Leicester City manager Claude Puel looking to rid “Boring” tag
By James Lassey
New Leicester City boss Claude Puel vouches to shrug off boring tag following their 2-0 win over Everton.
Goals from Jamie Vardy and Demarai Gray ensured Puel the perfect start. The Frenchman hopes for more of the same.
Puel was in charge at Southampton for 12 months and while there, he was heavily criticised amid claims of a boring style of play.
"Speaking after the Everton game he said: “Reputation? Be careful. I think it’s a mistake because if you look at a lot of the games when I was at Southampton we created a lot of chances.“Scoring was the problem and when the team didn’t score people said ‘It’s boring.’ But we created a lot of chances. I know that.”"
Puel: attractive football a must
During his term there, he led Southampton to an eighth-place finish and runners up in the League Cup final. A record which looks good on paper, but they were only six points cear of 17th place Watford. Knocked out of the Europa League early and finished quite some way off seventh place Everton.
All leading to the Saint’s board relieving the Frenchman of his duties at the end of last season.
The former Southampton manager revealed his scope for the remainder of the season and believes his team can build on the result.
"He added: “I prefer a team to play attractively and for the players and fans to enjoy their football. That’s what I like.”"
This time round, his Leicester side looked confident, sharp and most of all clinical as their first half performance heaped further misery onto David Unsworth’s Everton.
The win leaves the Foxes four points clear of 18th place Everton and unbeaten in five. Puel’s men now head to Stoke City in an attempt to widen the gap.
In a dazzling counter-attacking display, Puel had special mention for Gray. It was Gray’s cross field run which spurred City’s first goal and his deflected shot that flew past the diving Jordan Pickford for the second. The strike was the first of the 21-year-old’s campaign but Puel backs the youngster to shine.
"He said: “We will see how good he can be. But he has the quality to become a great player.”"
The Foxes next five league games see them come up against Stoke City, Burnley and West Ham, all sides placed in the bottom half. Puel will hope the run serves them well with their bid to go up the table.