Tottenham Hotspur will be looking to earn their first win of the Premier League season on Saturday when they travel to Leicester City.
Ahead of the match, we’ve spoke to Connor McDonagh – Foxes fan and editor of Read Leicester – to discuss the main talking points.
A superb start to the season for your side, Connor. It must’ve been quite something to experience that after being touted for relegation once again?
Our start has been fantastic. Obviously to get two wins out of two is a great way to start the season but our performances have been more impressive than the results themselves. In both games, we played some great free-flowing attacking football and thoroughly deserved to beat both Sunderland and West Ham like we did. We are scoring goals, our midfield has been imposing and our defence has been solid – the start has gone better than most Leicester fans could have imagined after the sacking of Nigel Pearson inthe summer.
What do you think has been behind your positive start? Ranieri? Or
perhaps something else?
Despite his nickname being ‘The Tinkerman’, not tinkering has been one of the reasons for success so far this season. It has been a continuation of how we played at the end of last season – a lot of energy through Vardy, Mahrez and Schlupp, high-pressing from strikers, attacking football through 4-4-2. Ranieri deserves credit for maintaining this style of play rather than imposing his own philosophy. Overall, it is a collective effort. King and Drinkwater in the middle of midfield have improved ten-fold on performances from last season, Mahrez is currently the Premier League top scorer and also the Okazaki/Vardy strike partnership has started very well.
We haven’t enjoyed such a pleasant time of things, you’ll be sure to know. Did you catch any of Spurs’ opening two games? And if so, what did you think?
Lackluster. I watched the opener against Manchester United and Spurs played well for 20 minutes or so, but both sides were very poor, and to throw away a two-goal lead at home to Stoke is baffling. Not enough chances are being created for Kane, which is a serious issue. It’s only two games, so I fully expect Spurs to pick up as the season goes on.
Here’s hoping! As for Saturday, which player do you think Spurs fans should be most worried about?
Without a doubt, Mahrez. He is technically gifted, has a lot of pace and a sweet left foot. He likes to cut inside a lot which will cause your full-back problems. He’s definitly got the potential to play for a top six side. Considering we paid £400k for him from a Ligue Two side, it has been a fantastic signing and credit to our scouting network. I could see him fitting in at Spurs, considering the lack of creativity, other than Eriksen, in your side.
I’ll be sure to keep an eye out. And what about Spurs? Who are you wary of the most?
I think the Kane/Eriksen partnership is what we need to be wary of. Kane needs support from midfield, and if he gets that, then that’ll be a concern. Eriksen is an outstanding player, he is up there with the best attacking midfielders in the league. His vision and movement in the pockets will cause us problems.
I’d agree with that. So what are your goals for the season now? After a good start, where do you think you’ll finish?
Anywhere between 11th and 15th, despite our good start. I am wary that our form will decline at some stage, but I am confident we will have a solid season and hit the 40 point mark early on. We have a much better squad and manager than a lot of sides in a similar position to us, so I am confident. I don’t think we’re far away from challenging Swansea, Stoke, Palace for a top ten spot, and if we were to achieve that, it would be a fantastic season.
That it would. And what about Spurs? Is top four going to be too much to ask for this season?
I think Spurs will finish a solid sixth this season. I think they are nowhere near the top four, but far enough ahead of the likes of Southampton and Everton to secure a Europa League spot. I’d like to see Pochettino focus on Europe this year and try and win it. It’s the club’s best opportunity of reaching Champions League football.
Going by out season so far, I think that’s more than fair. And finally, the burning question, what’s the score going to be on Saturday?
I am very confident. We performed well in the three games against you last time out, especially the home game in December. We are in good form and our performances in the opening two games have been strong. I’ll go 3-1.
Bold prediction. Thanks for your time.
