A few surprises today. Keane plays, King still "rested" and Wood makes his debut.
Team: Schmeichel, De Laet, Keane, Morgan (c), Konchesky, Knockaert, James, Drinkwater, Marshall, Nugent, Wood.
Substitutes: Logan, Moore, Dyer, King, Gallagher, Waghorn, Futacs.
A fan's view on Leicester City
Tuesday, 1 January 2013
Monday, 31 December 2012
Leicester v Huddersfield Preview
There are a few interesting selection headaches for the manager ahead of Huddersfield's visit to the King Power Stadium. Nigel Pearson will surely revert to a 4-4-2 formation after playing 4-5-1 in the last two matches away from home. The main question will be whether new signing Chris Wood's registration is completed in time for him to partner David Nugent up front. If not, Martyn Waghorn would seem the obvious choice. In midfield, King was rested against Burnley and may return in place of Matty James. If the formation does revert to 4-4-2, then only 2 of Dyer, Knockaert and Marshall will play. My guess is that Marshall would miss out. Moore may continue in place of Whitbread if the defender is still not fit enough to regain his place.
All of the omens point towards a comfortable home victory. Leicester have the best defence in the league and have won 8 out of 12 league fixtures at the King Power Stadium this season. Huddersfield, by contrast, haven't won for 9 league games and sit bottom of the form guide over that period. Leicester are looking for their fifth consecutive league victory over the Terriers and their second succesive home and away league double. Huddersfield's last victory at Leicester came at Filbert Street in October 1954. The odds are certainly in favour of the Foxes starting the new year with a win for the third year running.
All of the omens point towards a comfortable home victory. Leicester have the best defence in the league and have won 8 out of 12 league fixtures at the King Power Stadium this season. Huddersfield, by contrast, haven't won for 9 league games and sit bottom of the form guide over that period. Leicester are looking for their fifth consecutive league victory over the Terriers and their second succesive home and away league double. Huddersfield's last victory at Leicester came at Filbert Street in October 1954. The odds are certainly in favour of the Foxes starting the new year with a win for the third year running.
Saturday, 29 December 2012
Happy Newg Year!
David Nugent's 12th goal of the season, in the 31st minute, gave Leicester City a 1-0 victory at Burnley this afternoon. It secured the Foxes fourth away victory of the season and cemented their position in 5th place, as chasing teams faltered. Although Leicester dominated the possession and managed more shots at goal than their opponents, they didn't play particularly well. However, the Foxes managed to keep the Clarets out, to secure an impressive tenth clean sheet in 25 games so far this season. Manager Nigel Pearson, a former centre back, will be delighted with that statistic.
Wes Morgan takes a huge amount of credit for his assist this afternoon. He was fouled in the build-up and may well have been awarded a penalty. However, he fought on and crossed the ball for Nugent to score, from inside the 6 yard box, against his former club. With the best defensive record in the Championship, and 11 goal Chris Wood arriving next week to partner 12 goal David Nugent up front, Leicester may well have the ingredients to make it a very happy 2013.
Next up, Leicester play Huddersfield at the King Power Stadium on New Year's Day. The Terriers are in freefall, having secured just 5 points from their last 9 games, conceding 16 goals along the way. It couldn't be a better time to play them...
Wes Morgan takes a huge amount of credit for his assist this afternoon. He was fouled in the build-up and may well have been awarded a penalty. However, he fought on and crossed the ball for Nugent to score, from inside the 6 yard box, against his former club. With the best defensive record in the Championship, and 11 goal Chris Wood arriving next week to partner 12 goal David Nugent up front, Leicester may well have the ingredients to make it a very happy 2013.
Next up, Leicester play Huddersfield at the King Power Stadium on New Year's Day. The Terriers are in freefall, having secured just 5 points from their last 9 games, conceding 16 goals along the way. It couldn't be a better time to play them...
Burnley v Leicester Team News
Two changes for Leicester. Dyer replaces King and Moore replaces the injured Whitbread. Burnley's top scorer Charlie Austin plays.
Leicester team in full (4-5-1) :
Schmeichel, De Laet, Moore, Morgan (c), Konchesky, Marshall, Drinkwater, James, Dyer, Knockaert, Nugent.
Substitutes: Logan, Keane, King, Schlupp, Waghorn, Futacs, Gallagher.
Leicester team in full (4-5-1) :
Schmeichel, De Laet, Moore, Morgan (c), Konchesky, Marshall, Drinkwater, James, Dyer, Knockaert, Nugent.
Substitutes: Logan, Keane, King, Schlupp, Waghorn, Futacs, Gallagher.
Friday, 28 December 2012
Pearson Means Business
The January transfer window doesn't open until next week, yet Nigel Pearson has reportedly secured the signings of two new players. West Bromwich Albion striker Chris Wood has agreed terms with Leicester in a deal reported to be worth an initial £1.25m. The 21 year old New Zealand international has spent this season on loan at Millwall, where he has bagged 11 goals in 19 games for the Lions. Goals have been an issue for the Foxes and Pearson will hope that Wood can forge a productive partnership with David Nugent. The deal will surely trigger the departure of Futacs from the King Power Stadium. It is also reported this evening that Leicester have secured a deal worth £1m for Blackpool defender Alex Baptiste.
Burnley v Leicester Preview
Nigel Pearson will surely presist with the 4-5-1 formation that gained the Foxes a point at Hull on Boxing Day. Tomorrow's trip to Burnley will be the 3rd game of 5 in a hectic 15 day period over Christmas and New Year. It is possible therefore that, although the team performed well at Hull, there may be some changes in personnel. Dyer may come in for Knockaert or Marshall and don't be surprised to see Waghorn replace Nugent up front. Nugent struggled to make an impact at Hull in the lone striker role. Waghorn is 5 years younger than Nugent and should be fresher after a period on the sidelines. Interestingly, only 1 of Nugent's 11 goals this season have come in games away from the King Power Stadium.
Burnley's Charlie Austin has bagged an incredible 23 goals already this season and is the real danger man for the Clarets. Wes Morgan will have to be at his absolute best to keep the striker quiet for 90 minutes, if Austin plays. He was withdrawn during the second half on Boxing Day, complaining of a muscle injury. His absence would be a huge plus for the Foxes. Burnley are currently 13th in the table but have a good home record this season, having lost just 2 of their 12 matches at Turf Moor. Leicester are on the hunt for just their 4th away victory of the season, a record which must improve if they are to mount a serious push for promotion in the New Year. Every other team in the top 6 has secured a minimum of 5 victories on the road already this season. Clearly, Leicester are playing catch-up. 3 points tomorrow could set the tone for a Happy New Year.
Burnley's Charlie Austin has bagged an incredible 23 goals already this season and is the real danger man for the Clarets. Wes Morgan will have to be at his absolute best to keep the striker quiet for 90 minutes, if Austin plays. He was withdrawn during the second half on Boxing Day, complaining of a muscle injury. His absence would be a huge plus for the Foxes. Burnley are currently 13th in the table but have a good home record this season, having lost just 2 of their 12 matches at Turf Moor. Leicester are on the hunt for just their 4th away victory of the season, a record which must improve if they are to mount a serious push for promotion in the New Year. Every other team in the top 6 has secured a minimum of 5 victories on the road already this season. Clearly, Leicester are playing catch-up. 3 points tomorrow could set the tone for a Happy New Year.
Wednesday, 26 December 2012
Foxes and Tigers Share the Spoils
Leicester City drew 0-0 at in-form Hull City this afternoon, preventing the Tigers from securing their fifth successive league victory. It was a good result for Leicester, away from home, against a team who had won 7 of their previous 10 fixtures. At last Pearson, moved away from the predictable 4-4-2 formation, replacing Dyer and Vardy with Marshall and James. The five man midfield of Knockaert, King, James, Drinkwater, King and Marshall matched up well against Hull and prevented the home side from dominating possession and taking control of the game. However, Nugent was isolated up front and failed to make much of an impact. He was replaced by Waghorn in the 67th minute, who also struggled to affect the game as a lone striker.
Although a point away from home is a good result, Leicester have now failed to score in any of their last three matches, despite having had a total of 40 attempts at goal in those three games. Clearly, a new striker will be top of Nigel Pearson's shopping list in the January sales. If the Foxes are to maintain a place in the top 6 during the second half of the season, they will need to find another striker who can net a dozen goals between now and May. Nugent is certainly capable of that feat but Vardy, Futacs and Waghorn have just seven league goals between them so far this season. Vardy and Waghorn have had plenty of opportunities this season already but Futacs rarely gets an opportunity. It is clear that Pearson has no confidence in the Hungarian's ability to fire Leicester's promotion push in the second half of the season.
Pearson needs to uncover a gem in the January transfer market but at a reasonable price. £3m Beckford has extended his loan spell at Huddersfield, £3m Waghorn is not scoring regularly and £1m Vardy is struggling with the step up from non-league football. A lot of money spent with very little return in terms of goals. Does anyone know the Thai for "Do you have deep pockets?!"
Although a point away from home is a good result, Leicester have now failed to score in any of their last three matches, despite having had a total of 40 attempts at goal in those three games. Clearly, a new striker will be top of Nigel Pearson's shopping list in the January sales. If the Foxes are to maintain a place in the top 6 during the second half of the season, they will need to find another striker who can net a dozen goals between now and May. Nugent is certainly capable of that feat but Vardy, Futacs and Waghorn have just seven league goals between them so far this season. Vardy and Waghorn have had plenty of opportunities this season already but Futacs rarely gets an opportunity. It is clear that Pearson has no confidence in the Hungarian's ability to fire Leicester's promotion push in the second half of the season.
Pearson needs to uncover a gem in the January transfer market but at a reasonable price. £3m Beckford has extended his loan spell at Huddersfield, £3m Waghorn is not scoring regularly and £1m Vardy is struggling with the step up from non-league football. A lot of money spent with very little return in terms of goals. Does anyone know the Thai for "Do you have deep pockets?!"
Hull v Leicester Team News
Leicester City starting eleven: Schmeichel, De Laet, Morgan (c), Whitbread, Konchesky, Knockaert, Drinkwater, James, King, Marshall, Nugent.
As predicted last weekend, a change of formation to 4-5-1 with both Knockaert and Marshall on the pitch from the beginning. A big game for Matty James, I would probably have preferred Dyer, or even Gallagher, who both get a place on the bench.
Substitutes bench looks very attacking: Logan, Moore, Waghorn, Dyer, Futacs, Gallagher, Schlupp.
As predicted last weekend, a change of formation to 4-5-1 with both Knockaert and Marshall on the pitch from the beginning. A big game for Matty James, I would probably have preferred Dyer, or even Gallagher, who both get a place on the bench.
Substitutes bench looks very attacking: Logan, Moore, Waghorn, Dyer, Futacs, Gallagher, Schlupp.
Monday, 24 December 2012
Hull City v Leicester City Preview
This is not a good time to be playing Hull City. The Tigers have won 7, drawn 1 and lost 2 of their last ten league games, making them the form team in the division. They have also won the last 4, propelling them up to second place in the Championship table. Manager Steve Bruce is likely to name an unchanged side from Friday night's 2-1 victory at Derby.
Leicester, by contrast are experiencing a serious slump in form. Without a win in their last three matches, the Foxes have a very poor away record. Waghorn will be pushing for a place in the starting line up after his substitute appearance in last Saturday's defeat against Cardiff. However, Pearson must surely be considering a change in formation to try and stop the rot. 4-5-1 may be an option with Nugent playing as the lone striker, with Knockaert in a free role in midfield. This would enable Pearson to get Marshall into the starting line-up, to make up a midfield with King, Drinkwater and Dyer.
Leicester, by contrast are experiencing a serious slump in form. Without a win in their last three matches, the Foxes have a very poor away record. Waghorn will be pushing for a place in the starting line up after his substitute appearance in last Saturday's defeat against Cardiff. However, Pearson must surely be considering a change in formation to try and stop the rot. 4-5-1 may be an option with Nugent playing as the lone striker, with Knockaert in a free role in midfield. This would enable Pearson to get Marshall into the starting line-up, to make up a midfield with King, Drinkwater and Dyer.
Pressure Piles on Predictable Pearson
Nigel Pearson selected
the same team that lost 1-0 at Millwall last weekend and got exactly the same
result against Cardiff City at the King Power Stadium this afternoon. Leicester
started the game fairly brightly, testing the goalkeeper on several occasions
and hitting the woodwork twice in the first half. The fact that Leicester had 13
shots on target to Cardiff's 3, tells you everything you need to know about the
Foxes lack of clinical finishing in recent games. Cardiff, by contrast, had one
clear cut opportunity in the 25th minute when Bellamy found space on the edge of
the box and fired home an excellent goal. Bellamy was comfortably the best
player on the pitch and not a man to leave in space on the edge of your own
six-yard box.
Cardiff were extremely organised and solid in the second half and never really looked like surrendering their lead. In truth, Leicester were predictable, one dimensional and devoid of ideas and creativity. This is becoming a major issue for the Foxes, who have managed just 12 points from the last 10 league games, placing them 15th in the form guide over that period. Teams have worked out that Leicester play 4-4-2 week in and week out and that predictability is enabling teams to get results against the Foxes.
Even the substitutions are becoming obvious. In the last 8 games, Marshall has replaced Knockaert on 4 occasions between the 60th minute and the 77th minute. On two other occasions, Knockaert has replaced Marshall during the second half. It is time for Pearson to try something different, perhaps looking for a way to get both of these creative players into his starting line-up. Knockaert is not effective playing wide in midfield and needs to play in the hole behind the strikers or be given the licence to roam.
Schlupp should certainly be getting on to the pitch ahead of Lingard and Futacs must be wondering what he has to do to get onto the pitch. Vardy can't buy a goal and Waghorn has just returned from an operation to remove his appendix. Yet, Waghorn still got onto the field before Futacs. At one point, Waghorn even checked his wound hadn't been damaged after a foul! Meanwhile, Leicester were playing long balls up to short strikers who got little change out of Cardiff's tall, robust defence.
At no point today did the formation change. Leicester could have gone to three at the back, throwing Morgan up front or replaced Konchesky with Schlupp to get an extra midfielder. Knockaert could have played behind the front two. Futacs could have made an appearance to challenge Cardiff's back line and provide an aerial threat. Instead, the substitutions were simply straight swaps and "fresh legs" as the manager put. Pearson must find a different formula for Boxing Day's trip to Hull - much for the manager to chew over during his Christmas dinner.
Cardiff were extremely organised and solid in the second half and never really looked like surrendering their lead. In truth, Leicester were predictable, one dimensional and devoid of ideas and creativity. This is becoming a major issue for the Foxes, who have managed just 12 points from the last 10 league games, placing them 15th in the form guide over that period. Teams have worked out that Leicester play 4-4-2 week in and week out and that predictability is enabling teams to get results against the Foxes.
Even the substitutions are becoming obvious. In the last 8 games, Marshall has replaced Knockaert on 4 occasions between the 60th minute and the 77th minute. On two other occasions, Knockaert has replaced Marshall during the second half. It is time for Pearson to try something different, perhaps looking for a way to get both of these creative players into his starting line-up. Knockaert is not effective playing wide in midfield and needs to play in the hole behind the strikers or be given the licence to roam.
Schlupp should certainly be getting on to the pitch ahead of Lingard and Futacs must be wondering what he has to do to get onto the pitch. Vardy can't buy a goal and Waghorn has just returned from an operation to remove his appendix. Yet, Waghorn still got onto the field before Futacs. At one point, Waghorn even checked his wound hadn't been damaged after a foul! Meanwhile, Leicester were playing long balls up to short strikers who got little change out of Cardiff's tall, robust defence.
At no point today did the formation change. Leicester could have gone to three at the back, throwing Morgan up front or replaced Konchesky with Schlupp to get an extra midfielder. Knockaert could have played behind the front two. Futacs could have made an appearance to challenge Cardiff's back line and provide an aerial threat. Instead, the substitutions were simply straight swaps and "fresh legs" as the manager put. Pearson must find a different formula for Boxing Day's trip to Hull - much for the manager to chew over during his Christmas dinner.
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