Hazzetta dello Sport 2024 - Issue 2: Fulham v Leicester City
‘Just when I thought I was out, they pull me back in’, barks Al Pacino as Michael Corleone in The Godfather Part III.
That sprung immediately to mind after Monday’s night’s second half performance. It ignited that dangerous emotion of hope. There is now a belief that maybe Leicester City can compete with these players and this manager in the top flight.
In a Premier League opening weekend without a redeeming game or moment, step forward Leicester City and its very own spirit animal Jamie Vardy.
Not content with scoring the equaliser, Vardy felt the need to remind the Spurs away end of their recent trophyless history and then tell Cristian Romero to excuse himself. That made sure the game was the main topic of conversation in my office on Tuesday morning. There were the shoots of what makes supporting us so good; the unruly underdog who wants to put a few noses out of joint.
In the general context of the season, Steve Cooper will do well to pause on moments such as Monday evening. The whole campaign might be in vain. Even if we have a good half of a season, the likely point deductions will act as a hammer blow. Performances full of effort and grit will win the hearts of the fans and create a pride amongst us. Plenty more of that please.
It’s important to anchor that second half with the opening forty-five minutes. On another day, it’s 4-0 at half time. The cold, harsh reality of that period was that we looked way off it and simply not of the required quality to keep up with Spurs. There’s every chance that could also repeat itself from a so-called lesser team and the home crowd might not be so forgiving.
However, as anyone that’s done anything competitive will inform you, the biggest challenge is when your performance is poor and you have to see that period off. We did that ‘hanging in there’ in ample amounts as the statistics of more blocks and tackles than any other team on matchday one proves. This was another exhibit of my long held belief that Leicester City FC thrives as the underdog and our role was perfectly executed on Monday evening.
There is now an excitement heading towards the game at Craven Cottage. A day out in London during the bank holiday weekend and an away end which no doubt have been drinking its way along the Thames. Quite literally in the case of the Union FS boat trip. It’s with great regret that to simmer down this feel good mood, I recall the last trip to the Cottage; a grim 5-3 defeat. By half-time, we were as good as relegated. A shambles of a performance where effort seemed a bonus rather than, as Carmy says in the TV series The Bear, ‘a non-negotiable’.
Our record generally is not that great at Fulham. When subtracting a behind closed doors victory where James Justin was part of a superb team goal, you must go back to 1983 for our last win there. One of the products of the good result against Spurs is that there will be some expectation, however faint. There’s no denying this will be a difficult game; Fulham still boast six or seven players who would feature in a top four team.
However, the recent outgoings from the Cottagers have created a void in quality through the spine of the pitch. This was highlighted in their loss at Old Trafford where Joshua Zirkzee’s tendency to come deep and spin off in his self-proclaimed ‘9 and a half’ role caused them a real issue. The centre back pairing of Issa Diop and Calvin Bassey has its issues when it comes to tracking ‘second man’ runners hence the signing of Joachim Andersen from Crystal Palace (and Jorge Cuenca from Villarreal).
Similarly, the big departure of Joao Palhinha in midfield has left Fulham short of middle three physicality. Their answer has been to sign Sander Berge as a tall, stronger option to support the more workmanlike efforts of Sasa Lukic. It remains to be seen if Marco Silva feels an immediate need to draft in this pair of new signings to solve these issues.
Alongside that, there will be an almighty battle on the wings that may cause Leicester to have a personnel change. Adama Traore, often fruitless in his forays up the right wing, does give Fulham the chance to recover and move forward on the transition. James Justin has competed well against him before and remains Leicester’s speediest option at left-back despite the clear restrictions playing on his unfavoured side.
While Fulham’s fullbacks are good, quick and can be dangerous. Antonee Robinson and Kenny Tete are excellent at getting up and down. Well, step forward Abdul Fatawu. The ‘overloads’ will be interesting to see who gets outnumbered.
Additionally, the arrival of Oliver Skipp for City gives a selection choice in midfield; to replace Wilf Ndidi who provides important height and physicality at set pieces or move Facundo Buonanotte who was simply excellent on Monday towards the wing. We’ve signed Jordan Ayew; the signing that gives Joe Kinnear Wimbledon vibes. Another to the collection of Premier League experience players who are ‘good guys’ at their former clubs. And he’s 32 heading onto 33.
Either way, it promises to be a good day which will leave a mark on our memories. Whether positive or negative, there’s a feeling that Leicester City are in transition on so many levels. This is another test of which that direction will go. Never boring.
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