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+----- Thread: Leicester vs WBA - Match Thread (/showthread.php?tid=677)
Leicester vs WBA - Match Thread - Ska'dForLife-WBA - 29-10-2014
This time last week, I wrote that our four upcoming matches would be a fantastic chance for both Irvine and the team to prove themselves following a tough couple of games from which they emerged with credit but few points. Seven days on and two winnable matches later, whatever they've proved has not been overwhelmingly positive. Of course the margins are always fine in football, but as the saying goes: the harder you work, the luckier you get.
Our next two matches are no easier than the last two, and results are not guaranteed by any means, but at the very least, I want us to ditch the hard luck stories and replace them with hard work stories.
![[Image: Chris_Wood_3191584.jpg]](http://s30.postimg.org/pzxk2gayp/Chris_Wood_3191584.jpg)
On being told that he wouldn't be sold to Wolves this season, Chris could hardly contain his disappointment.
Leicester's need for wins is no less pressing than our own. A poor run over the last month has seen them lose on the road at three teams around them in the table, and only manage a draw at home against a Burnley team who on current form would struggle to get a result against Barnstoneworth United (if you're too young to have seen any decent television in your life, Google it). Of course, all this means nothing. For Albion, the season of goodwill has always run annually from August till May, and during that period any footballing vagrants down on their luck are liable to find themselves freely gifted points off the Baggies, as if we were once stopped on the high street by someone with a clipboard saying "Now, surely you can afford to give just two points a week to those less fortunate than you. In fact, how about three? If you can spare three points a week for Birmingham City right now, they'll send you a lovely homemade Christmas card."
For that reason, I'm reluctant to go into this match expecting big things. Failing to beat Palace does put extra pressure on Irvine to deliver a win elsewhere - such is the nature of the Premier League - but a Leicester side with a pacy forward line and the full support of a noisy home crowd behind them are perfectly capable of inflicting damage on us, as every team to visit them this season has discovered. It's anything but an easy fixture, folks.
Brace yourselves for another rollercoaster Saturday...
Classic Match
Leicester City vs West Bromwich Albion
Football League Division One: 9th April 1996
If there's one man who could tell you all about managerial pressure, it's Alan Buckley, having invited it on himself with weekly gusto for the better part of three years. In spring 1996, with relegation threatening despite having been second in the league the previous autumn, Buckley's Albion needed a result from Filbert Street as Martin O'Neill's Leicester pushed for promotion. He talked the talk before the game ("We're not going to Leicester looking for a draw, if that's what people think") and with recent signing Richard Sneekes in red-hot form after scoring six in seven, there was some hope. In fact, the local bookies' decision to offer 9/1 odds on the Dutchman scoring first was a bit suicidal... and didn't he teach them a lesson in style?
It all got very backs to the wall as the game went on, but if there's one thing Albion excel at, it's a good stoppage-time header from a centre-half. G-Mac would have been proud of this one.
RE: Leicester vs WBA - Match Thread - wba_1996 - 29-10-2014
There are no must win games this early in the season, but after the past week and looking at our run-in, anything other than a win here will seriously dent my recent optimism for the season.
Foster
Wisdom - Dawson - Lescott - Pocognoli
Gardner - Morrison
Gamboa - Sessegnon - Brunt
Berahino
Wisdom - Dawson - Lescott - Pocognoli
Gardner - Morrison
Gamboa - Sessegnon - Brunt
Berahino
One change from the Palace game for me, drop Dorrans for the sole reason that Dozza/Mozza/Gardner/Brunt are almost carbon copies of each other and playing all 4 together means we are too one-dimensional. Morrison could be dropped too but Mulumbu was poor last night and I can't see AI dropping any of them tbh. Gamboa should be given a go in front of Wisdom, I know a lot of Albion fans have been calling for it and after last nights shambles and the way Palace's pace ripped us to shreds at times I am beginning to agree with them, we need more pace out wide in the final third.
p.s - If Ideye gets a chance in this one he needs to take it, the longer his ineffectiveness goes on the worse his confidence will get and the more the fans will turn against him and the £10m price tag.
RE: Leicester vs WBA - Match Thread - WBA-Josh - 29-10-2014
Foster
Wisdom-Dawson-Lescott-Pocognoli
Morrison-Gardner
Brunt-Sessegnon-Blanco
Berahino
Myhill
McAuley
Gamboa
Mulumbu
Dorrans
Anichebe
Ideye
I think AI will play the same 11 that started the 2nd half against Palace. That means just 1 change with Anichebe in for Sessegnon.
RE: Leicester vs WBA - Match Thread - Dingle-Dingle - 29-10-2014
VA fell over last night he may be injured again.
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.This is said tongue in cheek .... I know nothing. DD
RE: Leicester vs WBA - Match Thread - Slick_Footwork - 31-10-2014
I'd expect Irvine to start the same team that drew against Palace, as he
seems to like continuity.
I don't think it has enough pace or width, but if you're playing with a narrow
midfield, I guess it is more suited to away games.
It's a big game because it's the first away game against a side that will be
in the 'shake up'. We've already failed to beat 2 of the 3 sides below us in
the table who we've played at home, so our away form against our rivals
could be vital.
It's not much win at this stage, but a loss will make me thing we have a very
long season ahead of us.
RE: Leicester vs WBA - Match Thread - Stairs - 31-10-2014
It's a must win game for me!
I was sick to the stomach with the first half against Palace and was disgusted with the performance against Bournemouth. No Grit from the players and rubbish selection and tactics from the coach.
They owe it to the fans, and themselves, to show us it was a blip and that they can do better.
RE: Leicester vs WBA - Match Thread - DanTheSmethwickMan - 31-10-2014
Really have no clue what team he is going to go with this week after two dreadful performances. Varela back in training so would be nice to see him make the bench, but won't get my hopes up too soon as I'm sure we won't need these pacey wingers...
Foster
Wisdom Dawson Lescott Poco
Dorrans Mulumbu Gardner Morrison
Sess
Berahino
But that has no chance as if Brunt is fit I'm sure he is first name on team sheet.
RE: Leicester vs WBA - Match Thread - Ska'dForLife-WBA - 31-10-2014
To be honest, for a team unbeaten at home all season - and that includes against Man Utd and Arsenal - demanding a win at Leicester just seems over the top to me. If we DO win then fair enough, but you have to acknowledge that these guys are no pushovers on their turf, and they've got ferocious support behind them. Plus, it's the beginning of November; at this stage of the season, any point on the road remains a good one.
RE: Leicester vs WBA - Match Thread - drewks - 31-10-2014
I honestly don't mind losing games, as long as we give 100% and stick to a good gameplan.
I thought we were getting there till this time last week; it remains to be seen if AI can turn the last 2 performances round. I really think he's 'got the dressing room', as they say, so he SHOULD be able to.
We DO always seem to pull together when we're up against it so, in light of Ska'ds comments above (which I agree with) let's hope for an unexpected and thoroughly deserved 3 points!
RE: Leicester vs WBA - Match Thread - Squirrel Regis - 31-10-2014
Can't wait for the game tomoz, 3200 boinging Baggies. Don't know why but just fancy. 2-1 win.
Yes Leicester beat Man U but as long as we can defend well why the hell shouldn't we win ?
C O Y B. Anyone else going ?