Hull Held

Hull City 0:0 Leicester City

Leicester earned a deserved point at the KC Stadium with a tight and hard-working defensive performance in a match that neither side did enough to merit all 3 points…

Nigel Pearson made his intentions clear before kick-off when he recalled James in place of the injured Vardy and left his other striking options on the bench. This left David Nugent as the solitary striker ably supported from midfield by King, Marshall and Knockaert who got forward whenever possible.
City, as in previous matches recently, began brightly and for 20 minutes they played with confidence and control. Knockaert saw several long range efforts drift just wide before Drinkwater’s goal-bound strike was blocked by the outstretched hand of Jakupovic in the Hull goal.
When the Swiss keeper repeated his heroics a few minutes later, just keeping out another swerving Knockaert shot, it looked as if it wasn’t going to be City’s day.
Hull finally got in to the game in the period leading up to half time and created pressure and chances; Faye planted a free header wide from a corner, Simpson was put through by Koren and rounded Schmeichel only for De Laet to arrive from nowhere to clear the ball off of the line and then Aluko brought a superb, low save out of Schmeichel with a well-struck shot.

The second half was less compelling as a midfield slog developed in the pouring rain. As the game settled in to a stalemate it City almost broke the deadlock when Faye sliced Moore’s cross wide of his own post much to the relief of the, now subdued, home support. City also came close when Waghorn and Knockaert combined beautifully in a rare moment of class, to set up Marshall for a fierce shot that was saved low down by Jakupovic.
The Hull ‘keeper had to be at his best again when he somehow kept out Gallagher’s dipping free-kick; it was Gallagher’s first touch having just come on. In between these efforts Simpson brought another fine save from Schmeichel.

The final whistle brought an unsatisfactory conclusion to the match with both sets of fans and managers declaring their contentment with a point but both knowing that a bit more ambition could have yielded all three. The bare statistics show that City have now taken just 3 points from a possible 12 and have failed to score since the 2-2 draw with Barnsley on Dec 8th.
Despite this dip in form City are still fifth but fans, management and players alike all know that there has to be an improvement in results soon if we are to be regarded as serious promotion contenders.

Hull: Jakupovic, Chester, Faye (Proschwitz 84), Hobbs, Elmohamady, Koren, Evans (Cairney 71), Quinn, Brady, Simpson, Aluko (Rosenior 84). Unused Subs: Amos, Mclean, McShane, Olofinjana.

Leicester: Schmeichel, De Laet (Moore 46), Morgan, Whitbread, Konchesky, King (Gallagher 82), Drinkwater, James, Knockaert, Nugent (Waghorn 65), Marshall. Unused Subs: Dyer, Logan, Schlupp, Futacs.

Referee: Craig Pawson (South Yorkshire). Attendance: 20,321.

 

Due to popular demand we are extending our Christmas subs offer into the first week of January – it includes:

All the issues that have come out to date this season: The Summer Special 2012; FOX 181 and FOX 182, will be posted along with the December issue FOX 183 and will be gift-wrapped (also included will be a set of 8 Leicester City postcards).
The recipient will then receive the rest of the season’s issues when they are published in 2013…

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Nugent Hat-trick Preserves City’s 100% Home Record

Leicester City 3:1 Hull City

City made it four wins from four at the KPS this season with a rain-soaked 3-1 victory against Hull City on Sunday Afternoon, David Nugent the star of the show with a hat-trick.

Nugent kicked off his scoring spree in the 7th minute when a Drinkwater shot landed at his feet and he coolly beat Amos in the Tigers’ goal with a left footed finish.
Vardy had a couple of chances to extend City’s lead but Amos denied him with a fantastic save and then Faye cleared another effort off the line.
Instead it was Hull who were next on the scoresheet in the 26th minute, breaking swiftly Aluko squared for  Simpson to sidefoot past Schmeichel.
But City restored their lead three minutes from the break when Knockeart, having a fantastic game, crossed for Nugent to head home.
Vardy had another chance to score early in the second half when a probing Knockeart ball found him in space, but again his effort was too close to Amos, who saved well.
There was a nervous moment up the other end as the alert Schmeichel tipped a well struck Aluko 20 yarder round his left hand post. Then Knockeart kept Amos on his toes with a long range effort.
Steve Bruce then went into a gibbering rage at the linesman over a throw-in decision, before being dismissed and embarking on an undignified tour of the West Stand.
When all that had settled down the fourth official held up 6 minutes on the board and Elmohamady saw Knockeart clear his goalbound effort off the line. But any tension was soon dispelled when Nugent put the game beyond the visitors by completing his hat-trick.
A three-man break saw Waghorn pass to Dyer who then sent Nugent through to complete a ‘perfect’ hat-trick with a right -footed finish.

Six points at home in five days saw City move up to 7th place, if the away form can improve then City must surely establish themselves in the play-off frame?

Leicester: Schmeichel, De Laet, Morgan, St Ledger, Konchesky, James (King 70), Drinkwater, Vardy (Waghorn 74), Knockaert, Marshall (Dyer 85), Nugent. Unused Subs: Whitbread, Logan, Schlupp, Futacs.

Hull: Amos, Chester, Faye (Proschwitz 78), Bruce, Elmohamady, Koren, Evans (Olofinjana 78), Quinn, Dudgeon (Rosenior 70), Aluko, Simpson. Unused Subs: Oxley, Dawson, McShane, Mclean.

 

Referee: E.Ilderton (Tyne & Wear). Attendance: 20,815. 

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Ten Man City See Off Tigers

Leicester City 2:1 Hull City

City recovered from a poor start and a sending off to claim all three points against Hull at the KPS on Saturday.

Nigel Pearson made one change to the line up that drew at Blackpool bringing Marshall in for the injured Wellens against the side he was in charge of when the season kicked off.
But City got off to a poor start and went a goal down in the 8th minute.
Danns lost the ball in the middle of the park and McKenna sent Fryatt through on goal, showing what seemed to be an improved turn of pace from his days in blue he outstripped St Ledger before slipping the ball deftly past the onrushing  Schemichel.
The large Hull following had ten minutes to celebrate before City equalised. Dyer latching on to a Marshall ball down the right and cutting inside Dawson before unleashing a fierce left-footer that Mannone could only help on its way into the net.
If this cheered up the home crowd then things got even better a minute later when Marshall strode through the middle and fired a 30 yarder past Mannone to give City the lead.
Marshall, who had scored a similar effort at Chelsea, was man of the moment, L1 inventing a new song for him as he fired another shot over the bar.
City went in at half time with the lead, with Hull rarely threatening after Fryatt’s opener.
City started the second half in the same fashion and persistent work from Dyer saw him firing into the side-netting from an acute angle.

But just seven minutes into the second half City were reduced to ten men when Danns was given a straight red for a lunging challenge on McKenna. Although the Hull man also flew into the tackle Danns appeared to be punished for emerging with the ball, and his cause was not helped by some Hull player’s reaction.
Brady hit the post soon after, but that was the nearest Hull got to an equaliser.
Bamba came on to strengthen the defence  and also struck the left hand post with a volley, while Drinkwater shot tamely at Mannone after doing well to set himself up with the opportunity.
City weren’t really stretched in the closing stages and Beckford and Dyer put in a big shift, hitting Hull on the break and denying them the chance to build a spell of pressure.
The final whistle heralded three points, though surely it is too late for City to snatch a play-off place?

Leicester: Schmeichel, Peltier, Morgan, St Ledger, Konchesky, Danns, Drinkwater, Marshall (Kennedy 85), Dyer, Beckford, Nugent (Bamba 67). Unused Subs: Howard, Schlupp, Hopper.
Hull: Mannone, Rosenior,Chester,Hobbs, Dawson, McKenna, Evans (Mclean85), Cairney (Brady 58), King (Cullen 78), Fryatt, Stewart. Unused Subs: Dudgeon, Gulacsi.

Referee: N Miller (CountyDurham).  Attendance: 23,759.

 

City Face Competition for Transfer Targets

It seems that competition for players may be intense in this short January transfer window.

City agreed a £2M fee with Doncaster Rovers yesterday opening the way to signing their leading goalscorer Billy Sharp.
But Sharp, who scored both goals in Doncaster 2-1 win over City earlier this season, is also thought to be attracting the interest of Premier League Fulham.
Some Doncaster shareholders are trying to piece together a financial package to keep their prize asset at the Keepmoat Stadium,  but it seems unlikely they would be able to get close to the deal City are offering which has been quoted as something in the region of £5M.
Talks are ongoing with Sharp’s agents.

Another City target, Reading’s Jimmy Kebe, is also being pursued by Wesy Ham who have already had a bid rejected by the Royals. The Mali international’s contract runs out in the summer so it is unlikely that Reading will hold out for long.

City’s £1.5M bid for Hull winger Cameron Stewart has been batted firmly away with Head of Football Operations Adam Pearson, saying: “City were wasting their time in trying to sign Stewart. He is not for sale, end of story. We don’t want to sell Cameron and the player doesn’t want to go, so Leicester are wasting their time.”

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Tigers Earn Payback

Revenge was sweet for Hull City at the KC Stadium on Saturday as they finally managed wear down ten man Leicester’s resistance with a later winner…

Although Nigel Pearson dubbed it: “just another game.” the Hull City fans took the opportunity to give the man who had left them 18 days previously both barrells.
Pearson, presumably knowing the opposition better than anyone, made one change to his side with Danns in for Gallagher.
It was an industrial opening half hour with more heat than light created. City’s final pass often went astray with Wellens looking out of sorts, and Hull posed an increasing threat towards Schmeichel’s goal.
Nugent broke through once and sent a shot narrowly wide, before a Koren effort flashed across goal.
Then came a game-changing incident on the half hour. Mclean ran on to a loose ball in the area and had a shot blocked by Mills, but the City skipper then flicked a boot out tripping him as he lined up for a second attempt from close in. Mills was dismissed for the second time this season, and Fryatt converted the spot kick past Schmeichel. Although this caused outrage in the away end at the opposite end of the ground, it was the correct decision.
Pearson, with gleeful taunts ringing in his ears, immediately brought St Ledger on for Beckford.
Ten man City battled on and gained their reward five minutes before the break. Nugent broke clear of the defence but fired his shot straight at Tigers keeper Gulacsi. Konchesky was on hand to curl a superbly judged shot round the keeper and just inside the right hand post. 

City were always going to be up against it in the second half but seemed to be winning the battle of attrition with just two minutes on the clock.
Schmeichel had made a near post save from Stewart as Hull pushed forward using the flanks; and then produced a third world class save in as many games to tip a shot from Dawson round the post.
With Gallagher on his own up front City made little impression going forward, but looked to have held on to a point until two minutes from time. That was when Rosenior squared a ball which Koren met with a sweetly timed run and excellent strike, giving Scmeichel no chance and raising the roof of the KC Stadium.
Revenge was sweet for the delighted Hull fans as Nigel Pearson was left to contemplete the first defeat of his second tenure… “The application of players was very good in terms of dealing with adversity. I have seen some positives. The thing about today is that it is always tough to concede late goals. We came unstuck with what was a very good goal.”

Hull: Gulacsi, Rosenior,Chester,Hobbs, Dawson, Evans (Dudgeon 87), McKenna, Koren, Mclean, Stewart, Fryatt. Unused Subs: Basso, Cairney, McShane, Adebola.
Leicester: Schmeichel, Peltier, Mills, Bamba, Konchesky, Danns (Gallagher 63), King, Wellens, Dyer, Beckford (St Ledger 30), Nugent (Fernandes 68). Unused Subs: Weale, Howard.
Referee: Simon Hooper (Wiltshire). Attendance: 20,148.

Pearson Move Delayed

Nigel Pearson’s move from Hull to Leicester has been delayed while the two clubs hammer out a compensation deal.

Hull’s owners, knowing that Leicester’s owners have plenty to spare, are holding out for more than the £400,000 on offer as a pay off for the Humberside club losing their manager as well as his backroom staff comprising of Craig Shakespeare and Steve Walsh.
The deal has obviously gone too far down the road to be reversered but should make for an interesting game of poker over the next day or so. 

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Pearson Returning to Leicester

Nigel Pearson is expected to be confirmed as the new boss of Leicester City in the next couple of days…

There were reports yesterday that Pearson had requested that he be allowed to talk to his former club after Leicester’s initial overtures were rejected by Hull.
City’s owners are said to have offered Pearson wages of £800,000 a year which would be doubled should he gain promotion to the Premier League.
He would also have £8M to spend in the January transfer window.
Hull are already said to be seeking a replacement, targeting MK Dons boss Karl Robinson, which seems to indicate that Pearson is on his way back to the club he left in 2010.

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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, and issue 176 with the Andy Lochhead interview by return of post.…

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

Farewell to Jack Hobbs

Jack Hobbs completed a permanent move to Nigel Pearson’s Hull City this morning…

Hobbs, still only 22, moved to Humberside for an undisclosed fee following a 13 game loan spell last season.
This time last year Hobbs won The FOX Subscribers Player of the Season by a landslide… readers comments read: “Future City Legend… Pearson’s best signing… Ready for the Premier League… Liverpool’s loss, our gain… Incomprehensible that he wasn’t in the team of the year… I only hope that we can hang on to him… Hardly put a foot wrong… A class above the rest… Future Captain… Can’t believe how he has matured this season… Another Elliott?… Hardy an error all year… Exceptional maturity in a demanding position… Future England player… Immense… Solid and reliable… very classy.”

A year on, he is surplus to requirements having struggled to adapt to Paulo Sousa’s playing style and then losing his place under Sven Goran Eriksson.
We thought he would be a long-term City captain and Leicester legend… perhaps our new benchmark is higher than that.
Best of luck in the future Jack…

A replacement centre-half could soon be on his way, with Preston North End apparently accepting an offer from City for their Irish international Sean St Ledger.

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The Sven Has Landed

Leicester City 1: 1 Hull City

Sven Goran Eriksson’s first game in charge saw City get off to a bright start, but they were unable to take all three points from Nigel Pearson’s Hull at Filbert Way on Saturday…  

There were four changes to the side with Weale and Oakley back in and a place in the starting line-up for new signings Kyle Naughton and Curtis Davies. The fanfare of Svenmania had a grip on the Walkers Stadium at kick off time and had hardly abated when City took a 3rd minute lead.
A clever through ball from Oakley sent King in on goal and although Duke got a hand to his shot he couldn’t prevent it ending up in the net.
City amost doubled their lead a couple of minutes later but Waghorn’s bullet header from a King cross was tipped round the right hand post by Duke.
Hull managed to stem City’s attacking flow as th ehalf progressed but managed to create no chances of their own going forward, withnew boys Davies and Naughton looking impressive in the back line.
City went close just before the break when Berner sent a long range shot flashing narrowly wide.
City’s second half performance never matched the first and Hull drew level in the 51st minute with their first serious attempt on goal. Koren’s low shot from distance beat Weale just inside the left hand post to bring the Tigers level.
It almost got worse for City soon after when Folan went clear on goal but Weale came smartly off his line to block his effort.
Weale came to the rescue again when he saved a thumping Kilbane header at his near post.
City didn’t seem to have the legs to launch a period of pressure, with the exception of Naughton who sent over a series of good crosses from the right, but no one could make anything of them.
City had two decent chances late on but Gallagher skied one over the bar and Berner had his shot blocked as he fired into a crowded goalmouth from eight yards out.
With the game ending all-square City remained in the relegation zone, though Eriksson was given a perfect illustraion of City’s shortcomings. He has tightened up the defence in a remarkably short time, now he needs to address a mis-firing attack.
 
Leicester: Weale, Berner, Davies, Hobbs, Naughton, King, Oakley (Abe 73), Wellens, Gallagher, Howard (Moussa 66), Waghorn. Subs Not Used: Kennedy, Logan, Moreno, Neilson, Morrison.
Hull: Duke, McShane (Solano 44), Gerrard, Dawson, Ayala, Koren, Cairney, Vine (Barmby 70), Folan, Garcia (Kilbane 76), Cullen. Subs Not Used: Ashbee, Simpson, Bostock, Oxley.

Referee: Nigel Miller (Co Durham). Attendance: 23,766.

 

Sousa Could Inherit Threadbare Squad

Wayne Brown has moved to Preston North End having left City ‘by mutual consent’ following his ‘political’ clash with team-mates on the eve of the Play-Off semi final against Cardiff. 
And it is now being reported that Nigel Pearson wants to sign Nolberto Solano for his new club Hull.
Although the Peruvian was said to have signed a six-month deal with Leicester in May it appears that the contract was not formally completed and he has been training with the Hull squad.

A large chunk has also been taken out of the squad with the departure of all the players who were here on loan last season: Alex Bruce, Jay Spearing, James Vaughan, Ryan McGivern, and, the man who will be most sorely missed, Martyn Waghorn.
Long-term injured Stephen Clemence and James Wesolowski have now gone and Aleksander Tunchev will not recover from a knee-op until September at the earliest.
Chris Powell has retired from playing to concentrate on his coaching role.

That leaves errr………. bring your boots with you to the Sunderland game.

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