Off field issue continue to dominate
Leicester went into the game on Saturday afternoon hoping to build on the morale-boosting victory at Carrow Road last time out. Since that victory in East Anglia, as is increasingly common at Leicester City, off-field issues have been more important talking points than what has happened on the pitch.
For the first time in years, Khun Top addressed the fans in the form of an interview and this was quickly followed (the two, in some people’s eyes, are linked) with news that the hearing on the club’s alleged breach of financial rules is imminent. One website has suggested that the Foxes could be looking at a 12-point penalty which would almost end any chance of promotion this season. One fan website, though, has claimed that the end-result will be a fine with no points deducted and yet another source has suggested that a 6-point penalty is most likely. In other words, nobody really knows what will happen. Finally, we also learnt on Friday that new financial rules, which City will have to comply with if they get back into the Premier League, are planned to take effect next season.
Positives
All the players can do is concentrate on what happens on the pitch. And, whilst not back to their very best, Leicester had enough to beat a Stoke side who have started the season well. On the positive side, the Foxes worked really hard, particularly after the away side got back into the game early in the second half. Their two goals in the first half were the result of incisive moves forward. The second, just before half-time was particularly noteworthy because it was Patson Daka’s first goal in a City shirt for a year.
Two Leicester players warrant special mention. The first is Asmir Begovic. The 38-year-old ‘keeper made several important saves and commanded his area throughout taking pressure off the back four. He may well keep his place in the side even when Jakub Stolarczk is back fit. The second player worth mentioning is Stephy Mavididi. The winger has had his critics this season, rightly so, but today he looked back to something like his best. His goal, a powerful left-foot shot from just inside the area, crowned a confident performance.
Negatives
Not even the most ardent Foxes’ fan would claim that this was a perfect performance. Far from it. The build-up from the back was sometimes painfully slow and the team was guilty of giving the ball away, particularly in the first 45 minutes. Yet again, Leicester were guilty of a slow start in the second half, gifting the Potters a goal from some slack defending from a corner and setting the scene for a second half in which defending the one-goal lead was the priority. Finally, the frailty of Luke Thomas’ defending was evident. After he was yellow carded for impetuously kicking the ball away, he was one foul tackle away from an early bath. Left back is a position that needs strengthening in January.