West Ham 2-0 Leicester: Three Foxes Talking Points | OneFootball

Ruud’s reaction

At the very least, Foxes’ fans were looking for some response from the Leicester boss - either in terms of personnel picked or formation chosen – following a disastrous run that has seen City now five points adrift of fourth bottom Wolves and, according to the Opta computer, more than 95% certain to be relegated.

In the event, there were three changes to the side routed at the weekend by Brentford. Jannik Vesterggard for Caleb Okoli, Jordan Ayew for Facunda Buanotte and  James Justin coming back in for Woyo Coulibaly represented some recognition of the club’s plight. The continued presence of Bobby DeCordova Reid, though, raised some eyebrows amongst the Foxes’ faithful. More to the point, there was little evidence of a change in formation. ‘Inexplicable’ was the word my FoL colleague used to describe van Nistelrooy’s team selection and tactics, and I can’t disagree.

A predictable outcome

The outcome was no great surprise. West Ham really didn’t have to get out of second gear and strolled to a 2-0 lead by half time. Leicester’s deficiencies in all areas of the pitch were brutally exposed; Ponderous defending, an immobile midfield and little threat up front.

In the second half, the Foxes had more control of the game particularly when Harry Winks and Stephy Mavididi replaced Boubakary Soumare and the ineffectual Reid. It is difficult to tell, though, whether Leicester’s improved performance merely reflected West Ham’s desire to protect their lead. What is clear is that City created no chances of note in the entire game, a tame Vestergaard header easily saved by the Hammers’ keeper the only attempt on target in the second period.

It was the passivity of the performance that was most startling. The Foxes played the game at almost walking pace and there was very little fight or aggression. Even Leicester fans seemed becalmed with little of the hostility towards the players and the board on display. Resigned indifference was the chief emotion with many leaving well before the end. That's now 11 defeats in 12 matches with van Nistelrooy in charge. I can only assume that the board can't afford to sack him or that they are now resigned to relegation and will give the Dutchman the chance to turn things around next year in the Championship. Probably a bit of both.

Not a football stadium

Call me old fashioned but the London Stadium is not a proper football ground. Of course, technically I am right in that the arena was originally built for the London Olympics more than a decade ago. It is such a soulless arena, big yes but with very little atmosphere. An empty space at one end of the ground that separates the away fans from each other is ludicrous. What a contrast with the frenzied atmosphere created at Upton Park. I almost felt sorry for Hammers’ fans but that didn’t last long!

I understand the financial benefits to the Hammers of the move but surely there could have been more development of the site to make it more amenable to football fans. The £13 I paid for two soft drinks and a snack inside the ground is a potent symbol of how fans are exploited and how the beautiful game is being destroyed by greed.