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Otis

Leicester City v Troyes - Sat 10th Dec 13:00 - Friendly

By Otis, in Leicester City Forum

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davieG

davieG

Posted
Posted

https://www.lcfc.com/news/2980643/stalemate-as-leicester-city-host-troyes-in-seagrave-friendly/featured
 

 

Stalemate As Leicester City Host Troyes In Seagrave Friendly

FIRST TEAM

Published 4 hrs 58 mins ago

2 MinutesReading time

Leicester City stepped up their preparations for the return of domestic football with a mid-season friendly against French outfit ES Troyes AC at LCFC Training Ground on Saturday.

BySam Stevens at LCFC Training Ground


A total of 23 players saw action for the Foxes as the two sides played out a competitive 0-0 draw at the Club's headquarters in north Leicestershire.

Manager Brendan Rodgers named an experienced XI, with full internationals Jonny Evans, Jannik Vestergaard, Dennis Praet, Harvey Barnes and Patson Daka all among the starters. None of the players who have featured at the FIFA World Cup were involved. 

Daniel Iversen was in goal, while Kasey McAteer, Luke Thomas, Boubakary Soumaré, Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall and Ayoze Pérez were also in the line-up. Meanwhile, Troyes, managed by ex-Foxes defender Patrick Kisnorbo, are in the UK preparing for the resumption of their Ligue 1 campaign. 

It was Leicester who started brightest in the biting cold, with Vestergaard glancing Dewsbury-Hall's corner wide. After visiting goalkeeper Mateusz Lis' misplaced pass landed to Barnes, City's No.7 then teed up Praet to riffle a powerful low drive inches wide of the near post. 

Expand photo

Academy graduate Harvey Barnes carries the ball during the first half.

There was an awkward moment for the hosts on 10 minutes, though, when Lucien Agoumé's header crashed against the woodwork and ricocheted off several players in the area. It was a scare Leicester would ultimately survive, hastily clearing the ball from danger, into the Seagrave sky.  

Barnes then curled one high and wide of the Troyes net, before Rony Lopes - on loan with the French outfit from Sevilla - struck the side netting. With Evans taken off in the first half as a precaution, young defender Paul Appiah joined the action alongside Vestergaard at the back. 

On 25 minutes, Vestergaard made a crucial intervention, diving in superbly to prevent Mama Baldé from breaking away. A smart stop from Iversen, with his right leg, was soon required to prevent Thierno Baldé from handing Kisnorbo's visitors the lead. McAteer then blazed Barnes' pass over the bar. 

Expand photo

Manager Brendan Rodgers offers instructions at LCFC Training Ground.

Before the break, another brave block from Vestergaard was needed to halt Yasser Larouci's 25-yard half-volley, but it remained goalless. The Foxes pressure continued in the second period, with Erik Palmer-Brown almost sending Pérez's cross into his own net, while Daka was denied at close range by Lis.

The Zambian, however, couldn't get onto the end of Dewsbury-Hall's ball across the middle moments later.

On the hour, it was all change for City, with the introductions of Alex Smithies, Joe Wormleighton, Tom Wilson-Brown, Deniche Hill, Wilfred Ndidi, Marc Albrighton, Sammy Braybrooke, Henry Cartwright, Will Alves, Kelechi Iheanacho and Jamie Vardy.

Troyes continued to pose a threat, with Amar Abdirahman Ahmed and Gabriel Mutombo missing the target in quick succession. With 20 minutes remaining, Albrighton unshackled himself from Pape Ndiaga Yade on the right flank and crossed deep, but Alves was unable to get his head onto the ball. 

Expand photo

Jamie Vardy was involved during the second half.

There was a chance for Leicester to cut Troyes open on 80 minutes, meanwhile, as Iheanacho carried the ball forward through the centre. His through-ball, though, asked too much of Vardy and the visiting goalkeeper was able to scoop it up unchallenged. 

With the latter stages being contested under floodlights, a tight encounter reached its conclusion, finishing in a 0-0 stalemate. Leicester are now one step closer to resuming their 2022/23 campaign - away at MK Dons in the Carabao Cup on Tuesday 20 December (7:45pm GMT kick-off).

ACF

ACF

Posted
Posted
On 10/12/2022 at 02:47, AjcW said:

City Football group must rate Kisnorbo if they're moving him around the group.

 

Wonder if Troyes will also be playing Man City while they're over.

Just speaking as a Melbourne City STH.

 

PK is a very smart coach, been taken under the wings of a few CFG coaches and developed a lot since he retired. Great man manager, tactically pretty good, but that’s in line with the CFG way so hard to say whether it’s him or not.

 

Consistent winner at every level. Taken a struggling team who bottles every big occasion to league leaders.

 

Love him and gutted he’s gone. 

  • Like 3
Ryy

Ryy

Posted
Posted
2 hours ago, Foxes1 said:

Did Troyes come here for some warm weather training.

Well that’s what they thought then turned up in Manchester 🥶 

davieG

davieG

Posted
Posted

https://www.leicestermercury.co.uk/sport/football/transfer-news/what-brendan-rodgers-told-alves-7918661

 

What Brendan Rodgers told Will Alves to do as Kasey McAteer gives Leicester City transfer prompt
Talking points from Leicester City's goalless draw with French side Troyes at their Seagrave training ground on Saturday, looking at Boubakary Soumare, Patson Daka, and more


ByJordan Blackwell
07:00, 12 DEC 2022
 

Leicester City geared up for the return of domestic football with a goalless draw against Ligue 1 side Troyes at their training ground on Saturday afternoon.

It was not a game of thrills, but did reintroduce a total of 23 players to match action a month on from the 2-0 win over West Ham. Here’s a look at some of the talking points from the game.

Clues dropped as duo on course to keep places

With the World Cup septet still away, the match was always likely to be short on clues as to how City may set up come the return of the Premier League on Boxing Day, and whether anything has changed in Brendan Rodgers’ mind since the good run of form before the break. But, there were couple of hints.


It felt like the line-up for the first 60 minutes was Rodgers fielding the strongest he had available, while still retaining the 4-3-3 shape that served them well through October and November. And in that system, both Boubakary Soumare and Patson Daka started.

Wilfred Ndidi has now had time to get over his injury and potentially rival Soumare for the spot at the base of the midfield. But the Frenchman remained in the role on Saturday and was possibly the best player on the pitch.

There is more urgency about his game now, not only his tracking back, but also to get it moving forward once he’s made the tackle or interception to regain possession. What has not been seen from him in his City career so far is any influence in the final third of the pitch, but on Saturday, he played the pass of the match, and one that nearly led to an assist as he spotted Ayoze Perez’s run and clipped a delicate ball over the top and into his path, only for the Spaniard to be denied by the keeper.

For Daka, he got a vote of confidence from Rodgers before the break when the manager said that he didn’t need to score every game to keep his place, such is the effectiveness of his pressing. That was not really on show on Saturday, and so it will need to return if he is to stay above Jamie Vardy and Kelechi Iheanacho in the pecking order.

While he was crowded out in the first half, Daka did make himself a much greater threat in the first 15 minutes of the second, but seemed to be looking for the unselfish option, when going for goal may have been a better bet. Vardy had more opportunities in the 30 minutes he was on the pitch, but he did have a sharp Iheanacho looking for him on every occasion, with the link-up stronger than that between Daka and wide-men Perez and Harvey Barnes.

There’s a fortnight to go until Newcastle on Boxing Day, and it seems Soumare and Daka are in pole position to keep their spots. But while Soumare is thriving and strengthening his grip on his role, it feels like the battle between Daka and Vardy is closely contested.

 

McAteer provides timely transfer reminder

Jamie Carragher once said, perhaps simply to wind up pundit pal Gary Neville, that full-backs are either failed wingers or failed centre-backs. It’s exaggerating the point, but it is true in some cases, and for good reason.

Kasey McAteer has come through the ranks at City as an attacking midfielder or winger, but he has been playing in a wing-back role for the development squad from time to time, and stepped in as a right-back on Saturday. How he used his attacking abilities made him one of the game’s most effective players.

Because he is a forward-thinking player by trade, there was a bravery to his game on the ball. McAteer, even starting deeper and knowing that losing the ball would have his team immediately on the back foot, was willing to take on his man. When he received it, his first thought was about dribbling past his marker and getting City forward.

It should have given City pause for thought as they look to sign a new full-back this January. With injuries to three of their five senior full-backs, a fresh face is wanted when the window opens.

Finding someone who is a ball-carrier should be their focus. Ricardo Pereira, a winger-turned-full-back, became a key man in City’s attack when he was at his peak because he was unafraid to take on a man and had the ability to do it. It provided a different dimension to City’s forward play.

In Timothy Castagne and James Justin, both terrific when at their best, City have two full-backs whose talents lie in their off-the-ball work. They have the athleticism to get up and down the flanks and the speed to make runs in behind.

But for something different and to provide a little more balance to City’s full-back options, a ball-carrier should be looked for. It remains to be seen if the club believe McAteer has a future in that position, but he has provided a timely reminder of what a dribbler from deep can do.



Rodgers’ revealing Alves instruction as balance needed

Playing on the left wing for the final 30 minutes, Will Alves was stationed right in front of the little City bench next to the show pitch at the club’s Seagrave base. So when he received the ball, he was in prime position to get tips from Rodgers and his staff.

The instructions were immediate and clear. When Alves received the ball to feet for the first time, Rodgers shouted: “Three touches!”

This is not new. When Alves made his senior debut in January as a 16-year-old, after he danced around with the ball a little on the halfway line, Rodgers told him that he needed to have fewer touches or he would be substituted.

There has been a concerted effort to make Alves a better team player, a more effective player. He’s occasionally played deeper for the Under-21s in a role that gives him more responsibility. He’s adapted pretty well, but it has limited what he has been able to do in attack.

There has been that effort with Alves because it’s obvious how talented he is. He could become a first-team regular and the club know that.

But there’s a balance to strike. The speed of his feet – he could have his allowance of three touches in the blink of an eye – is what makes him the talent he is. His dribbling ability, with his pace, his body feints, and speed of thought, is what is going to take him to the top.

On Saturday, when he took more than his allocation of three touches, he would usually beat his man and get City on the attack, and would usually be fouled, as that was the easiest way to stop him. In the modern game, when players are built for systems, Alves has rare qualities.

Football is a team game. It’s why the world’s best players so regularly miss out on winning the biggest trophies. So Alves is never going to make it in senior football if he does not understand the tactical importance of his role, or if he hogs the ball.

But, the flair and technique in his dribbling is what will make him a terrific player, one who will terrorise opposition defenders and get fans on their feet. City must not beat that out of him.

 

Two goalkeeping styles on display

With no supporters present at the friendly, what the players are saying to each other can be heard much more clearly. It gives a greater insight into their styles of play.

On the pitch, the competitive element was still there for the City players, despite the nature of the game. Jannik Vestergaard gave referee Craig Pawson an earful after a free-kick was given Troyes’ way, cheaply the Danish defender felt, while Vardy made no bones about telling the second-half centre-backs that one of them should have attacked a high ball.

Off the pitch, new Troyes boss and former City defender Patrick Kisnorbo was the loudest. He’s not yet fluent in the language, so the Aussie deployed a mix of Franglais and hand gestures to get his message across to his team.

But what was also noticeable was a difference in approach from the two City goalkeepers. When Alex Smithies came on after an hour, he was relentless in talking to his defence. Much of it was directions for his back four, but there was plenty of encouragement and praise in there too. Daniel Iversen, by contrast, did not do a lot of talking.

The Dane did not put a foot wrong, but he did not have a save to make either, with Daka heading off the line the one shot that looked like hitting the net. With his feet, he played short passes out to his centre-backs.

City have long had loud goalkeepers. Kasper Schmeichel shouted for 90 minutes, and while a lot of that was directed at officials, it did give the impression of a commanding presence behind the defence. Danny Ward is vocal too. It will be interesting to see if Iversen, as he gets older, becomes louder as well.

 

Evans injury only minor worry – but exposes City’s lack of options

It would not be a friendly without City picking up an injury. That’s the way it seems to go.

Jonny Evans was the man to leave the pitch early this time, but there should not be too much concern at the moment. He did not even limp off the pitch, merely trudging off a little frustrated that he couldn’t carry on.

At half-time, in the building next to the pitch, Evans joined the gathering crowd for tea and coffee and seemed in decent spirits. He did not seem like someone who had just suffered a worrying injury. His calf will be managed over the next few days and he will be assessed ahead of MK Dons next week.

If he can’t play, and if Daniel Amartey and Wout Faes are not yet in contention, with both due back this week after their elimination from the World Cup, then it could be a centre-back pairing of Vestergaard and Ndidi in the Carabao Cup. That should be fine for a match against a side struggling in League One.

Vestergaard did a fine job at the weekend, excelling in every defensive aspect, while also showing composure on the ball. A few attempted forward passes were too audacious, but some paid off. He wasn’t tested in behind though.

Ndidi did well too, and wasn’t really troubled. He tried a few too many lumped balls forward, but that may have been because of a lack of outlets provided by the young midfield duo of Sammy Braybrooke and Henry Cartwright in front of him.

But it does show how short on centre-backs City are, because that’s not a pairing City would want to face Newcastle. If not before, Amartey and Faes will definitely be back by then, so there's no need to fret over Boxing Day yet.

A full-back and a winger are the priorities for January. But if there’s room for a third signing, it’s likely to be a new centre-half.

  • Like 2
volpeazzurro

volpeazzurro

Posted
Posted (edited)

So ... Rodgers insistence on 3 touches for Alves. Whilst I can see some reasoning behind it, can it also smack of overcoaching? Do we have to churn out clones? Is there no room for individualism any more?

 

I think Chilwell blossomed somewhat when released from the constricts of Rodgers philosophy. Young Thomas, who I personally believe is a really good young talent, often gets criticised on here but you also often see Rodgers on the touchline barking at him and controlling him on match day so are any problems down to the player or his instructor? I don't think Suarez would have listened too much to Rodgers as he had enough self belief for several players. Neither do I think Rodgers would have had anything useful to offer him.

 

We often lament across the English football scene the lack of players prepared to run at or dribble around the opposition. Is this because we don't produce them anymore or because natural talent is coached out of young players to slavishly follow a system? I haven't seen Alves to comment fairly and he may badly need guidance but, I just wonder whether he is one of those that is better sometimes left to his own footballing instincts. I readily accept that there has to be a balance between team play and individualism. What would Rodgers have done with a young Messi who we can see from old clips, persistently took the opposition on as a very young player. 

Edited by volpeazzurro
CosbehFox

CosbehFox

Posted
Posted
5 minutes ago, volpeazzurro said:

So ... Rodgers insistence on 3 touches for Alves. Whilst I can see some reasoning behind it, can it also smack of overcoaching? Do we have to churn out clones? Is there no room for individualism any more?

 

I think Chilwell blossomed somewhat when released from the constricts of Rodgers philosophy. Young Thomas, who I personally believe is a really good young talent, often gets criticised on here but you also often see Rodgers on the touchline barking at him and controlling him on match day so are any problems down to the player or his instructor? I don't think Suarez would have listened too much to Rodgers as he had enough self belief for several players. Neither do I think Rodgers would have had anything useful to offer him.

 

We often lament across the English football scene the lack of players prepared to run at or dribble around the opposition. Is this because we don't produce them anymore or because natural talent is coached out of young players to slavishly follow a system? I haven't seen Alves to comment fairly and he may badly need guidance but, I just wonder whether he is one of those that is better sometimes left to his own footballing instincts. I readily accept that there has to be a balance between team play and individualism. What would Rodgers have done with a young Messi who we can see from old clips, persistently took the opposition on as a very young player. 

At Leicester or Chelsea? He very, very much improved under Rodgers during his time at Leicester. Never looked enough before he came along. 

  • Like 1
davieG

davieG

Posted
Posted
25 minutes ago, volpeazzurro said:

So ... Rodgers insistence on 3 touches for Alves. Whilst I can see some reasoning behind it, can it also smack of overcoaching? Do we have to churn out clones? Is there no room for individualism any more?

 

I think Chilwell blossomed somewhat when released from the constricts of Rodgers philosophy. Young Thomas, who I personally believe is a really good young talent, often gets criticised on here but you also often see Rodgers on the touchline barking at him and controlling him on match day so are any problems down to the player or his instructor? I don't think Suarez would have listened too much to Rodgers as he had enough self belief for several players. Neither do I think Rodgers would have had anything useful to offer him.

 

We often lament across the English football scene the lack of players prepared to run at or dribble around the opposition. Is this because we don't produce them anymore or because natural talent is coached out of young players to slavishly follow a system? I haven't seen Alves to comment fairly and he may badly need guidance but, I just wonder whether he is one of those that is better sometimes left to his own footballing instincts. I readily accept that there has to be a balance between team play and individualism. What would Rodgers have done with a young Messi who we can see from old clips, persistently took the opposition on as a very young player. 

When playing forward he did have the tendency to hold on to the ball and end up losing it or down some blind alley. As we seem to be developing his wider game with him playing deeper then over dribbling can be a problem. But I do agree we seem to lack players of his type and producing efficient work horses rather thoroughbreds. Hopefully with Alves it’s just about broadening his all around game and he still retains his maverick skills to use appropriately. 

  • Like 1
Manley Farrington-Brown

Manley Farrington-Brown

Posted
Posted
2 hours ago, volpeazzurro said:

So ... Rodgers insistence on 3 touches for Alves. Whilst I can see some reasoning behind it, can it also smack of overcoaching? Do we have to churn out clones? Is there no room for individualism any more?

Surely it'll just be a particular training thing they did with him for that match? They're probably not going to insist that he always has three touches in real matches!

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