It’s a trip to the Foxes den tonight & Leicester fan SvensAmbition gives us the inside track.
Vital Leicester editor, SvensAmbition gives us the lowdown ahead of tonight’s game…
What were your expectations for the season?
With the buzz around the place and of course as the summer went on and Sven started spending big money at the Championship level, automatic promotion always has been the aim. Play off’s at the very least.
In many ways the fans’ expectations have been managed by the club and it’s actions. We’ve had players talking about promotion, Sven has said it’s the only aim this season, so who are we to argue – afterall, it’s what we all want and we are going for it, even if there’s been a few more hiccups than we’d have liked.
Are you worried by the slow start made to the campaign?
In some ways yes because we wanted to get off to a flyer and build up a nice gap, but this is football and you have to accept a squad takes time to gel and learn to understand each other, and with so many players – in effect two reasonable first teams – Sven is going to take a while to work out who plays best with who.
Performances have been improving almost game on game, and it can only be a matter of time before the points follow regularly and consistently.
So worried, yes a little, because the ground we lose now could be very important come the end of the season, but not overly worried because there is time to make up for it.
Will Sven Goran Eriksson last the season or fall on his sword?
I think he’ll last. We all know rumours abound with talk of him not meeting the owners expectations, but you’d trust they realise that a team doesn’t come together over night, and there are enough positive signs that we will do so to let Sven have this season, and if we don’t get the play offs at least – this squad should be much better as a whole next time round – for me, Sven should get at least two whole seasons to try.
Have you signed too many players perhaps & is the number of new arrivals hindering your progress?
Yes, we just haven’t gelled properly yet but it is coming. Sven is still juggling the players both for those already here and new signings, to find who compliments each other best. I really don’t think we ae far off him having his best combination to suit each team.
It’s the difficulty when you sign so many though and they don’t hit form immediately, do you play them into form, or take them out and let them settle on the training pitch. Sven seems to be doing a little bit of each, so everybody gets a chance to shine.
Which new face has excited you the most?
For me it would have to be Kasper Schmeichel. I rate the lad highly, and for me he’ll be our signing of the season. Plenty of years left in him yet, and he could go on to be a Leicester great as long as we can ultimately match his own potential and ambition.
Who is the key man that we should be watching out for on Wednesday?
If Beckford plays after such a slow start to his Foxes career, I’ve got a feeling he’ll have a point to prove after Sven’s words in the press about giving him time.
Nugent also seems to be getting slowly back to the form that got him an England cap, so I’d keep one eye on him aswell.
Match prediction?
I think, well I hope (sorry) that we nick it 2-1 to put the Birmingham game behind us.
Only 2-1 – that’s very kind, I think most ‘Orns are expecting a trouncing!
