Match Day Thread Saints vs Leicester City - Tuesday, November 25 - 20:00 KO

Well that was so much easier than I was expecting. I don't think Leicester started too badly but they essentially gave up after we got our second and were pathetic from then on. I think scoring first and then Baz making a good save straight after (which was pretty much the only thing he had to do) were crucial in how that played out last night. Funny because I was thinking after the Charlton demolition job that we needed to be adding more threat from set pieces mixed in with our fast breaking attacking football...I Just didn't think that would come against Leicester who should be pretty dominant in the air at the back.
The ref was a bit of a homer which was nice, but tbf we did a whole lot more attacking then they did so you're always likely to win a higher percentage of fouls. Offside for the first goal and the second looked tight on the replay on the big screen too so a bit of luck (**** officiating) going our way too at the moment. Again, do more attacking and you force more of those things to happen.

Earlier in the season the only attacking outlet we had was JRob or Scienza when he came into the side. It's so nice to see that we are a threat constantly across the pitch now. They can choose to double up on Scienza, but then you're leaving space on the other side for Fellows to exploit which he did time and time again. Then they started doubling up on him and Scienza had more space. Also opening up the space in the middle for AArma to drop into and Azaz to run into. So nice to see a bit of in game nous and target their young LB who was clearly struggling against Fellows. You could see the sending off coming from the moment he got that early yellow, just nice to see us take advantage of that rather then stop attacking down that side which is the classic Saints thing to do in that situation.

I thought the atmosphere was good in places, but also very dead for long parts too. Difficult in the second half when it's cold and Leicester clearly would have happily declared and not come out for the second half. And after a few good chances we very much treated the second half as a chance to conserve energy too which fed into the crowd. Didn't hear the Leicester fans once all game. Couldn't see how many there were from where I sit in the Kingsland but didn't seem like many. Also thought it was embarrassing from them to give up as limply as they did to the point of Begovic wasting time in the first half at 0-3 down The ref completely bottled booking him too btw. He spoke to him and told him to get on with it so many times, pointless unless you're going to book him for it.

I'd have probably taken Scienza off earlier than he did with the game very much won and despite looking a bit rusty, nice to see JRob still looking lively and positive when he came on. The only negatives I have really are Quarshie looked shaky and a mistake waiting to happen early on but did settle to his credit (helped by Leicester just giving up), Downes stupid and needless yellow which didn't look far off being a straight red from where I was sat, and that we didn't keep our foot on the intensity second half to get another goal or two. They were there for the taking.

I could go round naming players that were excellent but I'd be naming near enough the entire team. Can't believe how quiet we kept Fatuwho. Looked like he didn't want to be there. Up the Saints!

 

Really good summary. Agree with pretty much all of that though I thought they gave up after the first goal.

I also noticed how much they were trying to double up on Scienza early on but as you say it just meant Fellows had acres of space down the right.

 

Only 5 minutes between the first and second tbf

 

Someone's going to come in for Leo in January aren't they?

 

They can try.

 

If they try they'll likely succeed no?

Haven't we got no chance of keeping anyone while in this league?

 

I think his age will put teams off. The time to buy him was the summer. I doubt PL teams will want to shell out over £20mill on a 27 year old with no PL experience. Besides, he played for Heidenheim this season so he'd need clearance from FIFA to play for a third team this season.

 

Yeah I think he's another Dibbling (although older) brilliant in the championship but mediocre in PL.

 

Just seen the save from Baz again - really is a top save.

 

Good point about the 3 team thing, that's good news. We'll have him til Summer then.

 

I missed it in the ground, will have a look later on lunch break.

 

Just after we took the lead, strong hands down to his left to push a header away.