Leicester are record breakers
More than 2,500 City fans packed into the Railway End to watch Leicester City pick up all three points at Birmingham City and notch their eight consecutive league victory, a club record, as well as their fourth consecutive away win. The Foxes controlled major periods in the match and were rewarded with two fine goals from Lloyd Dyer and Jamie Vardy in a 2-1 victory over The Blues. Nigel Pearson’s men remain eight points clear in the table and move 5 points clear in the Championship Form Guide.
Leicester are 4/7 to win the Championship and now as little as 1/8 to get promotion.
Mick McCarthy says what he wants
“Some people might be frustrated with the result. Some people can f**k off.” Mick McCarthy has usually proved to be a journalist’s dream when it comes to press conferences and last night was no different. Following his side’s 1-1 draw away at Leeds, McCarthy was clearly riled but whether that was down to ‘some peoples’ reaction or the fact Ipswich should have perhaps snatched all three points remains to be seen. A bit of both perhaps. Other wonderful Mick quotes include:
“At the moment we’ve got 16 first team players. My initials stand for Mick McCarthy, not Merlin the Magician.”
“We’ve got the drug testers here today. They shouldn’t be going to see the players. They should go to see the officials instead.”
Leeds need a takeover
Based on the last six matches, Leeds United are the second worst team in the division, behind manager-less Blackpool. Whilst the majority fans remain supportive of Brian McDermott, it is clear that change is desperately needed at the very top. After what seemingly looked like it was going to be a highly productive January, Leeds are yet to make any permanenent signings (two loans, one permanent at the end of the season) and with the transfer window shutting on Friday, it doesn’t look like much will change. Having said this at the beginning of the month:
“The board are doing their best and the club are in the best position we’ve been in for a few years.”
Brian McDermott then said this after Leeds’ match with Ipswich on Tuesday night:
“It is tough at the moment, on and off the pitch. We don’t want any negativity and we have to stay as positive as we can. I never make excuses for results and we did come from behind for a point, but the preparation for this match was very difficult.
All is not well.
Adam Le Fondre is Premier League class
Apologies to Reading fans in advance who would probably rather Adam le Fondre’s name is not mentioned again until February 1st. But having scored two hat-tricks in as many home matches, ALF, as he is known, is one of the country’s most in-form strikers at present, so it would be wrong not to give him the recognition he deserves. His first treble came at the hands of a bewildered Bolton side that were eventually hammered 7-1 whilst his more recent strikes were in a 5-1 victory against an equally as bewildered Blackpool. What is perhaps most impressive about his strike rate is the times in which he has scored them. 5 of his 6 goals have come before 35 minutes meaning Reading have virtually gone out of sight before half-time. Whether it be with The Royal’s or not, it can’t be long before Adam le Fondre is playing Premier League football once again.
No sea in Sheffield, but the ship is steadying at Wednesday
Following the sacking of Dave Jones in early December, mainly high profile names were linked with the Sheffield Wednesday job including Ian Holloway and Paolo Di Canio. Not many foresaw former Southampton and Northampton manager Stuart Gray becoming a permanent fixture, even after an impressive 2-1 victory at home to Leicester in his first match in charge. A 6-0 win in the Yorkshire Derby against Leeds skyrocketed his chances and nearly two months later, Gray can finally call himself ‘The Gaffer’. Since becoming caretaker boss at Sheffield Wednesday, he has taken charges of 13 matches and seen his side lose just twice as well as moving up to fifth in the Championship form guide. Not to mention that The Owls are just three wins from Wembley and a semi-final FA Cup appearance. Their most recent result, a 1-1 draw with Milwall moved Gray’s men to 3 points above the drop zone with Wednesday many fans firmly in the belief that they can stay up for another season.
