Only Burnley and Ipswich have conceded more goals away from home than Cardiff City this season. However, the Bluebirds have also scored more goals on the road than any team apart from Watford. Leicester have the second best home record in the league behind the league leaders and tomorrow's visitors Cardiff. The Foxes boast the meanest defence in the Championship, with just 21 goals conceded in 22 league games. They have also managed 8 clean sheets. Leicester have won just one of their last 4 games and will be keen to put 3 points on the board against a team that they have beaten in each of the last 3 home league meetings. It promises to be an excellent game.
If 100% fit, Waghorn is sure to replace the disappointing Vardy and it may be a toss-up between Knockaert and Marshall to play on the right of midfield. Konchesky needs to perform after a disappointing run, highlighted by the excellent, dynamic performances of Schlupp when deputising at left back recently. Cardiff captain Mark Hudson returns for the visitors after his one match suspension.
A fan's view on Leicester City
Friday, 21 December 2012
Saturday, 15 December 2012
Foxes Tamed in the Lions' Den
Leicester slumped to their 6th away league defeat of the season with a 1-0 loss at Millwall this afternoon. Only 3 teams outside of the relegation zone have lost more times on the road so far this term. In the top half of the league, Leicester and Derby share the unenviable record of being the worst travelling teams, each with just 11 points from a possible 33. Questions must be asked as to why Pearson persists with playing 4-4-2 away from home and why Futacs isn't given a run in the side, particularly away from home, where Leicester are often playing a much more direct style of football. Futacs certainly deserves his opportunity over Jamie Vardy, who has failed to impress at this level so far.
City did start the match fairly brightly with several efforts at goal in the first couple of minutes. However, it was a poor performance overall. There was an inevitability about substitute Chris Taylor's 67th minute goal for the home side. He slotted the ball home from inside the six yard box after a period of sustained pressure. Nigel Pearson's double substitution two minutes later, with James and Futacs replacing King and Dyer respectively, was too little too late. There must now be serious consideration given to a switch of formation and personnel for Boxing Day's trip to Hull City. Before that of course, is the small matter of next weekend's visit of league leaders Cardiff City to the King Power Stadium. With such dire away form, the pressure is certainly mounting on Leicester at home. So far, the Foxes have been equal to the challenge but Cardiff will certainly provide the toughest possible test.
City did start the match fairly brightly with several efforts at goal in the first couple of minutes. However, it was a poor performance overall. There was an inevitability about substitute Chris Taylor's 67th minute goal for the home side. He slotted the ball home from inside the six yard box after a period of sustained pressure. Nigel Pearson's double substitution two minutes later, with James and Futacs replacing King and Dyer respectively, was too little too late. There must now be serious consideration given to a switch of formation and personnel for Boxing Day's trip to Hull City. Before that of course, is the small matter of next weekend's visit of league leaders Cardiff City to the King Power Stadium. With such dire away form, the pressure is certainly mounting on Leicester at home. So far, the Foxes have been equal to the challenge but Cardiff will certainly provide the toughest possible test.
Friday, 14 December 2012
Millwall Preview
Millwall striker Darius Henderson has been ruled out of tomorrow's match against Leicester with a hamstring injury. This is a blow for the Lions as Henderson has scored 7 goals for Millwall this term. Club captain Paul Robinson is also missing with a pelvis injury. Leicester's David Nugent has been passed fit, although Waghorn misses out (appendix). This may prompt Nigel Pearson to consider a change to the traditional 4-4-2 formation that he has employed all season. Undoubtedly this has worked at home, where Leicester have built up a formidable record this season.
However, on the road, City have the second worst record of the teams currently in the top half of the Championship table. There is an argument for experimenting with a 4-5-1 formation. Perhaps Nugent to play up front on his own, with Dyer and Marshall playing as wingers. This would leave a midfield three of King, Drinkwater and Knockaert, with the latter being allowed a free role in behind the lone striker. With just 11 away points from a possible 30 so far, it's surely worth trying something different.
However, on the road, City have the second worst record of the teams currently in the top half of the Championship table. There is an argument for experimenting with a 4-5-1 formation. Perhaps Nugent to play up front on his own, with Dyer and Marshall playing as wingers. This would leave a midfield three of King, Drinkwater and Knockaert, with the latter being allowed a free role in behind the lone striker. With just 11 away points from a possible 30 so far, it's surely worth trying something different.
Saturday, 8 December 2012
Tardy Vardy Snatches Point
Substitute Jamie Vardy's 90th minute goal rescued a point for Leicester against Barnsley in this afternoon's 2-2 draw at the King Power Stadium. Nigel Pearson made one change from the side that beat Derby with Nugent replacing Vardy in the starting line-up. The match started well for Leicester. Knockaert fired a left-footed shot into the bottom corner of the net to give City the lead in just the 9th minute. However, a poor clearance from Schmeichel lead to the equalising goal in the 27th minute, Stephen Dawson firing the ball home from 12 yards. Noble-Lazarus put the visitors 2-1 up in the 39th minute, volleying home superbly from 6 yards. With just seconds remaining on the clock, Vardy fired home a header from Whitbread to snatch the equaliser.
It was a poor performance from Leicester who surrendered possession too easily and were not able to impose their game on the opposition in the same way as they have managed in recent weeks. Their best spell of the game came in injury time when King had a couple of opportunities to steal all 3 points. The result leaves Leicester 5th in the Championship table, with Middlesborough and Hull leapfrogging them in the table. City now face a tough run of fixtures against 3 teams in the top 7 - Millwall, Cardiff and Hull. It will be a real test of Leicester's promotion credentials, particularly the away trips to Millwall and Hull. In the top half of the Championship table, only Derby have accumulated less points on the road than Leicester. Nigel Pearson will have to find a winning formula away from home if City are to improve upon or even maintain 5th place in this very competitive league.
It was a poor performance from Leicester who surrendered possession too easily and were not able to impose their game on the opposition in the same way as they have managed in recent weeks. Their best spell of the game came in injury time when King had a couple of opportunities to steal all 3 points. The result leaves Leicester 5th in the Championship table, with Middlesborough and Hull leapfrogging them in the table. City now face a tough run of fixtures against 3 teams in the top 7 - Millwall, Cardiff and Hull. It will be a real test of Leicester's promotion credentials, particularly the away trips to Millwall and Hull. In the top half of the Championship table, only Derby have accumulated less points on the road than Leicester. Nigel Pearson will have to find a winning formula away from home if City are to improve upon or even maintain 5th place in this very competitive league.
Barnsley Preview
David Nugent should regain his place in the starting line-up for this afternoon's visit of Barnsley to the King Power Stadium. Jamie Vardy, who has only managed 3 league goals this season, is bound to make way. Marshall may well replace Knockaert, given the French player's arrest last weekend for a public order offence. Barnsley are one place above the relegation zone and are the joint lowest scorers in the division. Leicester, by contrast, sit third in the table and have scored 24 goals in 10 home matches. Only Crystal Palace can top that with 27 goals at home.
Sunday, 2 December 2012
FA Cup 3rd Round Draw
Leicester City will face Burton Albion at the King Power Stadium in the 3rd Round of the FA Cup. The match will take place on the weekend of 5th and 6th January 2013.
The draw in full:
Crystal Palace v Stoke City
Brighton & Hove Albion v Newcastle United
Tottenham Hotspur v Coventry City
Wigan Athletic v AFC Bournemouth
Fulham v Blackpool
Aston Villa v Ipswich Town
Charlton Athletic v Huddersfield Town
Barrow/Macclesfield Town v Cardiff City
Barnsley v Burnley
Manchester City v Watford
Swansea City v Arsenal
Leicester City v Burton Albion
Millwall v Preston NE
Cheltenham Town/Hereford United v Everton
Derby County v Tranmere Rovers
Crawley Town v Reading
Aldershot Town v Rotherham Utd/Notts County
Middlesborough v Harrogate Town/Hastings Utd
Accrington Stanley/Oxford Utd v Sheffield Utd
Southampton v Chelsea
QPR v West Brom
Peterborough United v Norwich City
Lincoln City/Mansfield Town v Liverpool
Bolton Wanderers v Sunderland
Nottingham Forest v Oldham Athletic
West Ham v Manchester Utd
Hull City v Alfreton Town/Leyton Orient
Blackburn Rovers v Bristol City
Leeds Utd v Birmingham City
Bury/Southend v Bradford City/Brentford
Luton Town v Wolverhampton Wanderers
Sheffield Wednesday v MK Dons
Saturday, 1 December 2012
Silence of the Rams
Leicester notched up their 8th home league victory of the season, running out 4-1 winners over Derby County at the King Power Stadium this evening. For the first half an hour, City were irresistible and stormed into a 2-0 lead. Whitbread headed home a superb Waghorn corner in just the sixth minute to put Leicester ahead. In the 23rd minute, Vardy flicked on a Knockaert cross and Waghorn slotted the ball cooly into the bottom corner to double City's advantage. It was a thoroughly deserved goal for man of the match Waghorn, who is going from strength to strength. In truth, Leicester should have killed the game off and scored several more goals in that opening period. Waghorn struck the crossbar and Legzdins in the Derby goal made several good saves to keep the Rams in the game.
Derby came back into the match after the half hour mark and dominated until half-time. They got their rewards when, in the 38th minute, Robinson finished neatly from 15 yards. In the second half, it seemed as if Derby were the most likely team to score again. However, Pearson replaced Dyer and Vardy with Marshall and Nugent in the 66th minute and the pair combined beautifully for Leicester's third goal. Marshall dribbled down the left flank, stood the ball up to the back post and Nugent nodded home his tenth goal of the season. The eleventh followed in the 89th minute - a brilliant, sliced half-volley from the edge of the penalty area into the top corner of the net. Nugent hadn't been expected to play any part in this match and only resumed training yesterday. His 2 goals were a huge bonus for Nigel Pearson's men and crucial in securing all 3 points for the Foxes. The victory moves Leicester up to 3rd place in the table.
Derby came back into the match after the half hour mark and dominated until half-time. They got their rewards when, in the 38th minute, Robinson finished neatly from 15 yards. In the second half, it seemed as if Derby were the most likely team to score again. However, Pearson replaced Dyer and Vardy with Marshall and Nugent in the 66th minute and the pair combined beautifully for Leicester's third goal. Marshall dribbled down the left flank, stood the ball up to the back post and Nugent nodded home his tenth goal of the season. The eleventh followed in the 89th minute - a brilliant, sliced half-volley from the edge of the penalty area into the top corner of the net. Nugent hadn't been expected to play any part in this match and only resumed training yesterday. His 2 goals were a huge bonus for Nigel Pearson's men and crucial in securing all 3 points for the Foxes. The victory moves Leicester up to 3rd place in the table.
Derby Preview
Leicester face Derby County at the King Power Stadium this evening in front of the Sky cameras. Derby are currently in 12th place, having lost their last three away games. The Rams have also lost their last four meetings with the Foxes, failing to score or record a point in any of these fixtures. Only Ipswich have scored fewer on the road than Derby, the Rams managing to find the net just 7 times. No wonder they have only notched up 8 points in their 9 away games this season. By contrast, Leicester have taken 22 points from a possible 27 at home this term and will be confident of improving that record today. With Middlesborough losing at Birmingham last night, Cardiff not playing until tomorrow and Crystal Palace facing a tough home fixture against Brighton, tonight's match presents Leicester with an opportunity to close the gap on the teams above them.
After conceding a penalty at Leeds on Tuesday, Jeffrey Schlupp may lose his place to the more experienced Paul Konchesky. This would be a mistake, as Schlupp offers pace and an attacking threat from full-back. Knockaert may replace Marshall in midfield and, in the continued absence of Nugent, Futacs will be pushing for Vardy's place in the team. The former Fleetwood Town striker works hard for the team but has managed just 3 league goals in 16 appearances this term. Futacs deserves the opportunity to see if he can do any better.
After conceding a penalty at Leeds on Tuesday, Jeffrey Schlupp may lose his place to the more experienced Paul Konchesky. This would be a mistake, as Schlupp offers pace and an attacking threat from full-back. Knockaert may replace Marshall in midfield and, in the continued absence of Nugent, Futacs will be pushing for Vardy's place in the team. The former Fleetwood Town striker works hard for the team but has managed just 3 league goals in 16 appearances this term. Futacs deserves the opportunity to see if he can do any better.
Tuesday, 27 November 2012
Leicester Pay Penalty for Jeffrey's Bungle
Leicester City lost 1-0 at Leeds United this evening, after Jeffrey Schlupp conceded a penalty in just the third minute of the match. Schlupp, who has been a revelation at left back in the last few matches, was guilty of a naive challenge on Samuel Bryam. Luciano Becchio dispatched the resulting spot-kick with his left foot. In truth, the Foxes were lucky to go into half-time only a goal behind, as Leeds dominated the remainder of the first half. Pearson named an unchanged side for tonight's game, but his team didn't perform at the same level as the had on Saturday. In central midfield, Drinkwater and King were outplayed by their opposite numbers and this had a huge bearing on the result.
In the second half, Leicester posed much more of a threat to the home side. Just before the hour mark, Futacs and Knockaert replaced Vardy and Marshall respectively. Both players had an immediate impact, with Futacs setting up Waghorn for a shot and Knockaert also having a shot on target from range. Ultimately, Leicester didn't do enough to get back into the game, and Leeds held on to secure back to back home victories. After tonight's performance, and 350 miles on the road in the last four days, Leicester will now be looking forward to two home games of their own. Certainly, Saturday evening's fixture against Derby, in front of the Sky cameras, is a mouth watering prospect.
In the second half, Leicester posed much more of a threat to the home side. Just before the hour mark, Futacs and Knockaert replaced Vardy and Marshall respectively. Both players had an immediate impact, with Futacs setting up Waghorn for a shot and Knockaert also having a shot on target from range. Ultimately, Leicester didn't do enough to get back into the game, and Leeds held on to secure back to back home victories. After tonight's performance, and 350 miles on the road in the last four days, Leicester will now be looking forward to two home games of their own. Certainly, Saturday evening's fixture against Derby, in front of the Sky cameras, is a mouth watering prospect.
Saturday, 24 November 2012
Leicester have a Hoot at Owls' Expense
Leicester won 2-0 at Sheffield Wednesday this afternoon, securing their third away league victory of the season so far. It was a well deserved victory, with City dominating possession and forcing more efforts on goal than their opponents. The victory moves Leicester up to 3rd place in the Championship table, as Middlesborough and Hull both lost at home, to Bristol City and Burnley respectively. Jeff Schlupp deservedly retained his place at left-back, despite the fact that Paul Konchesky was 100% fit. It was another superb display from the youngster and Konchesky will find it difficult to force his way back into the side. Marshall replaced Knockaert on the right-hand side of midfield and Vardy played in place of the injured Nugent. Otherwise, it was the same team that demolished Ipswich at the King Power Stadium a week ago.
In the 41st minute, Danny Drinkwater scored the first goal for the Foxes. It was an excellent finish from the edge of the penalty area, into the bottom right-hand corner of the net. City continued to dominate the match and squandered several opportunities to extend their lead. However, 15 minutes from time, former Sheffield Wednesday loanee Ben Marshall finally secured all 3 points for City. It was a superb goal, a left footed finish from outside the box, into the top left hand corner of the net. Next up, another trip to Yorkshire to take on Leeds United at Elland Road on Tuesday night. Nigel Pearson's men will certainly be confident of another positive result.
In the 41st minute, Danny Drinkwater scored the first goal for the Foxes. It was an excellent finish from the edge of the penalty area, into the bottom right-hand corner of the net. City continued to dominate the match and squandered several opportunities to extend their lead. However, 15 minutes from time, former Sheffield Wednesday loanee Ben Marshall finally secured all 3 points for City. It was a superb goal, a left footed finish from outside the box, into the top left hand corner of the net. Next up, another trip to Yorkshire to take on Leeds United at Elland Road on Tuesday night. Nigel Pearson's men will certainly be confident of another positive result.
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