Sunday 15 April 2012

Conclusions from the New Den


Millwall2-1Leicester City
(HT 1-0)
Kane 23
Keogh pen 55
Drinkwater 82

The New Den, attendance: 11,525
BBC Match Report


Home Team: Taylor, Craig, Robinson, Barron, Smith, Lowry , Henry (Trotter 83), Abdou, Wright, Keogh (Batt 90), Kane

Away Team: Schmeichel, Peltier  (Howard 81), Konchesky , Bamba, Morgan, King, Wellens (Drinkwater 69), Gallagher (Dyer 58), Beckford, Marshall, Nugent



  • Not with a bang but a whimper. This result surely ends even the most optimistic of hopes that Leicester can make this year's playoffs. Only a remarkable turn of events could see the Foxes reach the top six now: six points behind and with just three games left, the final two playoff spots are surely now a three-horse race between Blackpool (68pts), Cardiff City (68pts) and Middlesbrough (66pts). It is a big ask for Brighton & Hove Albion (63pts) to claim sixth place following their heavy defeat to West Ham United, so for Leicester City (62pts) it is simply unthinkable. With difficult games ahead against West Ham and Leeds United, it is going to be a tough few weeks as Foxes fans come to terms with the news that City's season has fizzled to a close.
  • The Lions were more hungry than the Foxes. A determined Millwall side took their chances to keep themselves in the Championship for another year and were keener to claim the win than Leicester, who had only a slim chance of making anything of this season going into this game. It's a fixture that always seems to throw-up a 'shock' win for the home side and it was almost inevitable that it would be the Lions to leave the den roaring loudest.



Winners
Jermaine Beckford
Jermaine Beckford won rare praise from all comers yesterday following a keen performance. The striker led the Foxes' attack with aplomb, involving himself in dangerous attacking play and providing an option in useful positions when required. His only fault, once more, was his disastrous finishing. Beckford is playing well but remains short of confidence and it is the latter that is limiting his tally in the 'goals scored' column this season.

Sol Bamba
Remaining oddly rooted in the Foxes' defence - there were fewer roaming attacks from the Ivorian at the New Den - seemed to suit Sol Bamba yesterday. He was colossal at the heart of the back four, on-hand to sweep up midfield mistakes but did suffer at times in the air.

Danny Drinkwater
Surprisingly dropped in order to allow Andy King to partner Richie Wellens in midfield, Danny Drinkwater nonetheless came up with the goods following his appearance from the bench. Drinkwater put Leicester back in the game and, on another day and with a bit more time, the Foxes could very well have scored again to take a better result back up the M1.



Losers
Paul Konchesky
Flicking the Vs at your own supporters is never something that will go down well - whatever the circumstances - whether it be directed to one supporter or a whole group. Paul Konchesky did what the Daily Mail readers would term as "setting a bad example" at full time but his actions on the pitch were hardly worthy of a football training video, either. A poor free-kick was only the beginning of a poor performance from a tired, frustrated Konchesky. Caught-out in attack and defending poorly, Konchesky gave away the penalty that saw Millwall make their lead unassailable. Player of the season, perhaps, but certainly not Man of the Match yesterday.

Paul Gallagher
Without the impact of a substitute appearance, Paul Gallagher's contribution was weak. Incapable of defending and lightweight in attack, Millwall bossed the Scot out of contention to the extent that, at times, it appeared City may have been just as well playing with ten men.

Richie Wellens
Suffered alongside the woeful Andy King having seen his promising midfield partnership with Drinkwater distrupted.

Andy King
Yet to return from injury, apparently.

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