LEICESTER CITY 1 QPR 2
Post Match Analysis by Paul Weston
I had missed the last two home matches and was so looking forward to seeing the Foxes again, especially after the terrific win against Birmingham in the FA Cup which had helped to stem the gloom from the last two league defeats. Fans were buoyed by the failure of Leeds to beat 10-man Huddersfield. There was a great chance to widen the points gap at the top of the table. However, this is Leicester City and you know how things often turn out……
Vestergaard was suspended and Ricardo was injured. Interestingly Enzo picked Nelson instead of Coady in defence with Choudhury asked to play the inverted full back role. Vardy was back fit but on the subs bench. Ndidi was still out but hopefully on the way back.
The tempo of the match against a revitalised QPR side was slow and it was clear that QPR were well drilled, and City were going to have to work hard to carve out openings. City’s wingers were well marshalled and Mavididi in particular seemed off his game. There were some half chances for Daka and Winks. Praet went down with yet another injury early on and was replaced by Akgun. This moved KDH into a position which did not work.
City’s best chance in the first half was when Akgun hit a hard cross across the box which was cleared off the toes of KDH for a corner.
And then, from QPR’s first foray into the City half, they scored. A simple ball over the top and Dykes was away from Faes. Nelson was drawn out of position and Chair scored a simple goal. City continued to pass, pass, pass but were much too slow and not incisive. Choudhury was too static and the probing balls from Vestergaard were missing. It was all too predictable. The wingers usually cut back instead of getting to the by-line and over-intricate moves through the middle broke down. Daka had nothing to attack.
The same pattern continued in the second half and then QPR scored again. A routine free kick from the right was headed back and Armstrong, a substitute, scored with a well taken shot. 2-0 down and, whilst the scoreline was harsh, it was a lesson to City in how to create and take chances.
This seemed to stun City into action. Vardy was brought on for Daka and the pace increased, and City pressed more in the QPR half. Both Fatawu and Mavididi took their men on more to try to create openings. City got a goal back in the 60th minute. A good free kick by KDH was pushed out by Begovic but only to Nelson who stabbed it in for his first goal in the first team.
There were still 30 minutes to go but City still did not have the creativity to make chances. As City pressed this opened up play for QPR on the break and they missed a late chance for another goal close to the end. City had a futile claim for a penalty late on but it was desperate stuff and QPR took all three points as the crowd drifted away. News that Ipswich and Southampton had both had good away wins did not help the mood.
City lost to Middlesborough and Leeds because they did not take their chances. City lost this game because they did not create sufficient chances and their passing game was not creative. 71% possession is worthless if it is not incisive. The defence allowed two simple goals to be scored. No-one played well. Next week ahead looks bleak at the moment. Vestergaard and Ricardo are out for the match against Sunderland at least and this could see City’s lead at the top evaporate. Come on Enzo, sort it out and get the team playing again with skill and style as if they really want to get to the Premiership!
City Ratings: Hermansen (5), Choudhury (5), Nelson (5), Faes (5), Justin (5), Winks (6), KDH (5), Fatawu (6) Praet (2), Akgun (4), Mavididi (4), Daka (4). Subs: Vardy (5), Cannon (4)
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.