Leicester City have secured the signing of Portuguese goalkeeper Ricardo on a six month deal, according to the BBC's Ian Stringer.
The former international - whose penalty saves saw England defeated at Euro 2004 and the Germany World Cup in 2006 - has been training with Sven Goran Eriksson's Foxes in the last week with view to a deal being completed before tonight's transfer deadline.
Ricardo will not be eligible for tomorrow's game against Sheffield United.
Monday, 31 January 2011
Leicester secure Uchechi deal
Nigerian striker Daniel Uchechi has become Sven Goran Eriksson's fifth January signing as the 21 year-old FC Dender forward has joined Leicester City on loan until the end of the season.
The under-21 striker has joined the Foxes after impressing the Swedish manager during a trial at the Belvoir Drive training ground this week and becomes Eriksson's fifth January signing.
In other news, Luke O'Neill has joined Kettering Town on a one month loan deal from the Leicester City academy.
Categories:
transfers
Saturday, 29 January 2011
Foxes eye Ricardo deal
 |
| Ricardo: Saved Vassell's penalty in '04 |
Ricardo knocked England out of Euro 2004 when he saved Darius Vassell's penalty in the shoot-out and went on to save three penalties two years later as he denied England's progression in the 2006 World Cup in Germany. He has been with the Foxes squad at their Belvoir Drive training ground this week and manager Sven Goran Eriksson - England coach during those tournaments - is keen to see the 34 year-old join his Foxes renaissance. Portuguese football news site Portugoal.com has rumoured that Ricardo has already been offered a verbal agreement with view to a signed deal being done within days.
Meanwhile, Leicester have also been linked with a loan move for Shay Given who has told the Daily Mail that he wants out of Eastlands. The Manchester City shot-stopper has fallen out of favour with Roberto Mancini after Joe Hart's rich vein of form and is looking for a loan move to the Championship in order to continue playing first-team football.
Categories:
transfers
Tuesday, 25 January 2011
Foxes close-in on van Aanholt
The twenty year-old Dutch under-21 international has made two senior appearances in the Premier League for the Pensioners, racking-up 27 Championship appearances on previous loan spells at Newcastle United and Coventry City. Van Aanholt's style is likened to that of Ashley Cole, surely fitting to Sven Goran Eriksson's pacey, attacking side - the Swede is keen to see the exciting young Dutchman added to his squad until the end of the season.
Meanwhile, Curtis Davies is set for a return to the Walkers Stadium having tweeted earlier today that he is "en route to Leicester to re-join Sven's revolution!" and quipping about recent signing Yakubu stealing his squad number for the Foxes, number 24. Davies, a hit in the East Midlands during his first loan spell at Leicester in the run-up to Christmas, is set to reprise his role at centre-half until the end of the season.
Categories:
transfers
Saturday, 22 January 2011
Conclusions from Millwall
| Leicester | 4-2 | Millwall |
| (HT 3-1) | ||
| Dyer 8 Yakubu 22 Bamba 35 Bamba 74 |
|
- Now we can't stop scoring! Too many times this season, I have written of our inability to take chances causing games to be thrown away easily. Against Manchester City, whose Premier League strikes continually punished our Championship-class defence, this was again apparent. In the Championship, however, the likes of Yakubu are starting to make their mark. The Nigerian's efforts - together with the heroics of Sol Bamba, have apparently transformed our fortunes as we continue our unbeaten start to 2011 in the league.
- Sixth place might not be a dream after all... Consider the last year. In January 2010 it looked like Leicester City would be knocking on the door for a play off place by the end of the season. That we succeeded in that aim was magical for all of 200-odd minutes before a certain Frenchman bought an end to it all and with it, the stewardship of Nigel Pearson. But we were proud after one season back in the Championship. Six months on we were with just one league win and our bright young prospect of a manager was being shown the door as we languished at the bottom of the table. Tonight, Sven Goran Eriksson has led us to tenth place. Yes, others have games in hand and yes, we have hit a purple patch. But we're there, and we could be knocking on the door for a play off place...
Winners
Sol Bamba
The Ivorian can do no wrong. A constant threat at set pieces - exactly what the Foxes have been lacking up to now - and a calm, forceful presence at the back. Bamba, for a quarter of a million from Hibernian, was an absolute steal.
 |
| Bamba: Scored a brace for the Foxes |
The Ivorian can do no wrong. A constant threat at set pieces - exactly what the Foxes have been lacking up to now - and a calm, forceful presence at the back. Bamba, for a quarter of a million from Hibernian, was an absolute steal.
Yakubu
You're not doing wrong when you start two games and score in each of them. As a striker, that is exactly what you want to do at whatever level you play in. Some saw the Yak's loan move to the Walkers Stadium as a risk despite his obvious credentials, hopefully they are now eating some pie of the humble variety - he's already a success.
Kyle Naughton
Another consistent performer, the sooner a fee is agreed with Tottenham Hotspur for him to become a full-time Fox, the better.
Richie Wellens
Consistently performing at the highest level as the engine room of the Leicester City team. His good form is our good form.
Lloyd Dyer
You criticise a man for failing to score and he pops up with two in two games. There's my humble pie, right there.
 |
| Feed the Yak: Yakubu fires home Leicester's second |
Kyle Naughton
Another consistent performer, the sooner a fee is agreed with Tottenham Hotspur for him to become a full-time Fox, the better.
Richie Wellens
Consistently performing at the highest level as the engine room of the Leicester City team. His good form is our good form.
Lloyd Dyer
You criticise a man for failing to score and he pops up with two in two games. There's my humble pie, right there.
Losers
Ben Mee
The Manchester City loanee was responsible for Millwall's two penalties - however harsly-ajudged by referee Eddie Ilderton. The second Lions' spot-kick was despatched neatly by Jack Smith and Mee will perhaps reflect on his Walkers Stadium début as a match best forgotten.
Ben Mee
The Manchester City loanee was responsible for Millwall's two penalties - however harsly-ajudged by referee Eddie Ilderton. The second Lions' spot-kick was despatched neatly by Jack Smith and Mee will perhaps reflect on his Walkers Stadium début as a match best forgotten.
Bruno Berner
Berner's footballing brain and his professionalism go without question; he is a player of the highest quality in every aspect. What he needs to build on, however, is his ability to deal with pace. Too often the Swiss is beaten for pace on his left-hand side and today it showed as he was not his usual calm self. An off day for a man who has just signed a new deal.
Categories:
conclusions
Thursday, 20 January 2011
Berner signs contract extension
Leicester City defender Bruno Berner has signed a new contract that will extend his stay at the Walkers Stadium until the end of the 2011/12 season.
Berner, a cult hero for Foxes fans since his début two years ago, has ended speculation concerning a possible move away from the East Midlands by signing this contract extension after a string of impressive performances. The former Swiss international has re-gained his place in Sven Goran Eriksson's starting eleven since the injury to loanee Greg Cunningham and the Leicester boss is clearly impressed with the 32-year-old's work.
"He is a great example to young players," said the Swede, "I told him I want to keep him. In training he is so professional, works hard every day and never creates any problems.
"His recent form has been impressive and he has shown his strengths with some very accomplished performances."
Berner, a cult hero for Foxes fans since his début two years ago, has ended speculation concerning a possible move away from the East Midlands by signing this contract extension after a string of impressive performances. The former Swiss international has re-gained his place in Sven Goran Eriksson's starting eleven since the injury to loanee Greg Cunningham and the Leicester boss is clearly impressed with the 32-year-old's work.
"He is a great example to young players," said the Swede, "I told him I want to keep him. In training he is so professional, works hard every day and never creates any problems.
"His recent form has been impressive and he has shown his strengths with some very accomplished performances."
Meanwhile, Berner's fellow full back Tom Kennedy has left the Foxes on a loan deal that will see him remain at Peterborough United until the end of the season.
Categories:
contract
Tuesday, 18 January 2011
FA Cup Third Round Replay: Conclusions from Eastlands
| Manchester City | 4-2 | Leicester |
| (HT 3-1) | ||
| Tevez 15 Viera 37 Johnson 38 Kolorov 90 | Gallagher (pen) 19 Dyer 83 |
 |
| Goal: Paul Gallagher celebrates scoring at Eastlands |
- The FA Cup is not dying. To the nay-sayers who quote falling attendances and lost interest in this most famous of cup competitions, I say this: subscribe to ESPN Classic and watch the action from this tie. For the initial meeting of the two sides - and this replay (for at least the first half) - were two of the most entertaining football matches I've ever seen. Of course, that is subjective based on my views as a Leicester fan but, considering the 31-place gulf between these two sides, this was a truly enthralling FA Cup tie.
- Premier League quality wins the day. For all of Leicester's early chances, City bode their time and instead of wasting possession, they made it count. It was the finishing ability of the home side that won this tie, not anything of Leicester's frailty.
Winners
Lloyd Dyer
A candidate for man of the match tonight, Dyer was the one player the Manchester City defence failed to cope with time and time again. He ate Kolorov for breakfast after he swapped wings to cut-in from the right and his performance was capped with a goal to rival those scored by City, a beauty of a ball from Yuki Abe splitting the City defence allowing Dyer use his pace to latch-on to the ball and slot home. That, Lloydy, is more like it.
Richie Wellens
Wellen's brief spat with Carlos Tevez after twenty-five minutes was over in a flash and the referee dealt well to dismiss it as simply that. Wellens showed what is needed in every team: a dependable, reliable midfielder showing some passion and grit that is missed in the modern world of football. His guile and controlling influence was sorely missed in the second half.
Chris Weale
Perhaps the Bristolian could have saved the opening goal, but it would be hard to judge him against what was utter class. Weale had a tremendous game making some crucial saves at 0-0 - including denying Adam Johnson early on - and 1-1. Unfortunately his parry to deny an onslaught from the City attack fell kindly to Patrick Viera who could hardly miss, before Johnson did everything right to make it 3-1. Rather harsh on Weale, that. For him to save a penalty and deny Tevez will feel sweet for him, however, and he will surely sleep well tonight.
Mark Halsey
A special mention for tonight's referee who was fair and consistent, awarding some good decisions (including the right call for Leicester's penalty) and controlling of what was a tense atmosphere superbly well. The only issue was his handling of Jack Hobbs' challenge on Tevez for City's penalty, with Hobbs arguably lucky to remain on thepitch without even a caution to his name. Overall though, Halsey had a good game.
The Foxes On Tour
Six thousand strong and by far the loudest thing in Manchester tonight, the travelling Blue Army did the city proud.
Lloyd Dyer
A candidate for man of the match tonight, Dyer was the one player the Manchester City defence failed to cope with time and time again. He ate Kolorov for breakfast after he swapped wings to cut-in from the right and his performance was capped with a goal to rival those scored by City, a beauty of a ball from Yuki Abe splitting the City defence allowing Dyer use his pace to latch-on to the ball and slot home. That, Lloydy, is more like it.
Richie Wellens
Wellen's brief spat with Carlos Tevez after twenty-five minutes was over in a flash and the referee dealt well to dismiss it as simply that. Wellens showed what is needed in every team: a dependable, reliable midfielder showing some passion and grit that is missed in the modern world of football. His guile and controlling influence was sorely missed in the second half.
Chris Weale
Perhaps the Bristolian could have saved the opening goal, but it would be hard to judge him against what was utter class. Weale had a tremendous game making some crucial saves at 0-0 - including denying Adam Johnson early on - and 1-1. Unfortunately his parry to deny an onslaught from the City attack fell kindly to Patrick Viera who could hardly miss, before Johnson did everything right to make it 3-1. Rather harsh on Weale, that. For him to save a penalty and deny Tevez will feel sweet for him, however, and he will surely sleep well tonight.
Mark Halsey
A special mention for tonight's referee who was fair and consistent, awarding some good decisions (including the right call for Leicester's penalty) and controlling of what was a tense atmosphere superbly well. The only issue was his handling of Jack Hobbs' challenge on Tevez for City's penalty, with Hobbs arguably lucky to remain on thepitch without even a caution to his name. Overall though, Halsey had a good game.
The Foxes On Tour
Six thousand strong and by far the loudest thing in Manchester tonight, the travelling Blue Army did the city proud.
Football
Too often in the FA Cup the lower league side can grab a draw at home before being thumped in the replay. Leicester City failed to lie down and accept defeat as an option, even after Tevez's exceptional opener, and fought back into the game to give the viewing public a second bite at what has been a thrilling cup tie. More of this, please: it's what makes cup football just that little bit special.
Losers
Paul Gallagher
Paul Gallagher
Such a shame for the Scot to have to leave the pitch injured, particularly after it was his thumping penalty that levelled the scores. Gallagher has been in a fine vein of form recently, his performance at Preston at the weekend tantamount in proving his credentials as a crucial member of the squad.
Sol Bamba
I don't care what you do in Scotland, but down here we play to the whistle. This arm-in-the-air business will not do.
Sol Bamba
I don't care what you do in Scotland, but down here we play to the whistle. This arm-in-the-air business will not do.
Categories:
conclusions
Saturday, 15 January 2011
Conclusions from Deepdale
| Preston North End | 1-1 | Leicester |
| (HT 0-0) | ||
| Hume 90+1 | Yakubu 60 |
- Taking chances is key. Too many times this season we have said that Leicester failed to take their chances and dropped points. The Foxes' run of good form continues, but not in the vein that Sven Goran Eriksson - and 2,500 blue shirted fans - would have hoped.
- Sven's signings have been pivotal. Two men who stood out today were not the legacy of last season or Paulo Sousa's reign, but signings made by Sven Goran Eriksson. Sol Bamba's defensive maturity and Kyle Naughton's pace and guile going forward made Leicester the winning team today - unfortunately the goals failed to flow and Leicester left the North West with a meagre point.
Winners
Yakubu
 |
| The Yak: Scored on his Leicester debut |
Sol Bamba
Bamba has given the Leicester defence exactly what it needed - a big man to organise the line and rally the troops. Today his aerial impact up front was not as exceptional as against Manchester City, but he was solid at the back and put in a good, honest shift.
Chris Weale
Commanded his back line well with some confident advances forward and made some crucial saves when the Foxes were under the kosh at 0-0 and 1-0 ahead. Could not be faulted for the Preston goal.
Richie Wellens
The ex-Doncaster man's command of the midfield was again superb, his distribution and passing reigning supreme above any other player on the pitch. A true class act.
Losers
Paul Gallagher
For Gallagher's superb performance to not be rewarded with a goal, let alone a stonking Leicester victory, is a crime. His superb free kick - from too close to goal and too centrally positioned to be a threat - hit the upright and he was again denied when his header ricocheted off the cross-bar in the second half. Gallagher has been a revelation under Sven Goran Eriksson, but without goals the fans cannot get behind him.
Andy King
Another off day for the skipper after a less-than-average performance against Manchester City. King's late miss when he was one-on-one against the Preston keeper was symptomatic of his day, with negative passes and too many touches often stifling a positive run of play. King needs to fire from midfield if Leicester are to find success.
Paul Gallagher
For Gallagher's superb performance to not be rewarded with a goal, let alone a stonking Leicester victory, is a crime. His superb free kick - from too close to goal and too centrally positioned to be a threat - hit the upright and he was again denied when his header ricocheted off the cross-bar in the second half. Gallagher has been a revelation under Sven Goran Eriksson, but without goals the fans cannot get behind him.
Andy King
Another off day for the skipper after a less-than-average performance against Manchester City. King's late miss when he was one-on-one against the Preston keeper was symptomatic of his day, with negative passes and too many touches often stifling a positive run of play. King needs to fire from midfield if Leicester are to find success.
The Best Team
Leicester were far and away the best side at Deepdale but could not capitalise and paid the price. This was definitely two points dropped.
Categories:
conclusions
Thursday, 13 January 2011
Powell set to take Addicks' job
Powell retired from football whilst playing for the Foxes and was gratefully received into Nigel Pearson's dressing room staff in 2008. The 41 year-old also had a spell as caretaker manager of Leicester after the sacking of Paulo Sousa earlier this year.
The charismatic Powell became a firm favourite with Foxes fans as he made regular appearances on match days. It is not yet known who is to replace Powell.
Categories:
managerial,
transfers
Tuesday, 11 January 2011
Leicester swoop for Everton forward
Sven Goran Eriksson has moved to bring Everton striker Yakubu Ayegbeni to the Walkers Stadium on a season-long loan deal. According to the BBC, the Nigerian international striker will join up with the Foxes tomorrow for a medical and will be offered a loan contract until May - with a view to a permanent move to the East Midlands at the end.
Yakubu has been dogged by injury problems since joining the Toffees in 2008 and has appeared for them just seven times this term.
Categories:
transfers
Sunday, 9 January 2011
FA Cup Third Round: Conclusions from Man City
| Leicester | 2-2 | Manchester City |
| (HT 2-2) | ||
| Bamba 1 King 64 | Milner 23 Tevez 45 |
 |
| Special occasion: Andy King leads out the teams alongside Carlos Tevez |
- It's probably safe to say we've sorted the 'getting started' problem. For a debutant to score with his first touch is a rare and special thing. To do it in front of a full house, in the FA Cup, against one of the biggest teams in the country in the opening minute of that game is remarkable. Leicester have now started positively for three successive games, and having waited for so long to score from a corner it seems we can't stop. Long may it continue.
- Kyle Naughton needs longer studs. Ed Mow clearly has a tactic whereby the half the opponents will be attacking is watered more heavily that the half the Foxes will be attacking. This seems to be a problem for Naughton, who seemed to be slipping over far more than he should have been.
- We can hold our own. The good news keeps coming. The result wasn't the one we'd dreamed about, but we were certainly not made to look foolish for our undeniably ballsy approach to the game. Yes, City looked like they were going to score every time they went forwards, but so did we. The pace of Lloyd Dyer and Darius Vassell caused mayhem for Kolorov, the aerial ability of Sol Bamba was a constant threat at set pieces and the skill of Richie Wellens, Andy King and Yuki Abe in the middle caused problems for the visitors - so much so that it could have been the Foxes and not City who went in at half time in the lead. As it was, the class of the team who earn more in a month than the entire Leicester squad earn in a year ultimately shone through.
- The attendance was fantastic. To see the Walkers full once more was a fantastic sight with an atmosphere to match, 31,200 packed-in with virtually the only empty seats being those covered on the grounds of segregation.
Winners
Leicester City
An incredible effort from the whole team saw this end not even with the Foxes holding their heads high, but absolutely beaming. Only the daft would have bet on Leicester coming back to level the game after City went ahead. A brilliant, brilliant day for the football club.
Leicester City
An incredible effort from the whole team saw this end not even with the Foxes holding their heads high, but absolutely beaming. Only the daft would have bet on Leicester coming back to level the game after City went ahead. A brilliant, brilliant day for the football club.
Richie Wellens and Paul Gallagher
Wellens put in Andy King late in the first half with a delightful diagonal ball, whilst Gallagher lofted in some dangerous balls from set pieces again and again. These players proved this afternoon that there is real class at Leicester City and indeed that Championship clubs can hold their own against Premier League high-fliers (Ipswich, unfortunately, the exception to prove this somewhat dodgy rule today).
Sol Bamba
Wellens put in Andy King late in the first half with a delightful diagonal ball, whilst Gallagher lofted in some dangerous balls from set pieces again and again. These players proved this afternoon that there is real class at Leicester City and indeed that Championship clubs can hold their own against Premier League high-fliers (Ipswich, unfortunately, the exception to prove this somewhat dodgy rule today).
Sol Bamba
What a start from the Ivorian international. His first touch in his first minute in his first game in English football and for Leicester City saw him score a crucial goal that could be worth far more than his reported £250,000 transfer fee. He was undone by James Milner who skipped past him to score City's first, but this was nonetheless an unbelievable start for Bamba, who was twice more denied by Joe Hart in the City goal later in the half before james Milner headed off the line deep in the second half. Get the lad playing centre forward!
 |
| Dream début: Sol Bamba scored within a minute |
Losers
Yuki Abe
Abe looked, once again, commanding in midfield and promising going forward. He did, however, fail to make crucial moves for both of City's first half goals as firstly he was undone by Milner before he defended poorly for Carlos Tevez's classy second. Abe will not - and should not - be blamed for these goals, but his defending today was certainly not as stand-out as it previously has been.
Categories:
conclusions
Saturday, 8 January 2011
FA Cup Third Round: Foxes Vs City Preview
Leicester City welcome Premier League big-spenders Manchester City to the Walkers Stadium tomorrow in what could be the highest attendance of the season.
And what a tantalising draw this is for the 31,000 supporters travelling to the city centre. From Serge Pizzorno and Liam Gallagher pulling the numbers out of the bag, to the head-to-head between Roberto Mancini and Sven Goran Eriksson, his former mentor. Eriksson will also be facing a team he managed to moderate success until 2008 when he was controversially shown the door.
Mancini's men will travel without new £27 million signing Edin Dzeko as his registration was not completed in time for the fixture, whilst Eriksson has the option of handing a début to defender Sol Bamba. Kyle Naughton, meanwhile, is now eligible for selection after his loan was extended until the end of the season.
The two sides meet for the first time in seven years, the last fixture being a thumping 3-0 victory in the Premier League for Leicester at Eastlands. However, in the five times the teams have faced each other in the FA Cup third round, it has been the Manchester side that has prospered. On the other hand, Leicester's form against higher-placed teams in the FA Cup has been promising: Manchester City, Spurs, Fulham and Crystal Palace have all visited LE2 since 1983 and all have been held to at least a draw.
Yes, Manchester City have the best away record in the Premier League. Yes, they have the best defence. But this is the FA Cup, where anything can happen.
Kick Off: Sunday, 9th December 2011 (4pm)
On TV: Live on ESPN
Odds: Leicester City 9/2, Manchester City 4/6, Draw 5/2
And what a tantalising draw this is for the 31,000 supporters travelling to the city centre. From Serge Pizzorno and Liam Gallagher pulling the numbers out of the bag, to the head-to-head between Roberto Mancini and Sven Goran Eriksson, his former mentor. Eriksson will also be facing a team he managed to moderate success until 2008 when he was controversially shown the door.
Mancini's men will travel without new £27 million signing Edin Dzeko as his registration was not completed in time for the fixture, whilst Eriksson has the option of handing a début to defender Sol Bamba. Kyle Naughton, meanwhile, is now eligible for selection after his loan was extended until the end of the season.
The two sides meet for the first time in seven years, the last fixture being a thumping 3-0 victory in the Premier League for Leicester at Eastlands. However, in the five times the teams have faced each other in the FA Cup third round, it has been the Manchester side that has prospered. On the other hand, Leicester's form against higher-placed teams in the FA Cup has been promising: Manchester City, Spurs, Fulham and Crystal Palace have all visited LE2 since 1983 and all have been held to at least a draw.
Yes, Manchester City have the best away record in the Premier League. Yes, they have the best defence. But this is the FA Cup, where anything can happen.
Kick Off: Sunday, 9th December 2011 (4pm)
On TV: Live on ESPN
Odds: Leicester City 9/2, Manchester City 4/6, Draw 5/2
Categories:
preview
Morrison completes Owls' move
Defender Michael Morrison has joined Sheffield Wednesday in a move thought to be in the region of £250,000.
Morrison joined Leicester City as Nigel Pearson's first signing in July 2008 and he went on to make 75 Foxes appearances, as partner to Jack Hobbs as the blues went on to win League One and as a key member of the Championship squad that gained a playoff place last term.
During his time at the Walkers Stadium, Morrison gained a reputation as a solid central defender with the ability to score goals - his two in the final game of the Foxes' League One season capping an excellent season for the club.
Categories:
transfers
Monday, 3 January 2011
Conclusions from Swansea City
| Leicester | 2-1 | Swansea City |
| (HT 2-1) | ||
| Berner 6 Vassell 43 | Sinclair 12 |
- It took 243... You could tell that Foxblogger, Leicester City fan and Statto extraordinaire, was sitting waiting for this one. He must have had a tally chart or something. Still, 243 corners and finally the Foxes grabbed a goal from not one, but two! It could only have been Bruno Berner, wanting to leave at the start of December as he sat warming the bench but given a first-team lifeline after the horrific injury to Greg Cunningham, who appeared in the box to poke home the first, before Darius Vassell took advantage of a melee in the box to score a second.
- It was a game of 'finallies'. Leicester had failed to go into half time having scored more than once this season, until today. Clearly, today was the day all statistics were blown apart.
- This was a big, big win. Sven's men march on and on. Two wins on the trot, one away and one at home, moves the Foxes closer to the playoffs and where we deserve to be. Today's performance means we exit the Christmas period with seven out of a possible twelve points, a reasonable return and one that after the embarrassing snowy defeat to Ipswich many fans would have gratefully accepted. The form guide is now less embarrassing, we've beaten the second placed side on the back of our first away win in five games and made the perfect start to the new year. The future is bright indeed.
Winners
 |
| Goal: Berner celebrates with Andy King |
What a start from the former Swiss international. Not content with poking home the opener to end Leicester's corner-ball goal scoring duck, he was tracking back and using his head to cleverly defend against Swansea's pace up front. How Berner must have swelled with pride as 21,000 fans chanted his name all together. A truly professional, first class performance, and surely today's Man of the Match has to stay at a team where he is clearly adored?
Darius Vassell
Despite suffering from a lack of fitness still, Vassell put in another solid showing. He did fail to get to a loose ball that would have seen the Foxes 2-1 ahead, but made amends when he - or Andy King or Paul Gallagher or anyone for that matter - poked home from Leicester's third corner of the game to take that advantage going into half time. Incredibly, Vassell keeps hold of the astonishing record that, in English leagues, no team in which Vassell is playing has lost the game when he has scored. Having scored 54 goals for Aston Villa, Manchester City and now Leicester City, that is quite a statistic.
Darius Vassell
Despite suffering from a lack of fitness still, Vassell put in another solid showing. He did fail to get to a loose ball that would have seen the Foxes 2-1 ahead, but made amends when he - or Andy King or Paul Gallagher or anyone for that matter - poked home from Leicester's third corner of the game to take that advantage going into half time. Incredibly, Vassell keeps hold of the astonishing record that, in English leagues, no team in which Vassell is playing has lost the game when he has scored. Having scored 54 goals for Aston Villa, Manchester City and now Leicester City, that is quite a statistic.
Michael Morrison
Another solid performance from the young centre half and despite him not being credited with the goal it was he who was first identified by many as the scorer of Leicester's scruffy second. Morrison certainly seems to offer something different at corners, his height and ability in the air a threat to many defences in this league. If he doesn't leave this winter as has been touted, he could form a once again solid defensive partnership with Jack Hobbs. Certainly they were that today - no fault can be attributed to either Morrison or Hobbs for Swansea's goal - and they resolutely defended for the last ten minutes to keep Swansea's late surge at bay. Sol Bamba? Ben Mee? ...Who they? |
| Good game: Michael Morrison battles for the ball |
Losers
Martyn Waghorn
For all of Darius Vassell's ability, he is struggling to keep fit for the 75-80 minutes he is regularly playing. Today would have been the perfect opportunity for Martyn Waghorn to play a full half or more but, for whatever reason, Sven Goran Eriksson saw fit for the £3 million striker to play only a few minutes in the closing stages. For Waghorn to make an impact he has to work for a more sustained period through a game, and that is exactly what he is not being allowed to do at present.
Categories:
conclusions
Sunday, 2 January 2011
Foxes Complete Bamba Deal
The 6'3" 25-year-old defender rejoins Foxes manager Sven Goran Eriksson having played under the Swede for the Ivory Coast at last summer's World Cup. It remains to be seen if Bamba, French born but eligible for the Ivorian side through his parents, will be registered in time to face Swansea City for his new team tomorrow.
Hibs' boss Colin Calderwood commented before the transfer was confirmed: "We had a bid from Leicester and, subject to him agreeing terms, we've given him permission to go down there."
Bamba becomes Leicester's second signing of the January transfer window after Eriksson secured the services of Ben Mee on loan from Manchester City yesterday. Mee, 21, was the Swede's youth team captain for the Citizens and would make his first senior league appearance if selected for the Foxes. The defender has appeared for England at under-21 level, making his début as a substitute against Germany in a 2-0 reverse in November.
Bamba becomes Leicester's second signing of the January transfer window after Eriksson secured the services of Ben Mee on loan from Manchester City yesterday. Mee, 21, was the Swede's youth team captain for the Citizens and would make his first senior league appearance if selected for the Foxes. The defender has appeared for England at under-21 level, making his début as a substitute against Germany in a 2-0 reverse in November.
Categories:
transfers
Saturday, 1 January 2011
New Year Conclusions from the KC Stadium
| Hull City | 0-1 | Leicester |
| (HT 0-1) | ||
| Vassell 11 |
- We can start with a spark. A new year, a new start, as they say. Certainly this was the mentality with which Sven Goran Eriksson's men approached the first game of 2011 as they pushed and harried Nigel Pearson's Hull side throughout the first twenty minutes. Darius Vassell's sharp volley to follow-up Richie Wellen's looping shot as it hit the crossbar was a lovely thing to see after Vassell has for too long been accused of not being sharp enough for this level. His reaction here was class and echoed beautifully Leicester's super start to this game and to 2011.
- We can grind-out a result. We scored in only the eleventh minute and went over an hour without conceding. Against a Nigel Pearson side, it must be to our credit that we were able to out-grind them to that extent.
- What a win! A first away win in what seems like forever (four matches without), a first clean sheet in five matches, and end to a barren spell and against former manager Nigel Pearson to boot. Yes, there is the hideous cloud that is the injury to Greg Cunningham, but for Leicester fans the new year has started beautifully and we are just three points off the play-offs.
Winners
Darius Vassell
Started brightly and hit-back at his critics with a super reaction when he volleyed home to give the Foxes an early lead. Faded afterwards, but put in a solid performance.
Yuki Abe
Unbeatable early on, the diminutive Japanese was winning every ball and jumping for every header. Perhaps he was showing the Japan national team what they're missing at the Asian Cup. He did put a pass astray to destroy a promising move when the advancing Foxes were three on one in the dying minutes, but Leicester fans should nonetheless be grateful that Abe is here as we enter what is bound to be a tricky January and try to build on a positive start to the year.
Michael Morrison and Jack Hobbs
After a blip against Millwall, Morrison's stock has risen again after he led the back-line with aplomb this afternoon. His partnership with Jack Hobbs rekindled after both players have been left in the dark of late, Eriksson kept faith with this all-English pairing who tidily and efficiently kept a first clean sheet in five. The likes of Vitor, Davies and the incoming Ben Mee are under pressure to perform if they are to challenge for a place in the Swede's starting eleven.
Richie Wellens
Yet again proved why any opposition fan will cite the midfielder as the player they fear the most. Once again Wellens pulled out everything to show-up his former boss and took command of the midfield. Top drawer.
 |
| Volley: Vassell fires home to give the Foxes three points |
Yuki Abe
Unbeatable early on, the diminutive Japanese was winning every ball and jumping for every header. Perhaps he was showing the Japan national team what they're missing at the Asian Cup. He did put a pass astray to destroy a promising move when the advancing Foxes were three on one in the dying minutes, but Leicester fans should nonetheless be grateful that Abe is here as we enter what is bound to be a tricky January and try to build on a positive start to the year.
Michael Morrison and Jack Hobbs
After a blip against Millwall, Morrison's stock has risen again after he led the back-line with aplomb this afternoon. His partnership with Jack Hobbs rekindled after both players have been left in the dark of late, Eriksson kept faith with this all-English pairing who tidily and efficiently kept a first clean sheet in five. The likes of Vitor, Davies and the incoming Ben Mee are under pressure to perform if they are to challenge for a place in the Swede's starting eleven.
Richie Wellens
Yet again proved why any opposition fan will cite the midfielder as the player they fear the most. Once again Wellens pulled out everything to show-up his former boss and took command of the midfield. Top drawer.
Losers
Lloyd Dyer
The quick winger had a great game and was able to break apart the Hull defence with sheer pace. However, his inability to place the ball past Tigers' keeper Brad Guzan after he was one-on-one with the American put pressure on the rest of the team to perform as we remained just one goal clear. Dyer's place in the team is assured thanks to his determination and speed, but his failure to deliver the killer ball or convert his chances time and time again could eventually cost the team.
Greg Cunningham
For such a promising, shining star of Leicester City's renaissance under Eriksson to be laid-out on the pitch surrounded by the fluorescent jackets of the St John and the Yorkshire Ambulance services is a truly worrying sight. The challenge that has broken the leg of the Manchester City loanee was clumsy but by no means the worst - or most intended - on a Leicester player this season, although Liam Rosenior was rightly shown a red card for his off-the-floor lunge. It is a bad injury for Cunningham, one that will severely disrupt his loan spell at the Walkers Stadium - if it is not immediately terminated by Man City - and the only consolation is that we do have a top-class replacement in Bruno Berner as cover.
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| Injured: Yuki Abe and Darius Vassell watch over Greg Cunningham as he receives treatment on the pitch for his broken leg |
Greg Cunningham
For such a promising, shining star of Leicester City's renaissance under Eriksson to be laid-out on the pitch surrounded by the fluorescent jackets of the St John and the Yorkshire Ambulance services is a truly worrying sight. The challenge that has broken the leg of the Manchester City loanee was clumsy but by no means the worst - or most intended - on a Leicester player this season, although Liam Rosenior was rightly shown a red card for his off-the-floor lunge. It is a bad injury for Cunningham, one that will severely disrupt his loan spell at the Walkers Stadium - if it is not immediately terminated by Man City - and the only consolation is that we do have a top-class replacement in Bruno Berner as cover.
Categories:
conclusions
Fryatt Re-Joins Pearson in Hull Move
Leicester City's top scorer of two seasons Matty Fryatt has finalised a £1.2 million move to re-join former Foxes boss Nigel Pearson at Hull City.
The 24-year-old scored fifty-one times in 168 league appearances for Leicester, scoring over thirty goals as the Foxes went on to win the League One title en-route to their renaissance in the second tier under Pearson. Apparently out of favour with now-Leicester manager Sven Goran Eriksson, Fryatt has seized the opportunity to move to the KC Stadium to play under the manager who first gave him a leading role at the Walkers Stadium.Fryatt joined Leicester City from Walsall in 2006 and before his emergence in the 2008/09 season scored six goals that would secure the Foxes' position in the Championship for 2006. Fryatt's form worsened as he was plagued by injuries in the two season leading to Leicester's relegation at the end of 2007/08, before Nuneaton-born Fryatt netted twenty goals before Christmas to see the Foxes clear at the top of League One, also scoring two consecutive hat-tricks in December 2008, the first man to do so for Leicester in 83 years.
Elsewhere, it appears that Leicester are set to sign French-born defender Sol Bamba from Scottish side Hibernian. The Ivory Coast international played under Foxes manager Eriksson at last year's World Cup and was not named in the Hibs' squad to play Hearts in the Edinburgh derby this afternoon, manager Colin Calderwood explaining that Bamba has been "allowed to go down there and hold discussions".
Categories:
transfers
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