Barnsley 0 v City 1
In the run-up to this game, Ollie had promised the thousands of traveling fans that the players "won't let you down". This seemed a bold and rash promise given how his 'higher than 17th place guarantee' has turned out, and given how he seems powerless to override the alternating Jekyll & Hyde performances from week to week. 3 games to go – probably 2 wins needed – no back-to-back wins all season … we needed 3 points today like never before.
There's a lot of talk about the players not caring or being up for it, but I don't go for that in the most basic sense. I know a lot of people don't agree, but I think making the grade as a professional player and beating off all the competition at youth level does instill players with an appreciation of what they've got.
Also, on a more material level, I'd like to think that the players realise that to suddenly have "part of first ever Leicester side to fall into the lower leagues" on their CVs would be such a stigma that no club at a higher level would want to sign them – and so they were facing career-defining crossroads. I liked that quote in The Fox last issue: "there is no loneliness as great as the loneliness of the failure – he is a stranger in his own home".
What I do think is true though is that most of our players don't want the responsibility of getting us out of the mire. For reasons unknown our club has become a Bermuda Triangle of self-belief – the lack of movement off the ball summing up a reluctance to take the bull by the horns when the chips are down.
Today, finally, crucially, that changed. In the age of money, it may sound rose-tinted to say that fans can change the result of a match, but that's what happened today. Later described as the best away support he'd seen in his career by Ollie, the blue army filled almost the entire end and turned it into the proverbial home game…..
Being foxiled for many years, I don't know a huge amount of fans, but I saw all the recognisable characters – at the back of the stand, Lee Jobber was in full voice; in the concourse before the game I heard some high-pitched shrieking – yes, it had to be Bernie; at one point a section of the crowd were holding up pairs of white shoes or trainers above their heads – not living in Leicester the significance of this was lost on me but I liked it all the same.
With the freezing conditions contrasting with last year's sun-soaked salvation on the same ground last April, chances in the first half were few and far between but Leicester were clearly up for it. The back line, the sometimes ponderous Clapham apart, looked diligent, and not hugely threatened by Barnsley, who as seen in the FA Cup run, were not a bad footballing side but look as goal-shy as we usually do.
Up front, Howard and Hume put themselves in their different physical styles like a Walsh and Joachim strike partnership in better times. We had a lot of possession down the right but were unable to deliver quailty ball and the tension of the occasion led to a fast-paced and committed but largely talking-point free 45 minutes. However, we did have a massive let-off shortly before the break when a terrific 30 yard half-volley from Barnsley's Devaney struck the post – how different might our fate have been if that sweet strike had snuck inside the post. Leicester made it to the break without damage, other than Hendrie limping off and being replaced by Hayles.
There was almost a catastrophic start to the second half, as a miskick by (I think) Stearman in his own penalty area led to a powerful shot again rattling the woodwork. This ignited the Barnsley fans, and with the teams now attacking their own supporters' ends, the game opened up and for the rest of the afternoon hearts were never far from mouths, hands were never far from covering eyes, and nails were never far from mouths.
Clear cut chances remained relatively few, but at last Leicester began to make some progress down the flanks. It was my first sight of David Bell, and when he moved to the left flank I was impressed with his composure and decision-making – rare attributes this season. In the middle, Oakley and Wesolowski began to make some telling surges, but the crowd were most appreciative of Barry Hayles. Hardly an over-achieving goal machine since his arrival, Barry rose to the occasion with a superb display of eluding defenders, holding up the ball and laying it off. In wintry conditions, this was a real 'Hayles-storm' (apologies).
It was fitting that Hayles created the match-turning (who knows – maybe season or even history-turning) goal with less than 20 minutes to go. Holding up a long straight ball into the box, he controlled it under pressure long enough to lay it off into the path of the onrushing Hume to tap in from inside the six yard box.
Hume bags the winner (Picture courtesy of Raymonds/lcfc.com)
The goal was no less scrappy that Matty Fryatt's winner at the same end 12 months ago – but just as priceless. It took much longer than usual to restart the game, with celebrations amongst the players just as wild as those of the fans.
To their credit, Leicester withstood the inevitable Barnsley fightback without too many scares. One effort had to be cleared from the line, and there was one penalty shout, but Henderson was not called on in a shot-saving capacity – although his handling of the high ball was impeccable.
The relief at full time turned to anticipation with news of defeat for Sheffield Wednesday and having the chance to put the season behind us next Saturday. The relegation permutations now make a bit more sense – I'd take a draw next Saturday if someone offered it me now, hope Stoke beat Colchester and then us and Stoke could play out a draw in the last game to get the point we'd each need for safety and automatic promotion respectively.
It was a great afternoon, easily the game I've enjoyed most this season, but let's hope that for a change next April we aren't in another relegation dogfight.
Player ratings: Henderson 7, Stearman 7, Clapham 5, Kisnorbo 7, McAuley 7, Hendrie 6 (sub Hayles 8), Wesolowski 6, Oakley 7, Bell 8 (sub Campbell late on), Hume 7 (sub N'Gotty late on), Howard 7
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