BRENDAN RODGERS says Wesley Fofana was left out of the squad for Leicester’s defeat to Southampton because the Chelsea target was not in the right frame of mind to play.
The 21-year-old defender was conspicuous by his absence from the team sheet as the Foxes looked to seal their first victory of the season against winless Saints.
Fofana watched Saturday’s match alongside supporters at the King Power Stadium and saw James Maddison’s smart free-kick put Leicester ahead early in the second half.
But Che Adams’ introduction changed the dynamics, with the super sub lashing home a leveller before scoring a sublime scissor kick as Saints ran out 2-1 victors.
“Very disappointed with the result,” Leicester boss Rodgers said after a smattering of boos met the final whistle.
“We hope to make improvements from the last time we were here (against Brentford) in terms of managing the lead better and unfortunately we were unable to do that.
“I thought we started the game over so well and I think as soon as we went in front I think we showed a little bit of maybe that feeling where we’re at, maybe as a team and as a club, that desperation to get the result.
“Then we stopped doing what we’ve been really, really good at in that opening hour.
“In terms of Wesley, just a young player who is not quite in the right frame of mind at the moment to play.
“A lot going on behind the scenes, which I understand. It’s a difficult moment for him.
“He’s a good kid, he’s been great for us whilst he’s been here and at this moment it’s a difficult one for him.
“You can’t afford that… certainly playing a Premier League game if you’re not 100 per cent fully focused.”
There was no such issues in the visiting camp, with Saints again showing their new-found steely resolve.
Last week they recovered from a two-goal deficit to draw 2-2 with Leeds and on Saturday they bounced back to beat the Foxes.
“We had last year a game here where we also conceded a goal nearly at the same time and then we lost 4-1, I think,” Saints boss Ralph Hasenhuttl said.
“Today maybe when you want to speak about the difference it’s that there is a team that is super believing in what we’re doing and didn’t accept that we are not strong enough to take something here.
“This was very, very good to watch from everybody and a big compliment to the group, how it was working during the week because it’s not a coincidence.”
It was an impressive team effort completed by Adams.
“He didn’t train until Thursday (due to a groin injury) and it was too risky to let him start,” Hasenhuttl added.
“But I think he also did in the last game a good job when he was on the pitch, so we just have to get a few minutes.
“It was fantastic, a fantastic reaction and happy to have him and happy to have a bench where you can change things”
Aussie gleeson before De Burca he only looked to be good cuz he was the extra player
Good point but De Burca is nailed on. The media appear not to take the fact he was a free man in to consideration.
As said in the article played the sweeper role brilliantly ,if you’re marking you’re doing it wrong. Noel Connors unlucky tho ,he had Pa Horgan in his pocket for two big games this year.
That’ll be 4 for Paul Murphy in 4 years some going. In fairness some player
3 in 4 years*
Can’t really argue with that, people putting Johnny Glynn on the team was mad as he was average in each game bar cork. If Mannion had a played average in Leinster and all Ireland finals he’d be nearly hurler of the year but he was poor in both, great in all other games.
Glynn won a rake of puck outs every game or at least broke them down. Invaluable in a forward line. Very underrated before cork game and over hyped after
That could be spot on.
wat does Conor Fogarty have to do to get all star also Eoin Larkin hardest working and most consistent kk player all year
I’m from tipp and would only have s callinan as sole tipp representative on team
No joe canning
No. Are you surprised? I’m not.
Yeah he went for a walkabout on Jones road in the 2nd half
so did the rest of the team, can’t blame one indivdual
No but Canning is supposed to be the main man. Most of the Kilkenny team didn’t perform in the second half against Galway in the 2012 All Ireland final but yet Henry Shefflin gave a masterclass. For some reason people always try make excuses for Joe Canning. It’s about time these people woke up and realised he’s not as good as was expected of him.
Bubbles for ger aylward
Bubbles wasn’t there in the semi tho
No chance of that happening.
Shane Fives ahead of Cashel Barrett?
canning is top scorer (2nd top scorer from play behind mannion) people expect a lot more from him! I’ll put my house on it that he’ll get one!
You will be losing your house so. Putting up big scores against weak teams doesn’t guarantee an All Star. He scored a goal in the Leinster final but did nothing else, was awful against a terrible Cork team, didn’t do a huge amount against Tipp and disappeared in the second half of the All Ireland when his county needed him the most!
you couldn’t be more wrong, what weak teams did they play?
Couldn’t be more wrong! Really? Canning scored 1-15 against Laois. The last time I checked they were not exactly a hurling force.
It’s also easy to be top scorer when you’ve played the most games. TJ Reid, Maurice Shanahan & Seamus Callanan all had higher scoring averages. Those 3 are guaranteed All Stars. That shows being the top scorer isn’t everything.
Laois and a poor Dublin side in the first round of Leinster. Including reply he scored 2-9 then 1-15 against a poor Laois team.
Paddy Murphy from Offaly for Jason flynn
Fairly spot on team . No real other stand out consistent players
Cathal Barrett god dam predictive txt.
Barrett deserves one for sure in my book but I’d have James Barry of Tipp instead of Holden at full back. Other than that the team is pretty close to the one that’ll actually be announced I’d say.
Canning should nearly be there ahead of Aylward too maybe. The goal in Lenister final and to be fair despite the wides he hit he still got savage scores in every game. In his defence he was pretty much double marked 2nd half of AI final
James Barry??? That gave me a good laugh. Thanks!!
Ger Aylward apart from his scoring ( 3-15 or so ) was a symbol of the Kilkenny forwards working back ethic – he also was a key provider such as TJ Reids goal with the hopped pass and was very industrious
Very little from Shanahan apart from frees I would have Mannion