As the game progressed, to the surprise of the home fans and commentators, Leicester City encountered extremely stubborn resistance at home for the first time!
The game reached the thirty-minute mark, and the score was still zero to one.
The visiting team Brighton continues to maintain the lead.
Brighton's players resolutely followed the coach's tactical instructions and worked together to build a steel-like wall in their own half.
Although Leicester City continued to occupy space and penetrated with short passes, they were still unable to penetrate the penalty area, posing too great a threat to the goal.
As for Brighton's outstanding players, in addition to Lingard, who runs aggressively and covers a large area, there are also Dunk, a tall central defender who came from Brighton's youth training, and Ulloa, a single-arrow Argentine center.
The goal that allowed Brighton to break the deadlock first at the King Power Stadium was Dunk's header in the penalty area that allowed Lingard to steal the chicken at the back post.
Moreover, when Mahrez and Nugent tried to pass the ball into the penalty area from the side, he almost always got the first point and used his head to clear the ball out of the dangerous area.
Ulloa, who is at the front of the formation, has not scored yet.
However, this big center with a strong body and good foot skills plays a very obvious role as a fulcrum in the frontcourt.
Brighton's tactics are defensive counterattacks.
Once he gets the ball in the backcourt, he will immediately pass a long pass to find Ulloa, the only big center in front.
What surprised everyone in Leicester City was that in several duels with captain Morgan, Ulloa did not fall behind!
You know, the strongest and best player in the Leicester City team is Morgan!
One can imagine how outstanding Ulloa's confrontation ability is.
Watching Ulloa lean on Morgan with his back on the field, and under his pressure, he firmly controlled the long ball at his feet, and then passed it back to the midfielder who came in, sitting on the coaching bench. Pearson couldn't help but raise his eyebrows.
“Steve, this Argentinian guy you recommended is great.”
As early as the winter window, Ulloa entered the attention list of Leicester City's scouting department.
There is no way, Leicester City's forward line seems to have six people, but in fact only three can be used.
In addition to Nugent and Vardy, New Zealand high center Chris Wood played as a backup center this season and performed reasonably well in his limited playing time.
The 40-year-old Kevin Phillips and the 33-year-old forward Gary Taylor Fletcher are basically retiring in the team.
After the team confirms its upgrade, these two veterans will definitely be eliminated next season.
As for the young forward Tom Hope who was transferred from the youth team, his strength is too poor. He basically plays in the youth team and cannot stay in the first team at all.
Therefore, Leicester City wanted to strengthen the striker as early as the winter window.
Ulloa, Brighton's chief scorer, is one of the targets to focus on.
Leicester City tried to inquire about the price, but Brighton, who aimed to upgrade, was of course unwilling to sell their leading striker to a competitor, so they directly rejected the possibility of this deal.
Coupled with the emergence of Ling Feng, Pearson boldly changed the tactical formation and moved Nugent from the center to the left.
The plan to strengthen the striker also came to nothing.
However, as the league is going smoothly and the promotion quota has been locked in advance, Pearson plans to start looking for reinforcement candidates for the summer transfer window in advance.
Otherwise, after the season is over, all the players you want will be snatched away by other teams!
As the saying goes, strike first to gain the upper hand!
What's more, club signings generally don't just buy whoever they want.
First send scouts to pay attention and make a list of potential candidates.
Then select suitable candidates for further investigation.
After confirming the target, bargaining with the target club, and then agreeing on the transfer fee, you must also discuss personal treatment with the player's agent.
Player transfers between clubs can be fast or slow.
If both parties are of the same mind and the players are willing, progress in negotiations can be completed within days or even hours.
However, it is not uncommon for the two sides to talk for a month or two if there is no substantial progress.
Therefore, in many cases, in the latter part of the season, clubs of all sizes will start signing plans in advance.
Hearing Pearson's words, assistant coach and chief scout Steve Walsh, who was sitting next to him, smiled and then said:
"Actually, I think if we continue to use the 4231 tactical formation after being promoted to the Premier League, we don't need to strengthen the center position."
Hearing this, Pearson couldn't help showing a look of doubt:
"Why?"
"Vardy is in such good shape and has such a good rapport with Ling Feng that it is impossible for him to be a substitute."
"And Nugent can return to the center as his substitute. When he serves as the left winger, he is not fast enough and cannot pass the ball. Once there is a counterattack, he cannot provide much support on the wing."
"Coquenot is too sticky to the ball. If he is on the court and plays positional warfare, it will be fine. If we play a quick counterattack, his dribbling too much will only delay the opportunity."
While listening to the analysis of his old partner, Pearson nodded and then continued to ask: "So what is your opinion?"
As one of the top full-time scouts in England, Steve Walsh is definitely a big shot in the scouting world.
He has worked for the "Blue Army" Chelsea for sixteen years.
He also brought Zola, Cech, Essien, Drogba and other famous stars to Chelsea.
It can be said that the reason why Chelsea was able to break the monopoly of Manchester United and Arsenal on the Premier League championship was that Walsh made an indelible contribution and was one of the biggest contributors behind the scenes.
After helping Chelsea complete the feat of dominating the Premier League, Walsh became famous and was then sincerely hired by another Premier League team, Newcastle.
It was while serving as chief scout at Newcastle that he met current Leicester City coach Pearson.
The two hit it off immediately and became good friends who talked about everything.
Afterwards, after going around in circles, the two came to Fox City together.
Thanks to team owner Vichai's inaction, Pearson and Walsh received great support in the transfer.
Morgan, Vardy, Drinkwater, Matty James and other main players of the team were all brought to Leicester City by Walsh through his discerning eye.
It can be said that the person Pearson trusts the most in the entire club is none other than Walsh!
"We can find one more left winger! He has speed, is good at passing, and is active in defensive defense. Only in this way can we play the speed we want during the transition between offense and defense!"
Hearing this, Pearson seemed to have thought of something, and couldn't help but look at Lingard, who was running around on the field, and his eyes lit up:
"Steve, what do you think of Brighton number 35?"
Chapter two!
Chapter 3 is being written
(End of chapter)
