Connect with us

Championship

Marti Cifuentes and his Leicester side booed off after Watford come from behind to win 2-1

Marti Cifuentes and his Leicester City side were booed off after Watford come from behind to win 2-1 on Friday afternoon.

Leicester had taken an early lead through Jordan James’ deflected effort, but Watford levelled just before half time when Imran Louza set up Othmane Maamma for a curled finish with the outside of his boot.

The visitors dominated much of the game then on the 65th minute, Watford went ahead. Mattie Pollock headed from a Louza cross, with Leicester keeper Jakub Stolarczyk caught out of position.

Boos rang out around the king Power Stadium with Leicester suffering back-to-back defeats, and the pressure increased on Marti Cifuentes.

Leicester City boss Marti Cifuentes told BBC Radio Leicester:

“It is difficult to swallow. We started the game well and we tried to push on and get a bigger score but we conceded after a mistake.

“We spoke at half-time that we had to keep our heads up and keep pushing, but we didn’t play a good second half.

“Their winning goal was after a sequence of mistakes but we need to be accountable. We didn’t push on in the second half to put pressure on to create chances.

“We need to do better; the players have more quality than they are showing.

“There are things we needed to change since I came here but it is not quick. But in football it is all about the next opportunity and there is no hiding. We have to do better.”

Cifuentes, per Sky Sports:

“We were looking for a reaction after the last game, we started the game well and took the lead but it was very disappointing to concede from a mistake very close to half-time.

“We had to make sure we didn’t feel sorry for ourselves but there was another sequence of mistakes at a set-play and from there it was difficult.

“Emotionally it is not easy for the team at the moment. We didn’t play the last quarter of the game at the best level, we couldn’t create enough pressure.

“It’s important that everybody is accountable. We need to have the mental resilience to manage different situations. We can’t only expect to win games when things go our way.

“I knew the task when coming here, there are some things that unfortunately we need to change and try to change certain dynamics.

“All of us have the capacity to do much better and the fans deserve more than we’re offering at the moment.”

Watford boss Javi Gracia told BBC Three Counties Radio:

“We know the quality of their team and the individuals well. We were aware about the way to prepare knowing we needed to defend well but also show our quality – and we did.

“We conceded an early goal; they scored with their first opportunity but we kept believing in our plan and in the end we got what we wanted. I am really happy for the players and the supporters.

“It is always difficult to play away but all the members of the team are improving. We are growing as a team.

“Many people speak about solidarity and helping each other and we have to show that on the pitch.

“Today we showed a good face and the spirit we need. It means we could show our quality.”

Gracia, per Sky Sports:

“The way we are improving and the feeling that the team is growing is better than a couple of good results and the results are the consequence of the work.

“After the opponent scored (from) the first chance, we managed the situation to keep believing in our plan and at the end of the game we got what we wanted with three points.

“It took us a long time to get our first away win. Now we have a second, it’s something amazing for us. We know all the work we are doing to be able to compete this way.

“It’s a Christmas gift for the supporters. We have to show important values on the pitch – solidarity, be supportive and helping each other during the game, that’s the spirit we need.

“I trust all of my players. I would like to give more minutes to all of the players. It’s impossible to compete with the same players in all of the games.”

Here’s how fans reacted with Marti Cifuentes and his Leicester side booed off after Watford come from behind to win 2-1…

@Birdiex94x: One of the worst performances I’ve ever seen. Pack up the season now. Get rid of half the squad, fresh manager willing to make brave changes. Massive change needed.

@WattyWatto: I disagree that it’s all the players. Although they’re weak, they’re not organised. Opposition easily find weaknesses in our team through their analysis. Having a manager with some idea of player instruction would improve this team no end #lcfc

@_joshhollandd: Every time this team go behind, they collapse. Only two times this season have they come from behind to win (Sheffield Wednesday and Norwich). Soft underbelly remaining from the 22/23 season. Too inconsistent and too many players dropping stinkers. Derby next will be hard. #LCFC

@Ben_Batess: No disrespect to Watford but watching that just shows the type of player we need to be signing! Louza absolutely ran that game, he’s far too good for this league but still had the hunger to challenge everything and fight for his team! We are carrying too much deadwood! #LCFC

@cultureforce1: What’s happened to you lot? Looked like half your 11 didn’t want to be there

@Ultra_Fox: 1-2 ft. Another appalling performance by #LCFC against a team with the league’s joint worst away record. Once Watford beat a pitiful offside trap to take the lead, the destiny of the points was never under any threat at all. No leadership or commitment in this team. #RudkinOut

@Linseyhart10: Absolutely rubbish! Losing at home after the shit show at QPR! We just need to make sure we don’t get relegated. #lcfc

@Smithtasticness: Marti has to go at this point I’m afraid. Just not good enough. Need someone who will get more from the players and whose tactics are better.

@ANT_LCFC: Always a chore never a pleasure, cheers Marti #LCFC

@AshleyRTipton: Just not good enough. No lessons are being learnt, no energy, lazy running and not a care at all. Not one of those starting 11 should be near the team at the moment. Start the entire U23s, they couldn’t do any worse and seem to know how to play. #LCFC

@david8to: Shite. Devoid of tactics. Dont seem to have a sense of what style were attempting to be at all. Mistakes all over the pitch. A manager that doesn’t appear to command respect of the players. They didnt even look at him when he was shouting instructions 2nd half.

@Bedfordfoxajb: Bored. Rinse and repeat. Waiting for the same old drivel, got to try harder blah blah blah. We’ve had some amateurs manage us in recent times but this guy takes the prize hands down. Club is an utter shambolic mess

@jhandford11: I mean, I know Rudkin isn’t THE problem, but if he went, it would be like a weight lifted and the start required to begin the reset. The aura around the club stinks. Another abysmal performance. There is zero urgency from anyone. It’s absolutely shocking to watch #LCFC 🦊

@_ellalcfcv2: Sack the board, sack the manager, sell the club, pay the staff, sack the players, get the fuck out.

Related Topics
Click to comment

You must be logged in to post a comment Login

Leave a Reply

More in Championship