Liberty X (rated)

Swansea 2 Leicester City 0

Report by Colin Murrant

A cold, grey February Sunday, a four o’clock kick off, and the first City match refereed by Jon Moss since the infamous WHU game last season. With City’s abysmal away record this season the omens were not good. Yet only last year the Liberty Stadium was the setting for one of Leicester’s most accomplished displays as they ran out 3-0 winners courtesy of a Riyad Mahrez hat-trick.

However, two seasons ago City turned in probably their poorest away performance as they succumbed 2-0 with Moore and De Laet being particularly culpable as I recall; was it only 2 years ago that that pair were playing for us?

So which City would turn up? The team had nine changes from the mid-week cup team with only Albrighton and Gray retaining their place. Billed as a six pointer it was imperative City got something from the game.

In the Jack’s line-up was Nathan Dyer who is remembered affectionately at the KP for his impact performances as substitute on several occasions last season. Unfortunately for Dyer his appearance lasted 4 minutes when he had to be substituted after pulling up with what appeared to be an ankle or heel problem.

After 30 minutes I was wondering what I was going to write about, there had been little action in what was a dour encounter although from City’s perspective this was not a bad thing as they were very much untroubled; all that was about to change.

In the 34th minute a cross from the left from Olsson was headed on by Sigurdsson. The ball found its way to the far post where Routledge took a shot on the volley which Schmeichel had to dive to his left to keep the ball out of the net. A minute later the ball was worked to Sigurdsson after some weak defending by City, his shot from the edge of the area missing the post by about a yard.

City fans’ hearts were in their mouths when Huth went to ground and missed a tackle on Carroll, with the home supporters baying for red it was relief that Moss only produced a yellow. With 36 minutes gone, Sigurdsson took the subsequent free kick, Huth headed across goal where the ball was headed back by Fernandez to Mawson who produced a sweet volley into the net from 12 yards with not a single city player within 5 yards of him.

The match then retreated into its dull stage with little happening although Cork picked up a yellow card for a cynical challenge on Mahrez as he started out on a promising run. City seemed to have weathered the storm and heading for half-time to re-group when disaster struck.

In the second minute of added time Schmeichel collected the ball and chose to throw the ball to Vardy who was in a central position near the half way line. The throw looked adventurous at best and was duly intercepted by Carroll, Sigurdsson picked the ball up, played it inside Simpson to Olsson, Albrighton did himself no credit by not picking up the run and the Swansea full-back beat Schmeichel at the near post as the keeper appeared to get his angles wrong. Even the most optimistic of City supporters, and these are getting increasingly scarce, couldn’t see a way back now.

The second half started with Chilwell on for Fuchs and Slimani on for Albrighton: this meant that Gray moved to wide left from his central No. 10 position. It was Gray that was City’s best player in the second half exhibiting some clever foot work but his crossing frequently was not as good as his dribbling.

City were now the match of Swansea but were failing to create any real chances until the 63rd minute when an interchange between Vardy and Mahrez ended with the latter putting in Slimani who should have done better from 6 yards. To be fair to Slimani he does seem to be carrying the well reported groin injury and several times was rubbing his leg which appeared to be heavily strapped. Seconds later Mahrez delivered a cross into the box but it was fractionally too high for Slimani.

Mid-way through the half Amartey replaced Simpson at right back, as there was no apparent injury it begs the question as to why in a match where City were struggling for drive and creativity, two full backs were substituted.

So what of Leicester? It was another dismal display, another awful away day. There seems to be little drive and player movement is at a premium. Too much reliance on long aimless balls to the front men, so many players playing without confidence and no sign of improvement: 10 hours without a goal in the Premier League. Once they concede they break and Swansea didn’t have to really push on in the second half, and why should they with three precious points in the bag?

Another disappointing aspect is that the fans are quiet, even joining in Swansea songs ridiculing the quality of the city team. This is something I hate and does nothing to help the team. Nor does the ever louder booing at the end of the match.

In terms of optimism, the young bloods encourage me for next year wherever we end up. Ndidi, Chilwell and Gray are all good players with plenty of enthusiasm if a little raw, I also like Amartey.

I hope we play Swansea in the Premier League next year and I hope we put on a performance at the Liberty to match last season’s display. If we do, I suspect it will be with a new manager and a vastly changed team.

Match details
Swansea:
 Fabianski, Naughton, Fernandez, Mawson, Olsson, Fer, Cork, Carroll, Dyer (Routledge 7), Llorente (Ayew 72), Sigurdsson, Routledge (Narsingh 89). Subs not used: Amat, Nordfeldt, Rangel, Kingsley

Leicester: Schmeichel, Simpson (Amartey 70), Morgan, Huth, Fuchs (Chilwell 46), Mahrez, Drinkwater, Ndidi, Albrighton (Slimani 46), Gray, Vardy. Subs not used: Musa, King, Okazaki, Zieler

Referee: Jon Moss                          Attendance: 20,391 

The views expressed in this report are the opinions of the Trust member nominated to file the report only and do not represent the views of the Foxes Trust organisation