Levein hails Foxes backbone

[davieG]

All we've got to do now is learn how to attack and score whilst maintaining that defensive record!

We're obviously not finding that too easy, there again to do that is a sign of a good side and a winning side.

Levein: Pleased with defence < Source

Leicester manger Craig Levein now feels his Foxes side are becoming increasingly difficult to beat after extra emphasis was laid on players' defensive duties.

The Foxes lave lost only once in their last seven games in all competitions and last conceded two goals in a game back in September.

And Levein believes the hard work done on the club's Belvoir Road training pitches is now paying dividends.

Said the Foxes boss: "If you look at our recent games, whether at home or away, we have restricted the opposition to very few chances at goal.

"That means that we are working hard and the organisational side of things isn't too bad.

"I am really proud of the players."

[Benji]

it's true

[Ric Flair]

It's also clear proof that Levein and the coaches know what they are doing and have taight the defenders to defend properly. It wouldn't surprise me if they know focused on the strikers and midfielders on attacking responsibilities.

I heard you ran from the Gerrbrand, ran from the Gerrbrand.............

[Benji]

I heard you ran from the Gerrbrand, ran from the Gerrbrand.............

We finally have a defender...fin(e)-al-ly have a defender....

[Jordan]

If the team had a great set-piece taker, their offensive deficiencies wouldn't be so glaring. They certainly have big fellas that can knock crosses home.

[Ric Flair]

If the team had a great set-piece taker, their offensive deficiencies wouldn't be so glaring. They certainly have big fellas that can knock crosses home.

Who do?

[Manwell Pablo]

It's also clear proof that Levein and the coaches know what they are doing and have taight the defenders to defend properly. It wouldn't surprise me if they know focused on the strikers and midfielders on attacking responsibilities.

I heard you ran from the Gerrbrand, ran from the Gerrbrand.............

He's is managing like a Ex Centrel Defender though, give Big Dion and Sir Les a Coaching role I say, they will teach De Vires how to head a ball! ( and how to head butt between em no doubt :-( )

Seriouly though, he needs to lose his Grind out 1-0 results reputation if were ever going to go anywhere.

one thing im happy we havent chucked away a lead in the final minutes this season.

( If Ricardo Fuller Knocks one in in the Last Minute its been nice knowing u all I wont be coming back)

[Libertine]

He's is managing like a Ex Centrel Defender though, give Big Dion and Sir Les a Coaching role I say, they will teach De Vires how to head a ball! ( and how to head butt between em no doubt :-( )

Seriouly though, he needs to lose his Grind out 1-0 results reputation if were ever going to go anywhere.

one thing im happy we havent chucked away a lead in the final minutes this season.

( If Ricardo Fuller Knocks one in in the Last Minute its been nice knowing u all I wont be coming back)

Derby away.

[Frenzied]

He's is managing like a Ex Centrel Defender though, give Big Dion and Sir Les a Coaching role I say, they will teach De Vires how to head a ball! ( and how to head butt between em no doubt :-( )

Seriouly though, he needs to lose his Grind out 1-0 results reputation if were ever going to go anywhere.

one thing im happy we havent chucked away a lead in the final minutes this season.

( If Ricardo Fuller Knocks one in in the Last Minute its been nice knowing u all I wont be coming back)

That was O'Neill's main tactic while he was with us. No-one complained then.

[Dr The Singh]

That was O'Neill's main tactic while he was with us. No-one complained then.

But the difference is that O' neill's team played against teams that were supposedly far superior. City under O' neill were known for there never say die spirit and battling abilities against all odds.

I don't think you can compare CL's the scenario with that of Martin O' Neill, city in this league are one of the 'bigger' clubs and in theory should be challenging for atleast a play off spot. Don't get me wrong, i'm not anti CL, and I think he has done ok but I still think he is alittle too defensive in his playing strategy

[Manwell Pablo]

That was O'Neill's main tactic while he was with us. No-one complained then.

Yes but Tagert Elliot Rowet Even Spencer Prior, were defenders capable of not conceding goals, and we had strikers who could score goals as well. Mcarthy is to young to be of that quality and IMO will never be as good as Elliot, at same time Dubs is to old, Gerrband could be somewhere near that level after a bit of experince of English football granted but I would so he's no Matt Elliot at the moment.

Also they had the force that was Neil Lennon protecting them, another Player I dont think we will replace for a long long time.

Its a tatic that will see u into midtable, unless you have vastly superior players. which we dont.

Im not saying he will lose his grinding mentatlity for awhile, I for one think at this moment in time at least its the way foward, im getting tired of saying we have no out and out striker, but yet again I am forced too. With none of strikers red hot (De Vires 8 goals yes, but they have come in 5 of our 19 games, 14 games when he doesnt score who does?) and very very few goals are coming from Midfield, grinding out 1-0 wins is the way it pretty much has to be.

However, Until we are "hard to beat" As Mr Leviein keeps putting it. And we have more the one striker to put the ball in the net, and we possibly have another creative midfielder, and we start to get foward a bit more, not just in 10 15 min patches in a game. We are going to go absolutley no where.

maybe 6th at a push. But if we went up and he still had the same grinding mentalaty we would be straight back down even if we did get through the play offs, and it would not just be going down it would be embrassing.

I will Give Wigan as my example, and possibly West Ham., showing the way foward is to get foward find the back of the net, and defend strongly when you have to. Both of those teams show no signs of Grinding so to speak, just good attacking football, with good solid defending when needed. They have quality, granted but look at West hams team. Reo-Coker Antoin Ferdinand , Etherinton Harewood Not nessacerliy home grown but definatley talents devloped very well. They havent spent that much big money. Wigan as well Havent Spent Millions upon Millions, just looked at the areas they could improve on. To some up, i am saying we dont need to have lots of money to get some good creative players in, before people jump on my back saying we arent a big club blah blah cant afford good players dont compare us to Premier league teams.

Our Talents coming through, but espically going foward I think Strenghting is needed.

I say CL raids Leeds somewhat in January.

They Cant hold onto Healy Blake Hulse Cresswell Ian Moore & Micheal Ricketts can they. Why on earth do you need 5 decent strikers even if one is out on loan. might be a bit pricy got no chance with Healy, then again it doenst have to be Leeds, could be from anywhere, we had one or two strikers of that quality we would be challenging.

My main Beef with Levien is he must somewhere know that we need to stregthen going foward. But I just feel he will not act upon it and, buying a Good Striker will be the last thing he will want to do seeing as the signing of Hume is probabley going to be his last "big" sigining of the year in his mind.

I also he think he is too Stuborn and Arrognat to recognise players such as Hammond, Sylla, Hammil and will say even De Vries are increadibly inconsistent. If your a defensive minded Midfielder, or a Defender its hard to get in our team theres competition. if ur offensive player, its not. Smith gives more going foward and more Real competition to Sylla and Hammond, but still think 1 or 2 more attacking minded players are going to be needed to make people want to earn a place a bit more as well as spicing things up offering depth and allowing preperation for differnt games ect ect.

More Attacking Player More Attacking Tatics please.

[Ric Flair]

Yes but Tagert Elliot Rowet Even Spencer Prior, were defenders capable of not conceding goals, and we had strikers who could score goals as well. Mcarthy is to young to be of that quality and IMO will never be as good as Elliot, at same time Dubs is to old, Gerrband could be somewhere near that level after a bit of experince of English football granted but I would so he's no Matt Elliot at the moment.

Also they had the force that was Neil Lennon protecting them, another Player I dont think we will replace for a long long time.

Its a tatic that will see u into midtable, unless you have vastly superior players. which we dont.

Im not saying he will lose his grinding mentatlity for awhile, I for one think at this moment in time at least its the way foward, im getting tired of saying we have no out and out striker, but yet again I am forced too. With none of strikers red hot (De Vires 8 goals yes, but they have come in 5 of our 19 games, 14 games when he doesnt score who does?) and very very few goals are coming from Midfield, grinding out 1-0 wins is the way it pretty much has to be.

However, Until we are "hard to beat" As Mr Leviein keeps putting it. And we have more the one striker to put the ball in the net, and we possibly have another creative midfielder, and we start to get foward a bit more, not just in 10 15 min patches in a game. We are going to go absolutley no where.

maybe 6th at a push. But if we went up and he still had the same grinding mentalaty we would be straight back down even if we did get through the play offs, and it would not just be going down it would be embrassing.

I will Give Wigan as my example, and possibly West Ham., showing the way foward is to get foward find the back of the net, and defend strongly when you have to. Both of those teams show no signs of Grinding so to speak, just good attacking football, with good solid defending when needed. They have quality, granted but look at West hams team. Reo-Coker Antoin Ferdinand , Etherinton Harewood Not nessacerliy home grown but definatley talents devloped very well. They havent spent that much big money. Wigan as well Havent Spent Millions upon Millions, just looked at the areas they could improve on. To some up, i am saying we dont need to have lots of money to get some good creative players in, before people jump on my back saying we arent a big club blah blah cant afford good players dont compare us to Premier league teams.

Our Talents coming through, but espically going foward I think Strenghting is needed.

I say CL raids Leeds somewhat in January.

They Cant hold onto Healy Blake Hulse Cresswell Ian Moore & Micheal Ricketts can they. Why on earth do you need 5 decent strikers even if one is out on loan. might be a bit pricy got no chance with Healy, then again it doenst have to be Leeds, could be from anywhere, we had one or two strikers of that quality we would be challenging.

My main Beef with Levien is he must somewhere know that we need to stregthen going foward. But I just feel he will not act upon it and, buying a Good Striker will be the last thing he will want to do seeing as the signing of Hume is probabley going to be his last "big" sigining of the year in his mind.

I also he think he is too Stuborn and Arrognat to recognise players such as Hammond, Sylla, Hammil and will say even De Vries are increadibly inconsistent. If your a defensive minded Midfielder, or a Defender its hard to get in our team theres competition. if ur offensive player, its not. Smith gives more going foward and more Real competition to Sylla and Hammond, but still think 1 or 2 more attacking minded players are going to be needed to make people want to earn a place a bit more as well as spicing things up offering depth and allowing preperation for differnt games ect ect.

More Attacking Player More Attacking Tatics please.

Your use of capital letters is all over the gaff mate!

I agree with some of your points above but I wouldn't say Levein demands the players to grind out 1-0 wins. I wouldn't even say he puts out defensive teams the majority of the time, examples of teams who do are Burnley who play 4-5-1 even at home.

I think the problem is that we haven't got a striker who's confident at the minute. de Vries is always going to be inconsistent, he was at Hearts and he is with us but atleast he'll score you 10-15 goals a season which isn't that bad a return if you have another striker who can do the same. Elvis is lacking in luck, confidence and probably talent and he can't score and Hume is just finding his feet. I stand by my prediction that Hume can become a classy striker and finisher at this level but perhaps he needs a different type of striker alongside him. The biggest problem we have is that Hughes, Williams, Sylla and co aren't scoring which means the strikers are relied upon to score each game to give us a chance of winning.

All successful teams in this day and age have a good core of midfielders who score and that's what we are lacking. You can't really expect Kisnorbo or even Gudjonsson to get 8 or 9 goals a season but if Hughes ever gets fit then i'd be expecting him to score quite frequently and Williams. Sylla has no excuses either, he should be looking to shoot when he gets the chance and i'm sure Smith will score as many as any winger could or should given the chance.

January is a time when Levein needs to get a striker in, Blackstock would have been perfect on loan but we've missed out there. I would put a bid in for Adam Boyd from Hartlepool, he's not doing aswell this season and his price might have dropped so i'd snap him up. There would be no problems over his scoring ability and he's the sort of striker who Hume would relish playing alongside.

[Nationwider]

January is a time when Levein needs to get a striker in, Blackstock would have been perfect on loan but we've missed out there. I would put a bid in for Adam Boyd from Hartlepool, he's not doing aswell this season and his price might have dropped so i'd snap him up. There would be no problems over his scoring ability and he's the sort of striker who Hume would relish playing alongside.

Out until the new year at least, unfortunately and has only started 4 games this season. I think he'll be staying put, but I agree, I love to see him join City - a natural finisher with skill who can bring other players into the game.

And he lives down the road from me, so he can give me a lift to home games.

[Manwell Pablo]

Your use of capital letters is all over the gaff mate!

I agree with some of your points above but I wouldn't say Levein demands the players to grind out 1-0 wins. I wouldn't even say he puts out defensive teams the majority of the time, examples of teams who do are Burnley who play 4-5-1 even at home.

I think the problem is that we haven't got a striker who's confident at the minute. de Vries is always going to be inconsistent, he was at Hearts and he is with us but atleast he'll score you 10-15 goals a season which isn't that bad a return if you have another striker who can do the same. Elvis is lacking in luck, confidence and probably talent and he can't score and Hume is just finding his feet. I stand by my prediction that Hume can become a classy striker and finisher at this level but perhaps he needs a different type of striker alongside him. The biggest problem we have is that Hughes, Williams, Sylla and co aren't scoring which means the strikers are relied upon to score each game to give us a chance of winning.

All successful teams in this day and age have a good core of midfielders who score and that's what we are lacking. You can't really expect Kisnorbo or even Gudjonsson to get 8 or 9 goals a season but if Hughes ever gets fit then i'd be expecting him to score quite frequently and Williams. Sylla has no excuses either, he should be looking to shoot when he gets the chance and i'm sure Smith will score as many as any winger could or should given the chance.

January is a time when Levein needs to get a striker in, Blackstock would have been perfect on loan but we've missed out there. I would put a bid in for Adam Boyd from Hartlepool, he's not doing aswell this season and his price might have dropped so i'd snap him up. There would be no problems over his scoring ability and he's the sort of striker who Hume would relish playing alongside.

Yeah I have somthing distantly related to Dyslexia, I basically put capital letters in front of words I feel are important.

Boyd, ppff an option. I would say there are better ones if were going to open the cheque book.

Like you and I have both said more goals need to come from midfield. Remember Luton, Williams should of bagged at least 2 :-(.

Agreed Hume will find his feet, might take half a season though

[Manwell Pablo]

Out until the new year at least, unfortunately and has only started 4 games this season. I think he'll be staying put, but I agree, I love to see him join City - a natural finisher with skill who can bring other players into the game.

And he lives down the road from me, so he can give me a lift to home games.

Hate to say it mate but i see him moving house if he was to move to Leicester