Leicester 1-1 Everton: Three Foxes Talking Points

Cooper’s lament  

So what does all this mean for Steve Cooper? Well, the knives are, very harshly, already sharpening on social media with some saying a defeat would be the end for the Leicester boss. It’s much too early for such a judgement of course. What the Foxes haven’t been able to put together so far this season is a full 90 minute performance. In the second half today they were much better. A prime reason for this was the substitution of the ineffective Bilal El Knannouss on the hour mark. His replacement, Facundo Buonanotte, looked sharp and offered much more. The change should have been made much earlier. 

Cooper’s conservatism is beginning to annoy Foxes’ fans. Following last week’s changes late on which, to my mind, invited pressure and made a Palace equaliser much more likely he again today appeared reluctant to put attacking players on. In particular, there were boos from home fans with the decision to substitute Mavididi, Leicester’s best player in the second half, and bring on Abdul Fatawu with only a few minutes left. The Leicester boss refuses to play both wingers at the same time. Today, in my view, the Leicester boss missed a trick by failing to put pressure on Everton’s left back, the ageing Ashley Young who has proven to be vulnerable to players running at him. He was given a free ride today.

 Oh well, only Arsenal away next up! The patience of the fans and Leicester’s hierarchy won’t last forever.