Matchday Minus Two Talking Points: City's Emphatic Response & Big Brentford Decisions
- Matchday Minus Two was broadcast on LCFC TV on Thursday, starring Matt Elliott and Gerry Taggart
- The former Foxes duo reflected on Wednesday's 4-1 success over West Ham United
- They also previewed the trip to Brentford in the Emirates FA Cup on Saturday (12:45pm GMT kick-off)
City overcame the Hammers 4-1 courtesy of goals from Harvey Barnes, Ricardo Pereira and an Ayoze Pérez brace, keeping Brendan Rodgers' men third in the Premier League.
On Saturday, meanwhile, the Foxes travel to Griffin Park for an FA Cup tie with Sky Bet Championship side Brentford, which Elliott and Taggart also previewed on Thursday's episode.
An emphatic response
Matt Elliott said: “The performance was just as important as the points, the fact that they played with such vitality, purpose and energy was really reassuring for everyone involved. West Ham had a little bit of a go in the second half, but things got back into normal order Leicester. They always carried a threat, even then, and then when the third goal well in, it was all over. An emphatic response to the recent form.”
Back to their best
Gerry Taggart said: “If you listen to Brendan in his post-match interviews, he always speaks about the performance first and foremost. Against Burnley, it was better than Southampton, but on Wednesday, it was back to Leicester’s best. They were zipping the ball about with high energy. When they played like that, West Ham couldn’t deal with them.”
Ricardo's excellent technique
Matt Elliott said: “The fact that Leicester were getting extra bodies into the box was crucial, because West Ham couldn’t cover all the angles. The ball was always going to fall to someone in a good position. Ultimately Ricardo finishes it. It was so easy for him. He missed a similar one, maybe even an easier one, earlier on, but it he got that one bang on. He’s kept his foot over it, struck through it, and it was excellent technique.”
Confidence boost for Barnes
Gerry Taggart said: “Ricardo was the Man of the Match. Every week, he’s picked out, not only by us, but by other people. He was instrumental in the first goal. Harvey Barnes had to time his run perfectly and the penetrative pass came from Ricardo. He just clips it over the goalkeeper’s foot. It was a fantastic confidence boost for Barnes too.”
A tough tie
Matt Elliott said: “On paper, it’s probably one of the toughest ties Leicester could have got. Brentford are a very good side, they’re on the up, generally as a club. They’re developing, progressing off the pitch, building a new stadium, and they’re in one of the highest positions they’ve ever been in their history. They’ve got a good manager [Thomas Frank], young players, looking to make a name for themselves, so there’s a lot going well for them.”
Big decisions for both managers
Gerry Taggart said: “Both managers have got big decisions to make before this game. Brentford have a massive game on Tuesday against Nottingham Forest, who are up there too in the Championship. Thomas Frank has to manage playing Leicester and Forest. Obviously Brendan has to think about Tuesday night against Villa. They need to find a formula to do both, because Brendan wants to do well in all competitions.”
Matt Elliott's score prediction: Brentford 1 Leicester City 1
Gerry Taggart's score prediction: Brentford 1 Leicester City 2
Watch the show in full
Matchday Minus Two: Episode 21
The win over West Ham United is assessed and the trip to Brentford is previewed on this episode of Matchday Minus Two.