Leicester City: Position Battles

The fifth and final position battle looks at the Leicester City strikers - who is more likely to start up front on Saturday?

1. Jamie Vardy v. Jermaine Beckford

This is undoubtedly the biggest question mark in terms of position battles ahead of Leicester City's opening game against Peterborough on Saturday, and last night's 4-0 Capital One Cup win at Torquay United did nothing to answer who would start alongside David Nugent.  Jermaine Beckford and Jamie Vardy were both named in the starting eleven, while Nugent was rested.  On top of that, Martyn Waghorn, Jeff Schlupp and new signing Marko Futacs have been involved during pre-season for the Foxes.  With Nigel Pearson likely to utilise two wingers in a 4-4-2 formation, only two strikers can start.  This either gives Pearson a selection headache, or considerable depth in this position, depending on your outlook.

© Ben Sutherland, Flickr

Can Jermaine Beckford win over Leicester City fans this season?

Jamie Vardy was Leicester's most expensive summer transfer, joining the Foxes from Fleetwood Town for a reported £1 million.  His goal-scoring record in the lower leagues speaks for itself, and he wouldn't be the first player to learn his trade there and replicate it at a higher level.  Fans have already warmed to Vardy, and he is certainly a very typical Nigel Pearson player.  Jermaine Beckford, on the other hand, was already at the club when Pearson re-joined Leicester at the end of 2011.  He scored fifteen goals last season, yet fans never seemed completely sold on him.  That being said, Beckford has featured heavily in pre-season and been finding the net himself.  He also appeared to have developed a good partnership with David Nugent by the end of last season.

One scenario that does not seem to have been considered by Foxes fans is Nigel Pearson using the three strikers in rotation.  The Championship season is long, and the addition of League and FA Cup matches could result in 55+ matches for Leicester City.  With three strikers of such high quality, all with a keen eye for goal, we can certainly expect to see them kept fresh – especially as Pearson has the managerial skills to bring out the best in all three players.  Barring injuries, Nugent, Vardy and Beckford could all play at least thirty games this season (not including substitute appearances), and having a player of such calibre as an option off the bench would boast real strength in numbers at the club.

Likely winner:  Jermaine Beckford is probably more likely to start on Saturday alongside David Nugent, but Jamie Vardy will certainly be named among the substitutes, and will more than likely make his home debut before the end of the match.  Throughout the duration of the season, it really is too close to call as to which player will start more matches.

Chelsea 5 Leicester City 2 - 18th March 2012

Five-star Chelsea end Foxes' FA Cup dream

Leicester's 6,000 travelling fans were in full voice at Stamford Bridge

Fernando Torres' brace ended his five-and-a-half-month goal drought and booked Chelsea's place in the FA Cup semi-finals at Wembley after beating Leicester City 5-2.

Gary Cahill and Salomon Kalou put the hosts ahead in the first-half, before Torres scored from close range after the break – his first goal in 23 hours of football.

Jermaine Beckford pulled a goal back for the Championship side although Torres' near post header restored Chelsea's two-goal advantage.

Ben Marshall's sublime effort from 30 yards gave Leicester a lifeline, but Raul Meireles' injury-time strike ended any chance of a memorable comeback.

Chelsea were good value for their 5-2 win and created a number of scoring opportunities, although Leicester manager Nigel Pearson will be unhappy with how some of some of the goals conceded.

As expected, the first-half was one-way traffic, with only a crucial block from Wes Morgan preventing Fernando Torres from getting on the score sheet within the opening few minutes of the match.

Torres would cause the Leicester backline problems all afternoon, Sol Bamba on the receiving end this time as he allowed the Spanish international to cut inside him into the penalty area as Wes Morgan was forced to clear the ball behind goal.

The ensuing corner-kick by Juan Mata was headed home from six yards by an unmarked Gary Cahill, who unveiled a "Praying for Muamba" t-shirt, a mark of respect to his former Bolton Wanderers team-mate Fabrice Muamba, who remains in a critical condition after collapsing on the pitch against Tottenham Hotspur yesterday afternoon.

Chelsea, high on confidence after an impressive 4-1 midweek win over Napoli in the Champions League, came close to doubling their lead moments later after excellent footwork from Daniel Sturridge allowed Raul Meireles to shoot from close range, and although his strike beat Leicester goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel, full-back Paul Konchesky was on hand to clear the ball off the line.

Leicester, who already looked on the ropes, found themselves 2-0 down after seventeen minutes when Fernando Torres raced down the flank before squaring to Salomon Kalou, who initially struggled to get the ball out from under his feet but regained his composure to finish coolly into the bottom corner.

The goal came from excellent work by Torres, who looked more like the prolific front man Chelsea fans had expected, rather than the striker who had previously netted just six times since his switch from Liverpool in 2011.

At the other end, Paul Gallagher fired over from distance before Sturridge struck just wide after getting the better of Sol Bamba again.

Fernando Torres then tested Kasper Schmeichel with a couple of shots from long range, in what would turn out to be a long day for the Danish goalkeeper, but he was equal to both strikes this time around.

Lloyd Dyer then set up Richie Wellens after a rare first-half attack by Leicester, but the Foxes captain dragged his shot wide of Peter Cech's goal.

Chelsea were dominating the midfield battle but Leicester's Neil Danns was still in fine attacking form, forcing Cech into a near-post fingertip save ten minutes before the break.

Leicester, to their credit, kept searching for a way into the match and might have done so through Lloyd Dyer after good work from Paul Konchesky and David Nugent, but the speedy winger pulled his shot over the bar as the first-half came to a close.

Substitute Florent Malouda was the first to try and extend Chelsea's lead in the second-half, but his shot flew wide after Leicester's defence continued to let attacking players cut inside.

Just before the hour mark, Sol Bamba was on hand to cut out Fernando Torres' pass to Daniel Sturridge in what would have been 3-0, although Chelsea did get their third shortly afterwards when Raul Meireles got the better of the struggling Bamba before the ball ended up at the feet of Torres, whose scuffed shot found its way past Kasper Schmeichel.

It was a long overdue goal for Torres and, although it came against lower league opposition, will be one both he and his team-mates remember as the one that ended his 152-day goal drought.

Torres could have scored again moments later as Chelsea continued to hammer the crumbling Leicester defence on the counter-attack, but his more spectacular strike flew just over the crossbar.

The visitors were handed a lifeline with thirteen minutes remaining when Neil Danns' thunderous strike from 25 yards smashed against the post, the rebound falling into the path of Jermaine Beckford who was on hand to tap home past the helpless Peter Cech.

It was Beckford's fifteenth FA Cup goal in as many starts in the tournament, and a deserved one for Leicester who had continued to attack Chelsea in the second-half despite finding themselves at a disadvantage in terms of both pace and class.

Torres did restore Chelsea's three-goal cushion with five minutes remaining after poor marking from a corner-kick allowed him to ghost in at the near post to head across goal and past a helpless Kasper Schmeichel, although Ben Marshall's emphatic 30-yard curling strike made it 4-2 just minutes after the restart gave the travelling 6,000 Leicester fans something to cheer about.

Raul Meireles put the Blues three goals ahead once again, with Torres again involved, this time the Spaniard racing down the left wing before picking out the Portuguese midfielder who coolly finished past Schmeichel from fourteen yards.

The final whistle ended Leicester City's FA Cup dream, but gave a resurgent Chelsea side a very realistic chance of winning some silverware this year after a difficult season.

Man of the Match – Fernando Torres

Leicester City 3 Birmingham City 1 - 13th March 2012

Beckford brace keeps Leicester's playoff hopes alive

Beckford scored his tenth and eleventh goals for Leicester City

Jermaine Beckford scored two goals as Leicester came from behind to snatch all three points against Midlands-rivals Birmingham City.

The visitors took an early lead when Wade Elliott converted from the penalty spot, but Beckford drew the Foxes level with a close range finish.

Substitute Jeffrey Schlupp put the hosts ahead with just over ten minutes remaining, before Beckford raced ahead of the Birmingham defence to score his second and Leicester's third in second-half stoppage time.

It was a must win game for Nigel Pearson's side who, despite an inconsistent season, are still just six points outside the Championship playoff places, ahead of an FA Cup quarter-final trip to Chelsea on Sunday.

After a slow opening, Neil Danns' low drive on goal was the first real chance for either side, but Birmingham goalkeeper Boaz Myhill was equal to it, pushing the ball past the post.

David Nugent headed wide moments later before Wade Elliott's tame shot on goal at the other end did little to test Kasper Schmeichel.

Birmingham were then awarded a penalty against the run of play when Sol Bamba was adjudged to have obstructed Nikola Zigic inside the area, with Wade Elliott making no mistake from twelve yards in putting Chris Hughton's  side 1-0 up.

It was a harsh decision by referee Mick Russell to award the spot kick, with both Bamba and Zigic appearing to tangle inside the box.

Leicester continued to play the better football as Paul Gallagher, making his return to the starting XI, did well to fire the ball across goal, but there was nobody in a blue shirt on hand to trouble Boaz Myhill.

Zigic then saw his powerful header strike the underside of the bar, as Leicester scrambled the ball away in what might have been game over for the Foxes.

Leicester found an equaliser after 34 minutes when David Nugent beat the Birmingham defence to a loose ball before firing across goal, and although his shot hit the foot of the post, his strike partner Jermaine Beckford made no mistake from close range, firing his side level.

The goal had been coming for the home side and Leicester were good value for their equaliser after Beckford and Nugent had threatened for the opening 35 minutes.

Lloyd Dyer's powerful near post strike was parried away by Boaz Myhill in first-half stoppage time as Leicester looked to take the lead before the break, while Andros Townsend had a glorious opportunity to restore Birmingham's advantage but fired over at the back post.

Leicester continued where they left off in the second-half and could have gone ahead ten minutes after the break when Paul Gallagher whipped a free-kick into a dangerous area, but a mix-up between Sean St. Ledger and Sol Bamba resulted in the ball falling harmlessly to Myhill.

Chris Burke's speculative 25-yard strike was then parried wide by Kasper Schmeichel, before Wellens tested Myhill with a long range strike of his own – the rebound falling to Jermaine Beckford who should have done better from close range, but his overhead kick sailed over the crossbar when the former Leeds and Everton striker probably had more time.

Neil Danns' shot was deflected wide after a quick counter attack through Lloyd Dyer, before Jermaine Beckford hit the outside of the post from close range – although he was adjudged to have used his arm to control the ball in the process.

Dyer then hit the side netting after a mazy run into the box, before Tom Kennedy's route one ball picked out substitute Jeffrey Schlupp who raced behind the Birmingham defence, the Ghanaian making no mistake in coolly slotting the ball past the oncoming Boaz Myhill from eighteen yards, who appeared to have been caught in two minds.

It was a deserved goal for Leicester who had maintained a level of energy and consistency throughout the match which will have pleased manager Nigel Pearson.

Birmingham went in search of an equaliser with ten minutes remaining and came close when Wade Elliott's fine strike from 25 yards flew inches over the crossbar, but Leicester could have doubled their advantage when Jermaine Beckford played a low ball across goal, but it was just too heavy for Lloyd Dyer.

With the last kick of the game, Leicester did get their third when Jermaine Beckford latched on to Sean St. Ledger's long ball and found himself one-on-one with Myhill, and, like Schlupp had done earlier, made no mistake in finding the back of the net to secure an important win for the Foxes.

It was a vital win for Leicester City to keep their playoff hopes alive after successive league defeats, but Nigel Pearson's men will now draw their attention to their FA Cup quarter-final trip to Stamford Bridge this Sunday against Premier League Chelsea.

Man of the Match – Jermaine Beckford

Leicester City 2 Coventry City 0 - 3rd March 2012

Foxes secure back-to-back wins

Leicester claimed back-to-back league wins for the first time in over a year this afternoon following a comfortable 2-0 victory over relegation-threatened Coventry City.

Leicester City are now just seven points outside the play-off places

David Nugent put Leicester ahead in the first half after Neil Danns was thwarted from the penalty spot by Sky Blues goalkeeper Joe Murphy.

Jermaine Beckford doubled the hosts' advantage on the hour mark with a close-range finish, with Nugent again involved in the build-up alongside Richie Wellens.

Substitute Sammy Clingan saw his second-half penalty saved by Kasper Schmeichel, before Foxes full-back Paul Konchesky was shown dismissed for a dangerous foul on Alex Nimely late in the game.

Leicester held on to secure an important three points, registering consecutive league wins for the first time this season.

Nigel Pearson named an unchanged starting XI from the side that won at Derby County last week, although Jeffrey Schlupp was named among the replacements for the Foxes.

Leicester were given a glorious opportunity to take an early lead when captain Richie Wellens was cleared out by Martin Crainee inside the penalty area, giving referee Lee Probert no alternative but to point to the spot.

In the absence of set-piece specialist Paul Gallagher, Neil Danns stepped up to take the penalty but saw his effort pushed wide by Coventry's Joe Murphy.

The hosts did take the lead five minutes later when Jermaine Beckford's low shot was parried by Murphy into the path of David Nugent, who was quickest to react from six yards, claiming his thirteenth goal of the season.

It was an instinctive finish by the former England striker, whose goals have been very important to Leicester's recent good run of form.

At the other end, Alex Nimely came close for Coventry when he was given space to cut inside Lee Peltier but was unable to test Kasper Schmeichel.

Leicester looked the side most likely to score the next goal, and could have doubled their lead when Sean St. Ledger latched onto Ben Marshall's corner kick at the back post, but the Republic of Ireland international could only volley over from close range.

Leicester wasted another good chance to extend their lead when Jermaine Beckford's dicing pass split open a disorganised Coventry backline, but Ben Marshall's effort sailed over the bar.

It was one-way traffic for the Foxes, and it should have been 2-0 before the break when Joe Murphy spilled a high ball in a dangerous position, but Ben Marshall again was unable to hit the target.

Paul Konchesky was next to capitalise on some shaky defending after a mix-up between two Coventry players allowed the former Liverpool full-back to have a clean run on goal, but he was unable to find an unmarked David Nugent inside the penalty area as another chance went begging.

Leicester continued to dominate the first-half, but were unable to find that all-important second goal before the break – and it was Coventry who came out stronger in the second period, threatening the home side with a succession of corners, although never really bringing any real pressure or shots on target.

The Foxes eventually did find double their lead fifteen minutes into the second-half when Richie Wellens and David Nugent linked up beautifully on the right side, before Nugent threaded a perfect pass across goal and into the path of Jermaine Beckford, who coolly slotted the ball past Joe Murphy.

It was a well-worked goal that demonstrated Leicester's ability to play free-flowing football, and diminished any threat of a comeback by Coventry – who have picked up just three points away from the Ricoh Arena this campaign.

Neil Danns was close to making it 3-0 after further fantastic build-up play in midfield allowed the former Crystal Palace man to get a shot off, but his low drive trickled just wide of the post.

Coventry were handed a lifeline with just under twenty minutes remaining when Wes Morgan was adjudged to have unfairly challenged Alex Nimely in the penalty area – but the visitors were unable to pull a goal back as Kasper Schmeichel did well to save Sammy Clingan's spot kick.

The game did end on a sour note for the Foxes when Paul Konchesky was shown a straight red card for a dangerous foul on Alex Nimely, reducing the hosts to ten men with just over eight minutes remaining.

But Leicester held on for a crucial three points and back-to-back league wins at just the right time in the season, pushing Nigel Pearson's men up to eleventh in the Championship and keeping their play-off hopes very much alive.

Man of the Match – Wes Morgan

Leicester City 2 Middlesborough 2 - 1st February 2012

Beckford's fine display rescues point for Foxes

Jermaine Beckford has scored six goals in Leicester's last three home matches

Jermaine Beckford's late goal rescued a point for Leicester City in a fiery encounter with Middlesbrough at the King Power Stadium.

The Foxes took an early lead through David Nugent's header, but Middlesbrough drew level ten minutes later when Scott McDonald converted from a Seb Hines corner.

Tom McMahon's second-half free-kick looked to have secured all three points for the visitors, but Jermaine Beckford pounced onto a loose ball before coolly slotting home an equaliser with four minutes remaining.

Beckford turned in a stellar display for Leicester City, maintaining his excellent form from the FA Cup and silencing any critics since his big money move from Everton last year.

The hosts took the lead after just seven minutes when Richie Wellens picked out an unmarked David Nugent inside the six yard box with an audacious chip across goal, leaving the England international with the simplest of headers.

It was Nugent's tenth goal of the campaign and exactly what Nigel Pearson will have wanted from his side following three consecutive wins in all competitions.

But Tony Mowbray's men had other ideas and came close to equalising when Marvin Emnes' volley flew wide of the near post after Matt Mills' sliced clearance had conceded a corner kick.

Emnes then forced a fine save from Kasper Schmeichel with a fierce strike from twenty yards, before Middlesbrough drew level through Scott McDonald's close range finish after Leicester failed to deal with Seb Hines' corner kick.

It was a poor goal for the Foxes to concede but showed typical determination of a Tony Mowbray side refusing to lie down.

Paul Gallagher struck over before the half-hour mark after a mazy run from David Nugent, while Tom McMahon fired just wide at the other end of the pitch.

Nugent again fired wide of goal, and, despite appearing to be fouled after the ball had been played, received a caution for pleading his case with the referee.

Paul Gallagher was then brought down on the edge of the box under another late challenge by the Boro' defence, but the subsequent free-kick failed to test Luke Steele.

On the stroke of half-time, Neil Danns played a sublime ball over the top to Jermaine Beckford, but his volley flew just over the bar after a fantastic first touch.

Beckford had another chance to restore Leicester's lead in first-half stoppage time, but his dangerous strike was tipped over the bar by Luke Steele.

The second half continued where the first had left off, with strong challenges flying in with very few cautions from referee Gavin Ward.

Chances were few and far between for both sides, before Nigel Pearson then offered home debuts to new signing Danny Drinkwater and Aston Villa loanee Nathan Delfouneso, who sparked life into the game as Leicester went in search of a winner.

Jermaine Beckford then rattled the crossbar with a thunderous volley from a tight angle with Luke Steele completely beaten, before Sean St. Ledger conceded a free-kick on the edge of the Leicester penalty area after Danny Drinkwater had lost possession in a dangerous position.

Tom McMahon stepped up to curl an excellent strike past the helpless Kasper Schmeichel from twenty yards, giving the visiting side an unlikely advantage with ten minutes remaining.

Steve Howard entered the fray with seven minutes remaining as Nigel Pearson went in search of an equaliser with four strikers on the pitch, and the manager was rewarded for his bravery when Jermaine Beckford pounced on a loose ball back to Luke Steele, rounded the keeper and slotted home with precision.

It was Beckford's sixth goal in four games, capping off a scintillating performance from the former Everton and Leeds striker, and a deserved equaliser for the Foxes.

Leicester went in search of a winner when Steve Howard laid the ball off to Neil Danns on the edge of the area, but his shot was just off target.

Jermaine Beckford could have won it for the home side at the death when he broke the offside trap and latched onto Neil Danns' long ball, but his volley was off-balance and fell harmlessly wide of the goal.

The final whistle meant that Leicester have still failed to win back-to-back games in the Championship this season, although Nigel Pearson will have been pleased with his side's character to rescue a deserved point.

Man of the Match – Jermaine Beckford

Leicester City 0 Leeds United 1 - 6th November 2011

Second-half strike stuns managerless Foxes

© Isriya Paireepairit, Flickr


Adam Clayton's second-half goal gave Leeds United a narrow victory over Leicester City at the King Power Stadium this afternoon.


Clayton's 25 yard curling strike came with just over twenty minutes remaining and was a highlight in an otherwise lacklustre encounter between two promotion hopefuls in which the home side were condemned to their fourth home loss of the campaign.


Leicester played well in parts but struggled to create any clear cut chances after being frustrated throughout by a resolute Leeds defence.


Caretaker managers Mike Stowell and Jon Rudkin made no changes to the Leicester side that beat Burnley 3-1 at Turf Moor during the week, and the Foxes started brightly with some good build-up play between Paul Gallagher and David Nugent, before Steve Howard volleyed over the bar from eighteen yards.


Robert Snodgrass then tested his former team-mate and Leicester goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel at the near post after Andy Keogh had won a corner for the visitors following Sol Bamba's important block.


Richie Wellens had a dipping shot tipped over the bar by Alex McCarthy after fifteen minutes, while Ross McCormack fired high and wide at the other end of the pitch.


Paul Gallagher should have tested McCarthy just after the half-hour mark but dragged his shot well wide of the far post to sum up a fairly uninspiring first period.


Leicester showed more energy after the interval and came close to breaking the deadlock when his shot was deflected over the crossbar after excellent work from Richie Wellens.


David Nugent then had a shot blocked before Leicester had a penalty appeal turned down on the hour mark after Wellens appeared to have been brought down inside the penalty area.


But it was the visitors who went ahead with twenty minutes remaining when Adam Clayton took advantage of the Foxes' failure to close down a Leeds counter attack by curling the ball past the outstretched Kasper Schmeichel from 25 yards.


The goal was a strike worthy of winning any game, and the only real difference between the two sides on the day.


The goal spurred Leicester into making a double substitution; former Leeds man Jermaine Beckford replaced Steve Howard, while Neil Danns made way for Michael Johnson.


Beckford immediately looked sharp and was unfortunate not to latch onto the end of Kasper Schmeichel's long goal kick, before the Danish shot-stopper made a fine near-post save to keep out a strike from Robert Snodgrass.


Former Leicester defender Patrick Kisnorbo then made a vital stop to keep out Jermaine Beckford's goal-bound effort with ten minutes to go as Leicester continued in search of an equaliser.


But Paul Konchesky's wild strike from distance flew well wide of the goal with tow minutes remaining was Leicester's last real chance to draw level, and the final whistle indicated a second successive home defeat for the managerless Foxes.


Man of the Match – Patrick Kisnorbo