Doncaster Post Match

[lcfcsnow]

Bendnar on = Doncaster 1-0 up and in complete control of the game. Should have perhaps been 3-0

Bendnar off = Leicester win 5-1 and could have scored at least 2 more.

Yeah ok he had little effect, but Bednar is a greater option to Howard yet half are fans seem in love with him. I'd rather neither played though.

[Liamlcfc1]

That was the best bloody game all season bring on ipswich lets keep there losing run going

All Hail Svennis :sge:

[The Doctor]

first half was abysmal, other than their goal and that chance from the sloppy backpass they didn't offer much, we offered fook all. Bednar was unlucky to come off, vassell and gallagher had been just as poor. Penalty? Not a chance, sullivans got the ball before dyer.

Greatly improved second half, perhaps should have had a penalty when cunningham went down. Personally i felt their number 5 should have walked for that foul on vassell, granted there was a man covering but with vassells pace he wasn't getting there before vassell got a shot away, clear goal scoring chance? i think so.

Today was futher proof that lloyd dyer should be starting every match, probably in place of bednar but i wouldn't be too disappointed to see gallagher make way for him.

[martyn]

If we could play for 90 minutes like we show in 45 minute spells, we'd be running away with the league. Putting aside the poor first half performance and lackadaisical attitude, the second half was an absolute annihilation on the Donny goal, they simply had no answer to our movement in forward areas. Naughton and Cunningham were basically playing as wingers and Vassell looked a player invigorated having been put down the middle. Today proved that we do not need a big man as a focal point for a front 3, indeed, that tactic should only ever be adopted as a last resort for a 20 minute aerial onslaught.

That (ludicrous) penalty for us changed the game massively however, Doncaster were so deflated after it went 2-1.

Wellens is playing superbly. Good to have Vitor back as well, far more impressive than Davies today.

[Ashley]

Is it just me or do Vitor and Abe look like each other on the pitch? (NOT Facial features).

[Bugg]

Is it just me or do Vitor and Abe look like each other on the pitch? (NOT Facial features).

Haha, I thought that aswell. They do look similar on the pitch.

[Webbo]

Is it just me or do Vitor and Abe look like each other on the pitch? (NOT Facial features).

They do have similar colouring.

[North-LondonFox]

I've been biggin Dyer up for weeks, so I am very happy he had a positive impact. Great result its now time to put a run togther. I think the QPR result last night shows that everyone can beat evryone in this division - so wh knows where a good run will take us.

[Matt]

Awful 1st half, Awesome 2nd half!

[colbo68]

5 - 1 even Vassell scored!

Second half we played with a swagger I havent seen from a City side for many years. For me, the difference was taking off Bednar and playing Vassell down the middle - this made us keep the ball better, pass it around more and slot the on-running players in.... at last we didnt play the long ball game but played flowing, attractive, confident football (at least in that second half). Abe today was superb... the times he broke up their midfield play and gave it back to Wellens or King to set up another attack was a joy to behold. IF we can play this way more we will have a genuine chance of getting up the table. However, early days still I guess, but very positive signs in that second half today......

[colbo68]

They do have similar colouring.

I made the same mistake myself today on more than one occasion - I think its the hair..

[Fosse Boy]

Second halves don't get much better to be honest. Never ceases to amaze me how there are still people moaning at 5-1 up though. Also, people leaving early after the third and fourth?!?! "Right, I've seen enough goals for today. Better get back home and put the kettle on." Weirdos.

First half I thought Abe was our only player to come out with any real credbiility. The penalty was an atrocious decision.

Like I said, second half was a pure joy though, Naughton's goal especially. Fantastic Saturday all in all.

[walkerlcfc91]

Over 27,000 today, impressive! How was the atmosphere today guys?

[Joe.]

Well what can you say? Yet again we go behind and give ourselves work to do, but that second half showing really was outstanding. Doncaster simply couldn't handle us.

Sharp's goal was very well taken in fairness, but it once again highlighted defensive fragilities that really shouldn't be exposed as often as they have been in the past two matches. We did wake up after that however, despite not really testing Sullivan for most of the first half. King was unlucky with his header which hit the crossbar, but then we more than made up for that with a fortunate penalty. I don't think anybody in the ground except the referee thought it was one.

But still, we've had enough bad luck this year to worry about that. From then on it really was all us, and the midfield were absolutely outstanding. Wellens and Abe absolutely ran the show, and King was his usual self in linking up play and getting forward. Vassell worked hard once again, got himself on the score sheet and demonstrated that he could potentially fill that striking void with enough matches. On that front it was also nice to see Waggy get himself a goal, even if he did look off the pace when he came on. For us to have the option of him off the bench is really quite something.

All in all a hugely enjoyable afternoon on the pitch. There were some cretins in the crowd that probably wouldn't have been happy if we'd have won 26-0, but that's life. Thoughts for next game? Drop Bednar and give Lloyd a crack. The former doesn't deserve his place in the side at the moment, and hopefully Sven's realised this after two and a half matches now. There are plenty of people waiting in the wings for their opportunity. Kirkland could well be a viable option if and when he's fit again as Weale still looks like he could self-destruct at any moment, but until then there really isn't too much to worry about with this side.

[Mikey]

Great second half.

Wellens and Naughton were unbelievable.

[iBleedLeicesterColours]

Poor 1st half, cracking 2nd.

Nice to see different scorers. Bednar looks poor.

Atrocious penalty decision but never mind Possibly Gallagher could have had one second half. Also Cunningham and King both hit the bar so could've had a few more. Having said that they had some good chances but managed to fook um up.

& Yeah there fans were awful, although are home support is also very poor bar L1 & The Fosse Boys.

[Fosse Boy]

Reckon I clocked Sasho Tunchev at Leicester station too.

[fatmando]

Was wishing I hadn't bothered after 20 minutes.....thank fook I did. Great result. Lloyd Dyer = Legend. Got to start next game.

[MikeyT]

Very poor in the first half and were lucky not to be a goal or maybe 2 down.

Dubious penalty for us was clearly the turning point.

Second half we were excellent. Not a bad player among us.

Wellens today was amazing. My man of the match closely followed by Naughton.

Great result and can't remember the last time we scored 5 in a game. Just hope this can spurs us on now and keep the momentum going.

Oh and to those people that left early before the end...bet you wish you hadn't now!

[Father Ted]

There were two major turning points in the match.

Firstly, there was the Doncaster miss from an open goal at 1-0 after Davies' awful backpass.

Secondly, the withdrawal of Bednar. Whilst he was on the pitch we only really had two chances - and they came from the only two times we got the ball down and passed it. When Bednar went off, we stopped playing hoofball (Bednar wins no headers) and Gallagher stopped his hollywood crossfields passes to two foot tall Vassell.

The midfield three were quality, Abe, Wellens and King and imo Wellens was my man of the match - for the 3rd game in a row. Top performance from him. Vassell is also looking much sharper.

Some people may also laugh but Thracian's system of goal scoring ability across the pitch has been proven right. We now have players in every position of the pitch who can score. Centre-halfs who make forward runs and are threats from set-pieces. Rapid full-backs. It's getting there.

[I am Rod Hull]

On a different note, did anyone else love the half time race around the pitch?

[Jakemoore]

Happy )) :))) :))) :))

[Karljohn]

Fantastic demolition job in the 2nd half, pleased for Vassell and Waggy.

Never thought I would see the day that Wellens had a shot at goal, let alone score.

Penalty was hilarious, possibly the worst penalty award I have seen in our favour!

Hope Keane keeps the Ipswich job now, so we can finish the miserable twat off next week.

[samjohnson]

I honestly couldnt see much wrong at that penalty! I thought it was more of a pass-back myself :laugh:

Obviously it was the turning point for the on-slaught that was the 2nd half!

More of that in the weeks to come please city

Also nice to see Yuki respond to a chant!! He understands English now! :D

[Thracian]

How I've pleaded for the return of Dyer and for us to pass and move at pace and today was an example of why. Suddenly we had people asking serious questions of defenders and pulling Doncaster's defence apart with their movement, their give and goes, and their ability to twist and turn people.

The comfort zone that defenders so love with everything coming onto them or hoisted into the air was gone and City simply tore them to shreds. The presence of elusive players like Dyer and Vassell helped make so much space for others - including Naughton. And how City exploited it to the point where Doncaster visually lost heart.

How long is it since a City team was able to toy with the opposition and to find enough time on the ball to autograph it had they so wished? At one stage it seemed like we had 12 or 13 men on the field to their nine or 10 cos we had so many options and so many players looking to penetrate.

Our teamwork today was outstanding in the second half though quite how Dyer earned that penalty just before half-time I'm still not sure. There seemed a stronger shout earlier when the referee appeared to allow advantage for an initial foul only for a second foul to upend Vassell (I think it was) just inside the box. In the end we got a free kick outside the box which was wasted.

Whatever, Doncaster's complaints seemed feeble after the humiliation of the second half cos they were shredded by some splendid moves and equally impressive goals. It was my kind of football and a joy to watch. The game could have finished 8-3 and those three potential goals should give Sven serious cause for concern cos some of the loose play and poor marking/shadowing was appalling.

But as a fan I'll not remember that. I'll remember the return to flowing football, the proper use of width, the sight of people making selfless runs and clever passes being threaded between defenders.

Altogether the sort of football that could, eventually, bring us success. And all in front of 27,000 fans some of whom might surely be inspired to come again. Cos it was the perfect advertisment for a fans day.

Loved it.