FoxHole

So today is D-Day (door day) for Ian Holloway. Will it be a case of door open and Ollie out? Or will it be door shut, and Ollie kept behind to fight another day? He wants a chance according to the Leicester Mercury website TheBlueArmy.co.uk.

For foxes fans managerial comings, goings, and possibly yet another going, provide us with much to talk about. But Leicester’s woe’s will barely scrape a mention amid all the media glorification and gush over yesterday’s results. Apparently there was a close finish in the Premier league. ManUre became champions again. Chelski were second again. And guess what, Arsenal and Liverpool finished third and fourth.

Astonishing!

Meanwhile, back in Leicester we have more important concerns…

Fellow foxes have had a few days to reflect upon our new life in League 1. And it seems many of us would prefer our chances without Ollie . Even Ollie himself says he has job fears. This begs the question of who would take over? The Runes are not good…

No stability: We had something like seven managers during 2007 if you include caretakers Gerry Taggart and Frank Burrows!

Must get on with the boss: Martin Allen clashed once and was out.

Third Tier football: Even less glamour, smaller crowds, much less money, poorer quality football.

No Guaranteed Return: Others show that it could take a few seasons to escape (e.g. Forest!)

So can we attract a dynamic, highly regarded manager? It’s not going to be easy; and Mandaric may yet surprise us by announcing that Ollie is staying. Is anyone taking bets?

Stoke City 0 Leicester City 0, Sunday 4 April 2008

There were tears in my eyes when the game ended and I really didn’t feel like talking to anyone. It was as if something had been taken away from me that would never be given back. A genuine sense of shock.

Four hours later and it is starting to sink in. We will be playing local derbies against Northampton and Peterborough, and we could enjoy some long weekends in Yeovil or Cheltenham. Yet I keep thinking if only…

If only Southampton hadn’t scored a third goal. If only the Stoke keeper hadn’t tipped over Stearman’s header, if only the post hadn’t stopped what looked like a certain Leicester goal. If only Holloway had changed tactics about 20 minutes earlier.

If only we hadn’t played so badly in so many games earlier in this season. If only the players had cared.

This match was as nerve wrecking as they come; and when we did finally take the game to Stoke we showed that with some effort we can create chances. But with Southampton beating Sheffield United it was a case of too little too late. The emotional roller coaster was finally over.

A very sad end to a very sad season.

So here is how it could go on Sunday…

City lose: We are relegated unless Southampton lose

City draw: We stay up if Southampton draw or if Sheffield Wednesday lose

City actually beat Stoke: We stay up, unless Southampton beat Shefield United more than 17- 0

Milan Mandaric is quoted in today’s Leicester Mercury as saying he “still has every faith in Ollie”. Will this be the kiss of death for Ian Holloway?

I can’t say I’m excited about an all English Champions League final. This is mainly because I wanted Barcelona to beat Man Utd. To some people I may seem unpatriotic, but it’s all a matter of credibility. Like many football fans I really don’t like United. So why should I suddenly want them to win just because they are playing a team from another country? It would be hypocritical.

I therefore empathise with all those who found ITV’s glorification of the team in red just a little too much to take on Tuesday night. If I do bother to watch the final I’ll tune in to Sky.

PS…. And I wanted Liverpool to beat Chelsea.