Matchday Live Talking Points: Impressive Albrighton, Iheanacho's Positioning & Exceptional Preparation
The Foxes left London Stadium with all three points, courtesy of goals from Kelechi Iheanacho and Demarai Gray, after manager Brendan Rodgers made nine changes to his starting line-up.
Speaking at the conclusion of LCFC Radio's six hours of matchday coverage, Adams, Elliott and Taggart picked out a host of major talking points from City's 13th league win of the season.
Albrighton impresses Taggart
Gerry Taggart said: “He’s the man, especially away from home, for me. He rarely lets you down and you know, as a manager, what you’re getting from him. He has a shout for starting week in, week out, because his crossing and his defensive work… there’s no better forward who defends. When you go away from home, there are going to periods when you’re going to come under pressure, and you need players to pull their weight. You know you’ve got that in abundance with Marc Albrighton.”
Exceptional preparation
Matt Elliott said: “The intensity of training must be such that they maintain their match fitness. Hamza Choudhury’s a naturally fit boy and he impressed. The other players as well… it’s exceptional how they get themselves prepared. Iheanacho came in and there will be opportunities this season as we’ve seen. He’s making a real impact when he gets those opportunities and it’ll help him over the second half of the season.”
Adams picks out Justin for praise
Micky Adams said: “James Justin did himself no harm at all with his performance. It’s the first time I’ve seen him live. He’s a good size, he stands up well, he doesn’t dive in when people are attacking him and, defensively, he’s very, very sound. There was one instance when Wes [Morgan] got caught and he covered it nicely. He gets forward well as well, which we know is important these days, as a modern day full-back. It’s important to defend first, but also to deliver decent balls into the box and he certainly does that.”
Iheanacho benefits from City's style
Gerry Taggart said: “Brendan’s switched the style of play up slightly and it’s the sort of football that will favour somebody like Iheanacho. It’s more a style that he was used to when he was at Manchester City. It’s a bit like Ayoze Pérez, their confidence is key. Scoring the goal would give him a boost of confidence. It’s about keeping them confident and that’s the secret of getting the best out of them. They were both fantastic today.”
Positioning key for Kelechi
Micky Adams said: “Iheanacho got his goal and that will give him a massive boost of confidence. He makes good runs in behind. When he’s playing on the shoulder, he looks the part. Some of his hold-up play could be improved and he needs to be more reliable when players are sticking the ball up for him, but he’s in the right spot to score the goal. People will say it’s a simple finish, but you’ve got to be there.”
Elliott's 'massive respect' for City's fitness
Matt Elliott said: “It’s hard work for a centre-back to come into a side like this. Wes is a big, strong boy and he’s keeping himself in condition. Throughout the team, I’ve got a lot of respect for how they’ve kept themselves in magnificent condition. It really bodes well for Leicester City that Brendan knows he can call upon any of these lads to come in and do a job because he’s seen them do it today and in other games so far this season.”
LCFC Radio's programming continues on Monday night with Iwan Roberts, Tony Cottee and Gerry Taggart set to feature on Extra-Time at 6pm GMT.