Leicester City v Leeds Utd Match Thread - Klich on the bench again as Struijk comes in for Llorente

[SG90]

Meslier had another chance to catch the ball and punched it, then nearly spilled the follow up. Has he been instructed to punch or is he not capable of catching it?

[SG90]

Really worried about Costa replacing Raphinha. Such a massive downgrade.

[andrewjohnsmith]

Yeah a proper old school tackle from Coops but he timed it perfectly

Loved that tackle. Cooper had his best premier league game so far. He threw himself in front of so much. There was one moment where Strujik was less than a yard away from a shot and was ready to block and Cooper threw himself in between Strujik and attacker.

Plus he's got his confidence and voice back. He was really quiet when he first came back from injury. I was starting to think he had doubts about his game. But he was being the vocal and physical leader today that he was in the championship.

[Chilli D]

It won't make a difference. Bielsa will hold any new signing back for a month, by which time you'd expect both players to be back.

I feel we have more than enough cover for Rodrigo with Klich, Hernandez and Shackleton but unfortunately Costa and Poveda are not at Raphinha's level. He'll be a huge loss.

[Cjay]

Really worried about Costa replacing Raphinha. Such a massive downgrade.

Costa has been awful in his last 2 games.

Massive downgrade as you say.

Would prefer Summerville or Poveda.

Build for the future, Costa has no future here.

[mothbanquet]

Almost perfect symmetry:
P 20
W 9
D 2
L 9
Gd-1
Shame we couldn't have got one more goal.

Who would have thought it after 20 games.

I am so HAPPY!!!

It's so nice to know we are officially mid-table Prem quality. We're staying up, no doubt about it.

[mothbanquet]

Unfortunately couldn't see the game but just watched the highlights. As stunning as Paddy's goal was, his squaring to Jack for the third was just so selfless, and that's to say nothing for the assist for Dallas's goal. He went above and beyond today.

[Irish Ian]

I was thinking about that too. But with only 2 days, Bielsa might hold back all the 1st team squad as a precaution.

Very true.

[andrewjohnsmith]

Well what a great day. 1-1 at half time, I was thinking, there isn't one player having a bad game. We looked in control. We should have been up but for a fantastic Schmeichel save. We couldn't get a handle for 1st 20 minutes of 2nd half but hung in well. The way we hit them on the break for all 3 goals was just fantastic.

Strujik looked great today. Cooper was really solid too. Looked like Bamford might have a quiet game but bagged another emphatic goal and 2 assists. Really can't complain about anyone's performance, everyone stuck to their task really well and it paid off.

The injuries are a bit of a worry. Looks like we'll start Klich next game and I like that 3 man midfield shape we had after Rodrigo went off. I'd never drop Rodrigo, but you have to say the shape seems better against good sides, whereas Rodrigo as a 10 works better against sides like Newcastle and West Brom.

[mothbanquet]

Having such a huge cushion means we can just relax and play without any huge pressure for the last 18 games, something we have never been afforded under MB. Can see a few letting themselves unleashed.

That's a good point. This team hasn't played without pressure since maybe the first few games under Bielsa, before promotion became a de-facto realistic aim. And once we'd achieved it already the second season, of course. We tended to massacre teams when that was the case.

[SG90]

Costa has been awful in his last 2 games.

Massive downgrade as you say.

Would prefer Summerville or Poveda.

Build for the future, Costa has no future here.

First thing he did after coming on was a sloppy, lazy pass straight to the Leicester player, when it'd be easier to find a Leeds player.

I'd rather start Poveda, but Costa coming on instead probably says he will start.

[SG90]

Wonder if Struijk perhaps could sneak into the Dutch squad for the Euros? Maybe Harrison for England too?

[Chilli D]

I was thinking about that too. But with only 2 days, Bielsa might hold back all the 1st team squad as a precaution.

I think Davis, Cresswell and probably Shackleton will be given 45 minutes. I doubt the more senior squad members will be risked though.

[andrewjohnsmith]

Costa has been awful in his last 2 games.

Massive downgrade as you say.

Would prefer Summerville or Poveda.

Build for the future, Costa has no future here.

Summerville isn't ready yet. He's had injuries and I think he's only started 2 for the U23's. I'd be interested to see Poveda get a chance. He just seems to be missing the final product though. A couple of starts might help him get his stride. Bielsa will probably pick Costa though. He was playing well at the start of the season, and was still decent up until we signed Raphinha.

[gessa]

Unfortunately couldn't see the game but just watched the highlights. As stunning as Paddy's goal was, his squaring to Jack for the third was just so selfless, and that's to say nothing for the assist for Dallas's goal. He went above and beyond today.

Exactly Moth, he's come off the back of 4 poor games but he raised things today, we struggled the begining of the second half to create much and he was quiet through lack of service, the ball getting near their box, that then makes his goal even sweeter,he never switched off and it was a great strike, 2 great assists too. Any striker would be happy with that

[CHAPELALLMAN]

A great result - all the YEP panel ( made up of fans ) predicted us to lose.

TBF Paddy owed the fans , the team and the manager a decent performance today. One quality he has is that he passes the ball well for a C/F, so he interacts well with marauding FBs, wingers and the no 10.

Raphinha has now become our most consistent attacking force, so let's hope that Costa will not have to take his place for the next few games just when things have clicked offensively. Are double sessions of murderball taking their toll on players ? There is speculation that this may have helped crock Llorente before the last game.

It seems that we took a slightly more cautious aproach today - biding our time to launch attacks. This is what a number of fans asked for against the better sides - especially ones which counter quickly.

[Cjay]

Wonder if Struijk perhaps could sneak into the Dutch squad for the Euros? Maybe Harrison for England too?

Doubt it.

Left wing for England.

Rashford Sterling, Barnes, Sancho etc.

Miles ahead imo result aside today.

[Byebyegeegee]

Excellent game of football, enjoyed it thoroughly (the result helped of course). Is it just me or did we hit more long balls from the back today than we usually do? I think that helped defensively as there seemed to be fewer attempted short passes in dangerous areas.

Well done the lads, to a man they all played their part. Hope the injuries are not too serious.

[SG90]

Doubt it.

Left wing for England.

Rashford Sterling, Barnes, Sancho etc.

Miles ahead imo result aside today.

True, one position where we have plenty of options. Perhaps MB can him into a 10?

[CHAPELALLMAN]

Excellent game of football, enjoyed it thoroughly (the result helped of course). Is it just me or did we hit more long balls from the back today than we usually do? I think that helped defensively as there seemed to be fewer attempted short passes in dangerous areas.

Well done the lads, to a man they all played their part. Hope the injuries are not too serious.

That's what some of us asked for.