards and was the comeback on ?
City to their credit huffed and puffed but could not blow the Southampton house down, why ? Because we are lacking creativity and what we are trying to do is just so one dimensional , not just today, but all season.
So another defeat against a team from the bottom 6, and out of both cups.With the manager’s press conference on Thursday stating that city were as high as they could go, and the players possibly listening on, what sort of signal does that send to the players. So on to Wolves next week and if we play like we did first half today , I’m sorry but the writing is on the wall.
So my overall thought today and my closing piece is this The manager again screwed up team selection with a boring and totally ridiculous formation that did not allow any link up play between midfield and the again totally isolated Vardy. The paying punters are not happy and unfortunately I don’t think the powers that be down the KP will do anything with Puel now, the hopeless man is here to stay. My MOM today and this says it all, was big Wes Morgan.
Premier League - 12 January 2019
It’s always best to have a start, middle and end to a good read or in this case my blog.
So the story starts at 2 pm and I’m listening intensely to the team selection, given out on Radio Leicester and yes 8 changes and why not the idiot of a manager averages 5 or 6 per game anyway so another couple between friends, that’s ok .
So the team picked and yes we are playing Southampton at home, and this is no disrespect to Southampton fans!!!!, but what the hell is Puel playing 3 players of all the same mold in central midfield field for, we cannot play Choudhury, Ndidi and Mendy in the same team at home, it’s like playing 8 defenders with the keeper. We surely have to set up 4-4- 2 or 3-5-2, and use the attacking prowess that we have in absolute abundance.
The game started and yet another slow one by city, and after about 10 minutes, Mendy who had a shocking game today inadvertently pulled down Long and a clear penalty given by Oliver the ref, who overall had a shocker of a game, and Ward - Prowse stepped up and planted the ball in the top corner giving Kasper no chance.
The first half was about has exciting as watching paint dry, with array passing, no movement and lack lustre play, with shocking play from all bar a couple of players.
With puel out signs popping up around the ground today, the census of opinion on our not so beloved manager are there to be seen even if you don’t really do social media.
Back to the game and with the game getting a little touchy at times with some hard tackling and handbags on a couple of occasions it was not long before Chillwell was chopped down on the far side and a straight red should have followed but the spineless ref only booked Valery.
With Leicester first effort on target after 25 minutes , surely the formation and alarm bells should have rang in Puels burning ears, especially from me, if I can see the problem then surely he can. So with the game drifting like snow in the wind, Valery surprisingly pulled back Albrighton and a second and deserved yellow and then Red, saw the Southampton player heading for an early bath. The sending off did nothing for inspiration for a poor Leic first half and with half time approaching and my throat needing a rest, Shane long broke clear and with Mendy making another mess of his defensive duties long slid the ball home at the neat post, which I thought at the time Kasper did not cover with glory.
So my middle part of my blog, reads, awful first half, from poor formation, to no passing to feet, to no movement and even worse link up play, Southampton went in deservedly 2-0 Up. So to the second half and with Mendy rightly going off along with the hard working and a surprise to me Albrighton, City brought on gray and the recalled Harvey Barnes, got his first game of the season. City pushed on for a goal and it came after an hour when Ndidi hit home from 6 yards and was the comeback on ?
City to their credit huffed and puffed but could not blow the Southampton house down, why ? Because we are lacking creativity and what we are trying to do is just so one dimensional , not just today, but all season.
So another defeat against a team from the bottom 6, and out of both cups.With the manager’s press conference on Thursday stating that city were as high as they could go, and the players possibly listening on, what sort of signal does that send to the players. So on to Wolves next week and if we play like we did first half today , I’m sorry but the writing is on the wall.
So my overall thought today and my closing piece is this The manager again screwed up team selection with a boring and totally ridiculous formation that did not allow any link up play between midfield and the again totally isolated Vardy. The paying punters are not happy and unfortunately I don’t think the powers that be down the KP will do anything with Puel now, the hopeless man is here to stay. My MOM today and this says it all, was big Wes Morgan.
