Passion clashes so vital

[Nebdingo]

Leicester City kick off their "league within a league" at Coventry on Friday night, knowing that the top Midlands team are likely to be at the heart of the promotion challenge.

The Sky Blues - along with City, Birmingham, Stoke, Derby, Wolves and West Brom - form a group producing no less than 42 derbies.

That means 126 points are up for grabs in matches between them, so no wonder there is more than the usual spice to the local clashes this season.

City assistant manager Mike Stowell experienced lots of Midlands derbies in his Wolves days. He said: "I think (Birmingham manager) Steve Bruce said recently that if you come out on top in the Midlands derbies you will do very well.

"They raise passion in the fans, the media stir things up, and the tension is high.

"The atmosphere makes it tougher in many ways. You shouldn't need to raise your game but derbies are like that. This will be no different.

"Two games ago, Coventry were destined for the play-offs, we were all doom and gloom and now we are above them. That is what this league is about, 46 battles, 46 scraps, and it is never won over the first three weeks."

Midfielder James Wesolowski took a step towards full match fitness with a 90-minute run-out in a closed-doors 4-1 win over Mansfield Town.

Manager Robert Kelly said: "James needs these games and it was good to see him come through the whole 90 minutes because, with a busy schedule, we are going to need as many players as possible available."

The goals came from Chris O'Grady, Mark de Vries, Andy King and Louis Dodds in what was the start of City's Reserves season as they are no longer in a second-string league.

Meanwhile, City are awaiting the next contact from Sunderland over Alan Maybury's possible move. I understand there has been little development since the Wearsiders' weekend approach for the Republic of Ireland international.

Source

[Head Honcho]

This also applies to the relegation battle!

A point a game will just about do us