This Leicester star was left frustrated after final whistle
Leicester City summer signing and midfield ‘Clockwork’ Harry Winks has been left irritated by his sides recent loss. Here is what Winks has said.
Enzo Maresca’s side average the highest possession in the league, and perform the second highest number of progressive carries, sixth highest progressive passing. Only more defensive sides – and the historic Sunderland – outdo the Foxes on these metrics. In essence, Leicester control possession, and incessantly move the ball up and down the pitch.
It is therefore only natural for leading players to be unhappy when the team lose two matches on the trot, both with single goal margins, and both concessions were from set pieces. It stings a little more when you do not even concede from being torn apart in open play, just a decent corner and a worldie free kick.
Leicester City’s ‘Clockwork’ speaks
To be frank, Harry Winks has been nothing short of a revolution at the King Power. In conjunction with Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall, the English midfielder is likely the most important member of the midfield: he sets the tempo, recycles the ball, and passes any which way with technical excellence. He may not be a natural goal scorer as our former Belgian ‘Starman’ Youri Tielemans was, but he is a far more suited player to this role.
He is of course untroubled by the recent results, if a little flustered by the annoying nature of the losses:
"“We dominated the game and we were in control… It’s so frustrating because when you play as well as we have, create the chances and dominate the game… When you don’t take the chances… all it takes is one moment”"
I do not feel Leicester were as dominant against Middlesbrough as the players and especially Maresca seem to believe. They did not dominate good chances, although they are certainly creating chances that they should be taking more of. What Winks gets correct is that we need to take those chances, because all it takes is one mistake or one moment for your opponents to take the lead.
"“It’s a tough one to take but as a team we have to stick together, keep going, and believe in what we’re doing… We’re dominating possession, we’re creating so many chances. We’re just not scoring at the moment. That will come”"
The path the Italian head coach has Leicester City treading is one proven through our position. It is one where the Foxes control the ball, and can only be challenged by wishful long balls and explosive counter attacks. The chances will come, goals will come.
Interestingly, Winks exhibits a leadership trait: rallying. This comment seems to be more targeted at players and supporters than being a general comment. Specifically calling on the team to stick together in the plan, to keep pushing, and reminding them that chances and goals will come, is a positive thing to see. After the soul-crushing relegation, Winks is a breath of fresh air.
"The most important thing is to learn from it, stay positive as a squad and not react badly because there’s a long way to go, lots of matches to play still and once you get on a run and you pick up points, things can be forgotten. We’ve got to remember that”"
As the midfielder correctly mentions, there is no point in the players been too troubled by losses. This is the EFL Championship: there are many games, a wide variety of play styles, and myriad levels of players all mingling in one of the most competitive leagues in the world.
Next. Leicester goalkeeper Mads Hermansen speaking sense. dark
This loss will be forgotten about if Leicester City go on a run and start winning again. A few wins on the bounce and mentally this boosts the players massively. With so many games to go, it is best not to dwell on these two losses, because it is back to winning ways after the break.