RODGERS GETS THE VARDY PARTY BOUNCING AGAIN
Jamie Vardy has spent his career proving critics wrong, but there was only love in the air after he struck a brace in his home county to continue Leicester’s rapid rise under Brendan rodgers.
The 32-year- old starred in a 4-1 stroll over the doomed hosts, moving to 15 goals in 29 matches and past Gary Lineker into sixth on the Foxes’ all-time scorers list with 104.
The Sheffield-born striker’s impact is not lost on his new manager, nor did it surprise him. rodgers has worked with some top strikers in his career, including Luis Suarez, but feels there is no other like Vardy.
‘He’s unique,’ the Northern irishman said. ‘The players i’ve been fortunate enough to work with so far have had different strengths. Jamie’s a joy to work with. you see him from the outside, he’s one of the best strikers in the division and proven it over a number of years. i’m very lucky to work with someone like that.’
Vardy, who all but retired from england duty last year, does not appear to be showing any signs of ageing. He continues to operate on the fringes, ready to explode should an opportunity arise.
‘He does all the things you want him to, as a manager,’ said rodgers. ‘When you’re looking for runs in behind he’s already on his way. He’s in, he sets the game up, he’s in the box to score. He’s such a threat in every single game we play.’
The feeling is mutual with Vardy. ‘He’s been brilliant,’ the striker said. ‘He’s getting his ideas across and everyone’s buying into it and putting the effort in to make sure we’re playing the exact way he wants.’
With regards to overtaking Lineker, Vardy was humble. ‘Hopefully there’s more to come,’ he said. ‘That’s only going to come by putting in more hard work on the training field first.’
The double means it is now eight in eight for Vardy, and his manager, who has overseen four wins in a row, was not the only one singing his praises. Playmaker James maddison, who along with on-loan monaco star youri Tielemans struck in the rout, read from the same hymn sheet.
‘He’s a pleasure to play with,’ said maddison. ‘He’s brilliant, a worldclass striker. His movement is unbelievable, little bits that people don’t always pick up on but he’s a pleasure to play with.’
maddison is another enjoying life after the restrained Claude Puel’s departure. ‘The intensity is up,’ he said. We’re playing with freedom but within a structure, there’s a good balance. it’s a pleasure to work with Brendan rodgers and his staff.’
The relegated hosts are in danger of setting two unwanted top-flight records. No team in its 131-year history has scored fewer than 20 goals. Jan Siewert’s side have 19. Nobody has ever scored fewer than 10 goals at home. aaron mooy’s penalty lifted the toothless Terriers to eight.
While Huddersfield have an eye on next season, so do Leicester. Key for rodgers will be making Tielemans’ move permanent.
‘i have to respect he’s a monaco player,’ he said. ‘Would i like to work with him? Of course. He’s a wonderful talent.’
HUDDERSFIELD (4-2-3-1): Hamer 6.5; Smith 6, Schindler 6, Kongolo 6, Durm 6; Hogg 6 (Bacuna 81min), Stankovic 5 (Mbenza 46, 7); Mooy 6.5, Pritchard 5.5 (Mounie 60, 6), Lowe 5.5; Grant 5.5. Subs not used: Coleman, Kachunga, Williams, Hadergjonaj. Booked: Hogg, Stankovic, Kongolo. Manager: Jan Siewert 5. LEICESTER (4-1-4-1): Schmeichel 6.5; Ricardo 7, Soyuncu 6.5, Morgan 6.5, Chilwell 6.5; Ndidi 7 (Choudhury 87); Gray 7, TIELEMANS 8, Maddison 7.5, Barnes 6.5 (Okazaki 61, 6); Vardy 7.5 (Ihenacho 90). Subs not used: Ward, Mendy, Fuchs, Ghezzal.
Manager: Brendan Rodgers 7. Referee: David Coote 7. Attendance: 24,126.