Leicester City and local rivals Nottingham Forest played out a 0-0 draw during their re-arranged mid-week Championship encounter at the King Power Stadium.
City started the match fresh off the back of a well contested 2-1 win at home against Hull City on Saturday, however were forced to make changes; the red card revealed to Neil Danns on Saturday prompted an air of panic in terms of squad selection, with Sol Bamba being positioned in Central Midfield and out of his conventional centre back role.
The only other significant change in the squad was Nigel Pearson handing the captain’s armband to shot-stopper Kasper Schmeichel, who became the fourth man this season to undertake the role of captain.
With a mediocre turn out by both the home and away fan’s backing their opposing teams, it was Forest who gave the travellers the most to shout about in the early stages, with Dexter Blackstock and Adlene Guedioura coming close to breaking the deadlock. Guedioura’s effort in particular was centimetres away from sending Forest 1-0 up as his driven header rattled the crossbar above the stricken Schmeichel.
As the half dragged on, it became apparent to onlookers that Forest had turned up with a very much defensive mind-set hammered into them by manager Steve Cotterill, whose lack of aspiration suggested that a draw would prove enough in terms of satisfaction. It was Forest’s defence that proved the busiest player department on the pitch, with the Foxes’ consistently attacking Forest trying to make head-way on the wings courtesy of Ben Marshall and Lloyd Dyer.
Both wingers looked dangerous and created chances; Marshall in particular went close on 24 minutes with an curling effort from the edge of the box that forced a good save from Forest keeper Lee Camp. Marshall’s effort really was one of the very few efforts on goal that either teams enjoyed in the first half, although Dyer and Danny Drinkwater had strikes that failed to even slightly threaten the goalmouth, prior to the half time whistle.
The entertainment-saturated football continued in the second half, with neither team able to make an impression in front of goal. Leicester continued to push for an opening goal, but such efforts left the home side open to attack on the counter; however despite Blackstock’s pace and class in front of goal, such efforts were laid to rest.
Leading the majority of Leicester’s attacking prows going forward was the ‘out of position’ Bamba, who’s performance particularly in the second half earned him many plaudit’s in the stands and surely in the dug-out, as the Ivorian Coast defender seemingly grew into his new role as the game grew longer.
Another impressive performance came from Ben Marshall, who clearly motivated by the backing of the the home fan’s was becoming some what of a puppet master in terms of pass distribution and resultantly fast on his way to becoming a fan’s favourite at the King Power Stadium.
On 65 minutes, Pearson replaced the deep-lying David Nugent with Jeffrey Schlupp who resumed a far-forward role at the sharp end of Leicester’s attack. Forest also yielded the changes, with striker Marcus Tudgay replacing midfielder Radoslaw Majewski moments later as Cotterill looked to try and steal a ‘smash and grab’ victory against Leicester.
The game became somewhat of a lacklustre end-to-end affair, with both sets of fan’s becoming wrestless and frustrated by their teams inability to complete a whole host of attacks on goal. Pearson further exercised his substitute bench on 77 minutes with the introduction of target man Steve Howard and the departure of winger Lloyd Dyer; seemingly altering his tactics and influencing a much more direct and narrow approach to the Foxes’ football.
However, such changes proved fruitless as referee Scott Mathieson blew for full-time, as both teams shared the one-point spoils. Leicester City nil, Nottingham Forest nil.
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