Leicester 0-3 Newcastle: Three Foxes Talking Points | OneFootball

The match in brief

The game was won by Newcastle within the first 15 minutes and a 3-0 half-time scoreline put the game well out of Leicester’s reach. Three times Leicester players lost the ball in the middle of the pitch and three times they were punished as Newcastle players put pressure on the Foxes’ backline.

There was a marked improvement in Leicester’s performance in the second half. Admittedly Newcastle took their foot off the pedal and key players were substituted. However, Leicester had more possession, won numerous corners and created a couple of chances, the best a Wout Faes header that went narrowly wide. The reversion to a back four and an extra player in midfield together with the introduction of Facundo Buonanotte, Ricardo Pereira and Stephy Mavididi served the Foxes well. In reality, though, the result was never in doubt after the first half pasting.

Looking ahead

It is not often that Leicester fans have not been primarily concerned about the result of a football match involving their club. However, with Wolves going into the game at the King Power Stadium on Monday evening no less than 15 points ahead, there is little now that the Foxes can do to avoid the drop into the Championship.

As a result, attention turned to the future. One issue is the future of the manager Ruud van Nistelrooy. Are there any signs that he can turn around the club’s fortunes going forward or should the Foxes be looking for alternatives? A number of alternatives have presented themselves in recent days. Liam Rosenior, unfairly dismissed by Hull and now doing a great job at Champions League chasing French side Strasbourg, is one name in the frame, as is Sheffield Wednesday manger Danny Röhl. Both have the advantage of experience managing a club in the Champonship. More recently, former Southamption manager Russell Martin has been mentioned as a possible option. Unlike the other two, he has led a team to the Premier League. The most experienced candidate is Sean Dyche who not only got Burnley promoted but also kept them, and Everton, in the top-flight despite the limites resources of both clubs.

Another issue is the squad Leicester take with them into the second tier. Recruitment, as always, will be crucial. For now, though, thought needs to be directed at who the Foxes decide, or are able to, keep. One big sale, or a few smaller ones, is to be expected given the financial constraints the club will be operating under. Only two players – goalkeeper Mads Hermansen and midfielder Bilal El Khannouss – are likely to generate sizeable fees whilst a number of others - Boubakary Soumare, Wilfred Ndidi, Wout Faes and Stephy Mavididi amongst them – would bring in some cash and reduce the wage bill. The two other squad issues are, firstly, what role should be played by the talented group of academy players and, last but not least, whether to give Jamie Vardy another contract.

What did the performance at Newcastle tell us?

In terms of the manager’s position, it is difficult to see how the club can persist with van Nistelrooy even until the end of the season and rumours after the game suggest that his departure may be imminent. This has to be the right decision. He has presided over a catastrophic run of results which has created a number of unwanted records. That’s eight successive games without a Premier League goal for the Foxes and nine home games. A total of 15 defeats out of 16 games is miserable. Despite losing the last four games, the Leicester boss persisted with the same team. In the eyes of most Leicester fans, Ricardo, Mavididi and Buonanotte are simply better players than James Justin, Patson Daka and Victor Kristensen. The second half against Newcastle proved that.

There is no stand out player in this Leicester team and the departure of any of them shouldn’t concern the Blue Army too much. The arrival as a late substitute of 15 year old Jeremy Monga lifted the Foxes faithful. If they can keep hold of him he should play a major role in the side next season.

If we didn’t know already, Leicester City are in crisis. The fans are voting with their feet. The crowd on Monday night was well below capacity and I have never seen so many people leave as early as half time. There needs to be a major reset. Along with a new manager, the hierarchy needs to be shaken up with John Rudkin seeping aside and the appointment of a well-qualified director of football. Foxes’ supporters deserve nothing less.