LEICESTER CITY 1 WEST BROMWICH ALBION 2
Report by Paul Weston
It was the Remembrance Day match with the match ball presented by Howard Riley. I would like to say the two minutes’ silence were impeccably observed but, thanks to some idiots, it was not. The helicopter arrival with the match ball in the centre spot is always exciting but this year was sadly absent. I was told, but not confirmed, that this was barred by Sky. If so- shame on them.
A game against West Bromwich Albion is never the most attractive match on the fixture list. You certainly know what to expect from a Tony Pulis managed side! West Brom always seem to be a real obstacle for City and I did not have a good feeling about this match before kick off on a bitterly cold day.
Ranieri decided to significantly reshuffle the pack after the worthy, but fairly unexciting draw against Copenhagen. In came Zieler for the injured Schmeichel. (How did he make that save against Copenhagen with a broken hand?). Simpson returned for Hernandez. King returned for Amartey. Vardy was put on the bench and Okazaki returned behind Slimani up front. Musa stayed on the left wing with Mahrez on the right.
The first half was a poor affair. Phillips nearly scored in the first few minutes which Zieler just touched past the post. Slimani went close from a Mahrez cross. I cannot remember any other clear chances created. However, I can remember the number of aimless high balls from City which, despite Slimani’s supposed prowess at heading the ball, always seemed to be won by a West Brom defender.
There was so little passing and pressure on the West Brom defenders. Musa kept running into blind alleys and his crossing was poor. The Okasaki/Slimani combination was just not working and it was hard to find something to cheer. Apart from Simpson, no-one looked in top form. Drinkwater tried hard but his passes were going astray at an alarming rate. Zieler also worried me at times with his need to always take another touch before clearing the ball. On one occasion, when he delayed his clearance, the ball could easily have bounced off the West Brom player into the goal.
The sight of Vardy warming up during the half time interval certainly was encouraging but it was a surprise to see that he replaced Okazaki at the start of the second half. Vardy immediately injected some more urgency and pace into the side and first this seemed to drive City forward. Long diagonal balls to Mahrez seemed to be the order of the day. After a poor first half Mahrez started to control the ball better but West Brom had done their homework and always closed him down when he started to look like shooting with his left foot.
West Brom however took the lead however with a simple goal. Phillips was given too much room to cross from the right and Morrison scored with an excellent flicked header with Zieler nowhere near. However, City hit back within three minutes. Mahrez put over a really good cross and an unmarked Slimani scored with a well-directed header. At first he looked offside but replays showed he was in line with the defence.
Even though we knew that too many players were not playing to their full potential we felt that City could build up a head of steam and go and win the match. Musa had started to use his pace to beat his man on the left and therefore there was much surprise when he was replaced by Gray. Huth then had a header cleared by Phillips but West Brom were always a threat at the other end of the pitch particularly from free kicks and corners.
Just as the momentum was building with the crowd urging City on, Danny Drinkwater, of all people, badly mishit a pass back and presented Matt Phillips with the ball. He outpaced Morgan and flicked the ball over Zieler to take West Brom into the lead. Drinkwater hung his head in the knowledge that he had gifted a goal to the Baggies. He nearly made amends with a run and cross in the box which Dawson nearly put into his own net
Still there were 18 minutes left so could City get back into the match yet again? Vardy should have done better with his only chance- a header which drifted wide. King headed straight to Forster when a goal beckoned. Gray went close with a shot from the left. Mahrez continued to get lots of the ball but invariably the crosses were headed out by the strong West Brom defence. Ulloa was brought on close to end as City went to a three man defence but time ran out and City’s proud unbeaten home run was ended by a rather ordinary West Brom side.
Yes, City probably were worth a draw but there were some worrying signs as City dropped into a lowly position only 2 points off the bottom three in the league. It is a pity that all our internationals now go off to foreign lands during the international break when probably what they all need is a week’s training and another league match soon to get back into form.
There are too many unanswered questions from this match. It looked like one match too many for Danny Drinkwater but he appears irreplaceable at present with no other midfield options. Although Slimani scored he seems ponderous and did not link well with Okazaki. Why cannot he head the ball except when he is next to the goal? What is Musa’ best position? Whilst he has pace on the wing he cannot cross well. If so what has Albrighton done wrong to be left on the bench when he is one of our best wingers and defends well too?
And the biggest worry is Jamie Vardy. Is this due to the formation around him or the player himself? The Slimani/Vardy combination does not work and Vardy is wasted on the wing. He seems a shadow of the player of last year and lacking in confidence. When presented with an opening he seems to think too much when last year his instinctive skills took over. I see that Drinkwater and Vardy have both been selected for the England squad. If only Vardy could score for England in the next few days that would help his confidence and City but I suspect that, as usual, he will be an unused substitute.
There is much for Ranieri to ponder on over the next week and before a tricky away match against Watford. League points are suddenly looking more vital with the distraction of a forthcoming home match against FC Brugge in the Champions League.
This is a time though for City fans to pull together and roar our team on through this sticky patch. A so-called fan on my left moaned at the side all the way through this match to my intense irritation. He moaned at Mahrez when he is the most skilful player we have had at the club in my memory! I could have reminded him of what it was like standing on the open terraces at Yeovil not so long ago when we were in League 1 and that last year surpassed everyone’s wildest dreams.
City had a bad day at the office but let’s start another long unbeaten home run again!
Leicester: Zieler, Simpson, Morgan, Huth (Ulloa 87), Fuchs, Mahrez, King, Drinkwater, Musa (Gray 67), Slimani, Okazaki (Vardy 46). Subs not used: Albrighton, Hamer, Amartey, Schlupp
Albion: Foster, Dawson, McAuley, Evans, Nyom, Fletcher, Yacob, Brunt, Morrison (Robson-Kanu 90 +1:02), Phillips (Gardner 83), Rondon. Subs not used: Myhill, Galloway, Leko, Field, Wilson
Attendance: 31,879 Referee: Craig Pawson
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