Beaglehole Lauds Under-23s’ Attitude & Mentality
- Leicester City’s Development Squad deserved three points from Friday’s Premier League 2 encounter with Tottenham Hotspur, says Steve Beaglehole
- The Foxes drew 1-1 at Hotspur Way, with Sam Hughes on target for Leicester
- Beaglehole credited City’s discipline and felt they could have gone on to win the game
The Foxes took the lead at Hotspur Way thanks to Sam Hughes’ 35th-minute header and carried their 1-0 advantage into the break.
But they were breached midway through the second half following Samuel Shashoua’s finish at the second attempt and it ended all square in Enfield.
“I think we could have won it,” Beaglehole reflected to LCFC TV after the game. “We were 1-0 up at half-time and we said if it stays like that then fair enough but we felt that we could score again, particularly on a set play because we’re strong and we’ve got good delivery.
“We pressed them in the first 15 or 20 minutes because they love to play out from the back. We caused them a lot of problems and we stopped them doing that.
“We had a tough game on Tuesday and a lot of players either played in that game or they’ve been away and played away for their country.
“We weren’t at our best, but to come here and not be at our best, not get beat and deserved to win, you’ve got to give the players a pat on the back.
“Their attitude, mentality and the winning streak that they’ve had are all good habits. If you can’t win, then don’t get beat. Whatever you say about Tottenham, they’ve got some very talented players.
“They opened us up once and that was really the only time they did so fair play to the lads because they stuck to the game plan and I thought they did very well.”
Beaglehole praised the build-up to his side’s goal and Hughes in particular, after the former Chester man had to operate at the centre of both midfield and defence during the game.
He added: “When Connor [Wood] gets on the overlap he’s got a great left foot and it was a great header from Sam. He’s very dominant in the box and it was a really well worked goal.
“I was really pleased with that and I think it’s just a pity that we couldn’t keep a clean sheet because we pride ourselves on that.
“Sam has done very well in midfield for us when he’s played there and it’s good for his development. We changed it, he went back to his favourite position and it worked well.”