Extra-Time Talking Points: City's Width, Vardy The Warrior & Rodgers' Impact

LCFC Radio
22 Oct 2019
3 Minutes
The form of Jamie Vardy, Leicester City's improving ability to break down deep defensive blocks and the emotion of Saturday's 2-1 win over Burnley were all discussed during Monday's episode of Extra-Time on LCFC Radio.

- Extra-Time is an hour-long show broadcast on LCFC Radio each Monday after a first team fixture
- Matt Elliott starred alongside NBC presenter Arlo White and The Athletic's Rob Tanner on this week's show
- The panel discussed Leicester City's 2-1 victory over Burnley with presenter Dan Bates on Monday

City beat the Clarets at King Power Stadium courtesy of goals from Jamie Vardy and Youri Tielemans, overturning Chris Wood's early opener for the visitors.

Reflecting on the ninth matchday of 2019/20 in the Premier League, former Foxes captain Matt Elliott and journalists Arlo White and Rob Tanner picked out their main headlines...

Width helps break Burnley down

Rob Tanner said: “It’s been a trait of Leicester for the last couple of years. When they come up against the big boys, who want to take the game to them, there’s a bit of space for them to play, but when they come up against the sides that sit deep, it’s difficult. Burnley did it with two banks of four right across the edge of their own penalty box. They struggle sometime to find that creativity just to unlock the defence, but they got wide, got some width into the game, and they did that really well.” 

A poignant tribute

Arlo White said: “It’s such an emotional time. Memories will have been stirred and I cannot believe it’s a year since that terrible tragedy and I’m sure a lot of the players who were at the Football Club at the time, for them, it will have brought back a lot of really bad memories of that entire experience. It was an odd atmosphere in the stadium, but I think the Club, once again, excelled themselves in how they paid tribute. You feel this pride that the Club and the fans are dealing with such a terrible tragedy in such an unbelievably poignant way.”

'Warrior' Vardy

Matt Elliott said: “In football terms, I think it’s fitting description really. He’s many other things as well. He’d be an absolute nightmare to play against as a centre-half I’m sure. He missed that chance when he broke through, of course, but the second time he featured was his goal. That’s it. He does feed on scraps and he’s developed a patience and an understanding of how the game works. He doesn’t throw his arms about, he realises he may have to pounce when the moment comes and he does. Not many centre forwards would do that.”

A deserved victory

Arlo White said: “Burnley set about on Leicester in a very workmanlike way. Leicester, in footballing terms, had come off a real disappointment before the international break. I imagine that Brendan Rodgers had that last-minute penalty in his memory for two whole weeks. To come back, to face a really stern test, provided by a team like Burnley, on a poignant day like that, to win 2-1, it was yet another really valuable and deserved three points.” 

Rodgers' impact being felt

Rob Tanner said: “It comes from the manager and the coaching staff. Rodgers has got great man management skills. Just to give you a bit of insight into the press, when we speak to him on press conference day, he’s so friendly and he uses your name – which makes a big difference because he personable. He makes you feel like you’re a good journalist, but I imagine the players just feed of that. You can see it. Jamie Vardy has been reborn under Brendan Rodgers and he looks like he’s rejuvenated.”