FoxHole

Manchester United play Reading tonight in an FA Cup replay. No doubt the media pundits will be talking up United as usual. Personally, I’m not really that interested, unless of course you can guarantee a Reading win!

Leicester City 1 West Brom 1, Saturday 24 February

With the Tigers playing at Welford road, parking was at a premium before this game. But some 25,000 watched Leicester earn a point against a promotion chasing baggies team. Quite honestly, before the game I really thought this would be the one to end our recent run. Yet in the first 10-15 minutes Leicester made it clear that they meant business. People around me were even muttering about being able to beat our West Midlands visitors.

But before any of us could get carried away, West Brom started to get back into the game and then stupidity took over. Maybury, beaten for speed by a West Brom striker, decided to go in almost two-footed and brought him down in the penalty box. It was one of the few decisions that Uriah Rennie got right. Kamara didn’t miss with the spot kick.

Fortunately, a shaky five minutes which could have seen West Brom score again was ended when McCauley put a looping header into the net from a free kick. One each at half time, although one of the main talking points had to be the constantly unexplainable decisions of the referee. It must have been one of the worst displays ever from an official.

Strangely though, I spent the interval switching energy provider as my son signed me up to Scottish Power.

The second half ebbed and flowed as both teams looked for the breakthrough. West Brom came the closest, forcing a couple of excellent saves from Henderson. But overall Leicester had more of the play and could have done with some better finishing. If they hadn’t been so reliant on the long ball then things might have been better. In the end a draw seemed about right.

The point took West Brom top of the table and consolidated Leicester in mid-table. A few weeks ago we were staring at a relegation battle. Now I find myself looking towards the play off places. Football, or at least supporting Leicester, certainly doesn’t do anything to help the nerves.

Burnley 0 Leicester City 1, Tuesday 20 February

The first half was not exactly a classic by the sounds of it. Radio Leicester didn’t have much to get excited over, and neither did I. If it wasn’t for Gerry Taggart’s insights and comment, it would have been pretty dull. Indeed, it was clear that Burnley had most of the play and City were too stuck on the long ball. But eventually in the second half things picked up.

Rob Kelly made a surprise substitution bringing on Elvis Hammond for Hume. But this seemed to be the signal for Leicester to start playing; and after a couple of good moves, a scrap in front of the Burnley goal-mouth led to an own goal. City hung on and I breathed a sigh of relief.

Leicester City 3 Coventry 0, Saturday 17 February 2007

What a first half. It doesn’t get much better for Leicester fans, particularly when for much of the season scoring any goals was a blessing, but three in one game…..

The extra interest in this game was apparent after we parked up and walked to the chip shop. The queue was well out of the door and it took ages to get served. But one bag of chips later and we were taking our seats to see Milan Mandaric introduced to the 25,000 faithful.

When the game finally started it took just a few minutes to see which way it would go. Leicester dominated the play and the visitors rarely left their half. Of course we all thought that Geoff Horsfield’s header had been cleared but the assistant ref said otherwise. Cue much jumping around and cheering. And things got even better. During the next 15 to 20 minutes we scored two more and Coventry looked down and out.

Sadly the second half was an anti-climax. Coventry had nothing more to lose so they pushed us hard. Leicester’s response was to revert to long balls; and if they hadn’t missed their chances, the sky blues could easily have narrowed the gap. But as the clock ticked down, Coventry ran out of steam. By the end Leicester were cruising and three more points were secure.

If I hadn’t been driving that evening I’d certainly have enjoyed a few celebratory pints!

There seems to be a buzz in the air over our M69 derby with Coventry. Some 25,000 are expected as Milan Mandaric watches his first game as City’s new owner; and with three points from last week, confidence should be high. But before we get carried away, let’s not forget that Leicester are struggling this season because they haven’t been playing well enough. It could be another terrible game, or it could be a classic. We’ll know tomorrow afternoon.

Ipswich Town 0 Leicester City 2, Saturday 10 February

I was expecting the worst so this result can only be described as brilliant. Even when we scored our second there was still a nagging doubt, despite Leicester being the better team in the second half. Could this be a turning point or will it be business as usual for the visit of Coventry?

England play a friendly tonight but I just can’t get remotely excited about it. Indeed, like most previous friendlies, I doubt I’ll even watch it. After all, what purpose do they serve? How can a match that lacks any competitive edge, and where both sides play a completely fresh team in the second half, be called entertainment? Steve McClaren should already know what the England players are capable of, and if he doesn’t, then he shouldn’t be the England manager.

The TV pundits will do their best to talk it up, analysing the formation and rambling on about what the result means (which incidentally will be nothing) but then they’re paid to do this. Personally, I’d rather watch Desperate Housewives.

Leicester City 1 Luton Town 1, Saturday 3 February

What can you say about this one. It all started so well with an early goal for new signing Mark Yeates. But Luton were as desperate for points as Leicester; and as both sides battled, the equaliser seemed almost inevitable. Some 20,000 fans endured this match. It wasn’t pretty yet it wasn’t awful. Leicester didn’t seem to use the skills of Levi Porter to their best advantage, and Luton made sure they closed us down whenever we won the ball. Sadly, all I’m likely to remember is that this was a forgettable game and two lost points.

Good to see more comings than goings at the Walkers Stadium. Two new mid-field players and an experienced striker will certainly help. However, Geoff Horsfield is not fully fit so it may be a while before we see any benefits. All three are available for Saturday’s game against Luton, a match we really must win to stay above the relegation zone.