Beaglehole: Clean Sheets Win Games
- Steve Beaglehole assesses the Development Squad's 1-0 win over Swansea City
- Layton Ndukwu struck in the fifth minute in City's Premier League 2 Division 1 opener
- Beaglehole was happy with the performances of the new faces in the Club's Under-23s group
- Goalkeeper Viktor Johansson impressed with a sterling display in the net for the Foxes
The youthful Foxes opened their account in Premier League 2 Division 1 with three points, courtesy of Layton Ndukwu’s tidy fifth-minute finish at King Power Stadium.
However, a strong defence, which included Josh Knight, new signing Filip Benković, captain Darnell Johnson and Callum Elder also impressed, alongside goalkeeper Viktor Johansson.
“I think it was great to win the first game,” Beaglehole reflected on LCFC TV. “We said last year that we didn’t deserve to lose against Manchester United in the first game, which was disappointing.
Beaglehole's Opening Day Delight
Senior Professional Development Phase Coach Steve Beaglehole reflects on the Development Squad's opening day victory over Swansea City.
“I think overall we deserved to win the game tonight. We’ve played better in pre-season and we know we can play better, but I think it’s a good platform for us to build on this season.
“We started the game well, we had plenty of opportunities to increase the lead, Ryan Loft got through and hit the target but probably should have done better.
“We looked solid all the way through the game, we didn’t look under threat, but when we did need a save, Viktor made a magnificent save towards the end of the game.
“I thought his overall game, despite not having a great amount to do, other than that brilliant save, I thought he gave a calmness to the back four and his distribution was good.
“All in all, it’s a great start with a clean sheet. I say clean sheets win games and it’s another example tonight where we only scored one goal, but we didn’t concede.”
Beaglehole confirmed that Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall’s fitness will be assessed this week, while Sam Hughes will definitely miss Friday’s visit of Reading in the Premier League International Cup.
In Brief: Leicester City U23s 1 Swansea City U23s 0
Watch the key moments from the Development Squad's Premier League 2 opener against Swansea.
Elsewhere, he was also enthused by the performances of the new faces within his squad with Benković, Loft and Johansson all being handed their first appearances in a Foxes shirt.
“Viktor was a free transfer and, from what we’ve seen, he’s a really competent young man. We’re very pleased with him, not just tonight, but his whole demeanour, his attitude, everything.
“You’ll see Ryan get better and better. We want him to play a different way to the way he played at Tottenham and he’s showed at times that he can be a real threat.
“Once he gets fit he’ll be prove to be a great acquisition, as was Josh Gordon [who joined Walsall on a permanent deal on Thursday].
“And Filip, you can see his quality. He’s got great size, he’s comfortable on the ball, good in the air.
“At times tonight, he was maybe a little bit casual, but he’s just finding his feet, he’s only just come to the Club. I’m sure it’ll be a great acquisition.”