Why Marti Cifuentes refused half-time changes after 'unacceptable' 4-0 first half at QPR | OneFootball

Marti Cifuentes made Leicester City's starters face the consequences of a dire first half at QPR by refusing half-time changes, and he hopes for a reaction against Watford on Boxing Day at the King Power Stadium.

According to LeicesterMercury.co.uk, City were 4-0 down at Loftus Road at the interval, a first period the head coach called “unacceptable”.

He kept his starting line-up on at the break and waited beyond the hour to use his bench, saying the players needed to take responsibility.

“Why didn’t we make changes? Sometimes I think everyone has to accept and be accountable. It was not good enough.”

“To make sure that everybody has a possibility to fix, or at least to face the reality and compete for the badge, we thought that was the best decision in a game where you are 4-0 down and that is going to be very difficult to win.”

Cifuentes rejected the idea the delay reflected a lack of game-changers from the bench. “Aaron and Jez, coming back from injury, the medical recommendation was around 20 to 30 minutes for both of them.”

Also among the substitutes were Asmir Begovic, Wout Faes, Hamza Choudhury, youngsters Bade Aluko, Louis Page and Silko Thomas, and loan striker Julian Carranza, who has been overlooked in recent weeks. With the January window imminent, he feels he has options to turn to.

“I have belief in my players, and it’s my responsibility to get the best out of them, to find the ways to start the game and finish the game. Many times, the bench impact has been good through the season.”

Source: LeicesterMercury.co.uk