Pre-season Fixtures

Leicester City have announced 6 pre-season fixtures with opponents for the 7th match at the King Power Stadium to be confirmed in the next few days. The matches are:

Fri 12th July – (a) Leamington

Sat 20th July – (a) Ilkeston (LCFC XI)

Tue 23rd July – (a) Port Vale 

Wed 24th July – (a) York City 

Sat 27th July – (h) TBC

Sat 27th July – (a) Corby Town (LCFC XI)

Tue 30th July – (a) Northampton Town

Season Review

It is very difficult to explain how Leicester City's season came off the rails in such spectacular style. At the end of January, Leicester were 2nd in the league, having won 16 of their first 29 games with an impressive win ratio of 55%. The Foxes had the best defence in the league and the strikers were finding the net on a regular basis. David Nugent had 14 goals to his name and Chris Wood had netted 7 times in his first 5 matches. Leicester had recorded their biggest league victory for 30 years (6-0 over Ipswich) and had managed two separate sequences of 5 league wins a row - something no other Championship team matched all season. At the end of January, it looked like a question of whether the Foxes would be able to chase down league leaders Cardiff.

However, Leicester won just 3 of their last 17 league games - a win ratio of less than 18%. This included a winless run of 9 matches, their poorest sequence for 6 years. City dropped from 2nd to 6th and scraped into the play-offs by the skin of their teeth. In no other Championship season would 68 points have been enough to secure 6th. Wood and Nugent, having netted 21 times in 34 league matches for City, managed just 6 more between them in the final 17 games. 

Much has been made of City's youthful squad. Indeed, with an average age of just 23, Leicester have the third youngest squad in the entire football league. However, this doesn't explain the dramatic loss in form of key players like Nugent. The defence is not exempt from criticism either. City conceded twice in each of their final 5 league games and went through a sequence of 13 games without a clean sheet. At the crucial climax of the season at Watford, they conceded 3 goals in 1 game for the first time all season. Even though Leicester were a penalty kick away from a trip to Wembley, it would be difficult to say that they deserved the opportunity after such a poor run of form.

So where do City go next? The owners' silence has been deafening in terms of their support for the manager. It might be a case of - we back you because we can't afford to sack you. Financial Fair Play rules are looming and the money has clearly run out. If Pearson is kept on, he will need to clear a few players out before he can bring more in. St. Ledger, Wellens, Gallagher, Danns, Waghorn and Beckford are all contracted to Leicester and are on good wages. In my view, they are all surplus to requirements. However, they won't be easy to shift and this may be Pearson's biggest challenge over the next few months. 

In terms of the rest of the squad, it seems almost certain that Schmeichel will leave, Hull are understood to be prepared to pay £4m for the Dane. Other than that, City should hang on to their key players and will undoubtedly be contenders again next year. In terms of new signings, I would like to see a reliable partner for Wes Morgan brought in. Konchesky's days at left back may be numbered and back-up in central midfield and upfront is a must.

My view is that Pearson should be given one more season at least. He is putting together a young squad and the signings of Wood, Knockaert, Morgan and James have been excellent. If he does manage to get rid of the old guard, I would back him to bring in quality replacements at a reasonable price. Of course, there is no doubt that Pearson has made mistakes. He didn't adjust his tactics quickly enough when things weren't going to plan, especially away from home. Substitutions were predictable and uninspiring at times, and playing a weakened team at Huddersfield in the FA Cup was a huge error. City were in top form at the time and the season lost momentum from that point onwards.  

However, despite his stubborn demeanour in interviews, Pearson will have learnt lessons this season. If Leicester managed to get into such a strong position next season, you would back them to finish the job properly. Starting all over again with yet another new manager cannot be the answer. After all, Pearson has lead City to their 2 highest league finishes in the last 9 seasons. Are we sure that anyone else out these could do any better? If the answer is not 100% yes, then it surely can't be worth the risk. Sometimes it's a case of better the devil you know.

Leicester Pay a Heavy Penalty

Leicester lost their Championship play-off semi-final in the cruellest possible manner at Vicarage Road this afternoon. Going into the game with a 1-0 lead from the first leg, Leicester looked in control at half-time. David Nugent's header from a Matty James corner in the 19th minute cancelled out Vydra's spectacular opening goal for the home side. It was 1-1 at half-time, meaning that the Foxes were 2-1 up on aggregate. In truth, Leicester's second half performance was disappointing. They didn't keep possession of the ball for long enough periods and surrendered the initiative to Watford. With 15 minutes remaining, City were flagging and clinging on for extra time. To be honest, it seemed inevitable at that stage that the Hornets would win the tie.

Remarkably, in the 6th minute of injury time, Anthony Knockaert danced into the box, was felled by Cassetti and earned a penalty. The Frenchman stepped up to take the spot kick, knowing that if he found the back of the net, Leicester were on their way to Wembley for the £120 million match. Knockaert's penalty was saved by Almunia and pushed back into the Frenchman's path. His second effort was again saved by the Spaniard. What happened next was the cruellest possible finish to the game. Watford broke to the other end of the pitch and Troy Deeley smashed home the winner with 96 minutes and 44 seconds on the clock.  After a long, hard season of 53 games, City had been one kick away from their biggest victory in over a decade - such are the fine margins between success and failure in Championship football.

Though difficult at present, Foxes fans must put the defeat into perspective. Nigel Pearson has had two full Championship seasons in charge of Leicester City and has lead them into the play-offs on both occasions. These are City's 2 highest league finishes in the last 9 seasons. Incidentally, on both occasions, a Frenchman was arguably one kick away from taking the team to Wembley. There is the nucleus of a good squad at Leicester and overall, Pearson has made some good signings. In my view, he deserves another crack at promotion next season. It will take some time for the club to get over today's defeat. It will take even longer if the Foxes appoint yet another new manager.

Que Sera, Sera!

Leicester turned in one of their best performances of the season to beat Watford 1-0 in the first leg of the play-off semi-final at the King Power Stadium this evening. The Foxes made a superb start to the game and completely dominated the first half. Nugent, Knockaert and Keane should all have been on the score sheet before the break and City would have been disappointed to go in at 0-0. Watford came into the game a little more during the second half but the Foxes continued to dominate. Ten minutes from time, David Nugent headed in Anthony Knockaert's cross to give City a crucial lead to take to Vicarage Road on Sunday.

It was Nugent's first goal in 17 games and City's first clean sheet in 13. Suddenly, matters are back in Leicester's hands. Avoid defeat on Sunday lunchtime and Leicester go to Wembley for the first time in 13 long years. If City manage to play with the same fight and determination on Sunday, few would bet against them. Watford looked shell-shocked after missing out on automatic promotion just days ago and City didn't give them the opportunity to recover. It's a long way back to Watford tonight for Gianfranco Zola's side and there are just over 60 hours until the second leg kicks off. Nigel Pearson will be hoping that the quick turnaround works in his favour and that his side can earn a place at Wembley before Watford can work out where it all went wrong for them.

Stubborn City Sneak into Sixth!

I wrote in the week that Leicester City needed the most unlikely of miracles to secure a play-off place. That is exactly what the Foxes got this afternoon. Not only did Leicester secure their first away victory at Nottingham Forest in over 40 years, but Bolton failed to win their final home game against a Blackpool side who had nothing to play for. Through the course of the afternoon, 6th place changed hands on 4 separate occasions. The final and crucial change came when Anthony Knockaert poked home an injury time winner to put City into 6th place on goal difference. It could scarcely have been more dramatic.

The game started badly for the Foxes when Simon Cox's early shot put Nottingham Forest 1-0 up. Matty James notched the equaliser in the 24th minute after his deflected shot found the back of the net. Just before half time, King headed home Knockaert's excellent cross to give City the lead and fire the Foxes into 6th place. At that stage, Blackpool were 2-0 up at Bolton and things looked like they were going in Leicester's favour. However, Bolton scored twice in a minute to level their game at 2-2 and 5 minutes into the second half, Ward scored for Forest to make it 2-2 as well.

It looked at that stage as though it wasn't going to be Leicester's afternoon but there was time for one final dramatic twist. Forest pushed forward in search of a winner, to snatch a place in the play-offs for themselves. This left them exposed at the back and Knockaert and Wood were able to capitalise. Knockaert played Wood in on goal and the Kiwi striker, unselfishly and calmly, pushed the ball back into Knockaert's path. The Frenchman slotted the ball home, ripped off his shirt and jumped into a crowd of 2025 rapturous Leicester fans. A nail-biting few minutes followed, in which Leicester and Blackpool both held on. A remarkable day.

Ironically, there may well be a psychological shift amongst the play-off contenders now. Leicester have snuck into 6th place, having thought that they'd thrown their chance away weeks ago. They go into the play-offs with real momentum and a winning feeling. By contrast, their opponents Watford are shell-shocked. The Hornets lost their final home game of the season to Leeds today and miss out on automatic promotion as a result.

Watford goalkeeper Almunia was injured in the warm-up and replacement Jonathan Bond was stretchered off with a serious neck injury during the game. To add insult to injury, one of Watford's leading scorers, Troy Deeney, was sent off and will automatically miss the first leg of the play-off semi finals. That match takes place on Thursday night at the Walkers Stadium with the return match at Vicarage Road on Sunday lunchtime. Not long then for Gianfranco Zola to pick his players up after such a draining afternoon. Nigel Pearson will have no such problems and his team will be buzzing about their dramatic reprieve this afternoon. I know which camp I would rather be in ahead of Thursday night...

Palace Secure Play-Off Spot

Crystal Palace earned a point at Millwall this evening, meaning that Leicester can no longer catch them in the chase for a play-off place. This is a huge blow, as Palace face a Peterborough side desperate for victory on Saturday. This was City's most likely route back into the top 6. It is inconceivable to think that Bolton will fail to win their final home game against a Blackpool side who have nothing to play for. However, Leicester must win their game and hope for the most unlikely of miracles!

Peterborough Hold the Key

I wrote yesterday about the importance of Bolton's trip to Cardiff this afternoon. Indeed, Bolton drew 1-1 with the Welsh side, meaning that if the Trotters fail to beat Blackpool on the final day, a victory for Leicester at Nottingham Forest next weekend would see the Foxes into a play-off place. This is unlikely, given that Blackpool won this afternoon and secured their Championship status for another season. Blackpool will have nothing to play for on the final day and Bolton are bound to secure the 3 points and finish above Leicester.

However, of more interest will be Peterborough's game at Crystal Palace, if Palace fail to win at Millwall in mid-week. Peterborough will go into the final game thinking they need to win, in order to have a chance of staying in the Championship. If they pull off the victory and the Foxes manage to beat Forest, Leicester will be in the play-off places on goal difference. It is all still to play for and given the unpredictable nature of the Championship, few would predict the outcome of next weekend's games. Nigel Pearson will simply be relieved if his side still have something to play for on the final day.

Hornets Provide Sting in the Tail

Leicester City 1 - 2 Watford

This wasn't a 'must win' game but it was certainly a case of 'must not lose' for the Foxes. Defeat means that the Foxes must now win at Nottingham Forest next weekend for the first time in 40 years. Even if they manage that unlikely feat, Nigel Pearson's side are also relying on Bolton slipping up in both of their final two games. It is conceivable that Bolton will lose at Cardiff tomorrow but surely they will manage a home victory over Blackpool on the final day of the season. In truth, Leicester do not deserve the luck that such an unlikely set of results would afford them. With just 2 victories in 16 league games, Leicester's season did not fall apart tonight. It has been a steady demise since the start of February.

Leicester played well tonight against a skilful and organised Watford side. The visitors took the lead in the 41st minute when Deeney bundled home from a corner. Just two minutes later, Chalobah doubled Watford's lead with an incredible, fierce drive from 30 yards. The ball crashed against the underside of the crossbar and in. It was a remarkable goal and one that knocked the stuffing out of the Foxes. It had been a fairly even contest up to that point but City, as too often in recent matches, failed to take their chances. Wood, King and Morgan all missed decent opportunities in the first half.

City were spirited in the second half. Nugent, Kane and Marshall replaced Schlupp, Dyer and Knockaert respectively and Leicester had a good spell of pressure. In the 61st minute, Kane headed home Konchesky's cross to give the Foxes some hope. 8 minutes later, Leicester should have been awarded a penalty when Chris Wood was felled in the box. However, it wasn't to be their night - something we have said all too often in recent months. Watford held on to the victory and still have a slim chance of claiming 2nd place. Leicester's chances of claiming 6th spot are slimmer still. All eyes on Bolton's trip to Cardiff tomorrow. If Bolton fail to register a victory, there is still a tiny glimmer of hope for Leicester on the final day of the season. 

Palace Point Prolongs Play-Off Push

Crystal Palace 2 - 2 Leicester City

Twice Leicester City came from behind at Selhurst Park this afternoon to earn what could turn out to be a very valuable point. Danny Gabbidon put the Eagles ahead from Stephen Dobbie's free-kick before the half hour mark - it was the Welshman's first league goal for 8 years. Andy King's cool, curling finish 10 minutes later made the score 1-1 at the break. 20 minutes into the second half, Dobbie put Palace ahead again. This time the lead only lasted 6 minutes as Chris Wood notched his 20th goal of the season with a clinical finish.

City drop out of the play-off places, a point behind Bolton. However, Nottingham Forest dropped crucial points at home today, drawing 0-0 with second from bottom Barnsley. If Cardiff beat Bolton next weekend, 4 points from the remaining 2 games would be enough to secure a play-off place for Leicester. In this scenario, should the Foxes manage to beat Watford on Friday night, they would be going to Nottingham on the final day in search of a draw rather than a victory. In the final analysis, Forest may well rue today's results more than Leicester. All is still to play for and, be assured, it is going down to the wire!

Schlupp-up and away!

Leicester City 3 - 2 Bolton Wanderers

Leicester clung on to a crucial 3 points at the King Power Stadium this evening and moved themselves back into the play-off places. It had been a disastrous start to the match - Morgan conceding a penalty in just the second minute. Ngog dispatched the spot-kick to give the visitors the lead. The Foxes showed real character to get back into the match and to be leading by half-time. In the 39th minute, Dyer was fouled in the box and Chris Wood put away the resulting penalty kick. Less than 2 minutes later, City were in front. Wood held the ball up well and played in Dyer, who crashed a shot against the underside of the bar to put Leicester ahead.

It was always going to be a tense second half given Leicester's recent form and the late goals they have conceded of late. 20 minutes from time, a poor defensive header from King allowed Pratley to fire home the equaliser. However, the Foxes showed real character to push forward in search of the winner. 12 minutes from time, Jeff Schlupp fired home a superb volley, from the edge of the box, into the bottom corner. The remainder of the match, including more than 7 minutes of injury time, was pure torture for City fans. Leicester might have conceded a couple of penalties, Bolton hit the bar and it seemed as though City had forgotten how to defend. However, they did see the game out to secure a crucial win.

Remarkably, with a full Championship programme, no other teams in the top 9 places managed to register a victory this evening. Crystal Palace, Leicester's next opponents, slipped to a 3-0 defeat at Ipswich. Win at Selhurst Park on Saturday and the Foxes will be in no worse than 5th place. It's a big 'if' but you'd be brave to bet against them.