Steve Cooper will be a relieved man on Sunday morning having finally masterminded his first Premier League win as Leicester City manager.
Steve Cooper was coming under increased pressure as Leicester City boss despite the fact we are still so early in the season, but the 1-0 win over AFC Bournemouth will go some way to receiving that.
Facundo Buonanotte proved the match-winner in a dazzling display as the youngster continues to impress on loan from Brighton and Leicester defended well to also keep a first league clean sheet of the campaign.
That win takes the Foxes up to 15th in the table going into the second international break of the season and started a run of four huge matches with a win.
Steve Cooper drops Harry Winks for Leicester City win over Bournemouth
One of the criticisms Leicester fans have had of Cooper is his perceived negative tactics, particularly in midfield.
Cooper has often deployed three defence-minded midfielders in the same side in Harry Winks, Oliver Skipp and Wilfred Ndidi, but against Bournemouth he decided to be a little more front-footed.
This saw Winks drop out of the starting XI for the first time in the league this season, as Jordan Ayew played in front of Skipp and Ndidi.
Cooper was asked about this decision after the game and responded: “It’s been asked quite a lot about the variety of midfield players when we were going through the transfer window. It gives us options and certain things for certain games.
“We hadn’t won for six games so you’re always looking for little solutions. You want to put a plan together. Harry’s a really important player for us and has had a big impact since he’s been here. And I’m sure that will be the case going forward.
“But we’ve got other players in every position that can have an impact. It’s a good example of being ready. It’s a good example that opportunities will come. That’s the nature of modern football. Sometimes there are changes.”
Cooper deserves praise for brave Leicester City decision
Many were left surprised when the lineups were announced as Winks has been pivotal to Leicester since joining last summer.
However, Cooper is paid to make big decisions and get results and he did both of those against Bournemouth.
Leicester looked far better in an attacking sense with Ayew in the advanced midfielder role and Buonanotte and Stephy Mavididi on either flank as Cooper’s positivity was reward with three points.
That win now means things look a lot rosier going into the international break and Cooper may well feel the same approach is suitable away at Southampton in two weeks.
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