Leicester City 3 - 0 Blackburn Rovers
Andy King's header in the third minute of injury time capped an excellent victory for City at the King Power Stadium this evening. The overall performance was every bit as pleasing as the result. The central midfield partnership of Drinkwater and King was excellent. Marshall, who had looked out of sorts in recent weeks, had an excellent game with 2 assists. Kane and Wood worked well together up front. The victory opens up a 6 point game over 7th placed Middlesborough and leaves the Foxes 5 points behind 2nd placed Watford with a game in hand.
It was a slow start to the game but Kasper Schmeichel's fabulous reflex save in the 24th minute seemed to spur Leicester on. In the 29th minute, Chris Wood headed in Ben Marshall's outstanding cross after good work from the winger down the right hand flank. 5 minutes before the break, Harry Kane headed in another Marshall cross to double Leicester's advantage. At the start of the second half, Blackburn dominated possession but failed to threaten Schmeichel's goal. The final word went to Andy King, who headed in Waghorn's corner late in the game. It was a dominant performance against a poor Blackburn side, who managed just 2 shots on target during the entire game.
The result, Leicester's only victory in February, was exactly what the Foxes needed to get their season back on track. Next up, a trip to Ipswich on Saturday.
A fan's view on Leicester City
Tuesday 26 February 2013
Leicester v Blackburn Team News
A home debut for loanee Harry Kane. As expected, neither James nor Nugent are fit to play.
Team in full:
Schmeichel, De Laet, Morgan (c), Keane, Konchesky, Knockaert, King, Drinkwater, Marshall, Wood, Kane.
Substitutes: Logan, Whitbread, Dyer, Wellens, Gallagher, Vardy, Waghorn.
Monday 25 February 2013
Leicester v Blackburn Preview
Despite an impressive 1-0 at Arsenal in the 5th Round of the FA Cup, Blackburn have managed just 3 away victories in the league this season. In the Championship, only Bolton have managed fewer with 2. Those 3 victories came against teams that are now sitting in the bottom 4 places in the Championship table. It would be fair to say that Rovers don't travel well. They are also experiencing their fair share of injury problems. Olsson (eye), Williamson (ankle), Etuhu (knee) and Kazim-Richards (ankle) will all be missing from tomorrow night's game at the King Power Stadium. However, Blackburn are in some form, with just one defeat in their last 8 games, including 6 clean sheets.
Only Cardiff and Crystal Palace have better home records than Leicester City this season. The Foxes have won 11 and drawn 2 of their 16 league games at the King Power Stadium. In those matches, they have scored 36 and conceded just 14. David Nugent is a doubt for the game tomorrow with a recurrence of a neck injury, meaning Harry Kane is in line for his home debut. It also means that Pearson is likely to revert to 4-4-2, as he has clearly lost faith in his other striking options. Matty James missed Saturday's trip to Blackpool and we are yet to hear if he is fit to play tomorrow night. Ben Marshall has looked out of form in recent weeks and I would expect Lloyd Dyer to play in his place.
Prediction: 2-1
Potential line-up:
Schmeichel
De Laet Morgan (c) Keane Konchesky
Knockaert King Drinkwater Dyer
Wood Kane
Only Cardiff and Crystal Palace have better home records than Leicester City this season. The Foxes have won 11 and drawn 2 of their 16 league games at the King Power Stadium. In those matches, they have scored 36 and conceded just 14. David Nugent is a doubt for the game tomorrow with a recurrence of a neck injury, meaning Harry Kane is in line for his home debut. It also means that Pearson is likely to revert to 4-4-2, as he has clearly lost faith in his other striking options. Matty James missed Saturday's trip to Blackpool and we are yet to hear if he is fit to play tomorrow night. Ben Marshall has looked out of form in recent weeks and I would expect Lloyd Dyer to play in his place.
Prediction: 2-1
Potential line-up:
Schmeichel
De Laet Morgan (c) Keane Konchesky
Knockaert King Drinkwater Dyer
Wood Kane
Saturday 23 February 2013
Life's a Beach at Blackpool
Blackpool 0 - 0 Leicester City
Nigel Pearson, often accused of not having a plan B, put new signing Harry Kane straight into the starting line-up for this afternoon's Championship clash at Bloomfield Road. What's more, it wasn't at the expense of his other two frontline strikers. Instead, Pearson adopted an attacking 4-3-3 formation with Kane, Wood and Nugent playing ahead of a midfield three of King, Drinkwater and Marshall. It very nearly worked too. Had Chris Wood converted Leicester's penalty in the 49th minute, the Foxes may well have been travelling home with all 3 points. It was the new man, Kane, who earned the spot kick after Eardley's foul. Wood's fiercely struck penalty hit the bar and went over. It was a scrappy game on a surface which resembled a beach, not a Championship standard pitch.
The match reminded me of the hard fought 0-0 draw at Hull on Boxing Day. That game also came on the back of two successive league defeats. That game also saw a change in formation and a back to basics approach. That game was a catalyst for a run of 6 successive Championship victories. Nigel Pearson will be hoping that this afternoon's game will do something similar for his side. A draw away from home in this league is always a good result and it is staggering to hear some of the negative comments directed towards the manager and the team by some fans.
All you can ask of the manager is that he improves things season by season. Leicester have a better squad now than they did a year ago. They are in a better position in the league than they were this time last season. They are playing well on a more consistent basis than they were last term. There is no magic wand but City are moving in the right direction and Pearson deserves the credit for this. Let's hope that the owners have a little more patience than some of the supporters.
Nigel Pearson, often accused of not having a plan B, put new signing Harry Kane straight into the starting line-up for this afternoon's Championship clash at Bloomfield Road. What's more, it wasn't at the expense of his other two frontline strikers. Instead, Pearson adopted an attacking 4-3-3 formation with Kane, Wood and Nugent playing ahead of a midfield three of King, Drinkwater and Marshall. It very nearly worked too. Had Chris Wood converted Leicester's penalty in the 49th minute, the Foxes may well have been travelling home with all 3 points. It was the new man, Kane, who earned the spot kick after Eardley's foul. Wood's fiercely struck penalty hit the bar and went over. It was a scrappy game on a surface which resembled a beach, not a Championship standard pitch.
The match reminded me of the hard fought 0-0 draw at Hull on Boxing Day. That game also came on the back of two successive league defeats. That game also saw a change in formation and a back to basics approach. That game was a catalyst for a run of 6 successive Championship victories. Nigel Pearson will be hoping that this afternoon's game will do something similar for his side. A draw away from home in this league is always a good result and it is staggering to hear some of the negative comments directed towards the manager and the team by some fans.
All you can ask of the manager is that he improves things season by season. Leicester have a better squad now than they did a year ago. They are in a better position in the league than they were this time last season. They are playing well on a more consistent basis than they were last term. There is no magic wand but City are moving in the right direction and Pearson deserves the credit for this. Let's hope that the owners have a little more patience than some of the supporters.
Blackpool v Leicester Team News
Two changes from Tuesday night. King does indeed replace James. New signing Kane replaces Knockaert. Starting line-up:
Schmeichel, De Laet, Morgan (c), Keane, Konchesky, Marshall, King, Drinkwater, Kane, Wood, Nugent.
Substitutes: Logan, Whitbread, Wellens, Knockaert, Dyer, Vardy.
Schmeichel, De Laet, Morgan (c), Keane, Konchesky, Marshall, King, Drinkwater, Kane, Wood, Nugent.
Substitutes: Logan, Whitbread, Wellens, Knockaert, Dyer, Vardy.
Friday 22 February 2013
Blackpool v Leicester Preview
Harry Kane comes into Leicester's squad for tomorrow's trip to Bloomfield Road. The 19-year-old Tottenham striker has joined the Foxes on loan until the end of the season. It is a clear sign that Nigel Pearson has finally lost confidence in Vardy, Waghorn and Futacs. All have had opportunities this season and all have failed to take them. Kane won't start many games as the partnership of Wood and Nugent is well established. However, he is a good option to have on the bench. Matty James picked up a knock in midweek and may well be replaced by King. Marshall has simply not performed in recent weeks and I would expect Dyer to get the nod on the left hand side of midfield.
New Blackpool boss Paul Ince has the task of arresting his team's serious dip in form. They have won just 2 of their last 11 Championship fixtures - a run which has seen them turn from play-off contenders into potential relegation candidates. Blackpool sit in 15th place, just 5 points clear of the drop zone. This is a match that Leicester need to win in order to get their promotion charge on track again. Back to back defeats against Peterborough and Charlton have put the Foxes down into 5th place in the table. Both were very poor performances. With just 10 weeks of the Championship season remaining, Leicester can't afford for their slump in form to continue any longer.
Probable line-up:
Schmeichel
De Laet Morgan (c) Keane Konchesky
Knockaert King Drinkwater Dyer
Wood Nugent
New Blackpool boss Paul Ince has the task of arresting his team's serious dip in form. They have won just 2 of their last 11 Championship fixtures - a run which has seen them turn from play-off contenders into potential relegation candidates. Blackpool sit in 15th place, just 5 points clear of the drop zone. This is a match that Leicester need to win in order to get their promotion charge on track again. Back to back defeats against Peterborough and Charlton have put the Foxes down into 5th place in the table. Both were very poor performances. With just 10 weeks of the Championship season remaining, Leicester can't afford for their slump in form to continue any longer.
Probable line-up:
Schmeichel
De Laet Morgan (c) Keane Konchesky
Knockaert King Drinkwater Dyer
Wood Nugent
Tuesday 19 February 2013
Haynes Helps Himself
Charlton substitute Danny Haynes scored a fabulous volley from 25 yards to secure all 3 points for Charlton at the King Power Stadium this evening. The 2-1 defeat is Leicester's first home league defeat of 2013 and their first defeat with Chris Wood in the starting line-up. Wood did score tonight, his 8th goal in a City shirt, sweeping the ball home from 15 yards after good work from Gallagher and De Laet. Wood's strike cancelled out Yann Kermorgant's opener against his former club after a bad mistake from Drinkwater in the right back position. Drinkwater played the ball across the goal line, straight into the path of Charlton's Pritchard, who cut the ball back for Kermorgant to slot the ball into the net.
It was another poor, lacklustre performance from Leicester. Charlton outnumbered the Foxes in midfield, worked harder on and off the ball, and were clinical with their opportunities in front of goal. With games coming thick and fast, it is the worst stage of the season to suffer a slump in form and back to back league defeats. All of a sudden, Leicester are 9 points off an automatic promotion place and instead of looking up the league, may be casting a few nervous glances over their shoulder. The gap over 7th placed Brighton, who won 2-0 at top of the table Cardiff this evening, is now just 4 points. It was always going to be tough to gain automatic promotion - if the slump lasts much longer, it may turn into a scrap for a play-off place.
It was another poor, lacklustre performance from Leicester. Charlton outnumbered the Foxes in midfield, worked harder on and off the ball, and were clinical with their opportunities in front of goal. With games coming thick and fast, it is the worst stage of the season to suffer a slump in form and back to back league defeats. All of a sudden, Leicester are 9 points off an automatic promotion place and instead of looking up the league, may be casting a few nervous glances over their shoulder. The gap over 7th placed Brighton, who won 2-0 at top of the table Cardiff this evening, is now just 4 points. It was always going to be tough to gain automatic promotion - if the slump lasts much longer, it may turn into a scrap for a play-off place.
Leicester v Charlton Team News
Chris Wood returns to the starting line-up. City have won every league game that he has started this season. The team is as follows:
Schmeichel, De Laet, Morgan (c), Keane, Konchesky, Knockaert, James, Drinkwater, Marshall, Nugent, Wood.
Schmeichel, De Laet, Morgan (c), Keane, Konchesky, Knockaert, James, Drinkwater, Marshall, Nugent, Wood.
Monday 18 February 2013
Leicester v Charlton Preview
Leicester fans will breathe a collective sigh of relief at the news that Chris Wood is fit again and available for selection. There were a lot of scare stories circulating last week as to the extent of the injury and fortunately, these have proved to be without foundation. Marshall, St. Ledger and Whitbread are also available. Even if Wood isn't 100% fit, I would expect him to start the game up front with Nugent. Pearson simply has no other options, with the 3 other strikers at the club all failing to take their opportunities this season. King may miss out, allowing James and Drinkwater to resume the central midfield partnership which got City off to such a good start in 2013.
Chris Powell's Charlton have only picked up 1 point from the last 12 available. They have also failed to keep a clean sheet in their last 13 matches in all competitions. They are currently 15th in the table. Leicester have slipped down to 5th after the shock defeat at Peterborough and the run of FA Cup matches. The Foxes have 2 games in hand on some of the teams around them. However, if Leicester are to be serious contenders for automatic promotion, this is exactly the kind of game that they need to win.
My team prediction:
Schmeichel, De Laet, Morgan (c), Keane, Konchesky, Knockaert, Drinkwater, James, Marshall, Wood, Nugent.
Chris Powell's Charlton have only picked up 1 point from the last 12 available. They have also failed to keep a clean sheet in their last 13 matches in all competitions. They are currently 15th in the table. Leicester have slipped down to 5th after the shock defeat at Peterborough and the run of FA Cup matches. The Foxes have 2 games in hand on some of the teams around them. However, if Leicester are to be serious contenders for automatic promotion, this is exactly the kind of game that they need to win.
My team prediction:
Schmeichel, De Laet, Morgan (c), Keane, Konchesky, Knockaert, Drinkwater, James, Marshall, Wood, Nugent.
Tuesday 12 February 2013
Scannell's Solo Sinks City
Leicester City are out of the FA Cup after a poor performance against Huddersfield Town this evening. The visitors ran out 2-1 winners and progress to face Wigan Athletic in the 5th Round on Sunday afternoon. Pearson made 4 changes from the team that lost at Peterborough on Saturday. Gallagher, Wellens, James and Futacs came into the starting eleven, replacing Marshall, Drinkwater, King and Vardy.
It was a bad start from the Foxes. Huddersfield took the lead in the 5th minute, after Adam Clayton fired an excellent free-kick past Schmeichel. City did equalise just 2 minutes later, Keane poking the ball home after a scramble in the penalty area. In the second half, Leicester surrendered the initiative. Passes were misplaced, first touches were poor and the tempo was lacking. Scannell's winner, 15 minutes from time, summed up the evening for the Foxes. Keane and Konchesky both missed opportunities to tackle the Hudderfield man and should have prevented the goal. The winger cut in from the touchline, shrugged off both defenders and slotted the ball between Schmeichel's legs. It was a disappointing goal to concede and capped off a very lacklustre performance.
Fans will inevitably point at Wood's continued absence to explain the dip in form and the back to back defeats. Vardy and Waghorn missed good chances on Saturday and Futacs missed a golden chance this evening when the score was 1-1. Pearson has stated that he expects Wood to be available for the next league game, on Tuesday night against Charlton. Leicester fans will certainly have their fingers crossed that the Kiwi striker is back as soon as possible. Hull's win tonight has pushed Leicester out of the automatic promotion places. Without a fit Chris Wood, Leicester will struggle to find the goals needed to fire them back into second place.
It was a bad start from the Foxes. Huddersfield took the lead in the 5th minute, after Adam Clayton fired an excellent free-kick past Schmeichel. City did equalise just 2 minutes later, Keane poking the ball home after a scramble in the penalty area. In the second half, Leicester surrendered the initiative. Passes were misplaced, first touches were poor and the tempo was lacking. Scannell's winner, 15 minutes from time, summed up the evening for the Foxes. Keane and Konchesky both missed opportunities to tackle the Hudderfield man and should have prevented the goal. The winger cut in from the touchline, shrugged off both defenders and slotted the ball between Schmeichel's legs. It was a disappointing goal to concede and capped off a very lacklustre performance.
Fans will inevitably point at Wood's continued absence to explain the dip in form and the back to back defeats. Vardy and Waghorn missed good chances on Saturday and Futacs missed a golden chance this evening when the score was 1-1. Pearson has stated that he expects Wood to be available for the next league game, on Tuesday night against Charlton. Leicester fans will certainly have their fingers crossed that the Kiwi striker is back as soon as possible. Hull's win tonight has pushed Leicester out of the automatic promotion places. Without a fit Chris Wood, Leicester will struggle to find the goals needed to fire them back into second place.
Leicester v Huddersfield Town - FA Cup 4th Round - Team News
As expected, several changes for this game:
Schmeichel, De Laet, Morgan (c), Keane, Konchesky, Gallagher, Wellens, James, Knockaert, Nugent, Futacs.
Substitutes: Logan, Moore, King, Drinkwater, Dyer, Waghorn, Vardy.
Monday 11 February 2013
Leicester v Huddersfield Preview - FA Cup 4th Round Replay
Nigel Pearson might be forgiven for not knowing whether to stick or twist tomorrow night. He put his strongest team out against Peterborough on Saturday and they failed to deliver. Does he send the same eleven players out tomorrow night and tell them to make amends? He put a weakened team out against Huddersfield in the original FA Cup tie and they also failed to deliver. Does he send that side back out onto the field tomorrow night and tell them to put things right? Indeed, is the FA Cup becoming an unwelcome distraction, with injuries to key players like Wood and Marshall beginning to take their toll?
My instinct is that Pearson will not play his strongest side. The likes of Waghorn, Futacs, Wellens, Dyer and Gallagher are bound to feature. Perhaps not a huge gamble given that Huddersfield are set to be without a recognised striker. Beckford is unavailable as he is a Leicester player, but Novak and Vaughan are also doubts. With Pearson likely to play his regular back five, the meanest defence in the league, it is hard to see Huddersfield posing much of a goal threat. The question will be, if Nugent is rested, whether the Foxes second string attack can find the back of the net. If they can't, extra time and penalties may beckon...
My instinct is that Pearson will not play his strongest side. The likes of Waghorn, Futacs, Wellens, Dyer and Gallagher are bound to feature. Perhaps not a huge gamble given that Huddersfield are set to be without a recognised striker. Beckford is unavailable as he is a Leicester player, but Novak and Vaughan are also doubts. With Pearson likely to play his regular back five, the meanest defence in the league, it is hard to see Huddersfield posing much of a goal threat. The question will be, if Nugent is rested, whether the Foxes second string attack can find the back of the net. If they can't, extra time and penalties may beckon...
Saturday 9 February 2013
Poor Performance at Posh
Bottom of the table Peterborough beat high flying Leicester 2-1 at London Road this afternoon. City took the lead early in the second half, Marshall scoring from deep inside the penalty area, after great work from Danny Drinkwater. Petrucci equalised for the hosts in the 74th minute, a fabulous strike into the top corner from outside the box. Grant McCann's winner came in the 88th minute, slotting the ball into the bottom corner. It was a disappointing result and performance for Leicester, particularly as Middlesborough, Watford and Crystal Palace all failed to win this weekend.
No doubt Chris Wood's absence had a huge impact on the team today. He has been City's talisman with 7 goals in 5 appearances since his arrival from West Brom. Vardy and Waghorn are simply not delivering the goods at this level. They cost a total of £4m and have scored 12 goals in 77 games between them. Both had chances today, Vardy to extend Leicester's 1-0 lead and Waghorn to equalise at the death. If Wood's absence is prolonged, it will undoubtedly cost the Foxes points. By the time Wood returns to the side, City will have done well to still be sat in 2nd place.
No doubt Chris Wood's absence had a huge impact on the team today. He has been City's talisman with 7 goals in 5 appearances since his arrival from West Brom. Vardy and Waghorn are simply not delivering the goods at this level. They cost a total of £4m and have scored 12 goals in 77 games between them. Both had chances today, Vardy to extend Leicester's 1-0 lead and Waghorn to equalise at the death. If Wood's absence is prolonged, it will undoubtedly cost the Foxes points. By the time Wood returns to the side, City will have done well to still be sat in 2nd place.
Peterborough v Leicester Team News
Chris Wood does indeed miss out - a big blow to Leicester at a crucial stage of the season. Wood is set to be out for up to 6 weeks, during which time the Foxes have 8 league games and at least one FA Cup tie. If Leicester's promotion push is to remain on track, someone else will need to step up, perform and score goals! Jamie Vardy, who has scored just 4 goals in 21 appearances since his £1m move from non-league football, comes into the side today. King also retains his place over Matty James.
Team in full:
Schmeichel
De Laet Morgan (c) Keane Konchesky
Knockaert King Drinkwater Marshall
Vardy Nugent
Substitutes: Logan, Wellens, James, Dyer, Gallagher, Futacs, Waghorn.
Team in full:
Schmeichel
De Laet Morgan (c) Keane Konchesky
Knockaert King Drinkwater Marshall
Vardy Nugent
Substitutes: Logan, Wellens, James, Dyer, Gallagher, Futacs, Waghorn.
Friday 8 February 2013
Latest Team News
It is rumoured that Chris Wood will not feature in Leicester's team tomorrow and that he may be out for up to 6 weeks. Details of his injury are yet to be confirmed. No official announcement has yet been made by the club. The news would be a huge blow for City's promotion hopes. Since Wood's signing, Leicester have made an unbeaten start to 2013 and the Kiwi striker has scored 7 goals in 5 appearances. In my view, Waghorn and Vardy have failed to live up to their billing and will struggle to fill Wood's boots. It may well be that Dyer and Marshall feature in midfield tomorrow, with Knockaert playing in behind David Nugent.
Peterborough v Leicester Preview
Peterborough are propping up the Championship table and boast the worst home record in the division, having lost 9 of their 15 matches at London Road this season. They have also let in 31 goals at home, only Bristol City have a worse record with 34 goals conceded. On a positive note, Peterborough do score regularly at home, having netted on 24 occasions - a better record than 6 of the teams in the top half of the table. However, tomorrow they come up against the meanest defence in the Championship. The Foxes have only let in 12 goals on the road this season, comfortably the best record in the Championship. Hull have the next best record with 17 goals conceded.
Leicester are looking to maintain their 100% league record in 2013, chasing their 6th successive league win - a feat they haven't achieved for two decades. In their last 5 league matches, Leicester have secured all 15 points, scoring 14 goals and conceding just 2. The gulf between these two sides is reflected off the field as well. Peterborough's average home attendance so far this season is 7,420. Leicester have already sold in excess of 4,500 tickets for tomorrow's game at London Road. It may well be that there are as many away fans as home fans at the game. Hopefully, the Foxes fans will have another 3 points to cheer about.
I would expect one change from the victory over Wolves - James replacing King in central midfield. Moore is likely to be on the bench having recovered from a knock. St. Ledger and Whitbread are back in full training but this game may have come too soon, even for a place on the bench.
Probable line-up:
Schmeichel
De Laet Morgan (c) Keane Konchesky
Knockaert James Drinkwater Marshall
Wood Nugent
Leicester are looking to maintain their 100% league record in 2013, chasing their 6th successive league win - a feat they haven't achieved for two decades. In their last 5 league matches, Leicester have secured all 15 points, scoring 14 goals and conceding just 2. The gulf between these two sides is reflected off the field as well. Peterborough's average home attendance so far this season is 7,420. Leicester have already sold in excess of 4,500 tickets for tomorrow's game at London Road. It may well be that there are as many away fans as home fans at the game. Hopefully, the Foxes fans will have another 3 points to cheer about.
I would expect one change from the victory over Wolves - James replacing King in central midfield. Moore is likely to be on the bench having recovered from a knock. St. Ledger and Whitbread are back in full training but this game may have come too soon, even for a place on the bench.
Probable line-up:
Schmeichel
De Laet Morgan (c) Keane Konchesky
Knockaert James Drinkwater Marshall
Wood Nugent
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