Cherries outfoxed

Sometimes you just deserve to get beaten, and so it was today.

I looked at the line up with optimism. Plenty of pace against Morgan at the back, Wee man and Brooke’s wide and 2 actual midfielders. Stan returning to the subs bench was also a good sign, although no extra midfielder on the bench left us with little options.

Our fans were in good voice before kick off and throughout the first half.

There was some early optimism with Fraser and Brooke’s working the wings well but lacking the final ball. As often happens with us, a lot of passing without going anywhere. Leicester however, with only Vardy up front, but well supported by fast running midfielders and quick passing looked dangerous every time they came forward. They had a flurry of early corners, the last of which resulted in the first goal. A training ground corner routine saw a ball delivered to Maddison on the edge of the box, deceiving our defensive line and although Maddison’s shot was wayward, Morgan flicked it into the net. It showed the benefit of getting a shot away.

We almost had an immediate response with Fraser beating his man and delivering the perfect ball to an on rushing Wilson only a few yards out. Somehow, and with Cherries fans starting to celebrate, Schmichel stuck out an arm to punch it away. It was a tremendous reflex save but was hit straight at him although at pace.

King also nearly converted a Fraser cross when side footing just high and wide when well placed.

Apart from some comedy shooting from Lerma, I don’t remember many more efforts on goal in the first half. The hosts seem to have changed style and were very good in possession both at the back, where they passed the ball around to the frustration of our forwards, and in midfield where they dominated us with the extra man.

So half time came and we hoped for a better showing.

I was hoping for a more direct approach to test the Leicester back line and bypass a hardworking but outnumbered middle. Wilson, apart from the 1 glorious chance never really had a sniff and King, although showing some nice touches ran into traffic too often.

I found the substitution of lerma slightly baffling given the acres of space that Leicester created but completely understood Daniels being replaced by Rico. It’s a shame to see one of our great servants being beaten time and again. Stan was given a run out too but it never looked likely we would score.

Out of nothing really, the home side had their 2nd when a floated cross evaded Ake and Vardy beat Mepham to head in via the cross bar. To be fair, it was deserved. In fact we were lucky not concede several more. Vardy missed a sitter (1st half) and with more forwards on the pitch in the last 20, huge spaces were available for the foxes to exploit.

So although we may be almost safe, I think fans mag still be looking over their shoulders, especially with teams below us picking up points. Cardiff surely won’t catch us though will they….?

Begovic 5 at fault for 2nd goal coming to punch and missing
Daniels 5 sad to see, although still getting forward
Ake 7 some great last gasp blocks
Mepham 6 could have been stronger for 2nd goal?
Clyne 5 distinctly average
Brooks 6 started well but faded. Took some strong tackles
Fraser 6.5 our best attacking outlet 1st half
Lerma 6 good work rate, woeful shooting
Gosling 6 hard working. Silly booking. Wayward passing at times
Wilson 6 not a sniff after the chance
King 6 ran into blind alleys too often

Subs
Stan 5 anonymous
Solanke 5 didn’t impact
Rico 5.5 maybe more defensively solid

MOM Ake again

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