U18s draw with Coventry

[Steven]

From the OS.

Youngsters Pegged Back

Leicester City's under 18 side were involved in an epic 3-3 draw with local rivals Coventry City at the Belvoir Drive training ground on Saturday.

Goals from Eric Odhiambo and Andy King (2) had put the Foxes three goals up with just 25 minutes on the clock.

But Coventry fought back to make it 3-2 ahead of the break - and would clinch the equaliser with just 15 minutes of the game remaining.

Academy manager Jon Rudkin said: "It was obviously pleasing to watch us go three goals up before the half hour mark, but to be fair to Coventry they were always in the game - even in the early stages.

"We will take plenty away from the fixture. It's all part of the learning curve for these young players.

"Of course we are disappointed to lose a three goal lead, but we will work on what went wrong during the week and try to put it right when we travel to MK Dons next weekend."

City: Pentney, Cox (Garner), Lycett, Magunda (Rowe-Turner), Mattock, Gradel, King, Tejan-Sie, Beswick, McKay, Odhiambo (Rochester).

Picture: Midfielder Andy King grabbed two headed goals on the day

[Thracian]

When are we going to get Andy King involved in the first team with Louis Dodds?

For the second or third time running today I thought we had chances that Dodds would have despatched with ease and King can surely add more threat to our central midfield.

[Jonbluefox9]

Missed most of the first half therefore all of our goals and Cov's first but saw the last two. Disappointing to have to mention yet another incident between Gradel and an opposing player. Off the ball, one of their defenders was on the deck and it looked like he held Gradel back a bit. It looked to me as if Gradel stamped on his leg as he tried to get free and then the two went head-to-head for a few moments. The ref just told them both to stop messing about and no further action was taken. If this lad doesn't make it at Leicester City there's a reason and the reason will be his attitude.

Good to see Chambers walking without crutches about the place and Cox get a start at right back. Hasn't had much of a look in so far this season but I thought he did quite well for himself. Probably didn't get forward as much as Magunda has done when playing there but tried to get involved as often as possible.

Conditions weren't the best and we played some sloppy stuff at times. 5th time this season we've conceded 3 or more which won't always mean we drop points due to the number of goals we score but today and against Watford at home it has meant we've dropped 2 points

[Thracian]

Missed most of the first half therefore all of our goals and Cov's first but saw the last two. Disappointing to have to mention yet another incident between Gradel and an opposing player. Off the ball, one of their defenders was on the deck and it looked like he held Gradel back a bit. It looked to me as if Gradel stamped on his leg as he tried to get free and then the two went head-to-head for a few moments. The ref just told them both to stop messing about and no further action was taken. If this lad doesn't make it at Leicester City there's a reason and the reason will be his attitude.

Good to see Chambers walking without crutches about the place and Cox get a start at right back. Hasn't had much of a look in so far this season but I thought he did quite well for himself. Probably didn't get forward as much as Magunda has done when playing there but tried to get involved as often as possible.

Conditions weren't the best and we played some sloppy stuff at times. 5th time this season we've conceded 3 or more which won't always mean we drop points due to the number of goals we score but today and against Watford at home it has meant we've dropped 2 points

I'd imagine Gradel will remain utterly frustrated. Having had reserve matches last season it must be frustrating going back to nothing but Academy football and knowing that's about the best you can look forward too.

I take your point and he is temperamental but Tiatto puts someone out for weeks with a tackle at Southampton and is also accused or suspected by Soton fans of head butting someone else, yet he remains a hero with some at City. Gradel gets a bit involved with someone who was probably fouling him in the first place and he's got a suspect temperament.

It's all to do with where you are in the heirarchy I guess.

I know Chambers is still sidelined but did Lycett and Magunda play or were we playing with half a first choice defence?.

[Fez of Mahrez]

I'd imagine Gradel will remain utterly frustrated. Having had reserve matches last season it must be frustrating going back to nothing but Academy football and knowing that's about the best you can look forward too.

I take your point and he is temperamental but Tiatto puts someone out for weeks with a tackle at Southampton and is also accused or suspected by Soton fans of head butting someone else, yet he remains a hero with some at City. Gradel gets a bit involved with someone who was probably fouling him in the first place and he's got a suspect temperament.

It's all to do with where you are in the heirarchy I guess.

I know Chambers is still sidelined but did Lycett and Magunda play or were we playing with half a first choice defence?.

Partly justifiable in general because Tiatto's game is all about getting in people's faces whereas Gradel just seems like he's spoiling for a fight rather than getting on with his natural game from what I've seen and heard.

[Thracian]

Partly justifiable in general because Tiatto's game is all about getting in people's faces whereas Gradel just seems like he's spoiling for a fight rather than getting on with his natural game from what I've seen and heard.

I think Gradel's natural game is scoring goals and making goals - and he's done that just as effectively as Tiatto's got stuck in. What is it - 93 goals or something similar for the Academy side so far?

[Fez of Mahrez]

I think Gradel's natural game is scoring goals and making goals - and he's done that just as effectively as Tiatto's got stuck in. What is it - 93 goals or something similar for the Academy side so far?

I wasn't disputing that. You compared Gradel's attitude with Tiatto's, just saying that Tiatto's is all part of his game whereas Gradel's is a needless departure from his game. He seems to me like he's a genuinely arrogant and petulant young man and regardless of talent, that's never going to impress a first team manager.

[Thracian]

I wasn't disputing that. You compared Gradel's attitude with Tiatto's, just saying that Tiatto's is all part of his game whereas Gradel's is a needless departure from his game. He seems to me like he's a genuinely arrogant and petulant young man and regardless of talent, that's never going to impress a first team manager.

Yes. I've seen what impresses the manager on our right wing.

Gradel could be everything you say - or he could be a young kid a long way from home.

[Fez of Mahrez]

Yes. I've seen what impresses the manager on our right wing.

Gradel could be everything you say - or he could be a young kid a long way from home.

Or he could be both.

I'm not arguing about his ability.

[Leonisco]

Good to see Chambers walking without crutches about the place and Cox get a start at right back. Hasn't had much of a look in so far this season but I thought he did quite well for himself. Probably didn't get forward as much as Magunda has done when playing there but tried to get involved as often as possible.

Is Magunda predominantly a RB or a CB?

[Thracian]

Is Magunda predominantly a RB or a CB?

Right-back so far. And coming on well up to his injury in the Youth Cup. Starting to get forward more than he used to.

[Leonisco]

Right-back so far. And coming on well up to his injury in the Youth Cup. Starting to get forward more than he used to.

Sounds like a promising player. Is he still involved with the England youth teams?

[Thracian]

Sounds like a promising player. Is he still involved with the England youth teams?

I think so.

He's fit, getting stronger and is fairly fast for a defender. If I have a criticism it is that he doesn't always read the game but that might come in time.

Also although hes supports attacks more, he doesn't always pick out the most hurtful pass.

But he is consistent and he will do the simple thing if a colleague makes a run into space. Also he tends to pass the ball to feet rather than aiming it hopefully and high into some general area, a big plus for me.

One of the disappointments about Stearman this season is how often he plays aimless balls instead of making the shorter, simpler passes of which he's quite capable.

It may be rather purist but with the phsical demands of modern football and the speeds which teams are capable of breaking forward, the cardinal sin of a footballer is to give possession away unnecessarily.

Forwards are bound to do it because they have to try the unexpected to prise open ever faster and more resilient defences.

But full-backs need to get the ball forward safely and accurately. Magunda is pretty good in that respect and is starting to be a bit more assertive, a bit more in opponents faces.

[Simi]

When are we going to get Andy King involved in the first team with Louis Dodds?

For the second or third time running today I thought we had chances that Dodds would have despatched with ease and King can surely add more threat to our central midfield.

I thought yesterday was an ideal chance to throw Dodds on and see how he did.Although it may of not being a chance to judge him against Prem opposition, it would of being nice to see him as he would of being raring to go.

[Thracian]

I wish one of the tame journos would ask Kelly straight what the hell he's got against Dodds.

[Simi]

I wish one of the tame journos would ask Kelly straight what the hell he's got against Dodds.

Let's hope the BBC don't ask they would probably ask about the wrong player.

[Flynny]

Let's hope the BBC don't ask they would probably ask about the wrong player.

Or call him 'Doods'. Did anyone hear the comentators prasing 'Levvy' Porter yesterday on MOTD?

[Milky]

Or call him 'Doods'. Did anyone hear the comentators prasing 'Levvy' Porter yesterday on MOTD?

yes! that really cracked me up. Surely everyone knows how to pronounce levi, what a plonker.

[Fez of Mahrez]

Let's hope the BBC don't ask they would probably ask about the wrong player.

from www.bbc.co.uk/footbawl

Leicester Town head coach and horses Rob Kelkoo.co.uk has intimated that former Academic strike man person Lewis Dodgson may get a place on the bench-o-rama for the forthcoming FA Cup 1st Round replay with Colchestington Unified at Player Node.

[Simi]

Or call him 'Doods'. Did anyone hear the comentators prasing 'Levvy' Porter yesterday on MOTD?

Yes . Wait until he tears apart Cashley Cole in the Prem... He'll no his name then.

[Flynny]

from www.bbc.co.uk/footbawl

Leicester Town head coach and horses Rob Kelkoo.co.uk has intimated that former Academic strike man person Lewis Dodgson may get a place on the bench-o-rama for the forthcoming FA Cup 1st Round replay with Colchestington Unified at Player Node.

lol

That's brilliant.

[Thracian]

from www.bbc.co.uk/footbawl

Leicester Town head coach and horses Rob Kelkoo.co.uk has intimated that former Academic strike man person Lewis Dodgson may get a place on the bench-o-rama for the forthcoming FA Cup 1st Round replay with Colchestington Unified at Player Node.

[Kilworthfox]

What's actually happened to the youth team? Since the youth cup loss to Wolves seems everythings gone to pot!

[Thracian]

What's actually happened to the youth team? Since the youth cup loss to Wolves seems everythings gone to pot!

Not sure who actually played but normally of course, some of our best Academy players would have been getting reserve games but this hasn't happened this season and we were dragging a forward from the under 16's last time I watched - another guy called King.

There was also a predictable reaction to the Youth Cup defeat both in terms of tiredness and disappointment.

But since then we're still only talking in terms of a defeat against a top side and a draw against another always competitive side.

I wish the first team were sitting on top of the table contemplating a crisis.

But I'm still surprised their lost a 3-0 lead.

[Kilworthfox]

Not sure who actually played but they've lost regular substitute Chambers, plus Magunda and possibly even Lycett with injury from defence which definitely won't have helped because the team has been a pretty consistent line-up this season and will have been quite seriously disrupted, especially if Mattock's had to move from left-back as in the youth cup.

Normally of course, some of our best Academy players would have been getting reserve games but this hasn't happened this season and we were dragging a forward from the under 16's last time I watched - another guy called King.

There was also a predictable reaction to the Youth Cup defeat both in terms of tiredness and disappointment.

But since then we're still only talking in terms of a defeat against a top side and a draw against another always competitive side.

I wish the first team were sitting on top of the table contemplating a crisis.

Goes to show how ill thought out a decision it was not to have a reserve team this year. All cost cutting at the moment.