A game with goals aplenty emerged, as it looked as if Leicester City were set for another game of disappointment after conceding an early goal – from a corner, sigh.
But a positive response came from the Foxes players and just over 15 minutes later James Maddison got the equaliser. It just got better and better from there, and suddenly we were 2-1 up by half-time. 20 seconds into the first half and boom, Harvey Barnes scored his first of the game. Time ticks by, and its not until the latter stages of the second half do we see another goal, Jamie Vardy again! Four minutes away from the full 90 minutes being played and Harvey Barnes fired home once again to get his brace. After our 5-1 win at Vicarage Road we pick out three things we have learned from the game.
Leicester City official coaches
We travelled on the official City coach for the first time and I would definitely recommend it to any Foxes fans travelling to away games. Me and my dad have previously travelled to Liverpool and Wolves by car this season and when you take into consideration the cost for fuel at the minute plus the price to park your car when you’re there it’s cheaper and more economical to go via the coaches.
We arrived at the King Power Stadium at around 9:25am after leaving home in North West Leicestershire at 9am, and got onto our designated coach (number six). The coaches started to depart at 9:50am and we were on our way to Watford.
On the bus the stewards wandered up and down asking whether we wanted any drinks and later on into the journey, even came round taking signatures for a guess at when the first or last goal will be scored £1 a go. I went for the 64th minute and my dad went for the ninth minute, he wasn’t far off!
We arrived at Vicarage Road at 11:30am in plenty of time allowing us to stroll around the ground, we sat on a wall nearby Watford’s club shop and who happened to walk past us but John Rudkin, head of recruitment! He said hello, as we did back but we should’ve asked him what his plans are for the summer.
Whilst awaiting the arrival of the team bus we were filmed by a man from the BBC who asked us to wave to the camera. Not too long afterwards we got to see Khun Top Srivaddhanaprabha walk past on his way down to the players entrance, which we thought was odd because the directors box was at the opposite end, so maybe he had a chat with the players pre-match?
Atmosphere/can I have your shirt signs
I must admit the KP can be quiet at the best of times but blimey I’d like to think we sing more than the Watford fans did. I think the only time I heard them sing was when they were chanting “we won the ball” like seriously?!
As away fans do, we obviously take the Mickey out of them with chants such as “duh duh duh football in a library”, “shall we sing, shall we sing, shall we sing a song for you”. And I mean it was actually ridiculous how quiet they were. However, it probably shows how Watford fans are fed up as they couldn’t fill the stadium leaving lots of empty seats in multiple stands.
I also enjoyed chanting a few of our past chants including “don’t sell Knockaert, Anthony Knockaert, I just don’t think you understand, if you sell Knockaert, Anthony Knockaert, you’re gonna have a riot on your hands”. In addition to “Andy King, Andy King, Andy, Andy King, He gets the ball, He scores a goal, It’s Andy, Andy King”. And even “Iwan is a Welshman”! Please click the below link to finish reading the matchday article.
Looking now at the infamous signs, we saw a young Watford fan holding a Sarr sign who we spoke to. He said he didn’t think the Senegalese winger would be in the team – which makes you think, ‘well, what was the point then?!’
There was a young lad in front of us who got Maddison’s shirt, and I got the feeling that the dad had used the child because he kissed him on the head and said well done. I don’t think can I have your shirt signs are fair really: players shouldn’t have to be told to do it – they should just do it out of kindness and respect for the fans rather than near enough being forced. Don’t get me wrong, at the big old age of 19 I’d love to get a players’ shirt, yet I think some people are going about it the wrong way.
Holding up your attention grabber every time the said player is nearby is also a bit inconsiderate to the people behind. These instances must get in their nerves having their view blocked by countless messages every time Madders comes anywhere near the away end.
The corners curse
Focusing on corners now – yes it happened again – another goal conceded from them. It just goes to show that changing the goalkeeper doesn’t make a difference. Looking statistically, LCFC have conceded 16 goals Premier League goals from corners, equalling the most conceded in a single season by Watford in 2016-17 and Brighton in 2017-18 who both also conceded 16. It’s just getting ridiculous at this point. Going into these final two games against Chelsea and Southampton, we better not concede from another one because it’s absolutely embarrassing and not particularly a record to proud of.