Louis van Gaal expects Jamie Vardy will be a “nasty” problem for Manchester United to tackle when they head to Leicester on Saturday.
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Jamie Vardy is regarded as a player who will work really hard for the team.
“For the players that show the aptitude to play in the Football League, we will work closely with them to make sure they are placed in the best football environment to go and fulfil their potential”, added John Morris, Vardy’s long-time agent at Key Sports Management. Along with a decent goal scoring instincts, he has enough quality to be a half-decent striker in the Premier League. “He’s an excellent manager and I’m happy for him”. But neither is considered a top title contender. Leicester City right at the top of the league, after 13 games, and not by goal difference or sheer dumb luck.
Smalling has been one of the most improved players in the Premier League this season, thriving under Louis van Gaal’s style of play.
“I remember saying, ‘We will watch when you play for England and when you play in the Premier League, ‘” Pilley told The Associated Press. Leicester have been showing off their attacking football this season, whilst Man United have been a possession based footballing team under Van Gaal.
Dennis Bergkamp is the only man to have scored in 10 consecutive league games under the Dutchman – and his run came more than 20 years ago with Ajax. (I have excluded shots from set plays and rebounds.) The Foxes lead EPL in shots from these quick-hit moves, and in fact, they have also attempted the fewest shots from moves of more than five passes (11). It’s a great position to be in, and they’re going from strength to strength because of it.
Wayne Rooney returned from illness on Wednesday and had a mixed game, giving the ball away on occasion, but did his best to drive United forward in the latter parts of the match. But my mind has been changed and I am absolutely convinced he’ll have the nation’s top striker Vardy in his pocket when first and second go head-to-head on Saturday tea time.
Close your eyes and imagine Leicester City winning the Premier League. The same weaknesses and points tally at this point last season would’ve seen them seven points off the top, with people already writing them off. This season, they’re less than a game from the summit and second favourites.
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It all leaves Sky Bet’s title odds looking like this: 11/8 Manchester City, 2/1 Arsenal, 7/2 Manchester United, 20/1 Tottenham & Liverpool, 50/1 Chelsea, 100/1 bar. They have had the third lowest share of possession in the division this season, just 45 per cent, and have the poorest passing accuracy, of 71.5 per cent. Misplaced passes could harm them at some stage. Stoke did a job on Southampton, soaking up plenty of pressure, before catching them on the break. They’re the ones who bring the revenue in, after all, and it means that they’re able to keep their distance from the chasing pack. To roll out the stat for the 7,000th time this week: In eight league games with Kompany in the side this season, City have conceded one goal.
