CITY 2 HEREFORD 1
This was the sort of game City would have lost in the dim and dismal past- we have never exactly excelled over the Christmas period have we? This time, though, we won! It was a rather patchy performance, watched by a rather subdued crowd at times, but three points are three points and seven points from three key games in December is a great achievement.
23,000 fans came to watch what would happen on the back of a good draw against Leeds, although losing three points to a last minute goal was frustrating but not unexpected when you have been a City fan all your life!
It was only two days after the Leeds game but Nigel Pearson chose to make only one change, replacing Tunchev with Morrison and although Morrison played creditably, apart from losing his marker for the Hereford goal, Tunchev’s class and distribution were missed.
Our subs bench looked strong and it turned out we needed all three substitutes as the match progressed. Berner was replaced by Mattock. Fryatt was injured late in the first half and, as a hushed crowd realised their talisman was limping, was replaced by Dickov for the second half. Adams came on for Dyer who had had one of his more ineffective games which promises much but often he chose the wrong option and lost the ball.
We started brightly and scored in the 9th minute. Fryatt threaded the ball through to Oakley, who played it to Howard who scored with aplomb. It was great to see the confidence coming back to a forward who is such a critical part of our team….
Hereford occasionally threatened but our defence coped pretty well with Hobbs looking very sound. Berner was stretched at times by Ainsworth on the wing, by far Hereford’s best player, but who was controlled well by Mattock when he came on.
Our midfield trio of King, Oakley and Davies played the ball well to feet throughout and Davies, for me, was the man of the match. Always pressing forward he kept the team momentum going when we started to look jaded towards the end of the match and were in danger of giving Hereford a sniff of getting an unlikely equaliser.
The first half was memorable mainly, though, for a sweeping move from defence to a fantastic volleyed pass from Oakley ended in a fingertip save from Fryatt that would have been goal, and team play, of the season.
Dickov came on for the second half and, not surprisingly, looked rusty and will need more time and better communication if he is to be an effective partner to Howard on occasions. The match was just starting to get a bit tense as we were only 1-0 up when, from a good move in the 71st minute, the Hereford goalie punched poorly out to Oakley. We were just groaning that he chose not to shoot when he passed sideways to King who shot low and true into the bottom left corner. 2-0 Get in!! Good pass Oakley!
That should have been the time when we could relax and think about the next match but City started to get sloppy and lose concentration and possession too easily. Howard gave away a needless freekick and Hereford scored from a header when unmarked. It all became rather tense and, from another needless freekick, Hereford shot just wide of the post.
We played out time after that and took the three points with gratitude. Not a classic, but we created chances throughout and deserved to win. We cannot shake off MK Dons who are on a fantastic run too in second place in the league but the seven points gap to the third team is much more important. We are developing a hard to beat habit and collecting three points most of the time- not draws.
We can look forward to 2009 with some optimism at last and we have a team and strong squad growing in confidence, superbly led by Nigel Pearson. There are just two black clouds on the horizon:
· Nigel Pearson has been nominated for manager of the month. Give it to Di Matteo and then we can win the next game!
· Matty Fryatt’s injury. Let’s hope it’s not serious. My plan would be to rest him for the Cup match against Palace in any case. Promotion is much too important to risk him.
Leicester: Martin, Gilbert, Morrison, Hobbs, Berner (Mattock 42), Oakley, Davies, Andy King, Dyer (Adams 76), Fryatt (Dickov 46), Howard. Subs Not Used: Cisak, Edworthy.
Booked: Howard, Adams. Goals: Howard 9, Andy King 71.
Hereford: Samson, Rose, Gowling, Broadhurst, Taylor, Ainsworth, Smith, Diagouraga, Done, Guinan, Chadwick (Williams 55). Subs Not Used: Veiga, Gwynne, Beckwith, Johnson.
Goals: Broadhurst 79.
Att: 22,920 Ref: A Haines (Yorkshire).
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