'If Ten Hag was in charge, maybe it would have been an easier game'published at 12:09 30 October
12:09 30 October
As Leicester City prepare to travel to Old Trafford in the Carabao Cup, The Times' football reporter Charlotte Duncker believes the fixture will be a "fresh start" for Manchester United under interim manager Ruud van Nistelrooy.
Duncker expects there to be a reaction from United on Wednesday, in their first game since Erik ten Hag's sacking.
"Having watched and covered them, it hadn't looked like the players had necessarily downed tools whilst Erik ten Hag was in charge," she told BBC Radio Leicester's When You're Smiling podcast. "It just looked like something wasn't working.
"One of the important things to note is Ruud van Nistelrooy has been at the club throughout the whole of this season. He has already been involved in tactical decisions and game planning, so I wouldn't expect to see a drastically different side.
"But there is always the cliche of the 'new manager bounce'. I do fear for Leicester City because, if Ten Hag was still in charge, maybe it would have been a slightly easier game for them.
"The players have been feeling the pressure but maybe now that will be relieved because the circumstances have changed: Erik ten Hag has gone and this is a fresh start for a lot of them.
"For example, Marcus Rashford has looked a shadow of his former self in the last few games. He just can't get a shot on target, but it is whether he is going to thrive under Ruud van Nistelrooy as his manager instead of as his coach.
"It is hard to see how there could be a drastic upturn but there is normally that 'new manager bounce' - which I know isn't what Leicester City fans are going to want to hear."
Cooper on Vestergaard, changes at Man Utd and 'loving' a cup runpublished at 15:16 29 October
15:16 29 October
Millie Sian BBC Sport journalist
Leicester City boss Steve Cooper has been speaking to the media before Wednesday's Carabao Cup game against Manchester United (kick-off 19:45 GMT).
Here are the key lines from his news conference:
Jannik Vestergaard will be available for selection after recovering from "a bit of a setback" with his ankle injury.
Viktor Kristiansen's groin injury is "not as bad as thought". Cooper said: "At least it will be a matter of days or weeks, as opposed to longer than that."
He did not rule out making changes to his team because the Foxes have two away games this week: "We have another game at Ipswich on Saturday. It is times like this where it is good to have a squad. We will need to utilise it over the week." He added that "full focus" is on taking "one game at a time".
On Erik ten Hag's sacking: "You always applaud managers when they do well and feel sorry for them when there is criticism or they lose their job - that's how I feel about Erik. It is never nice to see. I wish him well and I'm sure he will bounce back as and when he feels ready."
Manchester United's managerial situation will not change his game plan: "We won't overthink it. If you do, you can end up going loads of places that might be miles away from what it ends up being. It is a really good chance to show how good your own work is. There is even more reason to focus on ourselves. We have got to make sure we take that opportunity."
He recognises their opponents have "real quality" all over the pitch: "They have got players that can really change moments from nothing to something, whether it be through their athleticism or talent. We get that in every game we play in the Premier League, but it is an away game so that can influence it as well."
The squad is continuing to adapt to the "tweaks and ideas" he has implemented since taking charge: "We just want to become a really strong and competitive Premier League team. That comes with time and delivering when it counts. You have to be seen to be making progress, even when the results aren't what you want. We will have more good days than bad days when we get our identity and our way right."
He would "love" for his team to have a "really good cup run" because there are "so many good things to be gained" from being involved in one: "It is what we all want. If we can do it, then we can get even more excited. You have to plan to win every single game. We back ourselves."
'A sloppiness seen too regularly this season'published at 11:58 29 October
11:58 29 October
Kate Blakemore Fan writer
The game on Friday, under the lights and a spicy derby fixture - Leicester fans knew it was going to be tough against an in-form Nottingham Forest team, but there was some confidence that we could maybe make it three wins from three.
The starting XI was met with elation. Abdul Fatawu was starting along with fan favourite Ricardo Pereira. Finally! Victor Kristiansen was injured, but regardless of circumstance, we have all wanted Pereira to feature much earlier this season.
What transpired in an exciting first half, however, was a sloppiness seen too regularly this season.
Man of the hour Facundo Buonanotte showed some naivety on the edge of his own box, trying to dribble out when all that was needed was a simple hoof upfield. Goal one.
A poor pass from Harry Winks to a stationary Fatawu saw possession lost, which led to an excellent back-to-goal finish from Chris Wood. Goal two.
Goal three (I am even cringing as I type this) was a defensive disaster. A hopeful ball over the top caused chaos between the two centre-backs and Wout Faes headed it directly into the path of Wood for him to nod home. A calamity. Basics of defending - never let it bounce.
Cooper gave fans the team they wanted on Friday, but the frequency of individual errors meant that any hope of successful execution was lost, and I do not think Cooper should be hauled over the coals for that.
That said, he could have tweaked the formation, forced the wingers wide against Forest's narrow defence and kept Pereira as a traditional right-back rather than inverting in possession, which left us exposed with regular, quick turnovers.
If the players cannot do the basics right, then you become the reason for your own downfalls. Do the simple things well and greater things will follow.