Matchday Live Talking Points: Substitutions, Exhilarating Strikes & Confidence Building
Providing free coverage of every Premier League fixture that the Foxes contest in 2019/20, LCFC Radio is the go-to place for those who wish to follow all of the build-up, match action and post-match discussion.
On Saturday, Adams, Elliott and Taggart reflected on a number of talking points, including Harvey Barnes’ stunning winner at Bramall Lane, the tactics used by Brendan Rodgers and the confidence the Club’s youngsters are building.
Great management from Rodgers
Gerry Taggart said: “It was an absolutely vital win for Leicester City. You could see what it meant to the players at full-time. You have to say, Sheffield United, you have to take your hat off to them. They didn’t panic when they went behind. They kept coming forward, but it was great management from Brendan Rodgers. He made the changes which he thought was necessary and they did exactly what they were meant to do. Harvey Barnes scored a goal and then Wes Morgan coming on, he made sure Leicester City solidified at the back to get Leicester over the line.”
A wonderful moment for Harvey
Matt Elliott said: “That strike from Harvey Barnes was exhilarating. It was so sweet, wasn’t it? It was on the half-volley, but it was almost casual. He just relaxed, switched off and connected superbly. For the second time in the game, the goalkeeper, Dean Henderson, was beaten at his near post, but I think on both occasions they were wonderful strikes. Barnes’ in particular, there’s no stopping that. It was a great moment for Harvey, he’s got goals in him.”
City showed resilience
Micky Adams said: “It was a terrific strike. It’s the sort of thing that you practice in training, and he’ll probably do that two or three times a week and execute the strike perfectly. But in the context of a Premier League game, with the crowd and your heart pumping as you see that coming out of the sky… what a connection. It just goes to show, for long periods of that game, Sheffield United were in it, but one bit of magic has cost them a point. From a manager’s perspective, from a Leicester point of view, you take that all day. The one thing that they’ve shown today is their resilience. They hung in for long periods of the game and got the three points.”
Youngsters building confidence
Matt Elliott said: “We all know that Brendan encourages the younger players, and he’ll be encouraging them and building their confidence day in, day out on the training ground. That’s probably an element of the reason why Barnes has ended up scoring. Goals have been at a premium for him since breaking into the first team, but when it clicks for him, you can see what he’s capable of. He’s shown a lot of maturity and courage there, he’s believing that he’s scoring a goal, he’s not taken a pop shot.”
Tactical brilliance
Micky Adams said: “I was a game of tactical brilliance from both managers, really. Sheffield United were on top and they got the goal back. They were sticking balls in to the box. Leicester get their second goal, and Brendan’s first thought is there’s going to be more crosses coming into the box, so let’s stick an extra defender in there. What do Sheffield United do? Take a central defender off and go four at the back. That’s how you have to be thinking as a Premier League manager – what are your opponents doing and how can I combat that?”
A feel for the game
Gerry Taggart said: “For me, there was almost a game within a game for the two managers. They both responded and were waiting to see who twisted first. Chris Wilder made the change and it paid off. Then, obviously Brendan had to react to that. You saw tactical changes, you saw formation changes – it was all going on by the end of the game. As a manager, you have to have a feel for what’s happening in the game, and you have to make a change based on that.”
On Monday night, Iwan Roberts, Matt Elliott and journalist Rob Tanner will be in the LCFC Radio at King Power Stadium for the latest episode of Extra-Time.
The broadcast will begin at 6pm BST, and is available live and free on LCFC.com, Twitter and Facebook.