LEICESTER CITY AT ST MARY'S

http://www.lcfc.com/news/article/051114-shakespeare-aiming-for-southampton-upset-2063883.aspx?

Hope very much that we can get another win......but I tend to remember Leicester as a bit of a bogey team for us. I was at the Dell on that fateful day in October 1967 when Saints were thumped 1-5, Saints' goal being scored by Ron Davies and one of Leicester's goals being scored by Peter Shilton who was their keeper back then. The Saints line-up that day....

Campbell Forsyth
Dave Webb, David Walker, Jimmy Gabriel, Dennis Hollywood
Hugh Fisher, Jimmy Melia
Terry Paine, Martin Chivers, Ron Davies, John Sydenham


And then we last met in the terrific 2011/12 season when Saints were promoted back to the Premier League, Leicester somehow managed to do the double over us, winning 3-2 at Leicester in August and 0-2 at St Mary's in January.

A win this time......please!

Well have despatched a few bogey team recently, Sunderland, Stoke so no reason why we shouldn't do the same to Leicester. Pearson likes to build his teams from the back, and I liked the guy when he was at saints so not expecting an easy game but would expect us to battle through for a 2 nil win Pelle and Mane to score.

Well I got the score line right if not the scorers, tough game as expected with Leicester well organised and giving little away but they really had little in way of creativity or attacking threat. Pretty much one way traffic throughout the game but clear cut chances were limited. Mane and Tadic both had probably their worst games, lots of threat and getting into box but final ball was poor and never seemed to want to go for goal. saints started brightly and knocked the ball around, Tadic and Mane both were having plenty of room on the flanks and on several occasions got into the box only for poor crosses to waste the opportunity when they should also have gone for goal. A few corners which came to nothing, seemed to want to go for short corners which I guess was designed to pull their defence around a bit but unfortunately never managed to get the ball onto the box so wasted opportunities, Clyde had a shot but fairly comfortable for Schmeichel. Only threat from Leicester was from set pieces and Morgan had a header from penalty spot which went well over but he probably should have done better. Game was broken up by some poor decisions by Oliver as ref, another poor referee who seemed to miss obvious fouls not help by lino on Itchen stand being awful. Davis, who was having a poor game by his standards went down injured before half time with Corkie coming on

No goals at half time despite the pressure but always knew would be tough, again started brightly, Pelle who again was holding the ball up well got on the end of a cross but his shot was high and wide, then thought we had taken the lead when Mane got on the end of a cross and turned the ball in but ruled offside, opposite end of the pitch so unable to see but Mane does have a tendency to get caught out. Leicester then got a cheap free kick in a dangerous position when vardy drew a foul by running into Toby, fortunately free lick was wasted going straight into the wall. Saints then had a series of corners and although we didn't score from there it built the pressure and Mane was then taken off and replaced by Long, an obvious sub. Paid off soon after, ball was knocked in from the right to Pelle who with his back to goal held the ball up and kept the ball then laid off to Long who on right side of goal bent the ball low into the far left corner of the goal. Great relief from all round the ground and second goal came 5 minutes later with a great ball from Wanyama over the top of the Leicester defence who had gone awol, for once no flag and Long brought the ball down moved into the box on the right hand side and although Schmeichel spread himself, Long fired past him to right side. No way back then for Leicester then though they had a great chance to reduce the deficit with 3 minute left when Wood found himself goal side of Toby and in on goal with just Forster to beat managed to chip wide of the goal, terrible miss. Good wake up call and saints finished the game in the ascendancy and Long got through on right side of box but hit the side netting to deny him a hat trick.

Well another clean sheet, few chances against us, 3 points and Saints march on. at 2 nil saints fans were chanting "the saints are staying up" followed by a fairly convincing rendition of "we are going to win the league"

Forster 7 didn't have much to do, a few crosses but caught well, he hasn't had a busy game now for some time
Cline 7 normal up and down the line , if Chambers starts for England ahead him will be a disgrace
Toby 8 looked calm and assured today
Fonte 8 another great display at the back though not the most threatening attack to deal with
Bertrand 7 similar to Cline adds to our attacking dimension and had a decent shot.
Davis 6 poor game by his standard with some misplaced passes before getting injured.
Schniederlin 7 solid game but didn't get any real chances
Wanyama 9 thought was outstanding won the ball so many times, never knocked of the ball, and his pass lead to second goal.
Tadic 7 still creative but wish he would show more confidence and go for goal when in good positions
Mane 6 similar to Tadic some good play but at times frustrating but he does give us a pace.
Pelle 8 great hold up play all day, only had a couple of shots which were off target but great hold up play to set up long for first goal.

Subs
Cork 8 brought some pace and energy into midfield and gave the team a lift.
Long 8 only on for 20 minutes but 2 goals has to warrant a score of 8

Arguably the subs made all the difference, please sign Cork up!!!

Thanks Matty once again. Watching the highlights agree with your comments on Tadic having a poorish game by his standards but thought Mane had a number of good moments. Hope Davis injury is not serious.
He was only on for a few minutes but I thought Harrison Reed looked keen and hope he gets a chance to progress.

Mane was frustrating yesterday, his crossing was poor, the shot in first half following a rebound was a wild slash, a little thought and could have placed it, the run where he played to Pelle who back heeled only to find Mane stopped running after he had passed the ball and his lack of awareness with regards the off side rule, his "goal" was righty ruled out but with his pace he just needs to sit on the shoulders of the last man then run on when the ball is played.

Belated thanks from me as well for the Leicester report Matty. I've been away for a few days, but am back now.

no problems Pete, been in London today what a disaster with trains signalling problems between Winchester and Basingstoke meant an hour delya this morning and still delays coming home, cancelled 2 trains to Southampton, nightmare. helped a Russian bloke get connections to get to Southampton, bet he was impressed with our railways!