章 18: Chapter 17
Last season, Leicester City ended up ranked sixth in the league. Unfortunately, they lost in the play-offs and failed to successfully promote to the premier league.
This has a lot to do with their forward's poor ability to seize opportunities.
Just looking at the number of goals scored in the season, they are actually not that many.
But when it comes to the ability to create excellent opportunities, Leicester City is at the top of the British Championship.
Helplessly, the forwards spit out balls fed to them one after another, which caused the team to often lose points that should not be lost.
Among the league's top scorers last season, only Nugent ranked eighth.
However, his total number of 16 goals is still far behind that of Glenn Murray at the top of the list.
Last season's second-leading scorer on the team was actually Konckaert, who scored 8 goals.
This pair of main strikers last season did not score as many goals as some of their competitors alone.
Next came midfielder Andy King's 7 goals and Vardy's 4 goals.
These are the top four players in the team in terms of numbers of league goals last season.
It's really not an exaggeration.
If it hadn't been for a very stable defense, Leicester City wouldn't even have been able to get sixth place in the league.
With the arrival of the new season, coach Pearson decided to experiment with a new lineup, especially on the frontline.
Leicester City started to attack as soon as the game started.
The most active ones are the two wings.
Dyer and James used their personal skills to make rapid breakthroughs and seek opportunities.
Several consecutive shots made the field heated up immediately, and the fans continued to applaud.
Andy King also used his comprehensiveness to control the ball, protect the ball, and pass the ball, creating several threatening ball opportunities.
However, none of them could be converted into goals.
Vardy forced his shot in the penalty area and missed the goal. Chris Wood's two headers were also resolved by the goalkeeper because of their relatively straightforward positioning.
Although they failed to score in the first fifteen minutes, the atmosphere in the stadium was quite enthusiastic.
However, Pearson on the sidelines frowned.
Fans find the offense enjoyable, but Pearson doesn't see it that way.
How many good opportunities has the team just wasted!
Although the breakthroughs from the two wingers were sharp, there was no good passing outcome at all!
Wood in the middle is 191cm tall, but due to strict interference from the opponent, he was unable to make any impact with his header.
Under the opponent's intensive defense, Vardy's rapid advancement characteristics were completely suppressed, making him useless in positional warfare.
Seeing his team in trouble, Pearson yelled for the backfield players to press on.
Two full-backs can create more opportunities.
In the next period of time, there were indeed many more opportunities, but they failed to score.
At the end of the first half, the score was still 0-0.
Pearson had a bad look on his face. When he returned to the locker room, he didn't give the players a good look at all.
As soon as the second half started, the team made extensive adjustments.
Many players in the midfield and frontcourt were replaced, especially the two forwards, who all came off the field.
Vardy came to the bench with his head lowered and sat down, kicking the turf hard.
"Today's form is really bad!"
Xia Xing next to him comforted: "This is the first friendly match, don't rush, take your time."
Chris Wood on the other side was also very unhappy.
As one of the two high center forwards on the team, he has been in good training form during this period.
He scored 3 goals in the league last season and performed well in the cup, scoring 6 goals.
But even so, he could only serve as a substitute for Nugent, who is also a high center.
Last season, Nugent was in great form, and Pearson could only choose one between two forwards with similar technical characteristics.
Nugent has a strong view of the overall situation and cooperates better with his teammates, which is even more appreciated by Pearson.
Although Chris Wood is extremely talented, he is young and proud, and Pearson wants to polish him.
The hard-earned starting opportunity was wasted like this, and Wood was naturally unhappy.
The two main forwards came off the field, and last season's league starting striker combination came on.
After the two came on the court, it was obvious that the team changed a lot.
Especially Nugent, his Holdup Forward role is more obvious, frequently giving the ball to his teammates and creating many good opportunities.
Knockaert also frequently seized opportunities and shot continuously.
However, they all missed the goal, just by a hair.
Until the 75th minute of the game, Leicester City still failed to break through York City's goal.
The York City coach was in a good mood on the sidelines.
Being able to withstand the powerful Leicester City, he is full of expectations for the new season.
But Pearson was in a worse mood.
He stared in the direction of the field with a livid expression on his face. If it weren't for the limited number of substitute players, he really wanted to replace the current 11 players.
What kind of shit are this boys playing!
Considering that the players have just returned from vacation and are in poor condition, they need time to recover.
However, they are playing too badly!
Pearson looked back at the bench. Only the third goalkeeper brought from the youth team and Xia Xing were left.
Seeing Xia Xing, Pearson frowned slightly.
He really didn't like this thin Chinese boy.
But now...
"Xia, go warm up and get ready to go on stage!"
"Okay!"
In fact, Xia Xing had just finished warming up but he stood up again within a minute of sitting down.
But this time he was excited.
This is his first appearance in a game wearing a Leicester City jersey!
Even if it's just a friendly match, it's great!
Xia Xing came on as a substitute and replaced left midfielder Dyer.
Dyer performed very actively in this game and created many opportunities.
The two high-fived and Xia Xing appeared!
The No. 17 Leicester City jersey with "xia" written on it appears at the King Power Stadium for the first time!
The commentator's words of encouragement echoed on the court.
"The next one is the newcomer from Leicester City - xia!"
The fans in the stands gave encouraging applause, which made Xia Xing intoxicated.
Drinkwater, who had been substituted, was full of expectations: "This kid will become a super sub, he definitely has the aura."
Matthew James also whistled loudly, and did not stop until Pearson glared at him.
Why is it always me who is unlucky...
Xia Xing ran onto the court, and he felt that the blood flow in his body had accelerated.
The opponent's throw-in ball was thrown, and players from both sides began to press near the midfield.
The ball bounced to the left.
Falling at the feet of Xia Xing!
At this time, Xia Xing saw that the opponent's defense was pressing forward!
Without hesitation, accelerate with the ball!
The opponent's midfielder grabbed at the ball!
Xia Xing changed direction easily and passed him!
Speed up along the wing!
Two central midfielders flanked from each side, and Xia Xing protected the ball at his feet. His speed slowed down for a moment...
and suddenly accelerated!
This is Iniesta's signature move - La Croqueta
Passing between the two of them in an instant!
At this time he has entered the penalty area!
Although there are two defenders on the opposite side, he can shoot!
Xia Xing moved his feet and struck quickly!
No shots, just passes!
The ball rolled the right side!
Find knockaert!
The French forward didn't adjust and volleyed directly!
The ball hit the net!
The ball went in!
1 to 0!
Leicester City finally broke the deadlock!
The stands burst into applause and cheers!
On the sidelines of the court, Drinkwater and Matthew James looked at each other in surprise.
"What a super substitution!"
(End of this chapter)
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