A trio of Leicester City players, specifically defensive personnel, have been heavily criticised by the press. And rightly so. Goalkeeper Danny Ward was targeted. Not to mention centre backs Conor Coady and Jannik Vestergaard being publicly chastised by some very prominent journalists and experts in the English media. This emerged following the awful Foxes performance and result versus Wolverhampton Wanderers. A team who also just happen to be relegation-threatened and from the Midlands. Great!
The match at King Power Stadium this past weekend was a truly difficult watch for the Blue Army. How Ruud van Nistelrooy got through it without burying his head in the turf is astounding. Staying positive and actually getting some more wins or even draws is the Dutchman's unrealistic and major concern now.
But why were three of his so-called stars lambasted in the morning papers and on social media? Was the unabashed criticism fair on the trio? Will the defenders and their back-up goalkeeper be able to bounce back from the latest terrible defeat? And will the annoyed fans of the Leicestershire outfit- forgive the men they give much money, time and emotions to support?
Quite the Leicester City appraisal
Danny Ward
First of all, stopper Danny Ward. Oh dear, where to start? Maybe the fact that his own home supporters booed his display.
That was, of course, rather unfair on the ex-Liverpool man. Yet Ward completely crumbled under minimal pressure combined with a susceptible defence. So, what was written about him?
"This was a dream start for Wolves’s new head coach Vitor Pereira, as a first-half nightmare from Leicester’s defence and goalkeeper Danny Ward conspired to hand their opponents what felt like a significant victory."
John Percy, The Telegraph
"Perhaps it would have been kinder to substitute Ward because this game was done by the interval."
Tom Collomosse, Daily Mail
"Poor Danny Ward suffered in a Winter Blunderland"
The Sun
Jannik Vestergaard
I'm not sure why Vestergaard is starting for van Nistelrooy, to be honest. Clearly the Dane is a competent centre half - at Championship level!
"We can see here Vestergaard, a big, strong, dominant centre-back. Yes, there's two players around him, but he's got to deal with the first ball. It's a straight ball."
Former PL striker Glenn Murray
"The spirit of festive generosity must have been infectious because Leicester’s players then spent the first 45 minutes handing out free soft goals to Wolves"
Graham Thomas, The Times
Conor Coady
"He gets a little bump from Goncalo Guedes, but Connor Cody doesn't get across, and I think you want more from your goalkeeper Danny Ward there."
Glenn Murray, Match of the Day 2
"A pathetic defensive display..."
Tom Collomosse, Daily Mail
Don't read it Conor, mate. They're essentially saying your'e washed as an PL athlete. Sadly that assessment is probably accurate judging by recent efforts, pace and decisions the former Wolves favourite makes.