New manager bounce?
Winless in six Championship matches and with their play-off hopes fading fast, Mark Robins’ Stoke City looked like a decent place to start for new Leicester manager Gary Rowett. Getting a result against the Potters was even more important given the Foxes face a difficult run of upcoming games including away fixtures at Middlesborough and Ipswich.
If Rowett didn’t know the size of the task he faced, it took three minutes and a Stoke opener to educate him. That’s now 27 games that the Foxes have failed to keep a clean sheet. It could have been worse, too, with a good save from Asmir Begovich and the crossbar preventing another Potter’s goal. Leicester came into the game as the half progressed with Ricardo Pereira producing a good save from Tommy Simkin.
In the second half, Leicester were by far the better team. Divine Makasa, who was excellent, scored the equaliser with a cross-cum-shot and Harry Winks put the Foxes ahead after 75 minutes. Stoke equalised against the run of play towards the end, but City should have gone on to win the game. Stephy Mavididi should have done better when through on goal and, in stoppage time, City hit the crossbar and the post. There was certainly a new manager bounce in the second half.
Tactical shift
Leicester’s style of play under Andy King noticeably shifted, becoming more direct with a quicker tempo. Unfortunately, unforced errors and an inability to play consistently well for 90 minutes, continued to haunt the Foxes. On Saturday, we looked for signs of Rowett’s influence on the team, even at this early stage of his tenure. Most fans seem to think his appointment was a reasonable one. Will this optimism be repaid?
Rowett’s team selection offered little guidance to a shift in playing style. Because of injuries and suspensions, options for the new Leicester boss were limited. The only innovation was the choice of Victor Kristensen at left back. Given the poor season endured by Luke Thomas, few Foxes’ fans could disagree with that decision. A major blow was the absence of Abdul Fatawu through injury, Jeremy Monga deputising.
Old failings reappeared with a failure to cut out crosses and weak defending by the centre backs contributing to both Stoke goals. The first half performance was woeful, but whatever Rowett said to the players at half time seemed to work. They were more disciplined, worked harder with more composure on the ball and showed intent.
In terms of tactical tweaks, it was clear that passing out from the back was largely dispensed with, and Pereira operated as a conventional right back. It was noticeable, too, that once taking the lead, and even when conceding the equaliser, the team did not defend deep but kept on the front foot. It was an encouraging second half performance but it has to be maintained in the run-in.
The need for VAR in the Championship
The standard of officials at Championship level is, to say the least, not the best. It is difficult for the most able assistant referees, though, to judge some offside decisions. They need help. Stoke’s first goal, for instance, looked suspiciously offside and there was a doubt about the second too. Conversely, Patson Daka was flagged offside a couple of times when he clearly wasn't. The answer is surely the introduction of VAR in football’s second tier. Too much is at stake, most notably money, for the EFL not to invest to ensure decisions are correct.