Relegation Fight Beckons

Cardiff 3 Leicester City 2, Saturday 27 January

This game was brought forward from midweek on account of both teams being out of the FA Cup. City certainly started as if a Saturday kick off wasn’t wanted. Indeed, listening to the live commentary on Radio Leicester a familiar feeling of gloom descended. Sure enough, just over twenty minutes into the first half we give away a free kick in an ideal position for Cardiff. The subsequent punishment was dished out with precision by Michael Chopra to put the home side in front.

The radio commentators did their best to talk up any good play from Leicester but this was mostly saves by city goalkeeper Henderson. On the face of it, being just one-nil behind at half time was fortunate! Of course one advantage of listening to the match at home rather than going to the game is comfort. And you can sneak off to the kitchen and make a hot drink without having to queue for something that tastes like piss.

But what can I say about the second half? “Shit”is a word that comes to mind. And it’s that man Chopra behind it all. We miss a good chance, he scores a second… and then a third. Fighting a lost cause, a goal minutes later from Kisnorbo registered a very slight flicker of hope. And then on 90 minutes a second goal for City suddenly raises the stakes. But would four minutes of injury time be enough? Sadly no. Pretty much sums up the game for me.

Storm Stops Game

The Birmingham match has been called off due to safety fears. Apparently part of the roof from the neighbouring Holiday Inn hotel ended up on the concourse of the stadium. Luckily nobody was hurt. But with Council staff, engineers and contractors stretched due to the bad weather clear-up, the area can’t be made safe in time.

Given that Birmingham are on such a good run at present, I’m not too upset by the postponement.

Looking Forwards with Trepidation

We play Birmingham City tomorrow afternoon. Not content with their consistent league form, Birmingham then go and cruise past Newcastle at St. James Park in their cup replay, winning 5 – 1.

I’m worried!

Replay Heartbreak

Fulham 4 Leicester City 3, Wednesday 17 January

I didn’t get to go to this game so I listened to the commentary on Radio Leicester. It sounded like a very exciting match, made more interesting by Gerry Taggart’s contributions to the broadcast. How we could do with him back in our defence! Anyway, by half time I was calmly trying to stay calm, due to the fact that we were two-one up and there was still another 45 minutes to go! When Wesolowski made it three I was jumping around the living room shouting and punching the air (to put this into context, one Leicester goal is a triumph but to score three in a game is almost unheard of).

However, as fellow fans will know, holding on to leads is not something Leicester do well, and by the time Fulham drew level I was swearing and fearing the worst. Indeed, I was seriously thinking of drowning my sorrows with some cider despite trying to avoid the mid-week drinking. But as full time drew near, the teams sounded evenly matched and extra time looked likely. But no sooner had I started to relax at this thought then Fulham score their last gasp winner. It was heartbreaking.

FA Cup Fightback

Leicester City 2 Fulham 2 FA Cup Third Round

This was what its all about. An exciting match, plenty of chances, and some flowing football. After the dire performance against Southampton and the weak effort against Sunderland, I was fearing the worst.

Looks like I wasn’t alone. There were loads of empty seats and even the pub seemed less crowded, despite a large number of away fans.

But once the game got going, it was end-to-end stuff. We even passed the ball through midfield leading to some very promising moves.

Leicester were not phased by the premiership opposition, and and for long periods we were the better side. However, Fulham didn’t give up and when they took the lead I was gutted.

But Leicester fought back and the equaliser sent everyone mad with joy. Sadly this was short lived and Fulham’s second goal seemed like payback for all those crap performances earlier this season.

As time became the enemy we pressed forward. But I had to leave before the end to meet Karon. Resigned to a defeat I was overjoyed to hear a distant roar when the equalising goal was scored. What a great game!

Indifferent Performance, Crap Result

Leicester City 0 Sunderland 2 New Years Day 2007

This was one of those very frustrating games. It was also the coldest match of the season. As we froze, the game ebbed between good to poor, with most of it fairly indifferent stuff. Again too many long balls and missed passes. (We really do need to learn some lessons from this style of play).

On the positive side we were matching Sunderland and a draw did seem likely. However, in a period of bad play Sunderland took full advantage. The goals when they came seemed inevitable, and we went home with that all too common despondent feeling.

Absolutely shameful

Southampton 2 Leicester City 0, Saturday 29 December 2006

This was possibly the worst performance I have ever seen from a Leicester City side.

The day started brightly enough, with some sunshine in Leicester. But after meeting my Southampton supporting relatives the sky grew overcast. Even so, we were in high spirits on our way to the game, commenting on Keith’s BMW driving skills. But after parking in Southampton the rain started. Indeed, by the time we reached the stadium we were all soaked through…and still it rained.

Once inside wKaron and I took our seats under the stadium roof among the City supporters. No rain but plenty of wind. It was then that we learned about the pitch inspection to take place at 3.30pm. At the time I didn’t want to go back to Mum and Dad’s without seeing a game, but oh how I came to regret such thoughts.

The game, or at least Southampton, eventually kicked off at 3.45pm. From the start Leicester’s yacyics were clear – do nothing – do not touch the football – make no effort whatsoever.

Frankly, I’m amazed that Southampton didn’t hammer us. Still, they did get some useful passing practice while Leicester’s loyal fans looked on in horror.