Former West Ham United striker Dean Ashton has criticised Steve Cooper for failing to instil a clear identity in the team.
The TalkSPORT pundit made these comments following Leicester City’s 1-0 victory against Bournemouth at the King Power Stadium. This was the Foxes’ first Premier League victory of the season, but Ashton wasn’t impressed with the team’s lack of an identity.
“I am yet to look at a Steve Cooper side and know how they are playing, what is it that sort of sets them aside and what he wants his team to do. Today was very much ‘we’re going to go forward early, hit the front early, flick it in behind for Vardy’.
“There’s nothing wrong with that, but then they were separate parts where they are trying to play right out from the goalkeeper.
“There was just a strong identity last season. I am yet to see that from Steve Cooper, but ultimately, I can’t criticise him too much because he made a big call before the game and it worked.”
Dean Ashton’s comments are quite naïve
Ashton’s comments partially make sense, but a large part of what he said is quite naïve. Steve Cooper prefers giving more freedom to his players when compared to Enzo Maresca’s rigid tactical system. While there is nothing wrong with either style, it just means that it may be harder for people to recognise patterns of play with Cooper’s fluid system.
Although the players do get freedom with their in-game decisions, the manager wants his players to follow a blueprint. The fullbacks and wingers have clear roles regarding their movement and positioning. Cooper also wants his side to play passing football like they did under Maresca, but the quality of the opposition prevents that at times.
Ashton’s comments about Mads Hermansen were naïve. The Denmark international is good with the ball and attempts to pass it short when possible. However, given the pressing intensity of Premier League teams, he has been forced to clear it to avoid needless pressure on the backline. It’s just a simple case of assessing the risks of playing it short and acting depending on the situation.
Steve Cooper’s Leicester City is still a work in progress, but as the players get accustomed to the tactics and their teammates, there will be more recognisable patterns of play, which eventually becomes the team’s identity.
