A formerly high profile Leicester City star and current pundit has heavily criticised Foxes manager Steve Cooper, unsurprisingly. In addition to that critique, the ex-Fox gave the LCFC squad at large a telling off along with offering instruction on how to improve. So, what did the former Leicester footballer say about the contemporary side and its boss? And is he on to something?
Meanwhile, an even better one-time Foxes standout isn't enjoying greener grass on the other side of the fence. The latest notable Fox to exit the roster in a big money move to Chelsea is likely regretting his decision. But has former fan favourite Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall been handed a lifeline at Stamford Bridge? Could the underused midfielder be about to switch clubs? And where may the 26-year-old end up?
Matt Piper chastises Leicester City team and head coach Steve Cooper
Piper is indeed etched into Foxes folklore, as so many retired (and current, veteran ballers such as Jamie Vardy) players are. The younger supporters among us might not remember this. Though those of us who had season tickets at Filbert Street will fondly recall the winger's big moment.
The 43-year-old actually scored the final competitive goal at City's old and great stadium. The scene was set on May 11 2002; LCFC defeated Tottenham Hotspur 2-1 on the day.
So, when someone like this speaks about the modern team, it is generally worth listening for some nuggets of wisdom and insight. And Piper did not hold back when assessing Cooper and his men's work so far after re-entering the Premier League. As you can read below, this is fairly scathing:
"It was a particularly poor performance from the team, but also the manager - I don't say that lightly. (Steve Cooper said) he never felt like a goal was coming. If you don't feel there is a goal coming and you're 2-0 down and you don't make your first substitute until the 70th minute - that's what I don't understand. You've got to change it. You're not going to score if you feel like that standing in your technical area.Matt Piper
I know a lot of fans are already to the point where they want him gone, but he doesn't help himself. He uses comments like that after the game but he didn't do anything about it. As the manager and leader of the club, you have to do something about it to change the fortune on a particularly bad afternoon. He tells you straight away what the problem is but it keeps happening week on week and that's really not helpful for the manager."
Will Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall end Chelsea nightmare following clear transfer mistake?
Dewsbury-Hall's career was on the up; he was beginning to become a nationally known and admired professional. He could have returned to the English top-flight with his boyhood and supposedly beloved team, Leicester City Football Club.
But, alas, Dewsbury-Hall left for the Blues and became somewhat irrelevant. Just as so many outstanding Foxes seem to do. Now that the midfield man has been lured to Fulham Road by Enzo Maresca, who managed him at King Power Stadium, 'KDH' hasn't particularly played that much.
To be fair to Dewsbury-Hall, he claimed to be happy to stay in Leicestershire, his home. However, the move went through to the obvious detriment of his professional life. Yet rescue might perhaps be on the horizon:
"Villa are reportedly eager to rescue Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall from his nightmare start at Chelsea with an offer being prepared for the January transfer window.
Chelsea are said to value their summer signing at €35 million (£29 million) plus bonuses but Villa believe a deal can be struck for a total package of €22 million (£18.2 million). The Blues don’t want to make a loss on a player they’ve only just acquired, especially as they see a use for him in the UEFA Europa Conference League."