Matchday Live Talking Points: Standing Ovations, Attacking Options & Balance
City booked their spot in the fourth round, where they will face Burton Albion, with a 4-0 success – their biggest victory of the 2019/20 season to date.
Ex-Luton defender James Justin added to Demarai Gray’s first-half strike before Youri Tielemans and Kelechi Iheanacho sealed the win in Bedfordshire.
On the agenda following the post-match whistle on Tuesday was the professionalism of Leicester’s display, the joy brought to the Blue Army after the triumph and the different exchanges of play at Kenilworth Road.
Delighted City fans
Gerry Taggart said: “Not only is it job done, but you can see what it means to the fans after the game. There was a massive standing ovation and they were clapped off the pitch, so it’s important the players understand that, and they did tonight. That was a good a performance as you will see. It was a comfortable night at the office, so you have to enjoy them when they come around.”
Well-drilled Leicester
Steve Walsh said: “Professional is the right word. I thought they were dominant and resolute at the back, which you expect from that team. There was a lot of really good play. They were organised and well-drilled. Luton had one or two chances in total, and Jonny Evans and Wes Morgan shored it up at the back. I was pleased for James Justin, he was terrific tonight, especially coming back to Luton with a bit of pressure on him as well.”
Evidence of attacking options
Matt Elliott said: “The fans will be extremely happy, not just with the victory itself, but just the manner of it as well. People look at the goals ratio that Leicester have, and maybe they think there’s too much reliance on Jamie Vardy and James Maddison to create, but there are options now. We’ve seen evidence of that tonight. They were very thorough and professional, with a high level of quality.”
Reacting to changes in personnel
Gerry Taggart said: “When it comes to situations where you change a lot of players, who haven’t had a lot of game time, it’s difficult to see which way they’re going to react. You need a good manager at the helm to talk to those players and explain to them that they need to keep the flame alight. That’s what you’ve seen tonight – players that have something to prove, like Marc Albrighton. I thought he was outstanding tonight. You saw a lot of players go out and prove to Brendan Rodgers that they were there waiting in the wings.”
Balanced Foxes
Steve Walsh said: “James Justin had a great performance. I was pleased that he got his rewards tonight. We were talking before the game about what options we’ve got now, and I think the one thing that’s clever for me tonight was the way Brendan Rodgers chose the right balance in the team, to make sure we go through in the tie. There was no doubt that the team that he put on the pitch was good enough, and that’s from making seven changes.”
Exchanges of play
Matt Elliott said: “It was plain as day, the system that Leicester were playing. Early on, with the change of players, you have to think about how they will integrate themselves into it, but the movement was as spot on as it ever has been. There was a good exchange of positioning from Demarai Gray, Dennis Praet, Youri Tielemans and Marc Albrighton. They all showed their adaptability and there was too much movement for Luton to cope with.”
LCFC Radio’s Matchday Live returns on Sunday at 3:30pm BST, following two hours of the Pre-Match Pint, for free coverage of Leicester City’s Premier League encounter with Newcastle United at King Power Stadium.