It was another day to forget for Leicester City at Nottingham Forest, along with a Foxes performance which was the epitome of their entire season. Tore apart in transition, Morgan Gibbs-White and Brennan Johnson ran Leicester ragged, the latter scoring twice to win the East Midlands derby 2-0.
Just two points clear of the relegation zone before kick-off, LCFC lined up with the same back four as usual in front of Danny Ward. Timothy Castagne and Luke Thomas occupied the full-back roles. Daniel Amartey accompanied an out of form Wout Faes, who has been shaky since returning from the 2022 World Cup.
Brendan Rodgers beefed up the midfield with Papy Mendy being drafted into the midfield for the first time this season. Wilfred Ndidi played alongside the Senegalese international in a double pivot, which allowed Youri Tielemans to occupy a more attacking role. Marc Albrighton and Harvey Barnes started on either wing, supporting Jamie Vardy up top.
Steve Cooper made two changes to the team which beat Southampton in the league, but one change to the side which beat Wolves on penalties midweek. Dean Henderson started in between the sticks. In front of him were Serge Aurier, Joe Worrall, Willy Boly and Renan Lodi. The three at the base of midfield remained unchanged – Ryan Yates, Remo Freuler and Orel Mangala did the dirty work behind the attacking threat of Gustavo Scarpa, Gibbs-White and Johnson.
Lacklustre, lethargic and leggy – Leicester City player ratings from a dismal display:
Danny Ward – 5
Not a whole lot to do but arguably should’ve done better for the goal. Rushed out into no-mans land knowing full well Johnson would latch on to the ball first. The second goal is well taken although Ward could engage with Johnson a bit quicker. If he rushes out and narrows down the angle, he may have stood a higher chance of blocking the shot. Regardless, definitely an area the recruitment team should be looking at this transfer window.
Timothy Castagne – 4
The Belgian was not brave enough on the ball although his intensity in and out of possession improved at the back end of the second half.
Daniel Amartey – 3
Clumsy, calamitous and created his own problems. Constant schoolboy errors which could have been punished against a better quality opposition. Arguably should have got sent off with a late hash of a challenge on Lewis O’Brien. Replacement required this transfer window.
Wout Faes – 6
I felt quite sorry for the Belgian international. Faes let his teammates off the hook with some crunching tackles in transition, and some vital blocks in the second half. Regardless, he looks a completely different player to the one that arrived in the summer. Needs a clean sheet to get his confidence rife again.
Luke Thomas – 4
Another game, another performance emphasising Thomas not being ready for this level. Completely ran ragged by Forest’s right-hand side and dragged off much later than expected. Showed no personality in the game and struggled to link play with Barnes. Desperately needs a loan move.
Papy Mendy – 5
Looked tidy on the ball and was unfairly substituted after 68 minutes.
Wilfred Ndidi – 3
Looks incredibly out of his depth. The decline since the 2019/20 season has never been more prevalent. Left acres of space in between the lines and vastly struggled in transition. Looks off the pace.
Youri Tielemans – 4
Looked out of his depth in the number 10 role and picked up an early yellow card, which pretty much summed up his performance. Did find spaces in between the lines a lot, in particular the first half, but struggled to pose any threat and his long range efforts were tame.
Marc Albrighton – 4
Hardly posed a threat on the right-hand side and lacked any kind of end product. How many more years will it be until Leicester recruit a creative right midfielder?
Harvey Barnes – 3
Really, really poor. Missed a golden opportunity in the first half; unmarked and shouldn’t have hit the attempt first time. Looks a shadow of himself recently.
Jamie Vardy – 4
Didn’t affect the game whatsoever.
Substitutes:
Kelechi Iheanacho – 4
Struggled to get into the match but what more does this man have to do to get a run of games? The lone number 9 has not been working, and Iheanacho thrives in a two-up top formation. Rodgers has to experiment before his side slip further into trouble.
Dennis Praet – 6
Provided more energy and intensity in the final third, and managed to link play with Castagne and the midfield on one or two touches.
Lewis Brunt – 3
Looked as though the occasion got to him. Looked sloppy and nervous.