LEICESTER CITY SEASON REVIEW 2012/13

 LEICESTER CITY SEASON REVIEW 2012/13

Following another long summer without watching football although I did get to see some of the Euro 2012 while on holiday in Wales, and once again England bowing out of a major tournament by failing to win a penalty shoot-out.  Something we all know about at Leicester! It was with great excitement as I headed home from my third Welsh break of the summer in Cardigan Bay (I love Wales!)Looking forward to the new football season, and wondering what was in store for us at The King Power Stadium this coming season.

It was with great optimism that we went into our opening league game at home to Peterborough and a 2-0 win set us off nicely and all was good with the world as me and our kid walked back to the car thinking that this could be the season we put in a strong challenge for promotion to the premier league.

We had the new look Wes Morgan, new arrivals Anthony Knockaert, Jamie Vardy, Richard De laet, Matty James and young Liam Moore who looks a great prospect, added to our squad, optimism was the order of the day. But we were soon brought back down to earth with a touch of inconsistency, followed by an outstanding run of results that saw us top the table at one point. Only to be followed by a horrific run of results in the New Year that meant we were in for a right rollercoaster of a ride that had everything towards the end of the season. Drama, Excitement, Expectation and plenty of tears!

I am not going to give a match by match summary or a monthly account of our season, as that has already been done admirably by LTID colleague Clive Nagington.  I will try and give an insight into my season at our beloved Leicester City Football Club.

As I walked to the Stadium with my brother Roy, as we have done for many years, excitement and expectation still overcomes me as we prepared to watch our beloved Leicester City for another season, but I don’t think anyone could have predicted what was to unfold during the coming months, and as I am typing this report I still haven’t got over those last few games of our extraordinary season.

Following on from the exploits at Watford on 12^th May I think what most supporters are asking, and even neutrals still keep asking me, is where it all went wrong!

It is easy to lay the blame on Nigel Pearson as he is our manager. But I personally, despite getting frustrated at some of his team selections, believe he has done a good job at our football club and I believe he is the right man to take us forward. It is going to be a difficult season next season, there are some good teams coming down from the premier league that are not going to make the task of getting promotion any easier. Plus the financial fair play rules come into force which is going to put added pressure on clubs.

We can look back and blame some of the tantrums and fall outs from certain players that possibly hampered team morale. But again despite some criticism from some supporters I thought Nigel Pearson handled situations very well. And when strikers have goal droughts as happened to both Nugent and Wood and certain players losing form, it happens! These are all contributing factors to why we failed. It is difficult to pin point any significant reason why we had such a disastrous run of form in the New Year that certainly cost us dearly. And I certainly don’t pin any blame on the outstanding Anthony Knockaert for missing that penalty at Watford, Chris Wood’s miss at Blackpool from the spot and other missed opportunities throughout the season contributed just as much, but it happens!

My own personal review of last season is, once again I had a great time. Despite the frustrations and disappointments there were also lots of highs. How can you begin to describe the feeling and the emotions experienced at Nottingham Forest on the infamous 4^th May? What drama was to unfold that day as I stood on the terraces at Forest and what a great feeling when Knockaert scored the winner in injury time---Priceless!

It is always a great feeling to go to City away games as we have one of the best away followings in the country, and over the many years I have supported Leicester, the away following never ceases to amaze me and it is always a pleasure and a privilege to be a part of it. And during the season travelling to away games I had the privilege of meeting some new friends from the LCFC family and hopefully this will continue next season.

On the playing side it was exciting to see Anthony Knockaert, an unknown to me when he joined us but he soon showed what an exciting talent he is and he gave us some fantastic memories. The two goals at Huddersfield were amazing and he contributed to some magic moments during the season. I rate Knockaert very highly and I hope the penalty miss at Watford is out of his system and he comes back to entertain us again next season. A fantastic prospect is Anthony.

 Kasper Schmeichel epitomised the kind of passion and desire that we expect to see from players pulling on the Leicester shirt and he showed what a great goalkeeper he is destined to be. I just hope he remains in a Leicester shirt for some time to come.

 Wes Morgan was mister consistency and for me he was our player of the season. It would be nice to think that Michael Keane would be returning to play alongside him but I believe Keane is destined for a bright future at Manchester United. So it would seem that we will be seeing a new centre back next season

Richard De Laet was a breath of fresh air for me playing at right back. I was critical of some of his defending but the lad has great potential and loads of energy, one of the successes of the season for me, as was Matty James who showed in the last few games what a good player he is, and Chris Wood is a player I expect to flourish next season.

So with some great prospects and stalwarts such as Andy King and David Nugent plus whoever Nigel Pearson adds to the squad it could promise to be another exiting season ahead.

The 2012/13 season was a mixture of highs and lows and of different emotions and on June 19^th the fixture list is revealed for the 2013/14 season and we can prepare to do it all over again. I will be spending some time in Cardigan Bay again during the summer to recharge my batteries and then I will be looking forward to walking down Filbert Way with our kid, and to travelling to away games and to experience the mixed emotions we shall certainly endure along the way.

Whatever is install for us next season support our club with pride and remember we are

LEICESTER TILL I DIE

Alan ‘meashamfox’ Bennett 

MAY THE 4th BE WITH YOU

SATURDAY 4^th MAY 2013

 

NOTTINGHAM FOREST 2   LEICESTER CITY 3

A fans view

On the morning of Saturday 4^th May 2013 I was up early and looking forward to our last game of the season at the city ground Nottingham. A game that could promise so much but realistically just going there and giving a good account of ourselves is the only thing we could expect to happen--- surely!

I got on the coach at Ashby and we then made our way to Coalville to pick up the rest of the crew before setting off to Nottingham. On the coach spirits were high but one person put our task into perspective by saying “we need two miracles today, and I don’t believe in miracles”

I am the eternal optimist when it comes to Leicester City and even during this bad run of form we have experienced I have always remained full of optimism, but even I was thinking this is a big ask today, because if we do manage to beat Forest we have to hope that Bolton do not win at home to Blackpool. A big ask!

Believe it or not the last league game I attended at Forest was the last time we won a league game there. January 22^nd 1972 we won with goals from Alan Birchenall and Keith Weller giving us a 2-1 win. I think if the Forest hierarchy knew I was on the coach heading to the city ground they would have taken steps to sabotage us getting there. I was to be their nemesis?

At Nottingham, City supporters were congregating outside the stadium and the atmosphere was starting to build up and I made my way inside picking up my free Leicester T shirt at the turnstile that was provided by the football club to create a sea of blue!

Inside the concourse I met friends I have made over the years supporting City and with Natalie Jackson from the BBC milling with our fans the atmosphere was building up nicely. I eventually made my way to my seat! to watch our boys being put through their pre match routine, and no one inside the stadium could have realised what was to come that afternoon.

The teams entered the field of play to a resounding noise and in our own end it must have looked impressive with us all wearing our T shirts and a cascade of balloons greeting the players

The match kicked off and before we had time to settle down we found ourselves a goal behind. Andy Reid sent a cross into the box that created pandemonium in our defence and during the mix up Simon Cox stabbed the ball home. Not the start we wanted and we looked a bit shaky and nervous.

After this set back we settled down to play some inspired football with Anthony Knockaert and Lloyd Dyer causing problems for the Forest defence and both players were being a constant threat, it was only inspired goalkeeping by Darlow and good defending by Collins that kept us out.

Following relentless pressure we won a corner and Dyer passed the ball to James who hit a decent shot that deflected of Elliot Ward and flew into the net. 1-1 and game on. The blue army were ecstatic with their celebrations and our team continued to pile on the pressure at Forest with Dyer, Keane and Nugent all going close to increase our advantage

The pressure finally told and Nugent received the ball on the touchline, the ball found its way to Knockaert who skipped past three Forest players before sending a delightful cross into the box that Andy King headed home. That was the signal for massive noise and celebration from the Leicester faithful.  The half was drawing to a close but Forest pressed forward and twice Schlupp had to head efforts off the line to preserve our lead. H.T Forest 1 City 2

Before King’s goal, reports were coming from Bolton that Blackpool were leading 2-0, unbelievable. Surely it wasn’t going to happen?  And our supporters were partying big style—but another twist in the tail, before half time at Bolton. Wanderers had fought back to 2-2 and dampened our spirits a little.

The second half got under way with us wandering how the score was only 2-1 to us and Forest started pressing us back, and when Morgan conceded a free kick I feared the worst as Andy Reid sent over another cross, and sure enough there was Elliot Ward to head home an equaliser 2-2

The rest of the half was played at a frantic pace with both sides going head to head and both sides creating chances; it was one hell of a game!

As the clock ticked down we knew Bolton were still drawing 2-2 but with the clock showing 90 minutes were up and Forest on the attack it was immaterial, we had contributed to a fantastic game of football and I was proud of the lads

----- But then Schlupp broke up a Forest attack and sent a superb ball to Knockaert who raced toward the Forest goal at pace, Knockaert played the ball across to Wood who then played it back to Knockaert and then the ball was in the net and Knockaert was pulling his shirt off and running towards us fans. I have not seen celebrations like that for a very long time. Brilliant – just- Brilliant.

It took a lot of sinking in but I stood there on the Forest terrace with tears running down my cheeks. Just seeing our supporters so happy and the players and staff joining our celebration was a truly magical moment.   It is days like this that us supporters dream about, truly magical

I reminded Steve on the coach about the two miracles he said we needed. We got them plus a little help from Forest’s nemesis---yours truly

Two big games looming ahead of us now and the first one on Thursday at The King Power Stadium v Watford. What will be will be but if our supporters can do at home what the 2000 did at Nottingham, anything is possible.  COME ON YOU FOXES

Thanks to Steve Munton your regular match reporter who asked me to write this match report, I hope I did you Justice Steve

Alan ‘meashamfox’ Bennett for Leicester till I die      

MY ALL TIME FAVOURITE LEICESTER CITY TEAM - STRIKERS / MANAGER

The final pieces of the jig saw and in my latest blog I will be picking the two strikers who I believe will be worthy of a place in my all-time favourite Leicester City team

It is a pity I can’t be writing about the exploits of Arthur Chandler, Arthur Rowley, Ernie Hine, Derek Hines and Arthur Lochhead, as those great players sit in the top 5 as the all-time record goal scorers at Leicester. But unfortunately they were before my time.

In my early years going to Leicester the strikers I was cheering on were Jimmy Walsh and Ken Keyworth and another prolific goal scorer was also in the same team, Mike Stringfellow. All three are included in the top 20 record goal scorers for the club.

The first centre forward that really caught my imagination was the enigmatic Derek Dougan. The ‘Doog’ was a hero of mine during his short time at Leicester and he became a cult hero for the supporters. As I mention in a previous blog when he left to play for Wolverhampton a lot of supporters boycotted Leicester to go and watch Dougan make his debut for Wolves and saw him score a hat trick v Hull. A true legend.

In 1968 City splashed out £150,000 which was a record fee for Allan Clarke and expectations were high, but instead of firing us up the table unfortunately we ended up being relegated, we did reach the FA cup final though and Clarke moved on to Leeds for another record fee!

In the two years we spent in the second division following relegation the main striking duties fell on the shoulders of Ally Brown and he helped fire Leicester back into division one.

Once back into the top flight it wasn’t long before Jimmy Bloomfield took over as manager and a whole new era began at Leicester and probably one of the most colourful entertaining footballers of all time arrived at Filbert Street. Frank Worthington. Worthington was renowned for his flamboyant and skilful football but he was more than that, he also knew where the net was and he sits at number 12 in the record scorers chart at Leicester with 78 goals

I had to wait until the season of 1979/80 until a striker caught my imagination again and it was Alan Young who was to set Filbert Street alight in the opening fixture of that season by scoring both goals in a 2-0 win over Watford, and he was making his debut. Young scored a total 29 goals for City. As we all know he now commentates with Ian Stringer on Radio Leicester.

A young player who began to emerge in the squad when Jock Wallace took over the reigns was to become a legend at City and become our most prolific goal scorers since the days of Arthur Chandler and co. Gary Lineker. Lineker didn’t make much of an impression when he first broke into the team because I remember that they even spelt his name wrong in the programme! Lineker was, and always will be a legend at Leicester and he is the greatest striker I have seen play in a Leicester shirt, and when Alan Smith joined us from non-league Alvechurch he formed what I believe to be the best striking partnership I have ever seen at Leicester, alongside Lineker. Smith is also in the top 20 record scorers at City.

When Gary Lineker moved to Everton the young striker to take his place was Mark Bright who had to be content with being understudy to Lineker at Leicester. In the opening game of 1985/86 season Lineker returned to Filbert Street with Everton but it was Mark Bright who stole the headlines scoring with two stunning strikes at the kop end in a 3-1 win for City. Bright never played many games for City and only managed 6 goals but he was worth a mention for those two goals v Everton. He went on to make his name at Crystal Palace.

Andy Lochhead, Steve Moran, Mike Newell, Jimmy Quinn, David Oldfield, Kevin Russell, David Kelly, Ian Ormandroyd, Phil Gee, David Speedie, Iwan Roberts, Tony Cottee, David Connelly, Steve Claridge, these are just a few of the strikers that I have cheered over the years and there are a lot more that I haven’t mentioned, but as with the other positions in the team I have struggled to choose any really prolific player that stands out as true Leicester legends from recent years.

Under Martin O Neill I can’t argue that, that period was one of the most exciting and prolific times at Leicester City and Emile Heskey as a Leicester lad, deserves a special mention for his achievements.

I have to mention that Matty Fryatt who served us well in leagues 1 and 2 stands at number 17 in the record scorers chart at Leicester.

The choice for me really came down to three players and as I have said I believe that Gary Lineker and Alan Smith formed the best partnership I have seen at Leicester, but I am going to choose Gary Lineker and Frank Worthington as my two strikers.

My all-time favourite Leicester City team
Shilton
Whitworth Walsh (c) Cross Nish
Weller Roberts Izzet Glover
Lineker Worthington

On the subs bench
Banks, Sjoberg, Elliot, A. Smith, Stringfellow, Gibson, Sammells

To manage the team I have looked long and hard and I have made a short list of four contenders Matt Gillies.Gillies was manager of Leicester from 1958 to 1968 making him Leicester’s second longest serving manager and he was at the helm during one of my favourite periods as a City supporter. Gillies also steered the club to two League cup finals and two FA cup finals and during his ten years as manager, City played their football in the top flight.

Jimmy Bloomfield. The only trophy Jimmy Bloomfield won at Leicester was the charity shield when City beat Liverpool 1-0 at Filbert Street. But he gave us supporters some of the most exiting football ever seen at Leicester with his team of all stars.

Jock Wallace. I have chosen Jock Wallace because I truly believe that if it wasn’t for him Leicester would never have recovered to be where we are today. Following the worst period I have witnessed at Leicester (the Frank McLintock season) it was Jock Wallace who came into the club and totally rebuilt the playing staff.

Martin O’ Neill. O’Neill had to be included as a contender with a promotion and three league cup finals, two ending as winners and European football returning to Leicester. After a shaky start as manager and having some of the crowd on his back! O’Neill turned the club into a force to be reckoned with.

The manager of My All Time Favourite Leicester City Team
Martin O’Neill

I hope you enjoyed my blog and no doubt you will have your own ideas and opinions on which your favourite Leicester City Team is. A Happy New Year to you all -- Leicester till I Die Alan’meashamfox’Bennett

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