Reading 3 City 1
I didn’t expect much from this game and I wasn’t disappointed. Yet again, Sven changed the defence, bringing in Bruma and dropping Mee and Vitor, neither of whom had done much wrong in previous games.
Reports of the game say that City were on top before Reading scored two simple goals in quick succession, but all I could see was a team with no urgency or passion. Pretty football is all very well but it doesn’t get you out of the Championship.
The player I have been very critical of in recent games is Yakubu; he might be a talented footballer but all I see is a lazy player who rarely stirs himself to go and get the ball, something that Kamara to his credit has been doing.
Alan Young came as close as I expect he dared recently to saying that Yakubu is lazy but I have no qualms about saying so. Like many others, I deeply resent the club paying a king’s ransom to someone who has contributed very little in recent games, after a promising start.
The other very noticeable thing about yesterday’s game was how easily the Reading players got past our so-called defence. The worst offender was Bruma (who shouldn’t have been playing in my opinion); Shane Long went past him at will on many occasions and Kebe – who I read City are interested in buying – also left the City defenders trailing in his wake…..
Fortunately, after his opener, his shooting was way off target. One incident epitomised the lack of skill, pace, endeavour – you can add your own words to the list: we took a throw-in near the goal we were (allegedly) attacking, which went to a Reading player; Kebe went off like an express train and the third goal which resulted was simplicity itself.
Most of the players’ attitude seemed to suggest that they have already given up on getting to the play-offs. One exception was Matt Oakley who, to my surprise, has played very well since his return to the side. Wellens was as industrious as ever, although less effective than he had been, and King is still far from his best – although he took his goal well.
As for the defence… As someone said in a text to ‘The Football League Show’ last night, if Sven keeps changing the back line they are never going to play as a unit. I didn’t realise at the time but apparently the only players who applauded the fans at the end were those who are City players; the loanees went off without doing so. This says it all to me: we want players who give their all for the club, whether permanent or temporary signings. I really hope that next season we rely less on the loan system.
So a deeply disappointing performance and we were lucky it was only a 3-1 defeat. I wish Sven and Derek would get the players to have a greater sense of urgency; pedestrian is a word that I have used a lot recently.
The English game is about giving your all and showing a desire to win. As I have no doubt said before, this is what the fans want and what we are not getting at the moment. Personally, if the players have tried their best and still lost, so be it, but when they look as if they don’t care, it makes my blood boil.
It is expensive following a football team and I seriously think that I would be better keeping my hard-earned money in the bank. If I had not renewed my season-ticket I would have been very reluctant after yesterday’s debacle.
Leicester City: Weale; Naughton, Bamba (Vitor 56), Bruma, Van Aanholt, Wellens, Oakley), King, Vassell (Gallagher 66), Yakubu, Kamara (Howard 71). Subs not used: Gallagher, Howard, Dyer, Berner, Abe, Ricardo.
Goals: King 79
Booked: Oakley, Bruma
Reading: McCarthy; Griffin, Khizanishvili, Mills, Harte, Kebe (Robson-Kanu 83), Leigertwood, Karacan, McAnuff, Manset (Hunt 54), Long. Subs not used: Federici, Tabb, Antonio, Church, Pearce.
Goals: Kebe 19, McAnuff 21, Hunt 67
Attendance: 19,199 (1,963 away) Referee: Graham Salisbury (Lancashire)
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