LEICESTER CITY 2 IPSWICH TOWN 0
Post match analysis by Paul Weston (part two)
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.
Unusually for me I had missed a few home games recently. To be honest, after seeing so many wretched performances this season and so few goals, I could not face driving all that way and to see another limp display from our team and witnessing such an awful atmosphere at the King Power.
However, there was no way that I could miss the final home match of the season against Ipswich Town, especially as it was going to be Jamie Vardy’s last match for the club after 13 years of fantastic service and memories. For the first time for ages, I was looking forward to the match. As I drove from my home in Suffolk, along with many Ipswich fans, I thought about my many memories of Jamie Vardy amongst the highs and lows of supporting Leicester City.
My favourite Vardy “WOW” moment has to be this:
It is 2 February 2016 and City are playing Liverpool at the King Power. Ranieri v Klopp.
There is a lot of Liverpool pressure in the City defence, but the ball is cleared by Drinkwater and finds Mahrez. Mahrez holds off a challenge and clears it long down the right where there are two Liverpool players and a scampering Jamie Vardy. The ball bounces once and from at least 30 yards Vardy sends a dipping shot over the goalie and just under the bar. It was a “WOW” moment that I will always remember and sums up Jamie Vardy – unique, exciting, thrilling, terrorising defences and always giving his all.
Of course, now, in a world of possession-based statistics, what would happen? The forward would be trained to stop, check, wait and hold the ball until his teammates had come forward and wait until the opposing team had got back into position. He would then pass back to his own goalkeeper! Let’s hope that the Guardiola tactics adopted by many lesser managers are now revised.
And so to the match…
The flag display was brilliant. It felt like a day of celebration, and it was easy to forget that the club had been relegated after a miserable season. Some fans did not forget and the “sack the board” and “Rudkin out” chants continued intermittently throughout the game just to let the club know that the brief upturn in performance did not paper over the cracks.
City had come off an unbeaten run of two games (!) including an encouraging comeback against Forest. Ipswich were continuing to play good football, and their better displays had been away from home. They still nursed a grievance after alleged injustices in the 1-1 draw at Portman Road. RVN made just one change from the side who started against Forest. I was glad to see that Ipswich left Delap on the subs bench and favoured George Hurst to score against his old club.
Ipswich dominated possession in the early stages with Davies featuring strongly on the left, cracking a shot against the post with Stolarczyk beaten. Gradually City worked themselves into the game with Ayew holding the ball up well and bringing others into play. We thought the Vardy moment had arrived when Ayew threaded a pass through to Vardy, but he was closed down and shot into the side netting. Again, from a clever free kick he turned but, under pressure, again shot into the side netting. Meanwhile our defence continued to give chances to Ipswich which were not taken with Hutchinson and Hurst wasteful. Stolarczyk continued to give the crowd jitters with his passing from defence (more on this later), many of which went straight out of play.
And then the moment arrived. Justin tackled and picked up the ball from Jack Clarke who slipped. He burst through the centre of Ipswich’s midfield, past some weak challenges and slipped the ball though to Vardy who cleverly angled his shot across Palmer for his 200th goal. The crowd erupted for a special moment which will live in the memory for ever. This lifted the whole crowd and City’s play improved with El Khannouss and Ayew in particular featuring strongly. Our defence though continued to give chances to Ipswich but thankfully they were wasteful with Hutchinson a culprit.
Ipswich started the second half well and were gifted a wonderful chance by Stolarczyk who, not for the first time, dallied with his clearance. Encisco blocked the ball but failed to knock the ball into the net. The game became more open as Ipswich pushed forward, leaving gaps and McAteer burst forward and cracked a shot against the post with the goalie beaten. City made changes with Ricardo and young Monga immediately making an impact and improving our forward play. It was not long before Ndidi slipped the ball through to McAteer on the right who blasted the ball in, catching out Palmer at his near post.
Ipswich made changes bringing on Delap who tried unsuccessfully to bully Luke Thomas. Vardy was subbed in the 80th minute and walked off to a guard of honour by the City players. He had, as always, given his all and the crowd responded in thanks. City saw out the match, although with a few alarms. In total Ipswich had 20 shots with 2 on target. City had 9 shots with 3 on target. A more clinical side should have at least earned a draw.
The after-match presentations were very classy and showed the good side of our club. Now is not the time to talk about all the things at the Club that need improvement and uncertainties ahead.
This was Jamie Vardy’s well deserved special day. Thankyou Jamie for all the many special memories that you gave to us. What a player. The G.O.A.T