VARDY SHOWS HE CAN DELIVER
Striker is showing true class
JAMIE VARDY found it tough to adjust to life in the Championship last season. The Leicester striker scored just five times for his new club after a goal-laden campaign at Fleetwood in the Conference.
But he is now showing just why Nigel Pearson spent £1 million on him.
Not only did he score his 12th this term to set the ball rolling on another straightforward Leicester afternoon, his constant energy made it impossible for Ipswich’s defence to settle as they were torn about by a man in the peak of his powers.
This game was over by halftime with Dave Nugent scoring his 14th goal in 13 games against the Tractor Boys after Vardy’s opener before Chris Wood scored a third with two minutes remaining.
Manager Nigel Pearson sang his number nine’s praises after his sensational display meant Leicester did not even have to break sweat in the second half to go past the 70-point mark at the top of the Championship table.
“I’m very pleased with Jamie Vardy's contribution,” he said.
“When you compare his performances this year to the perception of him last year he has responded exceptionally well to that.
“All in all he is developing really well as a Leicester player.
“I’m not bothered about the past or the future, I just know he is fulfilling what we thought he could achieve.
“He’s probably got more faith in his own ability. Confidence is a huge part in anyone's game but probably more so if you are a striker and good for him.
“Dave was looking forward to playing against Ipswich again!
“I don’t suppose they were too keen. I don’t know why these stats happen.”
It is looking good for Leicester as they sit eight points above second place Burnley and ten above Derby in third but Pearson will not get carried away.
“We can have a chat about promotion in six or seven games time if we’ve won them,” he said. “There’s no point in getting involved in a discussion at this stage, that would be stupid.”
Despite a promising spell before Vardy’s opener, Ipswich were never in a game they lost 60 last term.
And Vardy’s nuisance value led to his 19th-minute level as he took advantage of a Jay Tabb back pass that went wrong to slot home.
It was as good as game over on 31 minutes as Vardy started the move that led to Nugent’s 50th goal for Leicester.
Ritchie De Laet’s original cross was poorly cleared by Luke Chambers straight back to him and the usually deadly Nugent had the simplest of tasks to tap in the second cross.
Ipswich briefly rallied in the second half with a poor attempt by Daryl Murphy the closest they came to a leveller.
But Leicester did not have to play at 100 per cent with the game already won, although they did add a third goal when substitute Wood read Matty James’ through ball to slot past Dean Gerken.
“I think Leicester will stroll it by a million miles,” said Ipswich boss Mick McCarthy.
“They are the best team in the Championship. They are streaks ahead of anyone else.
“We were beaten by a better side. Unfortunately for me and us we contributed to it.
“We had our best spell and then went backwards and were negative and gave it away.
“We had got into the game but Leicester are better than us. They don’t need any assistance.
“Tabby shouldn’t have been put in that position, that's my view. We should have been in their third.
“I thought we played well in the second half but they were 2-0 up. They did not need to get a third.”