Eagles end Leicester’s proud record

Leicester City 1:2 Crystal Palace

Leicester City fans had an unfamiliar taste of defeat as City were out-thought and out-muscled by a useful-looking Crystal Palace outfit at the KPS on Saturday…

After an early spell of attacking from Palace, in which Zaha showed the threat of his pace, City settled down to create some chances.
Vardy, charging down the left, squared a ball for Nugent but at full stretch he could only send his effort straight at Speroni.
Knockaert also forced a save from the Palace keeper and King sent a header over the bar, but after these early inroads City struggled to make an impression on a Palace side with a rock solid defence and plenty of pace on the break.
Palace took the lead in the 23rd minute when Schmeichel claimed a Garavan corner but then dropped it after colliding with Whitbread – former-Fox Delaney firing the loose ball home through a crowded goalmouth.
Five minutes later Palace further stunned the KPS with a goal that was all too straight-forward; Bolasie’s corner nodded home by Ramage from eight yards out.
An impressive number of visiting supporters celebrated, and City’s 100% home record was already looking under grave threat.
James came on for Dyer, in response to Palace’s three striker breakaways, and City managed a few attacking moves, the best of which saw Garvan heading clear from under the bar after Nugent’s instant turn and shot.
Boos greeted the half-time whistle, but they were directed at the unimpressive officials, rather than the home team.
At least the cheerleaders from the NFL’s Jacksonville Jaguars performed well during the break, to warm the cockles on a chilly day.
City, looking frustrated and out of sorts,  still struggled to make a dent on Palace, under the caretaker-management of Lennie Lawrence after Dougie Freedman’s departure.
The desperation grew and when a couple of penalty shouts late on were turned down we knew it just wasn’t our day. Delaney’s ‘trip’ on Nugent was difficult to call and the ref thought Garvan had chested, rather than handled, Nugent’s header on the line.
City finally punctured the yellow wall in the second minute of injury time when King met Knochesky’s cross with a well directed header. But it was too late.
City need to bounce back from this rare disappointment, something that Nigel Pearson’s sides have been able to do in the past.

Leicester: Schmeichel, De Laet, Morgan, Whitbread, Konchesky, Knockaert (Schlupp 77), Drinkwater (Marshall 63, King, Dyer (James 32), Nugent, Vardy. Unused Subs: Logan, Waghorn, Moore, Futacs.

Palace: Speroni, Ward, Ramage, Delaney, Parr, Dikgacoi, Garvan, Jedinak, Zaha (Moxey 90), Murray (Wilbraham 89), Bolasie. Unused Subs: Blake, Easter, O’Keefe, Moritz, Price.

Referee: Andy Haines (Tyne & Wear). Attendance: 23,646.

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City Raid the Palace

Crystal Palace 1:2 Leicester City

Nigel Pearson shuffled his pack for the trip to Selhurst Park and produced a winning start to 2012…
No one could have predicted Pearson’s line-up to face Palace with full-backs Peltier and Konchesky out in favour of Liam Moore and Tom Kennedy who had just returned from loans spells with Bradford and Peterborough. They performed the wing-back roles with Tunchev brought back alongside Mills and Bamba in a 3-5-2.
In midfield former-Eagle Danns replaced Wellens and he was to have a big influence on the afternoon’s proceedings.
After a slightly shaky start for the new look City defence, which saw Garvan uncomfortably close to Schmeichel’s goal, City began to gain some ground. Bamba went close with a header from a Danns corner and then the ex-Palace man put City ahead in the 18th minute thanks to a gift from Palace keeper Price.
Price’s quickly taken kick struck the back of Murray and fell for Danns on the left who cut inside Clyne before curling a fine shot into the net. He followed this with the fashionable ‘muted-celebration’ against a former-club. You play for us now… CELEBRATE!
1,255 visiting fans were celebrating again in the 37th minute when City extended their lead after resisiting a spell of home pressure. Keinan fouled the pacy Schlupp and Danns delivered a good free-kick which was nodded on by Nugent for Bamba to bundle home at the far post.
City fans were allowing themselves to contemplate the possibility of being only the second side to take 3 points from Selhurst Park this season, when Palace struck back four minutes before the break.
Good work from Garvan set up a chance for Parr who beat Schmeichel with a fine finish.
It could have been worse for City with Schmeichel saving from Murray just before the half-time whistle.
The second half saw another change-round for City, with Dyer on for Tunchev and a reversion to 4-4-2.
Palace did most of the attacking in search of an equaliser, but City stood firm. Murray, Garvan and Zaha all went close but couldn’t find a way through a determined City rearguard.
Beckford and Howard were introduced for the last 15 minutes but Howard’s contribution consisted of telling the linesman something that earned him an straight red card.
Ten man City held out for a very welcome three points, ensuring a Happy New Year, and perhaps showing that Nigel Pearson does have a Plan B after all.

Palace: Price, Clyne, Keinan, Ramage, Parr, O’Keefe (Ambrose 55), Jedinak, Garvan, Zaha, Murray (Easter 73), Scannell (Martin 72). Unused Subs: Fitzsimons, Dikgacoi.
Leicester: Schmeichel, Mills, Bamba, Tunchev (Dyer 46), Moore, King, Abe, Danns, Kennedy, Schlupp (Beckford 76), Nugent (Howard 75). Unused subs: Gallagher, Weale.

Referee: J Linington (Isle of Wight). Attendance: 14,460.

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Subscribe to The Fox fanzine for the 2011-12 season and you will recieve The FOX Summer Special 2011, a free set of four Leicester City postcards, issue 176 with the Andy Lochhead interview, issue 177 with the Andy King interview and issue 178 with the Nigel Pearson interview by return of post.…

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Pearson’s Happy Homecoming

Leicester City 3:0 Crystal Palace

Nigel Pearson got his second spell as Leicester manager off to a flying start with a Paul Gallagher inspired 3-0 win against Crystal Palace at Filbert Way on Sunday…

In defence St Ledger stepped up to replace the suspended Bamba, while Pearson employed ‘his’ midfield of Dyer, King, Wellens and Gallagher in a standard 442. 
There was immediate eveidence of City attempting to get the ball forward more swiftly and early chances fell to Nugent and Gallagher, without reward.  Nugent’s header from a Peltier cross and Gallacher ‘sighter’ both being comfortably fielded by Speroni.
Otherwise it was a frustrating half with Beckford’s first touch seeming to have deserted him and Palace gaining confidence as City ran out of ideas.
The half fizzled out into a goalless stalemate.
Ten minutes into the second half City got the goal they desperately needed, following a good flowing move.
A Good run from Konchesky set up Wellens who teed up Beckford for a cool finish past Speroni from inside the area. A big roar of relief greeted this goal, and it’s importance for both team and player, but Beckford then wasted an easier chance two minutes later. 
City then sat back a bit and were living dangerously for a while…
Dikgacoi wasted a good chance from close in and then Martin headed straight at Schmeichel with the whole goal at his mercy.
However, this was soon forgotten when the crowd witnessed two pieces of Gallagher magic.
In the 70th minute Gallagher received a pass from Wellens and curled a superb shot into the top right hand corner from 25 yards.
Three minutes later Gallagher outdid that effort, latching on to a loose ball 30 yards out he arrowed a fantastic shot into the top left hand corner to raise the roof and seal the points.

With the game won Pearson gave Howard, Abe and Schlupp a run out, before pronouncing: “The key to our success today was that we imposed ourselves on Crystal Palace. The important thing is that the players enjoyed themselves. It is not a criticism of what has gone before but my job is to ensure the players play with a freedom to enjoy themselves.”

Hopefully Pearson will soon manage something that Sven couldn’t – a place in the top six.

City: Schmeichel, Peltier (Abe 76), Mills, St Ledger, Konchesky, Gallagher, Wellens, King, Dyer, Beckford (Schlupp 74), Nugent (Howard 75). Unused Subs: Weale, Danns.
Palace: Speroni; Clyne, McCarthy, Gardner, Moxey, Zaha, Wright, Jedinak, Parr (Martin 61), Dikgacoi (Scannell 61), Murray. Unused Subs: Price, Ambrose, Easter.

Referee: M Brown (East Yorkshire). Attendance: 22,449.

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Subscribe to The Fox fanzine for the 2011-12 season and you will recieve The FOX Summer Special 2011, a free set of four Leicester City postcards, issue 176 with the Andy Lochhead interview and issue 177 with the Andy King interview by return of post.…

Either pay via paypal using the blue button on the right, or send a cheque for £14.50 to:
The FOX, PO Box No 2, Cosby, Leicester, LE9 1zz.

FOX 177 – on sale this afternoon…

FOX 177 – the Leicester City fanzine will be on sale at this afternoon’s game against Crystal Palace…

This issue features: An exclusive interview with Andy King; What Was the Year? Quiz; Odd One Out; Fully Programmed; Fox Diary; the latest from the Foxes Trust; Tales From the Riverbank; Rewind – Sven and Nige’s lukewarm handshake; the Chris Lymn Column; an extract from our new book ‘GOT, NOT GOT’; John Hutchinson’s From the Archives; your letters and Bentley’s Roof; the latest adventures of Fanatical Frank; and Parting Shots…

It’s the most fun you can have for two quid.

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Subscribe to The Fox fanzine for the 2011-12 season and you will recieve The FOX Summer Special 2011, a free set of four Leicester City postcards, issue 176 with the Andy Lochhead interview and issue 177 with the Andy King interview by return of post.…

Either pay via paypal using the blue button on the right, or send a cheque for £14.50 to:
The FOX, PO Box No 2, Cosby, Leicester, LE9 1zz.

What you are saying about: GOT, NOT GOT…

What people are saying about ‘GOT, NOT GOT – The A to Z of Lost Football Culture, Treasures & Pleasures…

* Well, what can I say – your book is a FINE piece of work! Honestly, I think its brilliant and I have seldom put it down since I picked it up…

* The best book about football written in the last 20 years.

* I found myself engrossed again in the trivia that so preoccupied my life between the age of 5 and 15 and laughing until my ribs hurt.

* Wonderful book, great illustrations and is a throw back to days when football was more important than anything else, Superbly written and put together.

* If there’s anyone in your life who attended football when it was still good (60s- 80s) buy them this book and they’ll love you forever.

* I don’t even follow football anymore but I love this book. It’s packed with memories of the game when it was a simpler more enjoyable (to me anyway) sport.

* Superb stuff. Anyone who grew up in the seventies with even a passing interest in football, let alone City, will love this book.

* I utterly and completely love it… so much stuff in there that I’d pretty much forgotten about, but which is a joy to rediscover.

Featuring: Aberdeen, Arsenal, Aston Villa, Birmingham City, Blackburn Rovers, Blackpool, Bolton Wanderers, Bristol City, Bristol Rovers, Brighton & Hove Albion, Burnley, Cardiff City, Carlisle United, Celtic, Charlton Athletic, Chelsea, Coventry City, Crystal Palace, Derby County, England, Everton, Fulham, Hearts, Hibs, Hull City, Ipswich Town, Leeds United, Leicester City, Liverpool, Luton Town, Manchester City, Manchester United, Middlesbrough, Millwall, Newcastle United, Northern Ireland, Norwich City, Nottingham Forest, Notts County, Plymouth Argyle, Portsmouth, QPR, Rangers, Reading, Scotland, Sheffield United, Sheffield Wednesday, Southampton, Stoke City, Sunderland, Swansea City, Swindon Town, Tottenham Hotspur, Wales, Watford, West Bromwich Albion, West Ham United, Wigan Athletic, Wimbledon & Wolves…

City Swoop for Danns and Schmeichel

City signed their second scouser of the summer, with Crystal Palace midfielder Neil Danns arriving on a free transfer.

Danns, who impressed in both City’s performances against Palace last season, moved to Selhurst Park from Birmingham in 2008. Before that he failed to make the grade at his first club, Blackburn, but made his name with some fine perfomances with Colchester. 
Palace fans claim that we will appreciate his work ethic, and they are sorry to lose him.

Leeds United have reported that Danish goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel has now completed his move to Leicester, signing a three year contract this afternoon.

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Subscribe to The Fox fanzine for the 2011-12 season and you will receive a free set of four Leicester City postcards…

You can either post this form to the address below, or pay online via Paypal using the blue ‘Fox Subs’ button on the right…

City Fail to Conquer Palace

Leicester City 1:1 Crystal Palace

City’s play-off hopes all but faded away as they failed to beat relegation threatened Crystal Palace at Filbert Way on Tuesday night….

Sven Goran Eriksson made no changes to the side that beat Burnley 4-0, with Bruma returning to the bench after suspension.
City dominated possession for the first 20 minutes without threatening the Palace goal as the Eagles kept plenty of men back, waiting their chance to hit on the break. An off-target Kamara shot was all City had to show for their efforts when Palace took a shock lead on the half hour. 
A long range effort from Scannell didn’t appear to pose much of a threat but somehow beat Weale to find the net, with City making life hard for themselves.
Although Bamba forced a save from Speroni Palace took heart from the lead and were the better side up to the break with chances from Scannell and Counago.
Vassell came on for Gallagher at the break as City went in search of an equaliser. He set up Oakley for a chance that missed the target, but the City skipper would soon make amends. In the 59th minute Wellens lofted a ball into the penalty area and McCarthy headed a looping clearance that fell nicely for Oakley to volley home his first goal in two years.
With Derby beating Leeds, a win would put City within two points of a play-off place, but the rest of the evening was an exercise in frustration for the City faithful.
Yakubu skied an effort over the bar from two yards after good wrok from Mee and Vassell; and Van Aanholt sent a weak shot at Speroni from a decent position.
The introduction of Howard and Dyer for Yakubu and Kamara, didn’t change City’s fortunes and th eonly incident of note in five minutes of time added on saw Zaha dismissed for toe-poking a grounded Van Aanholt in the head.
Results elsewhere went well, so City still have a chance of making the play-offs, but they can’t afford to slip up again in the remaining five games, which seems a massive task.
 
Leicester: Weale, Bamba, Vitor, Mee, Van Aanholt, King, Oakley, Wellens, Kamara (Dyer 77), Yakubu (Howard 78), Gallagher (Vassell 46). Subs Not Used: Abe, Ricardo, Bruma, Berner. 
Palace: Speroni, Gardner, McCarthy, Moxey, Clyne, Danns, Garvan (Agustien 64), Dikgacoi, Scannell (Vaughan 69), Zaha, Counago (Iversen 80). Subs Not Used: Cadogan, Price, Ambrose, Davis.

Referee: I Williamson (Berkshire). Attendance: 22,303.

City Slow Out of Blocks at Palace

Crystal Palace 3:2 Leicester City

Paulo Sousa’s reign got off to a losing start at Selhurst Park on Saturday despite a spirited second half comeback…

This didn’t feel like a new era, Sousa’s first line-up seeing most of the Third Division Champions side with a starting place, with Gallagher injured and Wellens on the bench.
Selhurst Park was in a bouyant mood before kick off with Palace celegrating their financial survival and a large and noisy contingent of visiting fans.
The opening 20 minutes were promising enough for City, before the weather, and the game, turned.
In the 20th minute Eagles’ keeper Speroni’s huge clearance was nodded on into the path of Zaha who outstripped a cumbersome looking City defence before firing the ball past Weale into the roof of the net.
Six minutes later a horrified away support looked on as a speculative 25 yarder from Ambrose beat Weale on its second bounce.
It got worse four minutes before the break with City defenders chasing shadows in the penalty area. Zaha’s shot was saved by Weale but Lee had a simple tap in to make it Palace 3:0 City at the break. Rarely has an eagerly awaited Big Kick Off turned into a damp squib so swiftly.
Fryatt missed an opportunity to reduce the deficit just before half time screwing the ball wide from three yards when it looked easier to score from a decent N’Guessan cross.

The second half saw an improvement from City, roared on by some fantastic support.
Dyer cut in from the right to send a shot ricochetting off the bar, but the City fans didn’t have to wait long to celebrate. 
In the 57th minute Neilson delivered an inch perfect cross from the right and King nodded it in at the far post.
Although they were controlling the game City didn’t manage a second goal until the 84th minute. Neilson pumped a ball up the flank, Davies allowed it to bounce over his head and Howard took advantage, sending a slide rule pass for Campbell to convert at the far post. 
The City fans sensed a comeback of Lazarus proportions, and roared the boys in yellow on with every corner and half chance, but the Palace defence saw out four minutes of time added on and it was victory for George Burley and defeat for Paulo Sousa in their first game.
We were told to expect low scoring games with Sousa in charge… perhaps things will change when he has some of his new signings in the line-up.   
The new boss observed: “I think we started well but conceded two silly goals. What I saw in the second half was a team with more anger to turn the situation around. I think we became a better team and created more chances.”

Palace: Speroni, McCarthy, Davis, Bennett, Clyne, Ambrose, Garvan, Dorman, Cadogan (Andrew 63), Lee (N’Diaye 63), Zaha (Djilali 77). Subs Not Used: Price, Barrett, Holland, Holness.
Leicester: Weale, Berner, Hobbs, Neilson, Morrison, King, Dyer, Oakley, Fryatt (Howard 61), Campbell, N’Guessan (Wellens 60). Subs Not Used: Kennedy, Logan, Parkes, John, Moore.

Referee: A Woolmer (Northamptonshire). Attendance: 17,486.

Bring Back the Birch

Andy Betts, on the news that Birch is being put out to pasture…

Not much has been sadder in the corporate hijacking of our club than the news broken on August 4th that the ‘Birch’ has been forced to retire from our club because he is 65.

Lee ‘Hatchet’ Hoos has proffered a, “No Comment” on the decision but you cannot help thinking that it wouldn’t be too far from the truth to  surmise that Alan just doesn’t fit the corporate vacuum that the shell of our club is falling into piece by piece.

Alan Birchenhall  has been one of the best things in my time watching City (1969 onwards) a very underrated player who puts his own ability down, he was a star in the Jimmy Bloomfield era when, for me, City played the best football in my time watching.

He had been signed from Crystal Palace when they were a top flight club and previous to that had been a star in a very glamorous Chelsea side.

A real entertainer the, ‘Pie Seller’ incident when during a break in play at Filbo Birch borrowed a tray of pies from a pitch side vendor and proceeded to distribute them to the pop side will live forever in the memory of those who saw it… these days he would probably cop a suspension and hefty fine for that.

During the Martin O’Neill era he hosted a question and answer evening with Martin at Jongleurs and he was simply priceless, a natural comedian who made for a great night. 

But behind the joker was a man with a heart of gold, the end of season runs, the visits to sick and dying kids, the fantastic fund raising for LOROS, the little touches like coming into the Kop pre-match to wish me a happy fiftieth birthday and present me with a signed pennant.

This charitable man was good enough to be recognised by our Queen for his efforts and was proud but self effacing even in the face of such an honour.

His autobiography, ‘Bring Back The Birch’ should be read by any City fan who longs for the days when the game still had a soul and a sense of humour, traits that the decision to dismiss him show quite graphically mean nowt to the money men.

Palace Win Sees City in Fourth Place

Crystal Palace 0:1 Leicester City

City reinforced their credentials as serious play-off contenders last night with a good win at Palace that became more nervy than it should have been before the final whistle brought welcome relief and the news that we are up to fourth.

City kept Solano at right back and Morrison and Hobbs resumed their central defensive partnership. There were no other changes. It was City who imposed themselves on this game from the off and dominated possession, creating danger whenever they came forward.
Dyer was particularly lively again and after good work down the left he set Berner up who crossed low to Gallagher at the far post who somehow missed from close in.
This early chance was followed by further pressure and goal attempts with Oakley’s volley bringing out the best from Speroni before Weale was called in to action to keep out a well struck effort by Andrew.
As half time approached and City kept up the pressure with some fluent football, Davis received a red card in an incident that managed to inflame everyone. A cross in to the Palace area had eluded Waghorn but as everyone’s eyes followed the ball, Davis planted an elbow in to Morrison’s head. This was seen by the linesman who alerted the referee and the red card duly followed. The drama then continued as City pleaded for a penalty. The ball was in play when the incident occurred and the ‘assault’ took place in the area so surely a penalty should be given?
Not so according to referee Tanner who was pursued by angry City players for a while.
Half time came just in time for everyone to calm down and it was City who continued to dominate possession as the second half got underway and Berner was put through for a shot that just cleared the bar. However, it was only a few minutes to wait before the inevitable breakthrough came. Following another good move, Waghorn had a ferocious shot saved by Speroni but the ball fell in to the path of Berner who slammed the rebound in to the net before being mobbed by his delighted team mates.

The goal was also the cue for confusion and mayhem in the away end where over a 1,000 City fans had made the journey south. No sooner had the ball hit the net than a flare was set off at the back of the stand. This prompted a swarm of stewards to descend on the area and a comedy moment ensued as they decided what to do with this flare and when one of south London’s finest decided to stamp on it, the surrounding fans were showered in sparks.
As calm returned City were looking to consolidate their lead and Gallagher nearly succeeded but Speroni was once again equal to his shot.
With half an hour remaining, Nigel Pearson took off Waghorn and replaced him with Howard and then Dyer who was replaced with N’Guessan. Waghorn was particularly displeased with this move and he threw his shirt down as he reached the dug out before storming off to the dressing rooms. The net effect of these substitutions was to blunt City’s attack and invite Palace back in to a match that should have been over for them.
This made for a nervous final twenty minutes as City were unable to keep the ball and were forced to do some desperate defending. Weale made one brilliant save from a Hill header as the minutes ticked away to cap off a confident, solid performance.
Full time brought relief for City in a match that they dominated for long periods but in the end could easily have conceded an equaliser.
The full time results made for happy reading with Swansea’s defeat pushing City up to 4th, and Forest and Coventry losing. With just ten matches remaining City are now 8 points clear of 7th place…
Palace: Speroni, Hill, Butterfield, Davis, Clyne (Lawrence 46), Ambrose (Scannell 79), Derry, Danns, Ertl, Andrew, Lee (Hills 46). Subs Not Used: Carle, John, Djilali, N’Diaye.
Leicester: Weale, Berner, Solano, Hobbs, Morrison, King, Oakley, Wellens, Dyer (N’Guessan 80), Gallagher (Adams 86), Waghorn (Howard 64). Subs Not Used: Logan, Kermorgant, Neilson, McGivern.

Referee: Steve Tanner (Somerset). Attendance: 12,721.