Something in the Making: Lam Matteo

[Matt10]

TRANSFER TIME?
January window open in one week

By Johnson Peoples (Editor) - 8:15 am (12/30/2016)

It's a question of whether or not Matteo will break the glass of the window or will he just peer through

Currently starting as an attacking midfielder for Swansea City, the 25-year old could consider any offers that might be thrown his way - in particular those that do not require the "rehabilitating" body of his to play midfield.

I feel good about whatever move he makes. If a Premier League side comes calling - I think he should sprint out into their arms. If another Championship side calls, I think he should do the same.

Don't get me wrong, I enjoy his move to Swansea - but I'm not sure this is a long stint at all. Whether or not Matteo sees it that way might not matter, I think he is going for the top - maybe play Uefa football before he turns 30.

In the meantime, sources have stated that Matteo's fatigue level is starting to rise and could possibly be on the bench for the final match of the calendar year against QPR tomorrow.

If that's the case, I hope teams do not judge on how he played the last two games - but how he opened up his affair.

[Matt10]

Fixture 19 - (Dec. 31, 2016)
Swansea City v Queens Park Rangers



Agyemang celebrates the crucial goal for QPR.

Prematch: Swansea City (7th, 27pts) – Queens Park Rangers (3rd, 34pts)
Swansea are hoping to regain their form after a scoreless draw last week to table leaders, Newcastle United. Manager Paulo Sousa admits that his defensive tactics were used for the wrong occasion considering his team only had 3 shots the entire match. Today QPR come into town after moving three places into 3rd in the table. The night is showered with rain which should produced some uneasy, nervous football - the kind that should bring up quite the scoreline lets hope!

Halftime: Swansea City 2-1 QPR
Swansea look like the better side this half, but QPR are starting to mount a comeback despite the own goal by Damion Stewart. The one goal margin is not going to be enough to make Sousa comfortable with his team's shape, but so far the switch from Dobble to Pintado up front has seemed to pay off as the striker found his first goal of the season.

Fulltime: Swansea City 2-2 QPR
A brilliant substitution for QPR and a victory snatched from the home side, Swansea City. City will be frustrated with defender Abu Bakr, who seemed to have the ball stuck under his foot, before Wayne Routledge scooped up the error. Routeldge's shot was saved initially by De Vries, but substitute Patrick Agyemang's follow-up diving header crashed into the goal.

Swansea City Goals: Own Goal 9 - Pintado 16
Queens Park Rangers Goals: Vine 21 - Agyemang 80

Caution: Pellicori (QPR)
Sent off: None
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Next Match - Bristol City v Swansea City

[Matt10]

WINDOW IS OPEN
January 2016 weekly offers and analysis

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Week 1 | 2 offers
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Crystal Palace - 280 P

• + 4th Place in Championship
• + Goal leader: Alan Lee (6)
• + Rich tradition, young manager Paul Scholes (ex-Man United player)

Coventry City - 300 P

• - 15th Place in Championship
• + Goal leader: Clinton Morrison (8)
• - Needs midfielder
• + More playing time

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Week 2 | 3 offers
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Crystal Palace - 280 P (out)



Coventry City - 300 P

• - 15th Place in Championship
• + Goal leader: Clinton Morrison (8)
• - Needs midfielder
• + More playing time

Leicester City - 330 P

• - 19th Place in Championship
• + Goal leader: Matty Fryatt (5), MF Andy King & Matt Oakley
• + Needs second striker

Preston North End - 330 P

• - 16th Place in Championship
• + Goal leader: Neil Mellor (3)
• + Needs top goal poacher
• - Only 1 international, Ross Wallace (Scotland)

-----------
Week 3 | Same offers remain
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Week 4 | 2 offers
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Coventry City - 310 P

Leicester City - 260 P

[Matt10]

LEICESTER CITY!
Matteo completes questionable transfer

By Johnson Peoples (Editor) - 5:35 am (1/6/2017)

Skeptics say Leicester paid too much for the striker Lam Matteo, but I would say Matteo made the right move. I would have liked a move to Preston North End so he could follow in Becks footsteps - but other than that, this move will help him get more playing time as a striker, rather than a midfielder.

Manager Nigel Pearson has been at the job for a while, and had nothing but praise for the signing of Matteo.

"I think we did good here. He (Matteo) possesses a raw talent that is going to shine brightly to our boys so that we can garner some confidence heading into the second half of the season."

Matteo is set to make his debut for Leicester this Saturday.
.

[Matt10]

Fixture 20 - (Jan. 27, 2017)
Leicester City v Derby County


Prematch: Leicester City (19th, 18pts) – Derby County (13th, 22pts)
Leicester come into this match with zero points shown for the last four games. Their new signing Lam Matteo is placed on the bench by Nigel Pearson, DJ Campbell and Yann Kermorgant are the selections up front - and are expected to score in the second half unless they fear their starting roles.

Halftime: Leicester City 0-0 Derby County
Derby looks like the more attacking side this half, with two shots by Hulse, one which struck the crossbar from 25-yards away. Leicester have enjoyed the possession, but the final ball has not been there for the Foxes.

Fulltime: Leicester City 0-0 Derby County
A somewhat frantic match played in close quarters, a point a piece - noone should be dissapointed on Derby's side. However, Nigel Perason will need to reassess his team's incentive for next week versus Coventry City.

Caution:
Sent off: None
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Next Match - Leicester City v Coventry City

[Matt10]

Fixture 21 - (Feb. 4, 2017)
Coventry City v Leicester City


Matteo celebrates his first goal for the new club.

Prematch: Coventry City (16th, 21pts) – Leicester City (19th, 19pts)
After a scoreless draw last week, Leiceser will be looking to imrpve their form. Manager Nigel Pearson has replaced DJ Campbel with Matty Fryatt, teh team's leading scorer.Coventry are known for their pace up top with leon Best and Clinton Morrison, a deadly duo that Leicester will have to watch out for.

Halftime: Coventry City 0-0 Leicester City
Leicester are without haste, but once - almost a trend as of late - the final ball is lacking. Only one shot on goal for the Foxes, Nigel Pearson has summoned La Matteo in place of Yann Kermorgant, who has shown no sense of his whereabouts on the pitch.

Fulltime: Coventry City 0-1 Leicester City
Nigel Pearson looks like a genius today subbing in Lam Matteo at the half mark - who then scored two mintes later for the deciding goal. All three points were badly needed, and the new signing came to the rescue.

[ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=By12PaBXgto"]YouTube- 2016lfcvcoventry[/ame]

Leicester City Goals: Matteo 47

Caution:
Sent off: None
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Next Match - Bristol City v Leicester City

[Matt10]

I like the move. It's not a top flight team, but it's a step in the right direction. Back at striker will help get those looks from some of the better teams. Maybe another move is in order after the season, or would that be too greedy?

Definitely that is the mindset, man. As far as after the season is done - not sure, depends. You know me, I love the offers, we'll see if one sticks out.

[Matt10]

Fixture 22 - (Feb. 11, 2017)
Bristol City v Leicester City


Kermorgant was selected over Lam Matteo alongside Matty Fryatt.

Prematch: Bristol City (17th, 20pts) – Leicester City (16th, 22pts)
Leicester travel to Bristol after a monumental win last week against Coventry City. The home side have struggled to find their form, in particular the defending, but the type of match that offers physical play is one that favors the side. Questionable decision on Nigel Pearson not starting Lam Matteo, the hero from last week for Leicester, instead placing Yann Kermorgant along side Matty Fryatt.

Halftime: Bristol City 1-1 Leicester City
At the half and both teams are neck and neck. A cool finish by Kermorgant and a beauty of a free kick by Paul Hartley are the goals - will we see more, one can only imagine how much more are to be had - and who will come away with the points.

Fulltime: Bristol City 1-1 Leicester City
No more goals in this one, but Leicester will be kicking themselves for failing to score on the chances presented. In particular Yann Kermorgant, who's header on the far post went inches wide - a sublime ball played in by Lam Matteo to set the chance up. Eitherway, a point is another point closer to the mid of the table, a place both teams would choose any day..

Bristol City Goals: Hartley 44
Leicester City Goals: Kermorgant 13

Caution: Neilson (Leicester) Wellens (Leicester)
Sent off: None
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Next Match - Leicester City v Watford

[Matt10]

Fixture 23 - (Feb. 18, 2017)
Leicester City v Watford



Ross Jenkins found himself on the scoresheet in the second half.

Prematch: Leicester City (16th, 23pts) – Watford (19th, 20pts)
Nigel Pearson starts Yann Kermorgant along with Matty Fryatt after both players have shown some good form as of late, but don't be surprised if super-sub Lam Matteo makes his presence for one of them in the second half. Watford are struggling in the lower table, but keeper Scot Loach has done well the last couple of games - showing why he is the captain for a troubled side.Soggy conditions will dictate some high paced action - both teams will be fighting for every point available, so expect it to be a cagy affair.

Halftime: Leicester City 0-1 Watford
Matthew Oakley's own goal before half stunned the visiting Watford. Each team attacking with a purpose, but the final pass has not been there. A couple of chances for Leicester thanks to poor clearing, but neither Kermorgant or Fryatt appear to be stuck in.

Fulltime: Leicester City 0-2 Watford
Watford set the tone early in the second half, and were rewarded for their efforts when substitute Ross Jenkins barreled past the immobile Leicester defense. A poor showing from the home side as it seemed many of Nigel Pearson's men simply gave up towards the end.

Watford Goals: Own Goal 36 - Jenkins 74

Caution: Cleverley (Watford)
Sent off: None
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Next Match - Leicester City v Crystal Palace

[Matt10]

IT'S ABOUT TIME
Matteo gets the nod, starting versus Palace

By Johnson Peoples (Editor) - 8:35 am (2/25/2017)

Word has come in this morning, Lam Matteo is set to start against Palace. Looks like Pearson was tired of his forwards not scoring more than a goal a game.

With that said, I'm still skeptical on Leicester's direction, and part of me senses Matteo feels the same way. He really looks like the best player on the pitch - think he is starting to find his form once again, just a matter of having the teammates get him the ball.

There have been countless amount of times in previous matches where they have decided to dance on the touchline instead of send in first time crosses - seriously, is there style points in the Championship!?

[Matt10]

Fixture 24 - (Feb. 25, 2017)
Leicester City v Crystal Palace



Lam Matteo starts for Leicster for the first time - and would play the full 90.

Prematch: Leicester City (17th, 23pts) – Crystal Palace (4th, 40pts)
Seventeen points separate the sides as Leicester are coming off of a dissapointing home loss to woeful Watford last week, and Palace drawing with Bristol City. The story in Leicester is the branding of Lam Matteo entering the fray of starter - and with a high sense of urgency - his welcome should not be shortlived.

Halftime: Leicester City 0-0 Crystal Palace
Leicester have gotten the midfield ping pong down - but have not found the back of the net. Their best two chances fell to Lam Matteo, but two brilliant saves by Speroni. Levi Porter was the creator of those chances, and if he continues to display the playmaking ability - there should be a couple of goals in sight before night's end.

Fulltime: Leicester City 0-0 Crystal Palace
After 90 minutes of football, neither side could find the back of the net - at least both keepers are content with their clean sheets. No shots on goal either, quite the nervy attack that is expected from Leicester, but surely Crystal Palace will not be happy with their form.


Caution: None
Sent off: None
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Next Match - Leicester City v Middlesbrough

[Matt10]

Fixture 25 - (Mar. 4, 2017)
Middlesbrough v Leicester City


Folan had the best chance of the match..

Prematch: Middlesbrough (5th, 39pts) – Leicester City (18th, 24pts)
Nigel Pearson has opted to go back to the basics today, starting the match with the same lineup that grouped 4 wins in a row during the first month of the season. Middlesbrough have racked up good results last month, notching 9 points out of a possible 12.

Halftime: Middlesbrough 0-0 Leicester City
Virtually uninspiring play by both sides, Leicester has not strung together three passes - while Boro are seemingly comfortable to knock the ball around so as to lull the Leicester team to sleep. There has been no word for either bench for a change in personnel - frustration has started to set in, let's hope the second half will produce less of a chess match and more of a goal fest.

Fulltime: Middlesbrough 0-0 Leicester City
It seems Nigel Pearson has decided that his side scoring goals would result in goals conceded for his team - so Leicester's game plan must be to sit and rack of each scoreless draw, to gain a point. Hey...whatever works, but the second in a row - and if a third shows up next week, there could be some issues.


Caution: Gallagher (Leicester City)
Sent off: None
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Next Match - Leicester City v Preston North End

[Matt10]

Fixture 25 - (Mar. 11, 2017)
Leicester City v Preston North End



Preston North End players celebrate the first goal of the match.

Prematch: Leicester City (18th, 25pts) – Preston North End (13th, 32pts)
Nigel Pearson has opted to go back to the basics today, starting the match with the same lineup that grouped 4 wins in a row during the first month of the season. Middlesbrough have racked up good results last month, notching 9 points out of a possible 12.

Halftime: Leicester City 0-2 Preston NE
The Northenders are striking with fire, both forwards Neil Mellor and Chris Brown with a goal to their name. Leicester have been in the match though, two brilliant free kicks by Andy King, one which produced a fine save Lonegran and another which hit the post.

Fulltime: Leicester City 1-2 Preston NE
There's no surprise who the winner was, Leicester City were a disorganized, out of touch side today - there was no chance in the second half despite the consolation goal by Yann Kermorgant. With only 12 matches remaining, Nigel Perason and company had better find a scoring streak - and with haste.

Leicester City Goals: Kermorgant 84
Preston North End Goals: Brown 35 - Mellor 42

Caution: None
Sent off: None
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Next Match - Leicester City v Sheffield Wednesday

[Matt10]

Fixture 26 - (Mar. 18, 2017)
Leicester City v Sheffield Wednesday



Joy all around in the second half for Leicester.

Prematch: Leicester City (19th, 25pts) – Sheffield Wednesday (17th, 26pts)
Leicester City are in dire need of three points this afternoon - and Nigel Pearson has revamped the starting lineup, in particular up front with DJ Campbell and Martyn Waghorn - two forwards who have seen little to no playing time. Sheffield Wednesday's Mark Beevers has been the force to be recokoned with - and along with Leicester's poor form, he could find some goals on his team's side.

Halftime: Leicester City 0-0 Sheffield Wed
It has been all Wednesday in the first half - no real chances though, Leicester seem to be asleep on the left side - and atacking is not even an option until they can regroup defensively. No signs of either team making mid-way subs just yet.

Fulltime: Leicester City 2-0 Sheffield Wed
All three points are taken by Leicester, a great performance by both sides - but Leicester's Richie Wellens free kick goal was the inspiration before Lam Matteo set up Andy King with the clinche in stoppage time.

Leicester City Goals: Wellens 56 - King 92

Caution: Simek (Sheffield Wed)
Sent off: None
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Next Match - Swansea City v Leicester City

[Matt10]

Fixture 26 - (Mar. 25, 2017)
Swansea City v Leicester City



Could Leicester hold on without the work rate of Lam Matteo in the second half?

Prematch: Swansea City (7th, 40pts) – Leicester City (17th, 28pts)
The boys in blue have managed to escape bottom of the table from 19th to 17th after their victory last week versus Sheffield Wednesday, but are not completely safe just yet with Swansea City currently producing decent results - especially at home. Leicester City's Lam Matteo was selected as man of the match, and it appears Nigel Pearson remains faithful to such good deeds by starting the American alongside Yann Kermorgant.

Halftime: Swansea City 0-0 Leicester City
An exciting affair between the two sides. Swansea City were gifted the goal when Lam Matteo's indirect headed backpass found a wide open Leon Britton, who then crossed the ball into the path of Gorka Pintado, who slid into the ball- which found the back of Carl Pentney's goal.

Fulltime: Swansea City 1-0 Leicester City
Slick passing looked pretty by Leicester, but no points in a match where neither team could find goals in the second half. While both were aggressive - Leicester was the one that needed to salvage at least a point - but indecision and Lam Matteo's injury resulted in the loss.

Swanasea City Goals: Pintado 44

Caution: O'Leary (Swansea) Orlandi (Swansea)
Sent off: None
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Next Match - Leicester City v Queens Park Rangers (to be simulated)