Levein - So Open

[davieG]

Levein: Tough Task Ahead

Leicester manager Craig Levein says he expects his

toughest test yet when Sunderland visit the

Walkers Stadium on Saturday afternoon.

Levein has seen his side gain four points from

their last two games - the latest an impressive

3-0 victory over Coventry City.

That win pushed the Foxes up to 12th position in

the Championship table - just six points off the

play-off places.

And the former Hearts boss believes that

Saturday's clash will give him a good guide as to

far his team has come during his short time in

charge.

Looking ahead to the game, Levein said: "The

players have been lifted from the result on Monday

night, but I think that Sunderland will provide us

with a stiffer test. Maybe the game will give us a

fair indication as to where we are in the league.

"Mick (McCarthy) has had a couple of years to

build the team and it looks as though he is doing

a very good job. Things are certainly heading in

the right direction for them.

"We've had a great week on the training ground,

but not many league games are won on there

unfortunately.

"We have been looking at stopping crosses from the

opposition and also putting them in with better

quality ourselves. I am hopeful that what we have

done on the training ground can be taken on to the

pitch this weekend and we can see further

improvement.

"It's amazing that we have scored five goals in

our last two games and the strikers haven't got on

the scoresheet. Both have played very well to be

honest and have had numerous opportunities. If we

can get them on the scoresheet this weekend I will

be very pleased.

"There are still a lot of places up for grabs in

the squad. The players who have done well in the

last two matches obviously have the first claim on

any places, but nobody has done enough to deserve

to keep their place for any amount of time. They

should still be very much on their toes.

"We looked at Lee Morris in training when we

arrived and he looked very lively. I know his

history and he hasn't been involved here very

much. He was sold to Derby County for a lot of

money at one point so obviously someone thought

something of him.

"He is the type of lad who fits into the age

bracket that we are missing. He is yet to start a

match but he has looked lively when he has come

off the bench. He is one that we are obviously

hopeful can improve and become a regular member of

the team.

Levein also went on to confirm the captaincy

situation.

He added: "Matt Elliott would have been captain of

the team had he been fit but he has a knee

problem. We don't really know the players that

well but Danny (Tiatto) has international

experience and he is a reasonable age. He has

played in the Premiership and it was a logical

choice for him to be captain and he has done

fairly well so far.

"Everybody has been great here since we arrived.

Rob (Kelly), Peter (Houston), Kenny (Black) and

myself have also commented in private

conversations how well we have been treated by

everyone at the club - that includes the players

and the supporters as well. The reception that we

got on Monday night was brilliant.

"We had a good feeling about the place anyway, but

to be treated with the respect that we have been

makes things so much better."

[Ash]

Atleast he's being realistic

[Ricey]

I don't ever remember Micky talking about what they have done in training before a match.

I love the way Levein conducts himself in interviews, he speaks alot of sense.

[Wellman]

he reminds me soooo much of good old o'neil. Lets hope he can bring the same success as him! UP THE CITY!

[Ric Flair]

He's more hands on than O'Neill though. Martin never got involved in training, he left that all to John Robertson. That surprises me really because isn't being a manager all about training and stuff, that's all the fun of it.

I think Levein is going to be a legend at this club, his interviews are spot on every time. I like the sound of the crosses they've been working on, Adams never seemed arsed about crosses being whipped in.