Foxes Remembered: The Story of Leicester City and the First World War

Calling it a day!

This blog has been discontinued! Thanks for taking the time to visit though! 

Leicester Prove a Point

Leicester City 2 - 2 Everton

Leicester City twice came back from a goal down to rescue a point against Everton at the King Power stadium this afternoon. In the face of injuries to four key players and competing against an excellent team, who finished 5th in the Premier League last term, the Foxes proved that they do have enough about them to compete at the highest level of English football. Vardy and James, who had been so instrumental in Leicester's success last season were absent through injury, as was Albrighton - who has been so impressive in pre-season. When Drinkwater limped off with a hamstring injury in the 39th minute, City fans may have wondered if it was going to be their day. However, Leicester showed great resolve and team spirit as Hammond and King competed well in central midfield and the Morgan/Moore partnership kept £28 million Lukaku quiet throughout the match. Substitutes Schlupp and Wood made positive contributions when they entered the fold to demonstrate that Leicester have more strength in depth than some would credit them with.

Everton dominated possession throughout the game with 64% over the course of the 90 minutes. However, Leicester matched the Toffees in terms of efforts on target - both sides managing 3 each. The visitors took the lead in the 20th minute. Schmeichel made a brilliant save to deny Distin before McGeady curled a superb shot into the top right hand corner of the net. City were behind for less than two minutes with Ulloa scrambling the ball home after Everton failed to deal effectively with a City corner. Naismith restored Everton's lead just before the break. Knockaert slipped, allowing Baines to cross. Pienaar failed to connect properly with his shot and the ball fell to Naismith who made no mistake and finished into the top left hand corner. 

Chances were at a premium in the second half. One of the best opportunities fell to Jeff Schlupp, who raced onto a superb Mahrez through ball only to blast over the crossbar from the edge of the box. City were rewarded for their perseverance in the 86th minute. Mahrez and King's efforts were both blocked before the ball fell to Chris Wood. The Kiwi international curled the ball into the bottom corner to send the sell-out crowd into raptures and to put Leicester's first point of the season on the board. With such a tough start to the season, it was an important result and performance for the Foxes. They are back in the big time and, based on this afternoon's performance, they are certainly not out of place.

Season Preview

After a decade outside of the top flight, Leicester City kick off their Premier League campaign in less than a week's time against Roberto Martinez's Everton side. The opening 6 fixtures look as daunting as they do exciting. However, there are lots of reasons to be optimistic about the Foxes' prospects in the Premiership. 9 is regarded as a lucky number in Thailand, the home of Leicester City's owner and chairman. So here are 9 reasons to be optimistic about Leicester City:

New signings

The £8 million signing of 6ft3 striker Leo Ulloa has grabbed all of the headlines and rightly so. It has smashed City's record transfer fee and represents a departure from Nigel Pearson's economical and prudent approach to new signings. 28 year old Ulloa scored 23 goals in 50 games last term, a good return for a man who suffered from a number of injuries over the course of last season. There have been other significant signings, with the highly rated Hamer arriving from Charlton to compete for Schmeichel's shirt. Winger Albrighton has joined from Aston Villa and at just 24 years of age, with 89 appearances for Villa already under his belt, this could prove to be the shrewdest move of the summer. Veteran defender Matthew Upson has also joined the club to provide defensive cover.

Contract extensions

Perhaps more important than the new arrivals, City have secured the services of their key players for a few more years. Schmeichel, Moore, James, Drinkwater, Schlupp and Nugent have all signed contract extensions to keep them at the King Power Stadium. There was a lot of speculation about the future of these players, particularly over the Christmas period, and the club dealt with this situation brilliantly. Nigel Pearson has spent a lot of time and effort assembling his squad and has referred on several occasions to the importance of "protecting the club's assets." He has certainly managed to do that now. Indeed the only significant departure from the King Power Stadium was Lloyd Dyer, who turned down his Premier League contract to sit on the bench for Championship side Watford this afternoon - each to their own!

The manager

Clearly the most important signature over the summer was that of the manager Nigel Pearson. The 50 year old has signed a 3 year extension which keeps him at the King Power Stadium until at least June 2017. Pearson has said on many occasions that he sees his "long term future" at Leicester - a comment that will be music to the ears of City fans. Having lead City to the Championship title with a club record haul of 31 wins and 102 points, Nigel Pearson has a win ratio of 49.8% from his 223 games in charge of Leicester. Ignoring Martin Allen's brief tenure, this is by far the best record of any permanent manager in the club's history. It would be fair to say that, in terms of management, the club is in very safe hands.

Marginal gains

Sir Dave Brailsford, the mastermind behind the success of British cycling, coined the phrase "the aggregation of marginal gains." This is a concept that is undoubtedly driving Leicester City forward. Their preparation, facilities and attention to detail are all second to none. Indeed, City hosted a conference for a 100 FA and UEFA delegates last season to share their excellent practice. Why share the secrets of our success? Simple. By the time other clubs adopt our approach, we will have moved on to new approaches and new technology. Without doubt, Leicester City are front-runners in the quest for finding that extra couple of percent.

The chairman 

Leicester owe a huge debt of gratitude to their owner Vichai Srivaddhanaprabha. The Thai businessman wiped out the club's £103 million debt last season to secure the long term financial stability of the club. He is an ambitious man and has recently been quoted as saying that he is prepared to spend £180 million to help Leicester to challenge the top 5 teams in the Premier League. Above all, Vichai appears to have a strong relationship with Pearson and doesn't meddle in first team affairs, a status quo which isn't prevalent at all clubs with rich owners. Of course, if the chairman continues to buy a beer for all City fans each season, as he did before the final game of last season, then the supporters won't grumble too much.

Pre-season

It is wrong to read too much into pre-season form. However, Leicester City have negotiated their preparations without defeat - the most notable results being 1-0 victories over both Everton and Werder Bremen. They have also won games at Ilkeston, Walsall, MK Dons and Rotherham - scoring 14 goals in the process. The only match they failed to win was a 1-1 draw at Preston. It was interesting to note that Pearson started the final pre-season game with a 4-2-3-1 formation, perhaps an insight into how the Foxes will line up against Everton next weekend.

Momentum

Not only have Leicester been successful in pre-season but they go into the new term on the back of one of the most successful seasons in the club's history. This squad of City players are simply not used to losing football matches. They only lost 6 league games last season - only 3 clubs in the top 4 English divisions lost on fewer occasions - Burnley, Wolves and Scunthorpe all suffering a total of 5 defeats. City won't fear anyone and are bound to surprise a few along the way.

The last 8 games

The first 6 games are difficult on paper. However, the final 8 games all look winnable and the final 6 home games are certainly an attractive proposition in terms of securing all 3 points. They are: Hull, West Ham, Swansea, Newcastle, Southampton and QPR. Should City need a few victories to secure their place in the Premier League for another season, it would be hard to ask for a better run-in.

Long term plan

One of the most refreshing aspects of this current regime is that it is not built upon a "quick fix" mentality. This is most aptly demonstrated by the signings for the development squad. 19 year old Jack Barmby, son of former England international Nick, and left back Louis Rowley, have both signed from Manchester United this summer. Staying up for one year is not on the agenda, it is all about establishing City as a Premier League team and building success on solid foundations.

Whatever the destination this season, the journey is going to be fun and don't be surprised if Leicester enjoy a successful season. My prediction, for what it's worth, is a 12th placed finish for the Foxes. We will see!

2014/15 Fixtures

Leicester City have a tough start to their Premier League campaign. The full fixture list is as follows:

16/08/2014 15:00 Leicester City v Everton

23/08/2014 15:00 Chelsea v Leicester City

30/08/2014 15:00 Leicester City v Arsenal

13/09/2014 15:00 Stoke City v Leicester City

20/09/2014 15:00 Leicester City v Manchester United

27/09/2014 15:00 Crystal Palace v Leicester City

04/10/2014 15:00 Leicester City v Burnley

18/10/2014 15:00 Newcastle United v Leicester City

25/10/2014 15:00 Swansea City v Leicester City

01/11/2014 15:00 Leicester City v West Bromwich Albion

08/11/2014 15:00 Southampton v Leicester City

22/11/2014 15:00 Leicester City v Sunderland

29/11/2014 15:00 Queens Park Rangers v Leicester City

02/12/2014 19:45 Leicester City v Liverpool

06/12/2014 15:00 Aston Villa v Leicester City

13/12/2014 15:00 Leicester City v Manchester City

20/12/2014 15:00 West Ham United v Leicester City

26/12/2014 15:00 Leicester City v Tottenham Hotspur

28/12/2014 15:00 Hull City v Leicester City

01/01/2015 15:00 Liverpool v Leicester City

10/01/2015 15:00 Leicester City v Aston Villa

17/01/2015 15:00 Leicester City v Stoke City

31/01/2015 15:00 Manchester United v Leicester City

07/02/2015 15:00 Leicester City v Crystal Palace

10/02/2015 19:45 Arsenal v Leicester City

21/02/2015 15:00 Everton v Leicester City

28/02/2015 15:00 Leicester City v Chelsea

04/03/2015 19:45 Manchester City v Leicester City

14/03/2015 15:00 Leicester City v Hull City

21/03/2015 15:00 Tottenham Hotspur v Leicester City

04/04/2015 15:00 Leicester City v West Ham United

11/04/2015 15:00 West Bromwich Albion v Leicester City

18/04/2015 15:00 Leicester City v Swansea City

25/04/2015 15:00 Burnley v Leicester City

02/05/2015 15:00 Leicester City v Newcastle United

09/05/2015 15:00 Leicester City v Southampton

16/05/2015 15:00 Sunderland v Leicester City

24/05/2015 15:00 Leicester City v Queens Park Rangers

Season Review 2013/2014

What a difference a year makes! Twelve months ago, Leicester City suffered play-off heartache in the cruellest fashion imaginable at Watford. If you had told City fans that evening how the following season would pan out, few would have believed you. It is impossible to describe the incredible job that Nigel Pearson and his staff did to lift those players for the start of this season. Somehow, they managed to do so and that was crucial to Leicester's success this term. Summer signings were key too. The arrivals of Wasilewski, Taylor-Fletcher and Hammond added much needed experience to a promising, yet youthful squad. 

When you finish the season on a record breaking 102 points, it is difficult to pinpoint key moments from the season. However, a few stand out. The impact of the first game of the season should not be underestimated. Leicester were 1-0 down at half-time away at Middlesborough with a "here we go again" feeling. They came back to win with Jamie Vardy scoring a spectacular winner. That victory certainly set Vardy up for an outstanding season in which he scored 16 goals. The 3-0 victory at Watford early in November banished those horrible play-off memories and left City fans feeling that this could be their season. Watching Knockaert volley home one of those goals, after what happened to him on his previous visit to Vicarage Road, was a sweet moment.

The 1-1 draw with Burnley on 14th December might seem a strange choice as a crucial moment of the season. However, City had just suffered surprise back to back defeats and doubts were beginning to creep in. Of course, Burnley ultimately finished in second place and that draw kept City in touch with Burnley and leaders QPR. A 1-0 victory at QPR in the following game triggered a remarkable run of 9 successive league victories - a sequence which broke the back of the competition and put Leicester in an incredibly strong position. Notable highlights in that run of victories include the 5-3 home win over Bolton, the 4-1 demolition of Derby (arguably the most complete performance of the season) and the 1-0 victory at Leeds with the clever Phillips dummy in the final ten minutes which lead to Nugent's goal.

While on the subject of Nugent, he deserves a special mention. It is often said that to gain promotion from any division, you need at least one 20 goal a season striker. For Leicester City this year, that man was David Nugent. With 20 league goals, Nugent becomes the first City player to achieve that milestone at this level since Gary Lineker - an incredible achievement. A large proportion of these goals were penalties - a job that Nugent has never taken responsibility for before and another lesson learned from the play-off heartbreak at Vicarage Road. Many of those penalties were earned by Vardy, a player who seemed to find an extra yard of pace this season and was too much for most Championship defenders to cope with.

Victories against Burnley and QPR in the closing weeks of the season confirmed Leicester's superiority this season. However, promotion was confirmed in the most anti-climactic way possible without City even kicking a ball on the 5th April, as other results went their way. The Foxes then lost the promotion party game 4-1 at the hands of Brighton, although it is fair to say that not many City fans were actually watching the game! The job was done and there was plenty to celebrate. The title was confirmed with victory at Bolton and City managed to break the 100 point barrier by winning their final game of the season against Doncaster. Leicester broke almost every record in the book - club records for successive victories, for games without defeat at the this level and a record points tally. They won 5 more games than anyone else and clinched promotion with 6 games to go. City failed to score in just 3 games all season and finished a staggering 17 points clear of third placed Derby. There aren't enough superlatives.

Many players completed the best season of their careers. Vardy was a revelation and the biggest surprise of the season in terms of form. Drinkwater won the player of the season award and his partnership with Matty James was crucial to City's success. The arrival of Mahrez in the January transfer window boosted the wide options, with Dyer also having his best season for the club down the left flank. The defence was excellent, marshalled by Morgan alongside the excellent Liam Moore and the towering presence of Marcin Wasilewski. Schlupp put in some excellent performances at left back and Schmeichel proved once again that he is the best shot stopper in this division. 

Leicester were formidable at home - but they were last season too. In fact, it was their away form that propelled them to automatic promotion this time round. Last season, City managed just 6 away victories, yet their home form matched that of Hull City, who secured one of the automatic promotion berths. This year, Leicester won 14/23 away matches and lost on just 4 occasions on the road. There is no doubt that Pearson's team identified the need to take a few more risks and to go for the jugular. This was certainly reflected in more creative and attacking substitutions that paid off on a regular and uncanny basis. Pearson has masterminded one of the greatest seasons in the club's history and his role cannot be underestimated. Foxes fans can't wait to see what the manager produces next season. Exciting times...

Leicester Up - Doncaster Down

This match was always going to be more about what happened off the pitch than on it. With Doncaster fans listening for Birmingham's result and Leicester fans soaking up the promotion party atmosphere, the game seemed to be an unnecessary distraction. City were looking for victory to push them over the 100 point mark and striker David Nugent was looking for his 20th league goal of the season - a feat no Leicester player has achieved since Gary Lineker. It was fitting then that Nugent's 75th minute penalty, after Mahrez was fouled in the box, secured both achievements for the Foxes. In a cruel twist for Doncaster fans, two late Birmingham goals confirmed their relegation from the Championship. It was a fact that wasn't going to spoil Leicester's party.

With Birchenall running around the pitch before the match, free beer provided to every City fan, a giant circus tent outside the ground and the Mexican wave rippling around a 30,000 strong crowd, City fans were going to celebrate. The league trophy and Championship medals was presented after the match and fireworks were set off as the City players completed a well deserved lap of honour with their children. It was a moment to savour and one that Foxes fans can bask in over the course of the summer. Next season, City step into the unknown after a ten year absence from the Premier League. The only thing we can be sure of is that Nigel Pearson's squad will be as well prepared as any to take on the challenge that lies ahead. It promises to be an exciting journey and one that the Foxes will embark upon with confidence high and great memories of today still fresh in their minds.

Two Nil to the Champions

Huddersfield Town 0 - 2 Leicester City

Leicester notched up their third successive clean sheet and victory at Huddersfield this afternoon to move onto 99 league points with one game remaining. They now have 30 league wins this season and have scored in 32 consecutive games in all competitions. Today's win means that City are now 13 away league games unbeaten - a club record. If they win their final league game next Saturday, the Foxes will become only the 5th team to break the 100 point barrier at this level - the records continue to tumble. Pearson made six changes to today's starting line-up with Moore, Miquel, Hammond, Wood, James and Taylor-Fletcher all starting. 

Taylor-Fletcher scored the first goal of the game in the 31st minute - a sweet right-footed finish towards the top corner after good work from Lloyd Dyer. In truth, City were a little lacklustre in the first half and the match had a real end of season feel to it. At the start of the second half, Leicester played with much more intent and created numerous chances - it was a matter of time before the second goal would arrive. It took until the 75th minute for City to double their advantage, Wes Morgan nudging home a Matty James free kick. Next week's finale at the King Power Stadium promises to be a real party - a celebration of the most successful season in the club's history at this level. It will certainly be an occasion to savour for all Leicester City fans.

Champions!

Bolton Wanderers 0 - 1 Leicester City

A spectacular goal from Lloyd Dyer confirmed Leicester as Championship champions this evening as they won their 29th league game of the season to move onto an unassailable 96 points. The goal came on the hour mark and was a fitting way to secure the title for several reasons: first - it came from the boot of Lloyd Dyer, a Nigel Pearson signing from his first spell at the club and a man who hasn't featured much in recent weeks but who has had the greatest season of his career. Secondly, the goal came shortly after a double substitution. On countless occasions this season, Pearson's substitutions have been crucial and turned games in the Foxes favour. Thirdly, the victory comes against the team featuring Mills and Beckford - two symbols of what went spectacularly wrong during the Eriksson era and Pearson's temporary absence from the club. In one sense, the revolution is complete.

The goal itself was special too. Dyer cut in from the left hand side and fired a superb shot into the top corner of the net. It was no more than Leicester deserved on the night and they certainly deserve all the plaudits that come there way now. Champions of the league with a club record number of victories in a season - what a difference a year makes. Last April, many fans were calling for a change of manager. Today, the calls are for the manager to sign a new contract and fast! Leicester City, and Nigel Pearson in particular, are on the way up in more ways than one. 

Foxes Close in on Championship Title

Leicester City 1 - 0 QPR

A second half goal from David Nugent moved the Foxes to within one win of the Championship league title this afternoon. City are seven clear of Burnley and, even if the Clarets win all of their three remaining games, Leicester will need just three points from their final three games to be crowned Champions. 100 points will also be a target for Nigel Pearson's men - a tally they can still reach with 2 wins and a draw. In truth, QPR will be disappointed not to have taken something from today's game as they created the best opportunities in the match. Kranjcar and Maiga both forced Schmeichel to make saves in the first quarter of the game before the Dane came to the rescue again in a 33rd minute goalmouth scramble. King came close to putting Leicester ahead in the 37th minute as he rounded the goalkeeper after a defensive error - the Welshman's effort was cleared off the line by Onuoha. Maiga and Knockaert both had good opportunities in first half stoppage time but neither could break the deadlock.

The start of the second half was a cagey affair with both teams struggling to create goal scoring opportunities. It took until the 67th minute for the hosts to produce the only goal of the game. Nugent showed an excellent turn of pace after Drinkwater's through ball and crashed a superb shot past the keeper at the near post for his 19th league goal of the season. The striker is on the brink of becoming Leicester's first scorer of 20 league goals in a season at this level since Gary Lineker - a fabulous achievement if he can find the net once more in the final 3 games. Assou-Ekotto was sent off in the 78th minute for a second bookable offence and Leicester were able to see the game out. It wasn't City's greatest performance of the season but results are all that count at this stage. With injuries to Vardy and James, promotion already sealed and an experimental formation, victory against the fourth placed team in the league is not to be underestimated, even with the remarkable season that Leicester have had.

Interestingly, with Vardy out injured, Pearson chose to play a 4-2-3-1 formation - a setup that many Premier League teams adopt. Drinkwater and Hammond sat in front of the defence and Mahrez, King and Knockaert played behind Nugent. It may well be a formation we see more of from City as they begin their assault on the Premier League next season.