Scunthorpe 0 City 0
Only a cruel offside decision denied City a victory on their first league visit to Scunthorpe on Saturday. when Patrick Kisnorbo found the net with a header from Alan Sheehan's free-kick in the 67th minute, the visitors seemed set for their second successive away win But the celebrations were cut short by a linesman's flag, as team-mate Matty Fryatt had strayed into an offside position.
However, the judgement that he was interfering with play looked at the time to be an extremely pedantic one, and was confirmed later by TV replays. It was the second body blow to City in a matter of minutes. Earlier Iain Hume had been sent off for his second bookable offence.
Although his challenge on home defender Cliff Byrne seemed relatively innocuous, Hume had been involved in a series of skirmishes with various opponents throughout his hour on the pitch. But his mood could not have been helped by the abject lack of service given to him and Fryatt by his team-mates….
In fact, I cannot recall a Leicester midfield displaying such little creativity as the trio on show at Glanford Park. James Chambers, Shaun Newton, and the fit-again skipper Stephen Clemence could not be faulted for their lack of effort. They chased, harried and pressed their opponents throughout, as did the rest of the side.
But none showed a willingness to make a telling pass or forward run. And with both wing-backs reluctant to advance beyond the halfway line, the spark of creativity was once again noticeably absent. Indeed, City's only legitimate shot on target – when Iron keeper Joe Murphy blocked a Fryatt shot with his legs – owed more to a slip from home defender Andy Crosby than to any flash of inspiration from the midfield.
The consolation that the visiting hordes could draw from this performance was that the home side were scarcely any more productive. Marton Fulop's save from Paul Hayes in the second minute proved to be the only one of note required from him all evening.
This was a tribute to the sterling work carried out by the three centre-backs in front of him. Like Fulop, Gareth McAuley showed no ill-effects from midweek international duty, and was ably assisted by Bruno N'Gotty and Patrick Kisnorbo.T
he final score of 0-0 extends City's unbeaten run to five in all competitions, with three successive clean sheets, but manager Gary Megson must be aware that his side will have to pose a far greater attacking threat in the two forthcoming home games against Sheffield United and Barnsley.
And with Hume suspended for the first of these games, perhaps the time has come to promote one of the young strikers who are currently so prolific at reserve and academy level.
The defensive strengths of this side have been shown repeatedly in recent weeks, but it will be the prowess in the attacking half of the field which will hold the key to what City may achieve this season.
Team Ratings: Fulop – 7,Stearman – 5, N'Gotty – 8*, McAuley – 7, Kisnorbo – 7, Sheehan – 6, Newton – 5, Clemence – 5, Chambers – 6, Hume – 5, Fryatt – 5. Subs: Wesolowski and Campbell
The views expressed in this report are the opinions of the Trust member nominated to file the report only and do not represent the views of the Foxes Trust organisation