Leicester City’s Claude Puel v Soccer Saturday

Leicester City boss Claude Puel decided not to start Jamie Vardy against Manchester United in the initial Premier League match. That decision received criticism.

England’s success and semi-final appearance at the World Cup meant Harry Maguire and Jamie Vardy were doubts for the Premier League opener. That was according to Leicester City manager Claude Puel a week before the match. The preemptive decision was due to fitness, fatigue and conditioning levels following the pair’s extended holidays.

Despite the assertion that the star players would play no role at Old Trafford, Maguire started and Vardy was a scoring substitute. Here at Foxes of Leicester we campaigned for their involvement. Yet, if the striker was not fit or focussed he does not start: it is Puel’s decision, either way. And vice versa with the defender.

That assessment was criticised by Sky Sports panelists: Charlie Nicholas, Phil Thompson and Paul Merson, on the extremely popular television show, Soccer Saturday. It seems in keeping with Sky and other outlets to seemingly speculate and attempt to contribute to the Frenchman’s supposed demise. Essentially, what the pundits said is ‘play your best players’.

Although, in response, Puel correctly cited Manchester City’s Kevin De Bruyne as a clever example of what happens if you rush an exhausted or unfit player back at elite level: “When an international player does not have a rest, it is a danger.”

Whereas, the 56-year-old was harsher in retort to the pundits:

"“The day these former players manage, they will understand the troubles of training.“When a defender starts he can manage his runs behind. When you play up front you have to always give 100 per cent in your runs, in the repetition of the runs and we need also freshness to finish and to score.“If Jamie scored in the first game it is perhaps because he came on with good freshness to give a boost to the team.“If a trainer starts his first game of the season with five or six players without the possibility to finish the game it would be a foul for me.”– Claude Puel (Via: LCFC Live)"

All the detractors are former players. It is moronic that they do not understand the concept of low stamina, exhaustion or even conditioning. However, when they were ‘professionals’, it was usual to drink 10 pints on the eve of games as preparation. Indulging in another binge after the match concluded. ‘Times, they are a changing’.

Support for Puel at the end of the previous term came in the ironic shape of Matt Le Tissier, another former Sky Sports Soccer Saturday member:

"“I think they’ve just done what they needed to do. It was a struggle to start with and Puel got them clear with a decent run but I don’t think it has been great to watch. A few fans have been moaning about the way they play but perhaps victims of mid-table syndrome as motivation has proved a factor at the end of the season.”"

Reported last week was the speculation the French Leicester City boss is due for the sack.

It is encouraging to see the squad respect and back the Leicester City chief. Yet, the Frenchman knows his side need to be ruthless against Wolverhampton Wanderers, Saturday and generally going forward: “We play at home and we need to perform and to get a good result at the end. We need to bring the necessary confidence for the team and to find a good clinical edge.” Quote courtesy of lcfc.com.

Interestingly, panelist Merson predicts a 2-1 Leicester City win against Wolves in their premiership clash. Click here to preview the big game between the Foxes and Wolves.