LEICESTER CITY 0 SOUTHAMPTON 0
Report by Paul Weston
This match was always going to be tricky, coming close after the tense win in the Champions League against FC Porto, as City’s venture into the unknown continues. However, Southampton had also exertions in the Europa League, playing in Israel even later in the week, so I reckoned that we could edge a win over an in-form Southampton side.
Ranieri picked almost the same side as had played in the week. To my surprise Simpson came in for Hernandez, who I thought had played very well against FC Porto. His crossing and bullet-like throws had presented an attacking threat.
It did not take long before Southampton got a grip on midfield as a gap developed between Amartey and Drinkwater and our forward line. This continued all through the first half and too many long balls were hit to Vardy and Slimani who surprisingly won few balls in the air against Van Diyk. Too little was played on the ground which suited the Southampton defence and the whole side seemed lacking in energy and spark.
In the first half Charlie Austin, who had often scored against City in the past, went close with two headers and hit the post with a shot from a very narrow angle. City’s best chance came when Vardy chased down an under hit back pass from Van Diyk. Last year he would have scored with aplomb. This time, however, he seemed lacking in confidence and by the time he shot it was blocked. Slimani also failed to score from the rebound as did Vardy again. It should have been 1-0 although barely deserved.
I had hoped that Ranieri would perhaps bring on two substitutes for the second half to change the pattern of the game. This did not happen and, rather disappointingly, this allowed Southampton to continue to have the majority of possession. City continued to pass poorly and therefore we were ineffective on the break. Although Amartey and Drinkwater tried their utmost they often appeared to have to attempt the “killer pass” from deep to the forward line. Southampton started to create chances. Redmond should have scored from a neat move and Austin tried to be too clever with a chip over Schmeichel who calmly palmed it up and cleared it.
Claudio brought on Gray for Albrighton and Okazaki for a disappointing Vardy who looked like he needed more than a few cans of Red Bull and a glass of port! Immediately Okazaki had an impact joining up midfield and attack. He nearly scored with a near post flicked header. Huth went close with a header and Drinkwater had a long range shot saved by Forster.
Ulloa came on for Slimani with 10 minutes to go. Southampton’s Ward-Prowse shot over from a good chance. From that point Southampton decided to close ranks and, rather disappointingly, City seemed unable to build up a head of steam to try to snatch the winner. Nevertheless a glorious chance fell to Ulloa in the third minute of injury time but which was blazed over the bar. It summed up the match- lots of effort but little to get excited about. 0-0 full time in a match that we could easily have lost.
Last year exceeded everyone’s wildest dreams and I suppose we always knew the next season would be a reality check as the schedule of matches became more congested- the price of success. The Champions League matches seem at the moment to inspire our key players but Ranieri has now realised that he needs to use his squad more for the Premier League to avoid tired performances like we witnessed on Saturday, otherwise we will continue to be at the wrong end of the table.
However, the question remains- are any of the squad players good enough to replace our first 11? When is Musa really going to show us what he can do? Can Andy King replace the control of Drinkwater in a match? Is Mendy fit yet and ready to show us why Ranieri wanted to sign him again? And what of Kapustka? When will he be given some game time from the bench?
And now it is the international break when many of our players fly to distant locations ready to return to a difficult fixture at Chelsea with little time for recharging batteries. There is much for Ranieri to ponder over in the next two weeks. Let’s hope he gets it right!
Match details
Leicester: Schmeichel, Simpson, Morgan, Huth, Fuchs, Mahrez, Drinkwater, Amartey, Albrighton (Gray 66), Slimani (Ulloa 78), Vardy (Okazaki 66). Subs not used: Hernandez, King, Schlupp, Zieler
S'thampton: Forster, Cedric (Martina 27), Fonte, van Dijk, Bertrand, Romeu, Hojbjerg, Davis, Tadic (Long 71), Austin (Ward-Prowse 83), Redmond. Subs not used: Yoshida, Clasie, McCarthy, Olomola
Attendance: 31,563 Referee: Martin Atkinson
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