Struggling Leicester face the increasingly
impressive Fulham this weekend at Filbert Street, as the Foxes bid
to reboot their recovery following their slump back into the land
of defeat on Monday.
 Fulham
will also be looking for a much-needed win, as their free-flowing
passing game is certainly turning heads at the moment, but failing
to gain them enough points at the same time.
Leicester are more in need of a win than they have been in some time.
Their first of the campaign, against Derby last weekend, came as an
enormous relief to beleaguered boss Peter Taylor, but the 2-1 letdown
away to Middlesbrough two days later seemingly put his job right back
on the line. They have fired just 20 efforts on target this season
- one of the Premiership's lower tallies, made worse by the fact that
they have played a game more than a number of other sides.
Fulham have already given both Manchester United and Arsenal all sorts
of problems this season, but on each occasion they have not succeeded
in converting their silky skills into Premiership points. The joint-second
lowest shooting accuracy in the top flight - just 34% - goes some
way towards explaining why.
Reports of the Cottagers having demonstrated a superb level of quality
distribution have not been exaggerated. A good ratio of four in every
five passes have been finding their intended target, meaning Fulham
are currently the joint-third most accuracte side in the top flight,
and if they can continue to spray the ball around with such composure,
it seems only a matter of time before results begin to pick up.
 Leicester
themselves would love such a fine distribution rate, but with a passing
accuracy level of just 72% they are struggling to put the ball where
they want it with alarming regularity. To demonstrate the malaise
that seems to be affecting the side at the moment, even the usually-dependable
Muzzy Izzet has been finding it hard so far, with just 73% of his
attempted passes finding a blue shirt.
As a result of this poor level of distribution, it is hardly surprising
that frustration appears to be creeping into the Foxes' game. With
121 fouls conceded already, in just five top-flight matches, Leicester
have committed the second-highest number of offences in the division,
and the likes of Dennis Wise and Robbie Savage will have to pull themselves
together if they are to help pull the club out of its current crisis.
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Leicester
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Filbert St Saturday 22nd
September, 2001
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Fulham
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5
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Games
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5
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ATTACKING
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5
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Goals scored
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6
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1.00
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Ave goals per game
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1.20
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47%
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Shooting Accuracy
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34%
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12%
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Goals to shots %
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10%
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PASSING
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1564
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Passes
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2163
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72%
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Pass completion %
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79%
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DEFENDING
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76%
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Tackle success rate %
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73%
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14
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Goals conceded
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11
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2.80
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Ave goals conceded per game
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2.20
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DISCIPLINE
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121
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Fouls
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90
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14
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Yellow cards
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7
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2
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Red cards
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0
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