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Match Review: Leicester VS Tottenham
7 Plays4 months ago
This is a match review from Leicester's first match back in the Premier League. Jake talks through his thoughts on the game against Tottenham, aswell as a look at tactical setup and a brief look ahead to the upcoming Fulham match.
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Transcript
Introduction and Purpose
00:00:09
Speaker
Hello and welcome to daily Leicester. My name's Jake Leverland and I'm back this time talking about a Tottenham review after the game on Monday night that opened our Premier League
First Half Struggles
00:00:18
Speaker
season. and So overall thoughts firstly, um ah well we obviously struggled in the first half, I think there's no way of getting around that. ah We struggled to to keep the ball, we gave it away numerous times and obviously Tottenham had quite a few chances.
Second Half Tactical Changes
00:00:33
Speaker
um but and another day maybe we would have been two or three goals down however we dug in there we just about stayed in the game Tottenham were wasteful and then at second half Cooper and clearly the players changed something and I think they were a lot more aggressive we saw in the second half Wilfern indeedy was playing a lot higher um which forced high turnovers and I think firstly credit should be given to Cooper and the players because it could have been quite easy in the second half to come out and play exactly the same way and we've seen that with previous managers you see it work with clubs that even if they don't have a great half nothing really changes um and the second half performs especially after we scored but even in the build-up to the goal um as I said we're a lot more aggressive um and I think it was football that the fans could connect with um
Fan Support and Morale
00:01:21
Speaker
And I think just on the fans, you know, we stuck with the team. I didn't feel even in that first half when it was difficult that fans were, I don't know, losing, ah feeling with the team, the losing in and any sort of positivity. and We were backing them no matter what. And it was difficult to watch in that first half. And, you know, I was on the edge of my seat nervous because, you know, the second goal almost felt inevitable. um And they did have a couple of chances in that early second half.
Leicester's Control and Opportunities
00:01:49
Speaker
and and I don't want to get away from that but um I don't think there's any point dwelling on the fact that um on another day Spurs could ah ah say be two or three up at halftime early in that second half off and if you if you want to focus on the positives the positives definitely are that for half an hour 25 minutes until Benton caused you know unfortunate injury we had Spurs in a really difficult spot we were winning the ball very high up we got in their penalty area a number of times with
00:02:16
Speaker
We've got passes or crosses that created good opportunities or almost created good opportunities. Tottenham finished fifth for a reason last year. I quite like the team as a neutral in terms of the way they set up and the the quality they've got. um and We gave them a real good game in the second half. so Hopefully, and what we're going to see is that that more aggressive side balanced out against Fulham on Saturday, but even for the rest of the season. and ah I think what the main thing I personally took away from the game was we've got a chance you know if we play like that lot we've got a real chance this season and playing that way gives us an opportunity. um Sometimes under Enzo Maresca, myself included, felt that even when we were winning games it wasn't sometimes entertaining and and I do wonder I think the fans didn't really connect with the football it's not
00:03:09
Speaker
a style that Leicester are used to. We've seen under Brendan Rodgers and Claude Poel were more possession-based style, but um I know the football I enjoyed most under Rodgers, especially though those early times, it was a lot quicker than than it became. Poel was a little bit different, it was much slower and and fans didn't enjoy it. um And ah for obvious reasons that when we won the Premier League, and we played fast counter-attacking football.
Leicester's Playing Style History
00:03:33
Speaker
I think generally Leicester fans really resonate with that. um And we see some clubs like Swansea City, I'm going to use an example, who their fans really enjoy watching high possession football, even when sometimes you don't break teams down. um And there are some clubs like that that that enjoy that style. and And sometimes some styles don't fit with certain clubs and others do.
00:03:55
Speaker
um But yeah, I was happy with the style, the fans stayed onside. And obviously when you're creating opportunities from high turn, it's exciting to watch. um And on another day, we we could have gone to one up, which and if you'd said to me, or probably any Leicester fan, or anybody had watched that first half,
00:04:15
Speaker
we could have had an opportunity to win the game, um we would have been very, very surprised and shocked. um But there you are and that's football and again, ah Steve Cooper and his coaches for change of things should be credited. um Moving on, um looking at at Tottenham, um again from a neutral perspective, um I've talked about the chances that they've missed but they dominated the game, they kept the ball really well. um Possibly you saw signs of a little bit of an experience in that when we started to rattle them in that second half, they didn't stay calm, they didn't keep the ball.
Tottenham's Mistakes and Pressure
00:04:50
Speaker
You could see some nervous moments. There was a case where I can't remember what minute of the game, but Micky van der Ven could have just taken the ball down and kept control of the ball. but
00:05:00
Speaker
instead I think cleared or headed ear away and gave us the ball back and allowed us to start another attack and it's little things like that that that can really build up and creates that pressure um on a team and we we fed into it you know the players and the crowd really connected from a Leicester point of view and we're feeding into that and and if Tottenham can If Tottenham want to achieve what I think they do which is I'm assuming top four ambitions um and it's going to be difficult with with a number of good teams this year then um they need to find a way to work around that or be more clinical earlier because it would have really not been stuffing out of of us as Leicester. so
00:05:40
Speaker
um Yeah, that though they were my thoughts on Tottenham, um but I'm sure that they have a very good team and I'm sure once it clicks that they will have no problem in terms of moving forward this season and getting results.
Defensive Concerns for Leicester
00:05:54
Speaker
A lot of the chances that Tottenham created were ah crosses, especially in the first half, you know, either from a corner, a set piece or or just generally good deliveries um from James Madison and and players who were sort of in and around the box. And and obviously their goal came from it.
00:06:09
Speaker
it's a great ball from Madison and and a very clever header from Poirot, but Solanke had a ah free header, I think Romero, they had you know indeed a clear one off the line which would have almost certainly gone in. so um A concern of mine from a Leicester point of view is that we conceded those crosses too easily and if Spurs were more clinical then they would have taken their chances and and playing Fulham on Saturday, Fulham ah can be a very physical side in the past few years have really enjoyed scoring goals from crosses from those wide areas sometimes deep wide areas um especially when they had Mitrovic but Rodrigo Moniz is certainly a threat in that penalty area and he he's a he's a big lad he he will be a threat off crosses um and if we're allowing those then it could be a real issue on Saturday hopefully
00:06:55
Speaker
um We didn't see it so much in the second half, um but they still suppose got in behind us down the wide areas, probably in in a different way in terms of getting closer to the byline. More in the second half, we saw elements of it in the first half, but Vestergaard blocked a number of those in both halves of the game.
Upcoming Fulham Match Preview
00:07:13
Speaker
So um we'll see how full-on play, um but we we certainly, I think, will need to stop that in order to hopefully try and keep a clean sheet on Saturday.
00:07:24
Speaker
Next I'd like to talk about um Lester from a tactical point of view and and what we've seen in the first half and and then what we saw more in the second half and and the sort of the tweaks but but firstly just a very quick advert. um I just want to say ah this podcast is part of the Global Sports Podcast Network The only network bringing you exclusive daily news and views on your Premier League team, the Premier League, women's football and fantasy football. A unique listening experience that puts fans first, bringing you the very latest breaking news from your team. Subscribe wherever you get your podcasts and make us your first listen every single day. Global Sports Podcast Network, every club, every day.
Tactical Breakdown of Formation
00:08:04
Speaker
So I just wanted to do a deep dive into what we saw on Monday night and and the setup was a 4-2-3-1 really with Mads Hermanson, Sartan in goal and then you had James Justin at Rybak, Christiansen at Lefbak. We had two centre-hours of Faz and Vestergaard that we obviously saw the majority of last season. um Harry Winksen indeed he is is ah almost a pivot and but mostly in the first half, definitely a pivot, um sitting quite deep.
00:08:30
Speaker
For Tole on the right, Deco De Reade coming in off the left, and then Buena Notte making his debut in behind the main man Jamie Vardy. Looking from the back forward, ah Matt Hermanson was very dependable last season, a very good goalkeeper, very highly rated. and And his kicking on Monday night was certainly not what we've come to expect. and He gave the ball away on a number of occasions. Part of that was tactical in terms of the team setup and and finally difficult to play out. And also partly, I think some of his kicks were were poor in different elements. Sometimes he'd hit the ball too short, sometimes too long. um
00:09:09
Speaker
They got tweaked in the second half and I think you have more options which made it a bit easier and and I'm sure um a bit like the whole team. um Possibly some nerves in there um and hopefully the season goes on and they get more accustomed to the Premier League and and especially Tottenham pressed very very high in that first half. um He will get you more used to that um and and the pace and and those mistakes will be ironed out.
00:09:32
Speaker
um Looking at the full backs, obviously missing was Riccardo Pereira who was such an instrumental player last season, arguably our best player, and some could say, um didn't play a minute, Justin at right back and Christensen at left back, um I think in the first half both struggled, Christensen I thought was a little weak.
00:09:51
Speaker
um but did get forward. um He was a loud space because Deco de Rarida, I believe, I assume, was instructed to to sit quite narrow um and he did the same thing the second half. Deco de Rarida came righting off that left um and sat more closer to when an Otte to try and play the ball through the centre of the park.
00:10:11
Speaker
Allowing that space and it's only worked better in the second half than the first and I think Mainly that was due to better ball retention moving the ball about a pace and being able to find him So he could exploit that space that sometimes left by Poro because he would took inside so um Second half was better from both full backs again a concern um both Sometimes suppose got past them quite easily um But you know if we sit here and just talk about um the first half issues then will be here all day. So um yeah, so the full backs were those two and ah yeah you know, Faz and Vestergaard sense about playing differently this season because they're going to have a lot less of the ball, especially Yannick Vestergaard who
00:10:56
Speaker
who We all know his pace isn't a blessing to him, but he he is clever. He's tactically ah very switched on in terms of positions on the pitch. So he's not often actually caught out a position because if he becomes a 1v1 batter in terms of pace, he isn't going to win it very often, if at all. But very rarely does he actually find himself caught out. And and that's because tactically he's very switched on.
00:11:22
Speaker
um and he can be very aggressive as he's fast and and what again what we saw in the second half more than the first um but one of them pushing in um sort of next to Harry Wink almost at a different point um to to win that ball back quite quickly and not allow Tottenham to turn and the reason that space was there because indeed he had pushed higher up especially on Tottenham's goal kicks against try and win that ball high up um and and it worked and generally it worked really well in the second half. um Spurs maybe were quite surprised by it um but we we had a go, we had a real go at being aggressive and and there were times it didn't quite work and again if Spurs had been a little bit more clinical and and maybe an extra pass or two then you know there was one at the end where Son took a really poor touch and could have shot so there's there's these different elements that
00:12:15
Speaker
Tottenham score, in know saw well you know, why was Vestergaard turned? Well, it's probably going to happen at some point that Vestergaard or Faz goes in really aggressive and gets turned and the opposition score. But um more often than not, it was successful ah ah in the first so in the first game of the season um and it brought us some opportunities.
00:12:37
Speaker
um Moving on to midfield, obviously Harry Winx and Wilfred Ndidi, so you know I've just talked about Ndidi playing higher and ah we saw last season with Ndidi that he was playing as a box to box number eight, um would really get into the penalty area, got quite a lot of deliveries into the box from wide areas um and Harry Winx would be that playmaker who sat very deep.
00:12:57
Speaker
um Wink still sat very deep and tried to play make. I think he struggled a little bit in the first half, possibly with a lack sometimes a lack of options, sometimes a lack of speed generally from the team in terms of the movement of the ball, as sorry, the pace of the ball, and then the movement from from the the players in front of him.
00:13:16
Speaker
and But he was better
Wilfred Ndidi's Versatility
00:13:17
Speaker
in the second half and grew into the game. Indeed he certainly grew into the game in the second half, playing a real key pivotal role. um and And indeed he'd been allowed to to stretch his legs almost and and be aggressive. He's what he's best at, you know winning the ball back.
00:13:32
Speaker
and being a real threat. And you know, he got into the penalty area still. He had that header at the end of the game. There was a number of occasions where he was entering the penalty and the ball didn't quite come to him. So um if we still see the the marauding, indeed, that we saw last season mixed with a um more defensive position, then and he could be a real asset again this season, as he's always been for us when he stays fit, which hopefully we're going to see a fully fit Wilfrid indeed this season. And he'll be a massive player for us.
00:14:01
Speaker
um Moving on to to the wide men. Deco De Reade again, I've just spoken about you know coming inside and and I think that was to stop Poirot or stop Tottenham playing through and that's why possibly he was picked over Mavardini who who isn't you know certainly isn't a fantastic defender as a winger but he is great going forward and he is that threat but ah trying to find that balance I think was the ah my understanding uh or thoughts on it were that probably that was Cooper and his team's thinking and I think it worked um deco de reid I thought had a a fine game he kept the ball well he um he was good under pressure he has a very good first touch and he does an awful lot of running he isn't going to be a Steffi Mavidido Abdul Fattawi in terms of he's going to run past people at break speed and
00:14:47
Speaker
and take your players on and it's not going to be him, but I think he'll play a key role, a little bit like we've seen from Michael Brighton over the past 10 years in that good defensively holds his shape incredibly well, gets for a lot of running um and hopefully he'll just be an asset to the team. um And that's what it's going to be this year. Whole functioning team will be the reason we succeed or don't, you know, if we don't succeed, then then there'll be parts of that team that break down and we need everyone working together. um And allowing a de Córdova read into the team there, um allows Abdul Fatal on the right hand side to fly and
00:15:25
Speaker
at what we saw again the second half and and parts of the first half when you can isolate in 1v1 and Udoghi is a very good left-back, I highly rate ah think he's very highly rated in the Premier League and he gave him a real tough time, Fattawi was flying past him at different points, he obviously got the assist with a great crossing and if he can tailor that crossing and develop it ah So it's a little bit more frequent and sometimes it can be a bit all over the place. You know, we saw the great cross to Vardy pinpoint made Vardy's life really easy. and But then we also saw a couple crosses that, you know, we're going out for goal kicks or throw ends. And unfortunately, that's what you get with a young player. But he has a fantastic high ceiling, Abdul-Fattah, and hopefully
Abdul Fattah's Potential
00:16:10
Speaker
um He can just just let him fly this season. That's why we say let him fly and Let him do his thing be aggressive be quick. What a fantastic dribbler and and he develops those parts of the parts of the game when he's almost in front of the goal either a cross or a shot and he can just Develop them a little bit more so his end product. It it just keeps getting better and better um He's the player. I'm most excited. I think all Esther fans fees for say I'm most excited to see in the Premier League this season and And then the the last two starters, Buena Notte and obviously Jamie Vardy. Jamie Vardy speaks for himself, you know, fantastic. What what ah what an absolute legend. um took Took his goal well, was safe for Toei, made it easy, but still had to put it in. um He had that great chance for Cario, made a fantastic save. Probably be a little disappointed. He didn't hit it slightly further in the corner, but look, he's barely played a minute in pre-season. He's had how fit he was we really don't know but but what a guy to to get himself on the pitch to to play at that level and and he didn't look out of place at any point and he's he's what 30 37 now 38 um he's going to be um and he said he didn't look out of place and and what an impact he played he played in the game and and hopefully we're playing our season um and then yeah Buena Notte on his debut um a fantastic debut I think really impressed Leicester fans um
00:17:35
Speaker
especially his dribbling, um he tried to take on players, he did take on players, he he was just really clever um with what he did. you know he He would get the ball in difficult positions and he most of the time kept the ball and and kept the attack moving rather than going backwards, positive passing, bringing others into play. yeah um and ah considering what he's been here a week, I don't think he's played a pre-season game, um really, really impressed and so young still um has captured Argentina, so he could really develop and ah you know that's why Breit have loaned him out, I guess, so they're hoping he's going to play 35 games for us this season and get lots of minutes and um and we're hoping that as well because he could have a big impact
00:18:20
Speaker
um We certainly need another 10 as he's the only one that we've got currently in the squad so we're going to need someone else to back him up. But a very very good debut and hopefully he'll continue to build on that.
00:18:34
Speaker
Right, before I wrap up and have a look at the Fulham game at the weekend and also the arrival of Oliver Skip, I've just got another
Expectations for Fulham Game
00:18:41
Speaker
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00:19:01
Speaker
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00:19:19
Speaker
So Craven Cottage at the weekend on Saturday afternoon at three o'clock. The last time we we went there two seasons ago it it almost felt like the game that in some way sent us down. I know there was obviously that Everton match but um yeah we we were well beaten at Fulham. I think it ended up being 5-3 but I can't quite remember, I think we were something like 3-0 down at half time and or quite early. So um hopefully, first of all, we don't see a repeat of that. And I'm confident that we won't see a repeat of that. um Will we see possibly Stephanie Mavadida Ricciardo come in? But I guess, you know, with Oliver Skipps, the big one who's just joined, um I can't personally see him making his his ah yeah know first team debut from a start, um including on the bench um and hopefully come on and make an impact and hopefully he'll really help with.
00:20:09
Speaker
retention of the ball and progressing the ball forward and I think we did need somebody else in in the centre mid area um but clearly we we need another number 10 and another striker with Pats and Dakar out for sort of three months rough period of time um and with Cooper not seemingly fancying Tom Cannon um at the moment so Oliver Skip I'm sure will be in the squad and hopefully make an impact possibly off the bench. Mavadidi might come into the team My suspicion would be that Cooper's going to keep the same team as long as everyone's fit. ah Jamie Vardy is the doubt in in terms of, we we don't know how much he'll train this week, probably not very much. and But if he's ready to go on Saturday, then then he's going to be in the team. and But otherwise, I would have thought Maradini will probably come in and fill that role. um
00:20:59
Speaker
as we saw when Vardy went off with what quarter of an hour left on Monday night, Vardy was off and Mavadidi came in and filled that striker position, ah which isn't ideal. We clearly need a striker, we clearly need another and another number 10 because we had Buba Samare playing there on Monday, which again was was interesting to see, we hadn't seen that before. um So there's positions on the team that need filling. Cooper's been very open and honest about wanting another three or four.
00:21:26
Speaker
um The talk is that it's not a financial issue, it's about getting players in. ah My personal thoughts, identifying the players I don't think is the issue we've been in for. Matias Soule from Juventus obviously went to Roma and there's been a number of players, Hozlek more recently, that we've clearly been in for, clearly in talks um at various degrees but haven't been able to get over the line and there's been a lot of talk again this year as there's going to be every year until something changes about John
Transfer Market Challenges
00:21:54
Speaker
Rudkin.
00:21:54
Speaker
um he's He's been at the football club a long time. um We've had difficulties getting deals over the line before. This isn't a new thing. There's a lot of criticism on social media about John Rutkin.
00:22:09
Speaker
It's a difficult topic. and I appreciate the guy's been here an incredibly long time and i I don't think it should be forgotten that he has achieved a lot of success with the football club. but However, it is frustrating that we we are in for so many players and um so many aren't joining for whatever reasons. um And again, Twitter has been in overdrive in terms of rumours about him and relationships inside the club in terms of breaking down and and Vital people the club not speaking and and there's no I don't know the truth on that. Nobody really knows the truth on that unless you're really inside the club, but um if certain members of of the board or the team aren't speaking to each other, then it would explain some of the difficulties and possibly some of the frostiness that
00:22:58
Speaker
has crept in and around the club over the the recent period, but yeah, I'm not going to dwell on that any longer.
Predictions for Fulham Match
00:23:04
Speaker
um Just to finish off, Fulham on Saturday, my score prediction will go with another 1-1 draw. um Difficult game, Fulham a good side, I was impressed with them on Friday night against Manchester United, but if we can implement what we saw in the second half with with a bit more balance and obviously you can't play that way through the whole game then. It will give us a good opportunity and and and we had more of a threat at the top end of the pitch. I personally again often think that sides that get promoted, if they can't score then it it puts them in real, real trouble. um Sides that at least can score but but leak goals at the back.
00:23:42
Speaker
it gives you you know a chance to win games of football. Winning games of football ah in the Premier League is probably what keeps you up more than than and numerous draws, trying to grind out wins. Probably 10 wins is somewhere, depending on the point of introduction. My prediction is a 1-1 draw.
00:23:58
Speaker
we will see on Saturday afternoon how that goes and then I will be back next week to review that match so um hopefully the foxes find a way forward and we we get ah a first win back in the Premier League um and I'm sure everyone will be watching so until next time goodbye