Leicester City stepped up their pre-season campaign with a resounding 4-0 win over league Two outfit Shrewsbury Town.
All fours goals arrived in a first half blitz, with Dyer (2), Hobbs and new signing N’Guessan getting on the score sheet.
As the new season approaches ever closer, Pearson fielded a strong side against a team who missed out on promotion through the play-offs last season.
Perhaps the biggest surprise was the inclusion of Adams on the right flank – though he justified Pearson’s faith in him by putting in a man of the match performance.
It was Adams who started the demolition by setting up the first goal with 12 minutes gone – his corner from the right found Hobbs who headed in from close range.
Adams was involved again six minutes later when he latched onto a Howard flick on to send Dyer through on goal. The former West Brom player lifted the ball over the advancing keeper and just under the bar to make it 2-0.
City were very comfortable in the first half with Wellens dictating much of the play in a deep-lying midfield position. The summer signing from Doncaster showed his willingness to accept the ball and initiate attacks with a fine range of passing.
The lead was extended to three goals on 28 minutes with new boy N’Guessan getting in on the act. Adams skilfully evaded a few challenges just outside the area to feed in Dyer on the left, whose cross was steered home nonchalantly by N’Guessan from close range.
To make things worse for the home side, Dyer grabbed his second and City’s fourth on 37 minutes. Neilson launched an enormous throw from the right, which located an unmarked Dyer at the far post, who smashed the ball home past the keeper’s right. It was appalling defending by the home side, underestimating the defender’s throw by being drawn into the near post area.
The second half was a different affair as the home side improved, with City happy to conserve energy and slow the game down.
This game was arguably City’s toughest contest on paper so far in pre-season, and for them to brush aside a strong League Two side with such ease offers encouragement to the players and supporters alike.
There’s still an issue surrounding the striking position. Pearson opted to play N’Guessan alongside Howard upfront, and although the signing from Lincoln looked lively, his conventional position is on the wing.
Fryatt is currently suffering a leg infection with Pearson hoping he’s ready for the new season. Other than that, Dickov continues to disappoint, while Chambers and Campbell are unlikely to feature in Pearson’s plans.
Encouragingly for City, all the new signings on display seem to be good additions to the squad.
Although Weale was rarely tested, he looked dependable and his kicking was impressive.
Neilson looked solid and his throws provide City with another attacking option. However, his passing was rather mixed, with a combination of short retaining passes to clipped balls down the line, which often found no one in a blue shirt.
As mentioned, Wellens looked impressive in his deep-lying midfield role, while N’Guessan offered a quick and strong option alongside Howard.
Another good following for City was evident, with nearly 500 supporters making the trip to sunny Shropshire despite the long distance and extortionate price of £15. Nevertheless, four goals and a convincing performance more than justified the journey.
