A challenging derby
The Sky Blues represented a significant challenge for the Foxes. In normal circumstances, the M69 derby is a hugely competitive match. The last time the side’s met, in January 2004, a 3-1 victory for Mark Robins’ Coventry side threatened Leicester’s dash for the Championship title. The game was not without its controversy too with Abdul Fatawu’s red card transforming the game.
This time, the task would be even harder. The Sky Blues under Frank Lampard sit just below City in 6th place but remain unbeaten having won two and drawn three of their opening fixtures. This included a 7-1 thrashing of Queens Park Rangers. This term they look like genuine promotion contenders. On the other hand, the Foxes have never lost to Coventry at the King Power Stadium, the last defeat coming at Filbert Street 24 years ago.
Significant changes
So far this season Marti Cifuentes has resisted the urge to make a significant number of changes from game to game. His picks have been consistent in the five league games played, with a settled side consisting mainly of players who were at the club in the Premier League last season. With the new signings recruited in the latter stages of the transfer window, the pressure has been on the Leicester boss to integrate them into the first team. So far, only Aaron Ramsey has tasted a starting place but his red card in last weekend’s contest with Oxford ruled him out for the encounter with the Sky Blues.
Given the positive impression made by the substitutes last weekend, there was certainly, as I wrote at the time, a case for bringing in Ricardo Pereira in place of Hamza Choudhury at right back and Harry Winks for either Boubakary Soumare or Oliver Skipp in midfield. New signing Jordan James also did well when he came on. In addition, given the absence of Ramsey and the fitness doubts surrounding Louis Page, there was a case for starting Julian Carranza up front with Jordan Ayew dropping back into the number ten role. Less likely, although not impossible, was a recall for Wout Faes in the centre of defence, a return after injury for Bobby De Cordova Reid and even an outing for youngster Jeremy Monga.
Listing those possibilities shows just how strong Leicester’s squad is this year despite the departures. In the event, the Foxes’ boss did make significant changes with Pereira, Faes, Winks and James coming in for Choudhury, Okoli, Skipp and Ramsey respectively.
Shared spoils
As expected, the game was evenly matched and finished all square, the first no score draw Leicester have played in since May 22rd 2023 and a 0-0 outcome at St James Park against Newcastle United. On balance, though, the Foxes were the better team against Coventry with 59% of the possession and a total of nine shots on target (17 in all) compared to three for the Sky Blues (11 in total).
In the first half, Leicester struggled to come to terms with the speed and directness of Coventry’s play and, in particular, the long throws of Milan van Ewijk which were a potential threat. The Foxes were reliant on the counter attack and Fatawu was a constant menance down the right hand side. Despite their possession, the away team created very little whereas City almost scored from their first meaningful attack when Ayew’s tame effort was blocked.
In the second half, the game opened up a little and both sides had chances. The clearest came Leicester’s way, however, and Stephy Mavididi, in particular, ought to have done better when put clear on a one on one with Coventry’s ‘keeper.
As with last week’s draw against Oxford, it is difficult to say if this was one point gained or two points lost for the Foxes. Coventry are a good team and are likely to be in the promotion shake up at the end of the season. Nevertheless, on another day, Leicester would have come out comfortable winners. At least the defence was solid and chances were created. On to the next one.