Leicester City Fan View: Foxes anything but boring under Claude Puel

Claude Puel, boring football? Certainly not at Leicester City. The French manager took on former club, Southampton.

A confident 4-1 victory makes it four wins on the bounce. With goals galore, many of which have been brilliant, there’s a lot of things that could be used to describe the Foxes right now.

Boring doesn’t come close.

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Exciting, attacking play becoming a Leicester staple

When managers return to their previous club, there’s often a point to prove. Puel is a gentleman but he’ll be pleased with the three points. It’s not just the win but the manner in which we claimed it. Our attacking play was relentless at times and we could easily have put more past the home side.

Not content to sit on our goal tally, Puel kept the pressure on even at 4-1 with more attacking substitutions, bringing on Demarai Gray and Marc Albrighton. The Foxes have got their flair back. We’ve looked capable of putting four or more past a side, it was only a matter of time until we did.

There was a danger that we might start slowly, like at Newcastle. Riyad Mahrez’s wonderful 11th minute effort quashed that though. It was comfortable there after for Leicester.

The Algerian retained his spot while others were rested. When the winger’s in this kind of scintillating form, it’s easy to see why. The goal was textbook Mahrez. Cutting in field, switching it to his left and firing towards goal. It’s a move that all teams can predict, but few have been able to stop this season. When he’s in this kind of mood, it’s never boring.

A slight tweak in formation allowed Shinji Okazaki to return to the starting line-up. With Mahrez moving back to the right wing, it was a chance to get Jamie Vardy involved more. We utilised his pace and the link-up play he so often shares with both Okazaki and Mahrez. The Japan international may finally start to get the praise he’s deserved since joining us.

Having contributed with two typical Okazaki goals, the striker is a valid candidate for Man of the Match. We’re dynamic with him on the pitch and his joy at scoring is infectious. With seven goals already this season, his promise to score more is being met. He was involved in most of our forward moves and there was some fast-paced counter-attacking again.

Claude Puel and another perfect team selection

Puel keeps on getting it right with his team selections and tactics. His choice to rest the likes of Gray and Vicente Iborra was questioned by some pre-match, but with the fixtures coming thick and fast, it’s sensible. It also worked out. Making use of the good depth we have in certain areas, he was able to pull off changes that maintained the balance and feel of the team. With the goals, and assists, coming from all areas of the pitch, he’ll be pleased with the team effort. We’ll need more of that during the next month.

Andy King was the one deputising for Iborra. With big boots to fill given how important the Spaniard has been, King was up to the job. A different kind of player, but one whose heart is blue through and through, it was pleasing to see him silence the critics. The midfielder also bookmarked his ten years with the club by notching the third goal on the night. His first goal ten years ago also came against the Saints, so it was fitting. It’s tough not to feel affection for a player like King, somebody still with us despite the changes during those years. He’s not our best midfielder, but he’ll always do a job for us and showed he’s still got his eye for goal.

His partner may have edged Okazaki for Man of the Match. Wilfred Ndidi has brushed off early season cobwebs to be a force for us in the middle of the park. With the most tackles in the Premier League, he continued to press and extend that. Closing the opposition down and making a nuisance of himself in front of goal, his overall game keeps improving. When Adrien Silva is eligible to play, it’ll be fascinating to see how Puel integrates him while keeping both Ndidi and Iborra involved.

What can the Foxes aim for?

After an impressive all-around team performance, it’s a little disappointing that we couldn’t keep a clean sheet to top it off. Set pieces cost us again, another disappointing corner beating everybody. Particularly disappointing for Kasper Schmeichel who pulled off some great saves when Southampton were on the attack. For anybody doubting his confidence two or three matches ago, the big Dane is right back on it.

Puel has the Foxes in fine form ahead of a tricky run. Firmly cementing a top ten place, we’ll have to drop points soon enough, but if we can keep playing this kind of football, what should we be aiming for? It’s still early, but it feels like another exciting period is ahead for us. Boring, boring Leicester? Definitely not.