What Rodgers got wrong in Leicester 2-2 Brentford
By Nathan Wong
Making the wrong substitutions
The one Brendan Rodgers did make backfired spectacularly. Bringing on Patson Daka was a move that was logical in itself, if replacing a tiring counterpart such as Jamie Vardy. What was not logical was bringing off Leicester City’s best and most energetic midfielder in Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall. When the game’s momentum had already turned against Leicester by this point (73 minutes), the midfield needed freshening up, not weakening.
Understandably, Rodgers is much more qualified than us fans to make judgements, even so, his baffling use of substitutions is becoming a significant bugbear and is costing LCFC points on multiple occasions.
The second goal highlighted the tangible consequences of Rodgers’ misjudgement, with Josh DaSilva not being closed down due to KDH no longer being on the pitch. Even if several other players should have closed him down regardless, it doesn’t take away the fact that the goal likely wouldn’t have happened if Dewsbury-Hall was still on the pitch,
Failing to adapt tactically
Brendan Rodgers when he looks back on the game will hopefully realise that he did not adequately respond to the tactical alterations made by his opposite number, Thomas Frank. Frank made all of his substitutions between the 60th and 70th minute, changing to a bold attacking formation and re-energising his team. This resulted in Brentford pressing higher up the pitch and pushing the Foxes back, exposing their well-documented defensive frailties.
It doesn’t take a rocket scientist to realise that City have a mentality that can be compared to melting ice cream on a hot day. In this case, after Ivan Toney scored, the home side quite literally melted away.
Again we go back to the issue of substitutions. Rodgers ought to have made changes to stem the Brentford momentum, perhaps by bringing on midfielders such as Dennis Praet or Nampalys Mendy. Both of these would have given energy and control which was desperately lacking when Brentford got one back. Instead, continuing with the same set-up allowed Brentford to get on top of Leicester City and eventually make their pressure count.