A-Z/LCFC/2011

This guy sure hasn't missed an LCFC kick this year.

With the new year edging ever closer, and as the endless number of club/team reviews begin to pile in, I recognised that something a little different would be appropriate to end the year with: A good ole'
A-Z.
  So as the title suggests, I've compiled an A-Z focused on my beloved Leicester City.2011 has been far from  uneventful for Leicester, in the eyes of the clubs players, staff, and fans alike. Needless to say, finding references for each letter became more difficult because of over subscription rather than a lack of potential subjects!

A is for Arrivals
In all seriousness, how can A not be for Arrivals? In the twilight of Sven's fledging time in charge of City, he went a little bit crazy with the money at his disposal, signing no less than twelve players prior to the 2011/12  Seasons get go. Whereas some players have quickly established themselves in the Foxes' ranks, such as David Nugent, Matt Mills, and Lee Peltier, others have floundered on the fringes of first team selection; Right-Back John Pantsil and former Manchester City midfielder Gelson Fernandes, are a few to mention.

B is for Beckford
Continuing on the subject of Summer signings (and lets be honest, I could do this whole A-Z on them), is the highly prolific Striker, Jermaine Beckford. Having cost in excess of £3 million, Beckford has been nothing less than appalling so far this season, squandering numerous chances upon goal, and contributing little to the team as a whole. His start to the campaign has all the hallmarks of a player playing below the level of football that he feels he is capable of. Tell you what, start proving that to people, and you might find yourself back in the big time where you obviously belong.

C is for Cash
Okay I promise this is the last of the money/transfers themes for a while. What is becoming apparent as Nigel Pearson tries to settle in at the helm of Leicester City, is that Sven-Goran Eriksson's summer expenditure was not well planned, with far to many Central Midfielders and not enough players capable of using the flanks effectively being particularly evident. Leicester have at most, two players who can play comfortably out wide in midfield: Lloyd Dyer and Darius Vassell, Oh, and the latter is out injured for the season. Rats.

D is for Defence
Leicester's defence has been a privilege to witness at times this year. Alongside the ridiculously cool headed, strong and boos-like figure of Sol Bamba, the Foxes have had John Pantsil, Lee Peltier, Shaun St,Ledger, and star of the season so far, Paul Konchesky added to the back line. A mix of young promise and experienced heads has ensured that Leicester City's season so far can be judged as nothing worse than satisfactory, with the defence department being bulletproof in pushing away wave after wave of the opponents attacking prows.

E is for Empty Seats
Really having to swallow my pride here, but to be frank, the attendance at the King Power Stadium has been poor this season. With figures very rarely over coming the 25,00 mark, the stadium has looked from my regular perch in the Spion Kop stand as tatty in terms of human spread. Sure, money is tight in the current financial climate, and the club would appear to be be trying different variations on the '2 for 1' cliché, but the basic fact is that a city as big both literally and metaphorically as Leicester, should be pushing the 32,500 capacity limit on a regular basis.

F is for Fazackerley
In many respects, Derek Fazackerley was the fall guy when Eriksson left Leicester City in October of this year. As the title, 'Assistant Manager' suggests, it was Eriksson who pulled the strings whilst Fazackerley had to deal and work around the errors of the Swedish puppet master. With this in mind, plus the basic fact that Leicester were only two points off a play-off place at the time of the parting of parties, I feel that the sacking of a man with a proven knack for scouting talent and bringing out the best in players on the training ground, was perhaps even more harsh than the prolific cancellation of Eriksson's contract by 'mutual consent'... *sacked cough cough*.

G is for Gallagher
If you're at all aware of the Leicester City story so far this season, then the name 'Paul Gallagher' will simply arise sub consciously. I hope you're not asking why, but I'll be nice and clarify: During the visit of Crystal Palace on November 19th this season, Gallagher scored a pair of absolute beauties, of such class that would force the long range shot experts of  John Arne Riise and Cristiano Ronaldo into appreciative submission. The first was a curling effort from the cusp of the 18 yard box which found itself enclosed in the top right corner of the net. Furthermore, the Scotsman's second effort was an absolute screamer: picking up a loose ball 30/25yards out from goal and smashing the ball in an ever rising fashion into the top left of the goalmouth. I can happily state it was the finest moment in being a Leicester City fan so far this season.

H is for Howard
Steve Howard is one of those Marmite players, in the sense that as a fan you either love or hate him. He is to Leicester City what Robbie Savage was to every club he played for: either god or scum. the last year has been hard for Howard, with only a handful of appearances from the bench being the highlight of his playing career underneath Sven Goran Eriksson's leadership. However, since the return of Nigel Pearson, Howard has once again become a regular substitute, often favoured ahead of promising young striker Jeff Schlupp, and even gracing the starting XI as he did against Doncaster in Leicester's most recent game. In my eyes, Howard's lack of genuine footballing quality is overlooked by his gritty determination, tirelessly infectious influence on the team around him, and the rare goal that always brings his fans to the forefront and leaves the haters gasping and begrudgingly admiring him.


I is for Interaction
Within the first three games of this seasons campaign, it was obvious on the eye that the most significant problem within the team was interaction in-between the players. It seemed as if Eriksson's insistence on using both Yuki Abe and Ritchie Wellens as holding midfielders was seriously hampering any real chance creation within the 90 minutes, with little options being offered in terms of play making opportunities. This, teamed with Sven's imposed isolation on Lloyd Dyer from the squad, deprived Leicester of any real goal threat, and seemingly cut lone striker at the time David Nugent, from any direct service. Despite an improvement under Eriksson, it wasn't enough to save his Swedish bacon. As Pearson took over however, things looked on the up, with Dyer back in the squad and Abe thankfully removed, all is beginning to seem well in terms of effective interaction on the pitch.

J is for Jeffrey

Next best thing: Schlupp is already
making waves

The only way is Schlupp! Sorry, been waiting to use that line for months now, ever since Jeffrey Schlupp's first Championship appearance against Reading at home to be exact. In a nutshell, Schlupp would appear to be the best thing to come out of Leicester City's academy since Andy King ( See K), who's continued interest from Premier League clubs and primary spot in the LCFC starting XI speaks volumes about the impact he has had at the club. Having scored a hat-rick in his senior team debut against Rotherham United in the League Cup, 'Schlupp-Puppy' (they just keep coming...) was immediately handed his Championship debut, by appearing off the bench in Leicester's 2-0 home loss to Reading, two games into the season. Since then, Schlupp has made only a handful of appearances, despite scoring in the deeply satisfying 4-0 rout of Derby County at the start of October. It would seem that Schlupp is being simply eased into Championship life, with nothing less than big things being predicted from him in the very near future. Watch this space!

K is for King
King's inclusion on the sub bench in the opening fixture of the season at Coventry City surprised me. Not only because he was in fact, on the substitute bench, but more so because he was still at the club, after months, even years of interest being thrown his way from the heights of the Premier League. As his position on the bench suggested however, the start to the season wasn't easy for King, having seemingly been replaced by new arrivals Danns and Fernandes in the middle of the park. However, as City began to evidently wallow, it was King who was consistently thrown into action, relentlessly showing the fans and management why he has, and still is the very best that Leicester City has to offer. Since his handful of appearances from the bench, King has been thankfully and deservedly reinstated at the heart of the team, with his fantastic blend of attacking and defensive qualities making him one of the very best end-to-end play makers to play outside of the Premier League. Pure, class.

L is for Losing
Despite the best efforts of just about everyone connected with Leicester City Football Club, including myself, it is practically impossible to sugar coat the fact that the Foxes have lost 8 of their 22 games so far this season. With a statistic such as that hanging over the King Power Stadium heading into the traditionally fixture rammed festive period, it's clear to see why our bags of money and lucrative transfer market dealings are not translating into an automatic promotion place. Southampton for example, are the leagues leaders with no more than 4 losses to their name thus far this season. On paper, Leicester of course should have not lost a single game and should have a goal difference of about 145+, but such is the way of the Championship and it's unpredictability, that a goal difference of only 4 is the harsh reality at this crucial stage in the campaign. More consistency please Nigel...

M is for Manager
Oh it has to be, surely? Yes, without at least one managerial shake up every calendar year,  Leicester City just wouldn't be Leicester City. As has been already touched on throughout the A-Z (and shall carry on being touched on), 2011 has seen the disappearance of former Lazio, Manchester City, Mexico and England manager Sven Goran-Eriksson, and the rather majestic return of fans favourite Nigel Pearson. I still don't agree with the sacking of Sven, and I probably never will, but of all the potential gaffers in the frame for the job, appointing such a cult hero as 'Big Nige' was always the favourite. Sure, Martin O'Neil was strongly tipped along with others, but in terms of realism, Pearson was a great signing. Let's just hope the recent run of poor form is the last of it for the remainder of the season...


N is for Nugent
Yes, N most certainly is for David Nugent. Having arrived from the cash strapped Portsmouth F.C in the Summer Transfer Window, Nugent was established as a huge signing for Leicester: Bags of experience in both the Premier League and the Championship, and even at International level (all be it, one cap in a low key friendly against Andorra back in 2007). The hype surrounding the Nugent transfer has so far translated into his on pitch antics, having scored 7 in all competition so far this season. Funnily enough though, his goal tally doesn't even begin to express just how good Nugent is; his work ethic, ability to supply and win balls further down the pitch, aswell as his brilliant finishing, are the collective aspects to what makes David Nugent an utterly class Leicester City player.

O is for Ouch
Generally speaking, Leicester have been rather lucky so far with injuries. Sure, Paul Gallagher missed the best part of a month with an ankle injury, as did David Nugent, but compared to the injury peril at teams such as West Ham United and West Brom, we've had it easy. However,  the most significant 'ouch' of the season goes to Darius Vassell, who after hammering down  a regular first team spot, went off in agony in the Foxes' 3-2 away loss to West Ham back in October. I personally didn't appreciate Vassell being a first player, with his incredible work rate often being foiled by his predictable footballing ability and his lack of stamina. Having lost Darius though, Leicester's lack of width has been further exposed, with service being supplied from the right side of the pitch at a bare minimum. Ignore the cliché, but I guess you don't know what you have until it's gone.

P is for Product
Goals of recent times have become somewhat scarce for Leicester, with plenty of chances being created as per, yet a complete lack of product being the outcome after 90 minutes. This is a tricky one to understand: In terms of build play, we've been fab, even shot wise, we've taken many. However, with only three goals in three games, Leicester have taken only 1 point from a possible 9. Call me conclusive, but I can't help but feel these two statistics are linked...


Q is for Quick
If the F.A offered bonus points for Athletic ability, I can't help but feel Leicester would be terrorising the likes of AC Milan and Manche... , errr Barcalona with the abundance of pace within the Foxes' camp. Players such as Lee Peltier, Paul Konchesky, David Nugent, and primarily Lloyd Dyer, are all players capable of leaving opposition choking on the flicked up grass blades left in their wake. Sub-sidedly, it's no surprise that a fair chunk of City's goals so far this season have been down to this case of high MPH; the second goal against Forest away, the first goal against Bristol City at the KP Stadium, the first in the massacre of Derby... the list well and truly goes on.

R is for Rudkin
On the back of Sven Goran Eriksson's surprise sacking (Have I mentioned it yet?), Leicester conventionally appointed Academy Manager Jon Rudkin and Goalkeeper Coach Mike Stowell as joint Caretaker manager's. In a reign that lasted only three matches, Stowell and Rudkin salvaged a total of 3 points out of a possible 9, winning away at Burnley, losing at home to a very impressive Leeds United side, and losing away against West Ham United, despite an inspired team effort. Now, on paper, the whole '3 from a possible 9' thing doesn't exactly shout 'Promotion!'. However, when you analyse the simple fact that Leeds United and West Ham (who both had/still have fantastic managers) are very much examples of the leagues somewhat bigger teams(winces), thats not at all bad. It's also a statistic that yields two extra points compared to the record that currently sits at Nigel Pearson's feet. New gaffer anyone? No, im joking; don't think I could handle another ill-judged impulse sack. Which leads us nicely

S is for Sven

Swedish So long: It was good(ish) whilst
it lasted, Sven.

Sven Goran-Eriksson. If you haven't heard  that name mentioned at least 1000 time this year in the local and national press, then at least you've heard it about 500 times in this single entry. Anyway, Sven Goran Eriksson. Not by any chance the finest manager to steer the great ship Leicester through the football league, but certainly not the worst (Paulo Sousa, lol). From the signs that emitted from the King Power Stadium, Eriksson's sacking was very much down to impulse. A month or two down the road, the general perception that the Swede's dismissal was total and utter tosh, seems to be being proven. Im a huge fan of Nigel Pearson, but for the love of god: Two points off the Play-Offs? Sacked literally a handful of games after spending in excess of £10 million? Absolute joke. Anyway, rant over, lets move on.

T is for Tunchev
Remember him? Perhaps not if you're not a Leicester City fan, but he's very good. Bulgarian International Centre Back, no nonsense, strong both physically and mentally; the latter of which gives him one over current first choice Central Defender, Matt Mills. So why is he a mystery to regular football in recent times? Well, Aleksandar Tunchev suffered a partial tear to his anterior crucial ligament, which consequently put poor ole 'Tunch' out for no less than two and a half years. However, he's back; and from a personal point of view, should he regain the form he was graced with, he fully deserves his chance back in the first team. Ave' a word Nige.

U is for Underachievement
Story of Leicester's past decade right? Were not sleeping giants as such anymore, but giants who happen to be in a coma, waiting to be brought back the reality of the Premier League. Numerous managerial changes, player transfers, investment and owners have all seen the club do nothing in the way of progress (League One cough cough). However, this season more than any other, promised to be the biggest push for Premier League stardom yet. Sure, it has hardly gone to plan so far, but if there's one thing that makes the Championship such an amazing football league, it's the endless amounts of unpredictability. Bring on 2012.

V is for Vexed 
Yes you're right, I am clutching at straws on this one (I've already mentioned Darius Vassell, curse you bad planning). Anyway, here's a highlight moment from the season so far: Ian Stringer and Alan Young describing  what sounded like a face-off just after half time during the away game against West Ham United,in-between the two most animated players in the Leicester City Dressing Room: Sol Bamba and Ritchie Wellens. I personally found this hilarious, imagine this: A short length, short tempered stocky Englishman squaring up to a 6 foot 3 inch Ivory Coast international defender. As I mentioned previous: hysterical.


W is for Width

Wingman: Dyer provides
well needed width 

One of Leicester City's number one issues this season, has been the complete lack of width with regards to attacking prowess. It appeared to yours truly at the start of the campaign that this was simply down to Sven Goran Eriksson purchasing an influx of Central Midfield talent, rather forgetting the outer edges of the midfield zone. This zonal sense of empathsis translated into the football, as the clear lack of options going forward up the pitch was down to a lack of width and movement in the final third. Since Pearson's appointment, this significant issue would appear to have been eased, with the reinstatement of Lloyd Dyer to the starting XI. However, the issue remains clear and obvious; Dyer is by far not the greatest winger the league has seen by any stretch of ones imagination, but neither is the choice of selection for the wide areas! Dare I mention another dip into the kitty for Leicester City in January?

X is for X-Ray
Well, what else would you do for letter X? Despite the vast number of players brought in over the summer, Paul Gallagher's four game lay-off due to an ankle injury in October certainly wasn't replicable by any means. Gallagher's left foot is undermined at Leicester generally speaking, with most short-sighted fans simply dismissing Gallagher as a 'hit or miss' type player. This is true when referring to his goal scoring record, but Gallagher's left boot is far more valuable for Set-Pieces such as Free-Kicks and Corners, in which he is rather good at. As a result, whilst Gallagher was reluctantly meeting the X-Ray, Leicester were floundering Set-Piece after Set-Piece.

Y is for Yuki
Okay, lets not beat about the bush here: I hate Yuki Abe at Leicester. I say 'at Leicester' because Abe clearly has something very good about his footballing ability, to the point where he is regarded as one of Japan's finest players. However, Abe's first season  and a half performances as a Leicester City player have had all the hallmarks of a player who simply hasn't adjusted to the quick, relentless pace of English Football. This observation of mine makes it very hard for me to feel positive when he makes the Starting XI, as I know full well that within the next 90 odd minutes of football, Abe will be tragically hesitant on the ball, fruitless in play making, and weak tackling-wise. Not sitting on the fence on this one, hopefully in January Abe will be sitting with a one way ticket on the plane back to Japan.

Z is for Zigzag

He's Back: My tip for surprise package for 2012

Not going to lie, im proud of this one: Zigzag represents the pattern of the lines which I saw Martyn Waghorn's Mercedes C-Class park up on before Leicester's last home match against Peterborough United on the 10th of December. I bristled with excitement, for I am not part of the ever growing 'Waghorn hate club' that seemingly crept awkwardly throughout the King Power Stadium last season. The basic fact of the matter is that Martyn Waghorn is an Under-21 England International striker, who is currently entering what will be the cliché ''prime' of his career. So, when Waghorn's performances off the bench last year failed to consistently impress, was it really any surprise? It seems people quickly forget the magic of Waghorn's true form, which undoubtedly significantly contributed to the Foxes' reaching the Play-Off semi-finals in 2010. Having been loaned out to Hull City in the summer, who at the time were managed by Pearson, it looked as 'Waggy' had well and truly turned his back on his once adoring football club. However, as of January 1st, Waghorn is back in Blue, and under his admiring manager Nigel Pearson, as oppose to the neglectful Sven Goran Eriksson. Move aside Beckford....


So that concludes my A-Z of Leicester City, 2011. Hope you enjoyed, would appreciate any feedback comments!

Have a great Christmas and Happy New Year readers!