Match reports supplied by Brian Langston unless otherwise stated
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2019/20
Chelsea FC 1-1 Leicester City
Premier League - 18 August 2019
So a trip to the kings road and city come away with a well deserved point against a Chelsea team that were truly up to the challenge with a great first half display that City were in my eyes lucky to be only one down.
With only one enforced change with Chillwell injured, Fuchs came in and the first 20 minutes was run ragged with the wing play of Pedro and the brilliant support play of mount. City were on the back foot from the off and a massive blunder from Ndidi on 7 minutes allowing mount to nip in and place it past a helpless Kasper.
For the next 15 minutes or so it was one way traffic with Kasper pulling off two great saves and top defensive play from Evans and Sonyuncu. With chance after chance falling to Chelsea, I was concerned that we could be out the game before we were in it, but we dug in and managed to keep it to one.
Again though I was concerned with how we set up,and with the pace and skills we have in abundance in that area,is the diamond the best shape for us ?
So no change at half time, but Maddison playing more central, city started to play how I know we can, slick passes and great movement and chances were starting to be made and Vardy at last feeling part of the team.
On 67 minutes City got a corner and kicking towards the travelling fans, Maddison who last week was hopeless from set pieces put over a great corner and Wilfred rose like a salmon from a cluster of Chelsea players and buried the ball with a bullet of a header past the keeper, and thankfully no VAR. From the equaliser City piled on the pressure and chances for Vardy, Maddison twice, Tielmans and Choudry, this was the city I’m sure Rogers and his back room staff are striving for, and certainly the city fans are.
I heard Chelsea fans after the game saying that they should be battering teams like Leicester !!! Admittedly the game was one of two very different half’s, and overall this was both a well deserved and hard earned point against a Chelsea team that maybe still a top 6 team this season.
My MOM today was only based on the second half, as the first was quite forgettable, was Maddison, bring him into the middle and he showed what he can and does do well.
So before I left, I always hope for 3 points, but sometimes I have to have a reality check and today I guess is one of those, as this is a great point at the bridge.
So a short trip next week, up to Sheffield, who them selves had a good win today, so s difficult game to predict, but optimistic if we play like we did in the second half today.
Premier League - 18 August 2019
So a trip to the kings road and city come away with a well deserved point against a Chelsea team that were truly up to the challenge with a great first half display that City were in my eyes lucky to be only one down.
With only one enforced change with Chillwell injured, Fuchs came in and the first 20 minutes was run ragged with the wing play of Pedro and the brilliant support play of mount. City were on the back foot from the off and a massive blunder from Ndidi on 7 minutes allowing mount to nip in and place it past a helpless Kasper.
For the next 15 minutes or so it was one way traffic with Kasper pulling off two great saves and top defensive play from Evans and Sonyuncu. With chance after chance falling to Chelsea, I was concerned that we could be out the game before we were in it, but we dug in and managed to keep it to one.
Again though I was concerned with how we set up,and with the pace and skills we have in abundance in that area,is the diamond the best shape for us ?
So no change at half time, but Maddison playing more central, city started to play how I know we can, slick passes and great movement and chances were starting to be made and Vardy at last feeling part of the team.
On 67 minutes City got a corner and kicking towards the travelling fans, Maddison who last week was hopeless from set pieces put over a great corner and Wilfred rose like a salmon from a cluster of Chelsea players and buried the ball with a bullet of a header past the keeper, and thankfully no VAR. From the equaliser City piled on the pressure and chances for Vardy, Maddison twice, Tielmans and Choudry, this was the city I’m sure Rogers and his back room staff are striving for, and certainly the city fans are.
I heard Chelsea fans after the game saying that they should be battering teams like Leicester !!! Admittedly the game was one of two very different half’s, and overall this was both a well deserved and hard earned point against a Chelsea team that maybe still a top 6 team this season.
My MOM today was only based on the second half, as the first was quite forgettable, was Maddison, bring him into the middle and he showed what he can and does do well.
So before I left, I always hope for 3 points, but sometimes I have to have a reality check and today I guess is one of those, as this is a great point at the bridge.
So a short trip next week, up to Sheffield, who them selves had a good win today, so s difficult game to predict, but optimistic if we play like we did in the second half today.
Leicester City 0-0 Wolverhampton
Premier League - 11 August 2019
Having woken up this morning with the anticipation of a new season like no other, a debatable VAR decision was the highlight of an otherwise very midfield minded game.
People who know me, know my feelings of VAR, and that I’m not a fan, and rightly or wrongly over a season without VAR you get an equal rub of the green for and against you ! Today VAR worked in city’s favour and although having just seen it on YouTube, you have to say it was harsh against both the arm of the player it rubbed against and wolves as team for not going 1 up.
I look at VAR in the context that if that was me supporting my team away at Chelsea next week and that sort of decision went against us, I would be feeling the same as the wolves fans do today, but if you read below, the new VAR says,
So to the game overall, and with neither side creating a great deal in terms of attempts on goal, there really is not a great deal to write.
The formation seemed to be set up to combat Wolves, rather than let Wolves worry about how we would set up, that’s something I’m not keen on, especially at home, let the opposition worry how you are going to play and not the other way.
I was surprised not to see albrighton start, as he has looked sharp in pre season and Barnes did not do himself any harm in starting next week at Chelsea either.
I’m looking forward to seeing Praet get into the team as well, and the formation changing for the Chelsea game which I hope will allow Vardy to get involved more, because of no fault of his own was an isolated figure today.
So not the greatest of starts, but to be fair, Wolves are no mugs and a point is better than nil, which on another day could well have been.
So on to Chelsea next Sunday and I envisage a totally different game, a lot more open, and more chances probably at both ends, it is a ground that has been kind to us over the past few years, so why not again.
My MOM today was between NDidi, Ricardo and Soyuncu, but I’m just edging my bets towards Ndidi today, broke up more Wolves play and worked is socks off.
Premier League - 11 August 2019
Having woken up this morning with the anticipation of a new season like no other, a debatable VAR decision was the highlight of an otherwise very midfield minded game.
People who know me, know my feelings of VAR, and that I’m not a fan, and rightly or wrongly over a season without VAR you get an equal rub of the green for and against you ! Today VAR worked in city’s favour and although having just seen it on YouTube, you have to say it was harsh against both the arm of the player it rubbed against and wolves as team for not going 1 up.
I look at VAR in the context that if that was me supporting my team away at Chelsea next week and that sort of decision went against us, I would be feeling the same as the wolves fans do today, but if you read below, the new VAR says,
So to the game overall, and with neither side creating a great deal in terms of attempts on goal, there really is not a great deal to write.
The formation seemed to be set up to combat Wolves, rather than let Wolves worry about how we would set up, that’s something I’m not keen on, especially at home, let the opposition worry how you are going to play and not the other way.
I was surprised not to see albrighton start, as he has looked sharp in pre season and Barnes did not do himself any harm in starting next week at Chelsea either.
I’m looking forward to seeing Praet get into the team as well, and the formation changing for the Chelsea game which I hope will allow Vardy to get involved more, because of no fault of his own was an isolated figure today.
So not the greatest of starts, but to be fair, Wolves are no mugs and a point is better than nil, which on another day could well have been.
So on to Chelsea next Sunday and I envisage a totally different game, a lot more open, and more chances probably at both ends, it is a ground that has been kind to us over the past few years, so why not again.
My MOM today was between NDidi, Ricardo and Soyuncu, but I’m just edging my bets towards Ndidi today, broke up more Wolves play and worked is socks off.
