Following (a slightly surprising) victory at East Midlands rivals Derby County, Leicester City's Blue Army fan base was placated - for the time being! City ran out 3-1 winners at Pride Park Stadium at the weekend. And the win was as necessary for the good of the team as it was for Marti Cifuentes' position as the Foxes head coach.
You see, prior to the English Football League Championship contest on Saturday, the Rams sat above their visitors in the second division table. Meanwhile LCFC were embroiled in another pretty tumultuous period. So few of us expected or predicted (in my case, I'll admit) a convincing performance as well as three points obtained from the Derbyshire outfit.
Even the Leicester stars on the day, some of whom scored and ultimately won the game for the visitors, were not typical heroes for those of us among the support. We have evaluated who Leicester Mercury believed the standout performers to be against Derby already; click here to read that piece. On this occasion, I would like to assess what Cifuentes thought of his men. Let's go!
A quintet of outstanding Leicester City stars versus Derby County as selected by head coach Marti Cifuentes
Let's talk about the revitalised Oliver Skipp first. It is truly amazing what a bit of managerial faith mixed in with a good performance and the support of your teammates can do. Wonders, in the former Tottenham Hotspur man's case.
Skipp was justifiably left out of sides in the past; skepticism from fans was also seeming valid judging by the LCFC matches he's played. Yet the midfielder is beginning to become poised whilst convincing supporters of his many talents.
Along with the 25-year-old, Cifuentes cited other Foxes:
"Asked what he made of Skipp’s showing, Cifuentes said: “Top. It was a really good performance both in possession and out of possession, working clever...Ben Nelson coming back from injury had an excellent game. Jakub (Stolarczyk) as well after his absence, showing he’s a top player with a big future. I’m very pleased with Bobby (De Cordova-Reid). "Cifuentes, via LCFC Live
Alongside that trio, Stephy Mavididi was mentioned too. He is enjoying a contemporary Leicester renaissance too:
"Stephy (Mavididi) has been playing at a very high level, understanding the space in behind. "