Itching to get started

The Summer seems longer than usual. The Euros have been a major disappointment (and I don't just mean England's contribution). My son is counting down the days to the start of the preseason. He tells me it is just 23 days till we are at the Marston's stadium and I can't wait. I already have tickets for Burton, but have yet to decide whether to make the trip to Shrewsbury. Brad is urging me to bite the bullet.

The fixtures are out, and Blackburn away has me salivating, figuratively speaking. The season won't be the same without Coventry City but at least we have Wolverhampton Wanderers to contend with...Richard Stearman...we have come back to haunt you!

Nigel's High Risk Army

Well, the season ended on more of a whimper than a bang. I guess the pressure on the squad was too great. However, Brad and I have thoroughly enjoyed the season, especially the FA Cup game v Chelsea, and the last game of the season v Leeds. There have been some fantastic performances, and some absolutely dire outings. Too many to count really. Next season I hope there will be a little more consistency, and Nigel will be able to stamp his mark. In Nigel we trust. We followed the team in the "dark days" in league one under Nigel Pearson, and I firmly believe he has what it takes to be successful. The remainder of the fans need to be patient and know it takes time to realise a vision. Brad & I will be there, as we have been for the last 9 or 10 years.  Come on you blues!

What a way to spend a Tuesday night!

A Tuesday night in mid-Winter isn't the preferred timing for spending two hours out of doors. But it was oh-so worth it this week. In spite of the sub-zero temperatures a good number of the Foxes Faithful turned out for the FA Cup third round replay against Nottingham Forest. Having attended the original match at the City ground earlier in the month Brad & I felt a bit cheated, as it was a game Leicester City should have won. But performances of late have not been good, so we approached the match with a little trepidation.

We needn't have worried. From the first whistle our lads showed more passion and fight than they have in some considerable time. They played like a team, tackled where previously they had been afraid to, and scored freely. What a change from the woeful offering we were given on Saturday.

Roll on Swindon at the end of the month. They will be no pushovers. They have been rejuvenated under Paolo di Canio. But at least we will be at home.

Dismal Doncaster

So much for buying the league. Leicester City battled. On the day we weren't good enough. But we were good enough for a point at least. It's a shame Mr Sheldrake was such a poor example of the professional official we love to hate. He was dreadful. Where Doncaster scythed our players down the referee was unconcerned. But as soon as Steve Howard went for a 50:50 challenge he is awarded a yellow card.
When our players get a boot in the face the Doncaster offender doesn't even get a talking to. Where is the equity in that?

I have no argument with Doncaster's goals. We defended poorly. But every decision that should have gone our way was awarded to the opposition. I fear we will have another season in the Championship. But it won't be of our making. And that's so unfair!

The saddest side of football

This Saturday I witnessed the saddest side of football. Row upon row of empty seats in what used to be a proud North-Eastern football home. Middlesbrough FC. Where have all the fans gone since the team's relegation to the Championship? It really is so sad.

But I guess the second saddest thing in Championship football was also witnessed on Saturday. How can one team of officials be so partisan, and so poor? It isn't sour grapes on my part. I am the first to acknowledge when we are poor, when our performances are lacking. But this wasn't the case on Saturday. It didn't seem to matter what we did - the officials were set against us. Middlesbrough's defenders could be dragging back our forwards, in Strictly Come Dancing mode, and the officials would see nothing untoward.

However, the second Marvin Emnes felt the presence of a Leicester City player within a foot of him he would throw himself to the ground and win the free kick. That's not football. That's gamesmanship.

The Leicester lads were magnificent. Yakubu responded to the criticism of late, with a superb hattrick. Chris Weale also responded to being sidelined on the bench with a fine display, including a fine penalty save.

But as always luck was not on our side. A 90th minute equaliser. Such a travesty. However I am heartened by the display. The boys were magnificent. I can't wait for the next game. Bring on Burnley!

Delight in Derby

Life as a Leicester City fan is good right now. The lads seem full of confidence and are playing some nice stuff. But I've been following them long enough to always have that lingering doubt and nervousness at the back of my mind.

I needn't have worried this once. I don't normally like Pride Park. It's a soulless place with little to recommend it other than the platforms set aside for wheelchair users and the pulleys they use to get the wheelchairs up there.

To be fair, Derby were poor. They were lacklustre, and didn't really look as though they believed they could get anything out of the game. And they were very very dirty. It's a blessing no-one was seriously hurt. The referee, moreover, did not provide any protection for the Leicester players which is worrying. It took more than 50 minutes of the game to elapse before any player went in the book. In my view several of them, Robbie Savage included, should have been booked. There were tackles flying in from all over the place, most of them without any intention of playing the ball.

But where earlier in the season we would have crumbled under the attacks, this time we held firm. And with two high quality goals we claimed the victory. Well done, boys!

Millwall Magic

Wow. What can I say? Today must have been the best performance I have seen from my lads. Millwall came into this fixture 9 games unbeaten. I wish I knew who their opponents have been. The Leicester boys were magnificent. From start to finish. And Sol Bamba. Well. When he was signed we all said Sol who? But after today we have to say he is LA BAMBA. Quite brilliant. Not only a fabulous defender, but also a cheeky goalscorer.
He is always in the right place at the right time. Stopping the threat but pops up when a ball comes his way.

No matter what they threw at our lads they were more than equal to the challenge. And the win has put us tenth in the league. I just hope the old inconsistencies don't surface. Bring on Sheffield United. The confidence can only grow!