LEICESTER CITY 0 BRISTOL CITY 0
If you had told me before the game that City would once again fail to put the ball legitimately in the net I would, after the horrendous performance against Preston (particularly in the first 70 minutes) have chosen to spend my afternoon elsewhere.
How wrong I would have been for this was a wonderfully exciting game from first to last and as good a goal-less draw as you are ever likely to see. Both sides played their part as indeed they must if a game is to be worth watching. Bristol came to trade punches in the hope of blowing Leicester away unlike Preston who came simply to defend and wait for an opportunity to land a knock-out blow.
A word of praise also to the three officials who allowed the game to flow and contributed fully to some first-class entertainment. No wonder both teams were applauded off at the end of a pulsating encounter which had so many near misses and clearly missed chances that the highlights would have taken up nearly as much time as the game.
City made changes from the team that started against Preston; Kisnorbo, a late non-starter was replaced by McAuley, Hendrie replaced Clemence in central midfield and Kelvin Etuhu made his debut at wide right with Hume switching to the wide-left berth vacated by Hendrie.
The opening half-hour set the tone as both sides had opportunities to open the scoring, more for City than for Bristol, with Howard involved on at least three occasions. That we reached the 30 minute mark with a 0-0 scoreline led us to believe that City might well pay for their profligacy in front of goal but we had seen nothing yet!…..
In the last 10 minutes of the half Hume of all people missed three gilt-edged chances, the first being the easiest when played in by Howard but screwing a wild shot wide from a central position some 15 yards out. At a conservative estimate most people had City three up on their score-cards at half-time.
The second half started as the first had finished with City pressing forward, creating – and missing – chances. McAuley was the biggest culprit heading weakly and straight at the keeper with a clear, unchallenged header from a left-wing corner. There were other chances blocked at source or scrambled away after exciting melees.
Bristol suddenly went up a gear and when Etuhu went awol they broke down our right for a cross-shot to hit the inside of the far post, rebounding straight to the grateful Henderson. How ironic that they had come closest to scoring when we had created so many more chances, but perhaps that's why they are top of the League and we are near the bottom.
At this point Etuhu went off clearly suffering from lack of matches. He had spent several minutes struggling with cramp leaving Ollie with little choice. We were never quite as fluent again as Etuhu is a natural wide right player unlike Hume, Campbell and Fryatt who replaced him at various stages during the rest of the match.
Etuhu had a splendid 50 minutes and fully contributed to our attacking improvement. He will fit very well though an unkind wag did make this comment as one of his shots on the run went high into the crowd. He has deceptive (not lightening, Ollie) pace, reasonable control and is not easily dispossessed. His crossing needs some improvement but showed promise. He won't score goals in any quantity but he does improve us as indeed does Hendrie who is inoccuous when playing wide but looks a different player when in central midfield.
The loss of Etuhu, replaced by Fryatt caused City some adjustment problems and led to further chances for Bristol especially when a long shot – remember Sheff Wed last season – crashed against the under-side of our bar before being cleared. However once City had reorganised they poured forward again creating further goal-mouth excitement with the ball stubbornly refusing to cross the line no matter how near it got. Ollie should have the ball forensically examined to find out why it would not go over the line – or maybe psychologically assessed for fear of nets.
The pattern of the game continued as previously with City creating several chances to Bristol's every one. Mattock replaced Hume and later Hayles came on for Campbell but still the breakthrough would not come. The game was summed up by the action in the very last minute when a corner was only half cleared and Howard's vicious volley was somehow turned over the bar by their keeper. It could have been a cricket score but instead it was 0-0. I still cannot believe it!
Difficult to pick a man of the match as the whole team gave their all but a special mention for the pair in the engine-room – Hendrie and Oakley – who gave the best performance in the centre of the park that we have seen this season. Howard and Campbell were much improved other than in the art of scoring and the back four were as reliable as ever. Henderson must work at tackling high balls into the area, coming out at least twice for balls he did not get anywhere near.
Results today did not go for us, taken as given that Scunthorpe and Colchester will go down, we are prime candidates for the third relegation spot. Yet today we hammered the top team unmercifully but could not score. The only goal we have scored recently was an own goal.
We are too good to go down but if you can't score goals, that's what happens. The lack of composure in front of goal is frightening, no more so than today when a natural goal-scorer would have had a bag-full. I cannot see any points coming from the next 2 away games – against Southampton where we are likely to lose 1-0 and WBA 2-0 so by the time Hull arrive we are going to be well and truly in the mire. We are told we have a good squad but I am afraid we don't yet have a good team.
Leicester: Henderson, Stearman (booked), McAuley, N'Gotty, Clapham, Etuhu (Fryatt 59), Oakley (booked), Hendrie, Hume (Mattock 75), Campbell (Hayles 75), Howard
Bristol: Basso, Wilson, McCombe, Fontaine, McAllister, Carle (Sproule 49), Elliott, Johnson (Vasko79), McIndoe, Adebola, Byfield (Trundle 63)
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