Leicester Fan View: Mahrez, Vardy get Foxes firing again

What a difference a week makes. Two wins in six days and six goals in two league games, as opposed to three in the last ten previously. Taking three points against Hull was a big step in the right direction and our main stars of last season are seemingly getting back to their best.

Strikers don’t often get as much praise for their hard work and set-up play as when they score. So while Jamie Vardy may not have got a goal or a man of the match award yesterday, he gave Hull’s defenders the kind of afternoon they’d like to forget.

Read more: How Leicester v Hull unfolded

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Much as against Liverpool, he was back to the pest like style, constantly around them, pressing them and frustrating them. Whether it was his decision to switch from focusing on pressing their left side to the right, or Craig Shakespeare’s is unknown but it certainly worked.

Ranocchia couldn’t cope with his pace and kept drawn further away from his own goal to try and stop Vardy, freeing up more space for others like Shinji Okazaki and Marc Albrighton to get into the middle.

Premier League in pictures: Saturday March 4

It gave the left-back an easy finish for a rare goal. We’re starting to see contributions from across the whole team again, which is reigniting previously lost hope.

One of the most pleasing things about the weekend’s game, was watching Riyad Mahrez in full flow. He jinked and turned, showing why he’s probably the best at dribbling the ball we have, before finally finding the space he needed to let loose a shot that seemed to catch the Hull goalkeeper by surprise. Ignoring his penalties, this was his first open play goal since April and it was certainly a great one to kick-start his own personal tally again.

The patience and determination he displayed yesterday were superb. The amount of time he held the ball for in the build up to that goal is unforgivable from the Hull players, but the defenders didn’t know what to do, turning and just trying to block, never sure what he was going to do with it. It was a moment of brilliance from our magician, something we’ve been sorely lacking, not just from him, but all over. When he does things like that, he’s unplayable and it’s a joy to watch.

Mahrez draws most of his critics for his antics at the other end of the pitch. It’s not always a fair criticism, and can’t be applied for the game against Hull. He was tracking back, covering for Danny Simpson and trying to help out at corners and from free-kicks.

Sure, he’s not going to make the same kind of sliding tackles that we get from Albrighton on the other wing, but one moment stood out when Simpson was unlucky to miss out on the ball, and it found its way to the opposition player who with a good run would be free on goal. The winger charged back and got himself between the Hull player and the ball, drawing a foul that won us a free-kick. It was clever play and proof that he is trying to focus more on this weakness in his game.

I do wonder if as fans, we can be too harsh on Mahrez. It’s easy to be fooled by the brilliant things he can pull off, but he’s more of a confidence player than we often give him allowance for. In a campaign where, prior to this week, it’s been a case of take your pick when you’re looking at where the criticism should sit, he’s not really been any worse than the others, it just stands out more because of what we know he can do.

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A telling moment for the Algerian was at an away game recently where he remained out on the pitch with a coach, seemingly exploring his options and tactics. So to those wondering if his heart’s still in it, I think between that and his tracking back against Hull, there’s nothing to be concerned about.

Highlighting the two big hitters of last year is all well and good, but this was another collective team effort again. Those who’d struggled in other games, looked entirely back in their comfort zone again. It’s case in point for both Christian Fuchs and Marc Albrighton. Their efforts may not have faltered throughout, but it’s not always worked for them. Both impressed yesterday. Albrighton in particular put in a lot of hard work yesterday and it was great to see Islam Slimani brought on, but not at the expense of the winger, whose partnership with the striker needs to be seen more for its potential.

Having Shinji Okazaki back in the mix again is also important, as discussed earlier on this season. Everybody played their part though, rekindling the siege mentality that was so inspiring. Yes, it was a piece of solo brilliance that got Mahrez’s goal, but the ball was given to him thanks to a very determined Robert Huth, who outpaced those around him to get to a loose ball.

That’s been the difference in the last week, the confidence. They look confident in their own abilities to play the way they’re being asked to. Largely because Shakespeare has gone entirely back to basics. That 4-4-2 we thought we couldn’t play anymore without Kante? Not a problem with Wilfred Ndidi taking that spot and some belief in it again.

Some can insist it’s proof of player power or a mutiny, for my two pence worth, I don’t think it is. It’s just unfortunately proof that sentiment had to be removed to make the tough decision, but so far the right one, to sever ties with Claudio Ranieri. If it’s also something our sets of players aren’t going to be called out over, then a line needs to be drawn for ours.

Much of the focus in the next week, no Premier League before our second leg tie with Sevilla in the Champions League, will be on whether Shakespeare will retain the job until at least the summer. Given other candidates we’re being linked with, he’s an appealing option.

Not least because of how he knows the club inside out, having been around it for the best part of seven years now. With some kind of balance restored both on the field, rushing into the next manager seems unnecessary. For now that winning momentum is back, that’s the main thing.