Blackburn 1-4 Leicester: Foxes positives and negatives

Against Blackburn Rovers, Maresca’s men did not dominate the ball by some ungodly margin: 48-52% and we had less shots on goal than the Rovers. Clearly, the flow of the ball was less in our favour, and the home side did a good job of controlling our attacking play up until a series of smash and grab goals fell our way. It is fair to say this was our toughest fixture in the Championship yet.

Nevertheless, Leicester City emerged victorious. They created enough, and took their chances really well, and even had that small element of luck with the ball we seemed to lack incessantly in the previous campaign. We looked like we could win even without being on top and in control. That is a very good place to be: win when in control, challenge well and win when not.

Kasey McAteer’s injury

And the bad news. McAteer is currently the star asset in the team: creative, explosive, and goal-scoring, the academy graduate has taken the step from League Two to Championship football with elegance and profound impact. Clearly, the player has been one of our best in the season thus far, cementing a place for himself in the starting XI where possible.

However, against Blackburn, McAteer was subbed on, only to exit the pitch picking up an injury in the process. This is devastating. Although hopefully not on the long-term side as with the likes of Sammy Braybrooke and Will Alves, but still a longer affair than just a couple ties missed here or there.