Chris
Weale (free, Bristol City),
After several poor years of struggling it was a great year for Leicester last time out as they justified their pre season tag of favourites to win promotion back to the Championship. Nigel Pearson took charge and got off to a flying start with the goals of Iain Hume playing a big role in them getting off to a great start. It was perhaps the defence which impressed the most with on loan Jack Hobbs helping them to become a very tough side to beat. They had plenty of goals in them as well and were far too god for most teams in the Championship especially with Matt Fryatt having the season of his life scoring over 30 goals. They won the league with plenty to spare and were able to spend the final few weeks of the season planning for the future whilst celebrating a job well done.
Milan Mandreic always has high expectations of his teams and this time he may have good reason with his Leicester side on the up after several poor years. In Nigel Pearson they have a good up and coming manager who was a little unlucky not to get the Southampton job after keeping them up. They are in a winning habit now after a memorable season last time out they will be looking to build on that this season. It will be a big year for Matt Fryatt who was excellent in league one but needs to prove himself at this level and will get the chance this season. It's in defence where they look strong with the signing off Wayne Brown, an excellent defender at this level, will make them even stronger whilst bringing in Jack Hobbs from Liverpool is a very good move. Ritchie Wellens is also a very good signing, he was a key man or Doncaster last season and will be a good player for them. I
don't expect Leicester to win promotion but they will be a tough side to beat
and should comfortably finish in mid table. PREDICTION: 12th in the Championship
I asked Leicester fans on an unofficial message board for their thoughts on the new season but I did not get a response so sadly no fans view from Leicester.
Rangers and Leicester have shared a few players in recent years. Andrew Impey had seven years in West London soaring up and down the right wing with great success in the Premiership. He spent the last few years of his career at Leicester where he impressed on the right wing. Simon Royce had two spells at QPR joining from Leicester. He spent three months on loan in 2002/03 before Chris Day returned from injury. He was signed as QPR's number one in 2005 after another loan spell and he proved to be a very popular keeper before a serious back injury saw his time at QPR come to a premature end. Ian Holloway managed both clubs with different results. Holloway of course won promotion with QPR in 2004 and lead us to a mid table finish the year after but his time at Leicester did not go well as his team were relegated and he was sacked after just five months in charge.
Rangers have a decent record against Leicester City in recent years losing just twice in the last eight meetings. In 2004 Rangers face a Leicester side just relegated from the Premiership with the likes of Martin Keown in the team. Leicester stormed into a two goals first half lead before striker David Connolly was sent off. That changed the game and Ian Holloway's men hit back through Lee Cook before Paul Furlong struck a late equaliser. Furlong then scored a last minute winner to send the QPR fans wild. The return game was our first ever visit to the Walkers Stadium and we were very unfortunate to come away with a 1-0 defeat after dominating the game. We got revenge for that defeat with our next visit as Marc Nygaard gave Rangers the lead before Elvis Hammond levelled things in the second half. Paul Furlong grabbed his first goal of the season to win it for Rangers late on before being sent off for a brawl with Alan Mayberry. At Loftus Road it was a bad night at the office for QPR as Rangers boss Ian Holloway was linked with a move to the Foxes and this proved to be his last home game in charge. Gareth Ainsworth gave QPR the lead but a dire performance saw us fall 2-1 behind. Danny Shittu equalised in the last minute before comedy defending saw us concede a third goal and end Ian Holloway's five year stay at Loftus Road. In 2006/07 season John Gregory was in charge as Rangers drew 1-1 at Loftus Road with Martin Rowland's grabbing the goal for Rangers. The return match at the Walkers Stadium was a great day for QPR. Idigo Idiakez gave Rangers the lead before Marc Nygaard doubled that lead with a second half penalty. Nygaard then hit a goal of the season contender with a 30 yard volley into the back of the net. The 2007/08 season saw a 1-1 draw at the Walkers Stadium as Mikele Leigterwood scored a late equaliser for Rangers. The game at Loftus Road saw Ian Holloway return as Leicester manager and his side were thrashed with Stewart, Bolder and Rowland's all scoring in an easy 3-1 win for De Canio's side. Click on the match for a report of the game from this web site.
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