Extra-Time Talking Points: Digging It Out & Impressive Application
- Iwan Roberts, Matt Elliott and Rob Tanner all provide their thoughts on Sunday’s 4-1 win at Aston Villa
- The trio were speaking on LCFC Radio’s Extra-Time show on Monday
- Jamie Vardy took his tally to 16 goals in 16 games for the Foxes during the fixture
The Foxes surged to their eighth-consecutive Premier League triumph as they recorded a 4-1 success at Villa Park thanks to Jamie Vardy’s double and efforts from Kelechi Iheanacho and Jonny Evans.
The three points moved City six points clear of third-placed Manchester City, and after another triumph, Roberts, Elliott and Tanner discussed Vardy’s form, Leicester’s adaptability and their ruthlessness going forward.
City were ‘so good’
Matt Elliott said: “Okay, El Ghazi hit the bar and they got their goal through Jack Grealish, but it could have been another Southampton. Leicester City were so good, and you could see that in some of the Aston Villa players’ reactions. Leicester looked as if they made easy work of it, especially in that second half.”
Digging it out every single week
Rob Tanner said: “You know you’re having a good afternoon when there’s hardly anyone in the ground, and the ones that were in the ground were silent. You could just hear the Leicester City fans celebrating that were over in the far corner. It was an emphatic performance again, and game after game, they just keep winning. Leicester and Liverpool are the only two sides that are digging it out every single week.”
Understanding their roles
Rob Tanner said: “They don’t change the way they play, which is the high press, but they are comfortable in different systems. All the players seem to understand their roles in this system and that’s the one thing Brendan Rodgers always says. He always asks the players if they’re clear what’s been asked of them.”
Impressive application
Matt Elliott said: “It comes from their mentality. Lots of teams, maybe not to the extent of Leicester, have a certain amount of ability, but it’s the application of it that’s impressive. They tune themselves in every game and they haven’t taken the foot off the pedal at all. That comes from the manager.”
Always looking to score more
Iwan Roberts: “Jamie Vardy is absolutely on fire. If you defend against Jamie Vardy like Aston Villa did, you’re asking for trouble. They left two against two at the back and they defended high up the pitch. Leicester City are absolutely ruthless at the moment. If they score, they then want five or six.”
Confidence in changing formation
Iwan Roberts said: “What impressed me more than anything is that Leicester, heading into the game, were on a fantastic run and not many managers would change the shape of the side. Brendan’s thought about things and had a look at Villa and thought that Leicester can get at them if they change one or two things. He changed formation and played with that diamond, which gave James Maddison a bit of a free role.”