Mixed emotions as foxes fans say farewell to Sven.

Old blue eyes falls victim to Thai chop again.

Some wished and some feared, about the eventual departure of Leicester City manager Sven Goran Eriksson. Well it's happened, Leicester's mega rich Thai owners felt that in Mr. Eriksson’s brief tenure he did not deliver enough to ensure to them that promotion was on the cards. Thirteen league games in one might say that it is absurd to conclude this and subsequently carry out a very expensive dismissal. During Sven's rein it has arguably been Leicester's most exiting period for many years, the softly spoken Scandinavian always reassured the Leicester faithful that he would try his best to achieve the owners dreams of owning a team in the premier league, and his of managing again at England's highest level, however a 3-0 home defeat at the hands of struggling Millwall proved to be the final chapter for Sven. 

During the summer thousands of Leicester fans were impatiently awaiting Sven's first summer signing, and what a pleasant surprise it turned out to be, Lee Peltier was the first name through the King Power's freshly polished doors, this was reassuring to me as a fan because it proved that Sven and his team were not going to spend all summer chasing dreams and missing out on one or two hidden gems. Once one came through the door several followed, Kasper Schmeichel, Neil Danns, David Nugent and Matt Mills, all established championship players, Sven also managed to use his contact book to bring in Players such as Gelson Fernandes and Michael Johnson. Over all I was personally over the moon with our summer signings, but I never once took for granted that we would smash every opponent that we came up against.

We got off to the perfect start in beating bitter rivals Coventry away, and managing to defeat both high flyers in Southampton and Brighton, which we rarely managed last year, In fact you could count on one hand how many top six teams we defeated last year, this year we have seen off the Saints, Brighton and derby and held draws with both Boro and Cardiff, granted we had one or two slip ups along the way but we still managed to succeed in areas where we failed last year, for instance Q.P.R we lost, also Norwich, Swansea and Cardiff we were pushed over buy, so there is a definite improvement. As for the table, look back to this time last year, we were recovering from a really disastrous start and lets face it if it wasn't for Sven and his contacts, we will most likely have been involved in a relegation scrap. 

I think Sven worked nothing short of a miracle last season and was very unlucky not to get us into the play offs. This season was a case of getting promotion at the end of the season, and I strongly believe that Sven would have delivered that. I believe that this is a rash and naïve decision from our owners, As history has shown sending managers packing early has never helped Leicester City, I feel both disappointed and let down by our owners for not giving Sven until at least Christmas to get the team into gear. Ultimately the owners made the decision and it is what they do next that is important, It's easy to say I want a big name like Martin O'Neill or Mark Hughes but it is a case picking who we need, not who they want! We need a manager with experience of taking over a team in our position before, we need a manager who has experience in this league, we need a manager who can get the best out of his players, we need a manager to pick up the pieces of this frustrating period and piece back together our promotion charge, Ultimately we need Billy Davies.

On behalf of most Leicester City fans I thank Sven for his time at the club and wish him all the best with his managerial future, he is a true gent.

Leicester 0 - 2 Reading.

No need for Alarm bells, But questions will be asked.

Royals bag fourth consecutive away win against a nervous foxes side.

Leicester 0 – 2 Reading.

Hunt, 64

Robson-Kanu, 90.

High expectations flowed through the air like electricity yesterday at the newly named King Power stadium, and it was Reading they welcomed for their first home game of the season in what is expected to be a successful campaign. After a perfect start to the season with a rare away opening day win away at Coventry the Leicester camp was in high spirits, but reality would soon be restored as the royals came and claimed their first three points of the season as well as an annual win at Leicester. The first half was a nervous display from the foxes, wayward passes and a lack of movement up front enabled reading to take control of a half with few chances, Leicester handed a home debut to exiting young talent Jeffery Schlupp after his Carling Cup debut hat-trick against Rotherham mid-week, however the Reading back four contained the Leicester attack well. A lack of support from the foxes wide men forced Nugent into isolation and made it increasingly difficult to create chances, as a disappointing first half came to end the anticipation could be felt throughout the Leicester faithful.

The start of the second half was an improvement and Leicester started to move the ball much more effectively and the new formation seemed to suit the foxes, they had the Royals rocked when David Nugent's curling right foot shot agonisingly struck the post, Paintsil and Konchecky provided the crosses but the lack of height in and around the penalty meant they came to no avail. Andy King was introduced at half time to replace Yuki Abe and Adam Federici did well to tip his 20-yard shot over the bar. But as Leicester's confidence grew, Reading took the wind out of their sails and took advantage of some sloppy Leicester defending from a corner to take the lead, Leicester defender Paul Konchesky was cleverly marked out of the situation as Nole Hunt was presented with a free header on goal which he took well.

Leicester’s response was to place the imposing figure of Sol Bamba up front as a target man to support the lonesome Nugent, and it was Bamba who came close to scoring the equalizer, as he headed just wide of Federici's right post. Reading posed more of a threat on the towards the end of the game and Kebe nearly sealed the victory when his run through the Leicester midfield looked promising, but he dragged his effort wide. However Reading sealed the victory on the 90^th minuet when Robson-Kanu was given time and space to fire a nice left footed shot into the top left hand corner. Reading's McDermott continues to prove why he is regarded as one of the best managerial talents at this level by tactically upsetting the foxes, and Reading showed no signs of a hangover after loosing their prized asset Shane Long. Leicester on the other hand seemed to lack a spark in the final third, plenty of possession but did little with it in the right area's, these were all signs of a team still gelling and Sven will have to pick the boys up and dust them down ready for the visit of Bristol on Wednesday night. Matt Mills looked unsettled against his former employers as reading exposed his weaknesses and frustrated the city skipper. However this should not alarm the Leicester faithful It is still early days and with a few tweaks here and there they should find the same team spirit that saw them past rivals Coventry City. As for Reading they will order more of the same.

A desperate gamble, or an unpolished gem?

A desperate gamble, or an unpolished gem?

Andre Villas-Boas, soon to become a household name in England as he begins his second spell and latest managerial journey with Chelsea. What do we know about this young Portuguese manager? Well the first thing that springs to mind is the similarities to former Porto & Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho, Firstly both managers had a strong affiliation with the late great Sir. Bobby Robson, under Sir. Bobby Villas-Boas earned his UEFA C coaching licence at the tender age of 17. The next similarity is obvious, both managers left a European winning Porto side to join Chelsea (Mourinho's Porto won the UEFA champions league, where as Villas-Boas's Porto won the UEFA Europa League). However can this latest Portuguese sensation deliver what Roman Abramovich so desperately desires, the Champions League? Villas-Boas had no professional playing career and was vastly inexperienced as a head coach prior to his appointment at Porto, with all due respect I do not think the Portuguese footballing world were prepared for what he was about to accomplish.

Firstly his Porto finished top of the Portuguese premier league by 21 points, and went a whole season unbeaten claiming 84 points along the way. Along with the League he also claimed the Taca de Portugal, which is Portugal’s equivalent to the F.A cup, and most impressively he is the youngest manager at thirty-three, to ever win a European trophy. His credentials make for impressive reading so surely Chelsea have formed a perfect partnership? Or is the partnership about to get stronger. Along with his major success Villas-Boas can thank the talents within his old Porto side, but one name stands out amongst many, Rademel Falcao.

Reports suggest that the Porto frontman seems set to follow Villas-Boas to Chelsea, should this excite the Chelsea faithful? they certainly should. For those who are not familiar with the Columbian striker, in eighty -five appearance’s he has scored a staggering seventy-three goals for Porto, and has looked in sensational form this season. The most impressive trait within Falcao's style is his ability to finish chances, as you can see in the video posted he has an amazing natural ability to score goals in almost anyway possible. He has a remarkable burst of pace over ten yards, can use both feet comfortably, and has a powerful header. All of these traits appear to make him the perfect player, and if this move came to fruition, would he be able to replicate this form in the Premier League? 

 

Last week Villas-Boas delivered his first speech as Chelsea manager, despite his similarities to Jose Mourinho Villas-Boas seems by far the more modest of the two, and he assured the Chelsea faithful that to gain the title as the 'Special one', he must first bring home the league and European titles. We can expect to see his Chelsea team much more attacking that Mourinho's and the players given more freedom, as Villas-Boas's porto were notorious for their rapid counter attacks, high work rate and dynamic attack force.

Villas-Boas's youth could be his greatest weapon. Having not had a professional playing career he would have had to follow many other managers style's to eventually forge his own, if he follows the rout of Sir.Bobby then he is sure to be as wise as he is daring. Villas-Boas may have big shoes to fill, however he could hold the key to Chelsea's European heartache and deliver an exiting brand of football back to stamford bridge.

When should big championship spending stop?

And the race begins.

 

Leicester City, Nottingham Forest, and West Ham all look set to battle it out for Bristol city's prized asset Nicky Maynard, but what is all the fuss about?

According to reports Leicester tabled a bid between £2.5 and £3 million for Maynard which was subsequently rejected by the Robins. Bristol signed Maynard from Crewe in July 2008, for £2.250 million. His first season at Ashton gate was mediocre considering his rather high transfer fee (By championship standards), despite an impressive debut Maynard saw himself struggling to break into the first team, and netted only eleven times in forty-two games when you are talking figures did his first season justify a price tag in excess of £2 million? One could argue not, but the world of football works in strange ways. The following season no-one could dispute that Maynard displayed that he had quality in abundance, Scoring six goals in his first seven games including a wonderful thirty yard strike against Coventry which gave Bristol a share of the spoils that day. Maynard went on to score 21 times in all competitions in a impressive second season for the Robins, and started to reward Bristol for the money they spent claiming him. Unfortunately during the pre-season of the 2010-2011 season disaster struck for Maynard, a severe knee injury saw him sidelined for nearly 7 months further halting his career, however it was clear that his quality was still present due to his encouragingly brisk return to form following his injury, he went on to score six times in thirteen appearances despite a lengthy absence. As the bidding war commences who will take the risk of digging deep for this clearly talented, yet Injury troubled striker? If the reports are true that Leicester did indeed have a £2.5 to £3 million bid rejected, and Nottingham Forest plan to offer £4 million, then it is clear that Bristol will want serious money for their star man, however has Maynard produced enough evidence that he could replicate his goal scoring form in a top championship team, or in the premier league, and to warrant a price tag which could rise to £4 million? Only time will tell.

This brings us swiftly to our next name, Craig Mackail-Smith. Having spent the majority of his career playing in lower leagues Craig undoubtedly had his best goal to game ratio in the season just passed, netting an impressive thirty-four times in fifty-five appearances for Peterborough, however is he worth the £3 million that Leicester City have reportedly offered for him. Craig had his first taste of championship football in the 2009-2010 season with Peterborough, the season unfortunately ended with relegation for the Posh and Craig contributed with eleven goals in forty-seven appearances. From scanning over his career stats one might suggest that a price tag of £3 million is far too steep for a striker who has had the majority of his success at lower levels. However who is to say that in a squad of above average standard championship players that he wont score regularly? Craig certainly seems to have a natural ability to score goals, thus in theory when given chances he should be able to take the opportunities created for him. A good comparison to Craig is Danny Graham, the once Middlesborough player has now returned to the premier league with Swansea city. For the majority of his career he fleeted between the premier league, championship, and league one and it wasn't until he arrived at his sixth club Carlisle did he find he feet and settle, eventually proving that he could score enough goals to warrant his place back into the premier league. Despite not starting in a premier league outfit Craig has come a long way since the early days of Dagenham & Redbridge in the conference, similar to former Leicester City player D.J Campbell, and has certainly warranted a shot at playing with the promotion favourites in the championship.

Whether his price tag is just is up to him to prove next season, who ever gambles and takes the risk with these players could be hugely rewarded, if the gamble fails then who is going to prevent teams asking for over the odds prices for their 'star assets', since Andy Carroll's move to Liverpool clubs have been given a licence to slap huge price tags on their prized players and it could have a more negative effect on players careers than we actually think, not to mention the buying clubs wallet. Ten years ago signing a second devision striker who has had one prolific season and possibly a couple of career threatening injury problems would be almost unheard of, so what has changed?