Watford 1-1 Leicester, assessment: Could Papy Mendy play a pivotal role for Foxes?

An opportunity for Papy?

The Foxes started the game versus Watford with a good level of control, this was during a stage where Nigel Pearson had told his side to sit in a deep block and soak up pressure. After the first 15 minutes, Watford started to high press and that resulted in a lot of misplaced passes from Leicester City in their own defensive third.

Offensively, Watford offered a very simple, one-dimensional attacking approach, which orientated around playing long-balls into Troy Deeney, before he brought the players around him into the game.

Leicester City struggled to deal with this, which does raise a few concerns, as this isn’t a difficult style to counter. Quite a few of the sides in the bottom half play in this way as well, so the Foxes will have future games playing against this style – hopefully they will have learnt from their mistakes.

Simply, if Rodgers told Ndidi – or in future games, the former-Nice man – to sit just in front of the target man, they’re in an advantageous 2v1 aerial battle. Even if Ndidi/Mendy don’t win the ball, they’re in proactive position to collect the second ball.

Focusing on other positions, both wings and fullbacks played well. Demarai Gray’s introduction off the bench was pivotal, he was confident enough to run at Watford’s defence, something Harvey Barnes had struggled to achieve in his 65 minutes on the pitch. Ben Chilwell and Gray have good chemistry as well, their interplay was fluid, even when Gray switched to the right-hand side he provided the switch of play assist for Chilwell’s goal.

James Justin also deserves a mention, given the shoes he’s trying to fill – Ricardo Pereira, he played with such assurance. His ability to feint directions and manoeuvre opposition so that he’s got enough space to pick a pass is very impressive. Quite often, he was given the ball in unfavourable positions and was still able to recycle possession into Schmeichel and Evans/Söyüncü.

Prior to the game, the Foxes would have seen the game as a potential three pointer, especially as fifth place is creeping closer. There’s also the added emphasis on ensuring Champions League football at the King Power Stadium next season.

Realistically, Leicester City should be beating teams such as Watford, but after an extended break the important thing was to perform well, and in the majority, they did just that.