Although the level of infections of the omnicron variant reported in recent days has significantly reduced, we should not become complacent, therefore the Trust board continues to urge every LCFC attending the Spurs game to take a Lateral Flow Test before the game (even if holding a valid covid pass), to protect their wider LCFC family and keep away from the game if a positive test result is given.
Many fans will already have Lateral Flow Tests at home due to requirements of their employers, while kits are now available again to collect at chemists and are free.
You can have Covid 19 without having symptoms, please don’t inadvertently share the virus with fellow fans by failing to take a test prior to the game
With the omnicron variant still being easily transmitted, the Foxes Trust board also urges all LCFC fans as a minimum to wear face masks in any enclosed areas such as inside the concourse and when using toilet facilities.
Leicester City in the Community are working in partnership with Goal Difference Leicester, with the help of Foxes legend Steve Walsh, to host a weekly programme to support adults with their mental health.
The programme uses football themes, stories and metaphors to help people from a wide range of backgrounds who are presented with a variety of mental health and social problems to address their issues in a unique and positive way.
The sessions are free of charge and will be held at King Power Stadium. They start on Tuesday 18 January, then running every Tuesday morning for 8 weeks.
CANCELLED TOMORROW. Due to the postponement of the game tomorrow, Union FS are working on rearranging the foodbank for another fixture early in the New Year.
The Foxes Trust will post the revised date details once known
The Foxes Trust gives its full support to the foodbank collection organised by Union FS this weekend and encourages all fans to donate in whichever way they can.
Union FS have detailed the two collection points and the timings below
We wish all those organising on the day every success
As LCFC fans made their way to the stadium, most would have accepted a battling performance but no addition to the points total against a full strength and rested Liverpool side, given our list of absentees mainly through injury.
Talking of injuries, my seat at the ground remained empty, missing the game due to self-isolating as a close relative is staying with us in the run up to an operation, so viewed via Amazon (more on that later)
The line up saw the return of both Ndidi and Vardy, although neither believed to be fully fit, alongside starts for Castagne, Soumaré (in the deeper role of a diamond formation) and Choudhury (right side of the diamond), with Tielemans rested following conceding 2 penalties 48 hours earlier.
The game started as many feared with Liverpool well on top and it began to feel a question of how long rather than if they would score, however our players were putting their bodies on the line, in particular Amartey and shots were coming from outside the box.
However, in the 14th minute, Ndidi overstretched making contact with Salah and a penalty was given and quickly confirmed by VAR. Given Salah’s success rate from the spot, it was a relief when he hit it low but at a saveable height and unlike Schmeichel’s last penalty save, Salah’s rebound header hit the bar and was cleared.
It would be too early to say fans suddenly believed this would be our night, but the volume of noise generated from this point onwards, was highlighted by Chelsea Women’s Manager, Emma Hayes, in the after-match Amazon coverage saying how significant the LCFC fans had been on the night.
Liverpool remained on top for most of the rest of the first half, but other than Schmeichel’s best save of the night, tipping Salah’s shot from close range over the bar, and further Henderson volleys all of which were off target, the defence held firm.
We did have two first half chances, Vardy’s shot being blocked by Matip and then Maddison miscued when he had more time than he realised.
Half time and goalless but a good game to watch, reflecting at half time I was thinking how strong we looked on the left-hand side, where Thomas and Dewsbury-Hall were combining well (given they were facing Alexander-Arnold and Salah this was impressive)
In the 52nd minute, Dewsbury-Hallplayed a beautiful, curved pass which I’m sure Vardy would have converted had Tsimikas not managed to get a toe in to divert the ball beyond Vardy. Liverpool then had their best chance of the second half when Mane got free centrally but with Schmeichel making himself as large as possible, Mane managed to clear him and the bar too.
Brendan Rodgers then changed to a 4-3-3 formation, bringing on Lookman and Tielemans, with Maddison wider right. Lookman was quickly into the action, instantly looking lively and keen to run at Liverpool (perhaps spurred on by his goal two days earlier, but also playing in his preferred wide left role)
With the left side now even stronger Thomas passed to Lookman, who turned and fed Dewsbury-Hall, they then both moved at considerable pace, with the ball returned to Lookman who jinked into the penalty area and then took a quick low shot which beat Alisson at his near post. 1-0
The 4-3-3 quickly seemed to morph into a 4-5-1, as we aimed to hold onto the lead. Concerningly Maddison went down with a calf injury and had to be replaced by Albrighton, so when Vardy went and stayed down not long afterwards, the prospect of seeing out the game with 10 men was looming, however Vardy soldiered on, although I suspect if Brendan’s recent request to return to 5 subs being allowed had been granted, then Vardy would have come off. The line-up against Norwich will tell us if this was costly.
For the rest of the game. Liverpool pushed for an equaliser, the closest attempt being a Van Dijk shot which Schmeichel blocked with his foot at the near post, while two headed chances from corners for Jota and Mane both went wide.
The tactical defending of corners was the other most notable event of the night, as the zonal marking was finally ditched, with the man-to-man instructions given to our best defenders of crosses, while we had players on the line. It worked very well, all involved looked far more confident
The 5 minutes of added time passed without any further scares and 3 points were secured
The Amazon post-match review panel of Alan Shearer, Emma Hayes and Thierry Henry all praised Leicester highlighting Dewsbury-Hall and Thomas’s performances, although match summariser Ally McCoist gave MOTM to Schmeichel. Social media today has been full of various amusing images relating to Salah being in the pocket of Thomas.
A positive night, but with Evans and Söyüncü being stated as around 3 weeks away from a return and the realisation that Amartey and Ndidi will both be at the African Nations Tournament after the Norwich game, it is certainly a challenge for Brendan to find another central defence pairing to keep a clean sheet.
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
The stadium is located in the North East of Manchester. Approx 108 miles 2hr 30min
From the South M6: Leave the M6 at Junction 19 and follow the A556 towards Stockport and then join the M56 going towards Stockport. Continue onto the M60 passing Stockport and heading on towards Ashton Under Lyne. Leave the M60 at Junction 23 and take the A635 towards Manchester. Branch off onto the A662 (Ashton New Road) towards Droylsden and Manchester. Stay on the A662 for around three miles and you will reach the Stadium on your right.
From The M62: Leave the M62 at Junction 18 and then join the M60 Ashton Under Lyne. Leave the M60 at Junction 23 and take the A635 towards Manchester. Branch off onto the A662 (Ashton New Road) towards Droylsden/Manchester. Stay on the A662 for around three miles and you will reach the Stadium on your right.
You could also try leaving the M60 at Junction 24 and take the A57 (Hyde Road) towards Manchester. Turn right onto the A6010 (Pottery Lane). There are quite a number of unofficial car parks on both sides of Pottery Lane, costing around £8 per car. Pottery Lane becomes the Alan Turing Way and goes right past the stadium on your left.
Car Parking: There is some parking available at the stadium itself which costs £10 per car. The East Car Park is nearest to the away entrance. Please be aware that there is a residents only parking scheme in place in the streets near to the ground, which extends about a mile out from the stadium. So if you want to street park, it means parking further away and then walking to the stadium. Some unofficial car parks have sprung up mostly charging around £10 per car
By Rail:
There are no trains on Boxing Day
Where to drink
The closest train station is Ashburys which is a short five minute train ride away from Manchester Piccadilly Station. The stadium is about a 15 minute walk away from Ashburys station. As you come out of the station turn left and after proceeding up the road you will come to the stadium on your left.
Otherwise if you have time on your hands then you can embark on the 20/25 minute walk from Piccadilly Station to the stadium. At the bottom of the main station approach turn right into Ducie Street. At the end of the road turn right onto Great Ancoats Street. Cross over the road, then the canal and turn left into Pollard Street – this is well marked as a walking route to “Sportcity”. Continue straight along Pollard Street which leads onto the A662 Ashton New Road and you will come to the stadium on your left.
A shorter route from the station is to use the new exit to Fairfield Street (the taxi rank). As you come off the platforms, it’s in the left hand corner of the main concourse. Lifts or escalators down. (There’s also an exit from the little concourse off the bridge near platforms 13/14.) At the street exit head toward the railway over bridge, under that, then left again under the railway (Travis Street continuing into Adair Street), left at the end and right into Pollard Street (then as above).
Alternatively you can get a taxi from Piccadilly Station (around £5.00) or a bus from Piccadilly Gardens – Go down the main approach from the station, then along London Road to Piccadilly Gardens; normal service and special matchday buses leave from the right hand side of the square (between Lever Street and Oldham Street) – £1 each way. 216 and 217 the main service buses, but 185, 186, 230, 231, 232, 233, 234, 235, 236, 237, X36 and X37 also go from the city centre to the stadium (and 53 and 54 from the city’s ring road). On the return, the special buses leave from Ashton New Road just across from the away end.
Trains take approx 3hrs offpeak return £51-30
Last train back 20-42pm
‘The Stanley’ (aka Sports Bar) pub does let in away fans in small numbers. It is about a ten minute walk away from the stadium, just set back from the main A6010 (Pottery Lane), going towards Ashburys train station. The easiest way to find it is to locate the large Asda store behind one side of the stadium (there is also a McDonalds outlet next door to the store, plus there is a cafe located inside it) and on facing the superstore turn right and proceed down the main road, you will come to the pub on the left. It does cost for adults to enter the pub, but children are admitted free. Inside there is a large screen showing SKY Sports, good service and a good mix of home and away support.
Otherwise the Townley on Albert Street, which is only a five minute walk away from the stadium Is recommended. The pub has a good atmosphere and as long as away fans arrive early and are discrete (i.e. no colours) then they should be okay.
There are plenty of places to eat and drink in the town centre.
Please check the cost and times of trains etc. All information is provided in good faith but the Foxes Trust cannot be held responsible for any errors.
