Matchday Minus Two Talking Points: Quality Pérez, City's Solid Back Four & Returning To Filbert Way
- Matchday Minus Two was broadcast on LCFC TV on Thursday afternoon
- Matt Elliott and Gerry Taggart were the guests
- The former defenders previewed Saturday's clash between Leicester City and Arsenal (5:30pm GMT kick-off)
- You can watch the show back in full on LCFC TV by clicking HERE
Filmed within the LCFC TV studio on Filbert Way, Matchday Minus Two is a half-hour show broadcast two days before each of Leicester City's weekend first team fixtures.
On this week's show, Elliott and Taggart joined host Dan Bates to reflect on last weekend's 2-0 win at Crystal Palace and to preview the visit of Unai Emery's men to Leicester on Saturday...
Job done
Matt Elliott said: “They showed perhaps a different dimension to their abilities from what they’ve shown this season. It was a different sort of challenge, but they were ready for it. They were never quite able to produce the football they’d have liked to over a sustained period of time, but they go the job done in the end.”
Right place, right time
Gerry Taggart said: “On three or four occasions on Sunday, Leicester players were being left along in the box and on one occasion, Çağlar Söyüncü scored. Wilfred Ndidi was free, Jonny Evans was free, but the ball just didn’t come to them. Yes, Çağlar’s goal was lucky, but he made the run. No one followed him, but he’s in the right place at the right time.”
Gray’s positive impact
Matt Elliott said: “It was a compete goal. If Brendan Rodgers could pick a goal off the training pitch and implement in a Premier League game, that is as good as most. There were other facets to the game, but in particular, he’ll be pleased that Demarai Gray got involved and after coming on. On this occasion, he was came and considered and it was a superb all-round goal.”
Quality Pérez
Gerry Taggart said: “Ayoze Pérez has got great movement off the ball. There is no right or wrong way to settle in. Certain players take different times. Everybody is expecting him to go out and create more goalscoring opportunities for himself. He’s a quality player and we can see that.”
International break to international break
Matt Elliott: “He’ll be very happy with how his side have played since the last international break. Everything has gone swimmingly, and you couldn’t have written the script better. They’ve won in different styles, with different teams in different competitions.”
Leicester’s solid back four
Gerry Taggart said: “Arsenal will not be relishing the thought of coming here. One thing Arsenal don’t have a solid back four and I think that’s where the difference will be on Saturday. It’s no coincidence that they score goals and concede goals. When you look at the form of Leicester, that’s where their advantage lies, and they’ve got a solid back four.”
Back at King Power Stadium
Matt Elliott said: “It does tend to generate an extra buzz when you’ve been away for a little while. The home fans will be excited about that. Leicester for the first time in many years will be favourites to win against Arsenal. That’s an indication of how Leicester are at the moment. They’re going so strong and they really are a force.”
Gerry Taggart’s prediction: Leicester City 3 Arsenal 1
Matt Elliott’s prediction: Leicester City 2 Arsenal 1