It’s the final game of September and Leicester City are still without a victory in the Premier League.
A trip to title challengers Arsenal does not bring much hope of that first win, but in the following four games, they take on Bournemouth, Southampton, Nottingham Forest, and Ipswich. Those are huge opportunities.
City have come through five games so far without snatching three points, so what needs to happen to finally get that first win? Here, our writers pick the one change they want to see.
Start Ricardo – Amie Wilson
The omission of Ricardo Pereira from the starting line-up in the Premier League so far this season is one that has prompted talk among supporters. The full-back was one of the stand-out performers in last season’s team, and has excelled in the Premier League before.
Granted, last season saw him play a different role to what he would play under Steve Cooper, inverting from right-back into midfield to create an overload. But I think it’s time to draft Ricardo back into the 11.
A slight reshuffle might be needed in the back-line to get the best out of him. Cooper’s system sees one full-back push, allowing the winger to move infield and create an overload, while the other tucks in to effectively make a back three while in possession.
Being the more advanced of the two, I think would suit Ricardo better, and make the most of his quality on the ball. Therefore, I would move James Justin to left-back, where he can tuck in and then play Ricardo at right-back to allow him to roam forward with the ball.
One slight concern would be the Portuguese’s injury history and if the more traditional full-back role could see him break down again. However, having a full season without injury problems last year, albeit in a slightly different role, will hopefully have proven his fitness. With the quality that Ricardo brings, in both attack and defence, I don’t think he can be overlooked too much longer.
Start Fatawu – Josh Holland
Two unpopular decisions that Cooper makes are the Ricardo snub and selection at right wing. Everyone who watched Leicester last season, albeit with a different manager in a different league, knows Abdul Fatawu is a real danger.
Five games in the Premier League and there have been examples of him being a problem. He tormented Destiny Udogie against Spurs and, alongside Stephy Mavididi, is the only City player with that flair and bravery to take his man on and create something out of nothing.
Cooper’s decision to start Jordan Ayew is a head-scratcher. But to only give Fatawu injury time to make an impact against Everton was a poor decision.
Leicester may have scored in every league game this season, so the question could be put that they don’t need any more creativity, but they are yet to win. If Cooper is going to win at Leicester, he has to use his most dangerous players. Plus, Fatawu, in my opinion, is City’s best defensive winger, with his enthusiasm to get back a crucial part of his game.
More attacking substitutions – Jordan Blackwell
Three draws and two defeats by a single goal show that City have been in every game they’ve played so far this season. Apart from the loss to Fulham, where City were second-best for pretty much the whole 90 minutes, it’s felt like a better result has been within reach in each of their outings.
But perhaps one of the reasons they haven’t been able to get that elusive win has been Cooper’s caution over substitutions. The manager’s approach has made City competitive but it feels like opportunities to really attack their opponents, and in their weak spots, have been taken too late or not at all.
Take the Aston Villa match. It was clear from the first half that Lamare Bogarde, a youngster making his debut out of position at right-back, was having a difficult time. Stephy Mavididi was the man to exploit that, but he didn’t get on the pitch until the final 25 minutes. He could have come on at half-time, when City were only trailing by one.
Against Everton, City had a chance to attack a 39-year-old full-back in Ashley Young, and yet Fatawu didn’t come onto the pitch until the final couple of minutes. Even then, he was introduced on the other flank. Ayew didn’t have a bad game on the right, but he didn’t trouble Young in one-v-ones. Plus, he began to tire after an hour, and yet played the full 90 minutes.
At Crystal Palace, when City were defending a lead, Cooper made defensive changes, bringing on Conor Coady to form a back five. It was a cautious move, and one that didn’t pay off, as it affected the balance of the side, putting City under pressure.
There’s no guarantee that more adventurous, attacking, riskier changes would have worked for City in those matches. They could even have missed out on a point, or lost more heavily. But City don’t want to be relegated this season and be left wondering about the missed chances to change their fortunes.
They’re not going to be handed victory on a plate. They have to earn it. And sometimes that means taking a risk on a forward-thinking substitution.
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