Reaction to Ipswich

[leicesterweb]

http://www.bbc.co.uk/leicester/content/art...y_feature.shtml

Interviews with Levein, Hughes and a report

[Mark]

Few more comments

Leicester boss Craig Levein saw his side's run of seven matches unbeaten away come to an end but was pleased his team carved out several good opportunities: "I was happy that we created so many great chances away to the league leaders. The goal we did score was a wonderful effort by Jordan Stewart, but it was the hardest chance of the lot.

"Pretty good goalkeeping by Kelvin Davis and bad luck kept us out, otherwise we would have scored two or three.

"It was disappointing to concede two goals from set-pieces. We have conceded too many goals from corners in recent weeks and I'll have to take a look at that.

"In open play we put them under pressure and I was satisfied with our overall performance. I am trying to build a team but that takes a bit of time.

"We are a different proposition to what we were seven or eight weeks ago and we are beginning to believe in ourselves. It's no coincidence that we are playing better."

[davieG]

Here's the report off the OS

Levein On Defeat

Craig Levein says he can take a number of positives out of Leicester's 2-1 defeat at the hands of Ipswich Town at Portman Road.

City went behind as early as the second minute of the contest when Shefki Kuqi headed home a Jim Magilton header.

And Ipswich captain was the provider again as the end of the half approached - Mark de Vries bundling the ball past his own 'keeper.

But the Foxes huffed and puffed and almost completed a remarkable comeback.

Jordan Stewart gave them a chance when he expertly fired home a curing free-kick with just eight minutes remaining.

That set up a real grandstand finish to the contest, but Ipswich 'keeper Kelvin Davis was in inspired form and Levein's men would head back home with nothing to show for their endeavour.

Speaking after the game, the City boss said: "We created as many good chances as we have done in any of the matches since we took over, but a goalkeeper in form and a little bit of bad luck cost us.

"The pleasing thing for me was that we didn't at any point look like we had accepted the fact that we were 2-0 down away from home against the league leaders. We always looked like we might get something.

"I counted seven really good opportunities and with the quality of players that we have we should score three goals from them, which would have been enough to win the game.

"We lost both goals to corners which is something we are going to have to have a look at. We set up a certain way for them which worked for us up the road in Scotland but we are not quite doing it as we'd like down here. We might be changing that and it is something that I can have an influence on.

"We normally pride ourselves at being good defensively from set pieces but we weren't today. I will take some responsibility for that.

"Mark de Vries looked to be a bit unsighted for their second goal which was bad luck, but if you put quality balls into the box then it causes panic. It swerved into the six-yard box and hit Mark on the knee before rebounding into Ian Walker's face. But I was less disappointed with that goal than their first which was a free header.

"I told the players afterwards that is a measure of their confidence that they were disappointed not to win today. If we can continue the momentum that we have gathered together in the last six weeks and take the positives out of the day then we are heading in the right direction."

Levein handed full debuts to both de Vries and Stephen Hughes on the day.

He added: "I thought that Stephen played well on his first start. It was good to give Mark 90 minutes and he and David (Connolly) will play better together for that. Our two strikers didn't have the best of games today but the fact that we created so many chances gives me something to look forward to. The more games that they play together the greater their understanding will become. "

Levein finally looked ahead to next Saturday's sell-out FA Cup fifth round clash against Charlton Athletic at the Valley, concluding: "If we can perform at a similar level next week and defend a little tighter then we have got a chance. Obviously it is a tall order but we will take confidence out of the Ipswich game despite the result."

Refreshing to have a Manager that accepts some degree of responsibility when things don't go to plan - Good on you CL

[davieG]

you could have won today had you taken your chances - OK you have a largely workmanlike team, with few "flair" players but you gave us a game and, if you had defended from corners, then we would be talking differently

Good luck against Wigan and Sunderland !!!!!

From an Ipswich Fan off another forum

[Wellman]

I don't know how they are top to be honest with you. An Ipswich fan before the game aid to me and my dad that he didn't know how they were top, so that some's up our league! If Ipswich are top, that shows the standard <_<

[Guest]

Ipswich didn't give us any time on the ball to be fair, and they have a better squad than most in the division.

Had we taken our chances, we could easily have won.

I would also like to add that I hate Ipswich, I hate Portman Road, I hate the A14, and I hate the rain, especially when it's cold.

I've had a really shit day today, if you hadn't already guessed.

[Anish]

We were not unlucky to miss our chances - we just weren't good enough, simple as that. There is no luck involved whatsoever when you miss chances from 6 yards out like Connolly did in the first half and when you miss free headers when 7/8 yards like Scowy. Some of the chances we missed were truly shameful.

[Simon]

Ipswich didn't give us any time on the ball to be fair, and they have a better squad than most in the division.

Had we taken our chances, we could easily have won.

I would also like to add that I hate Ipswich, I hate Portman Road, I hate the A14, and I hate the rain, especially when it's cold.

I've had a really shit day today, if you hadn't already guessed.

65976[/snapback]

The A14 is possibly THE worst road I have ever driven on. There is an accident on it almost wthout fail EVERY DAY.

Shame you had a bad day, I was hoping to go as its only just up the road from me but- gah you know what happens!

Lets hope we can get a bit more luck (and our strikers learn how to finish) for next week in the cup

[Guest]

Ipswich didn't give us any time on the ball to be fair, and they have a better squad than most in the division.

Had we taken our chances, we could easily have won.

I would also like to add that I hate Ipswich, I hate Portman Road, I hate the A14, and I hate the rain, especially when it's cold.

I've had a really shit day today, if you hadn't already guessed.

65976[/snapback]

The A14 is possibly THE worst road I have ever driven on. There is an accident on it almost wthout fail EVERY DAY.

Shame you had a bad day, I was hoping to go as its only just up the road from me but- gah you know what happens!

Lets hope we can get a bit more luck (and our strikers learn how to finish) for next week in the cup

66015[/snapback]

So do I, and I'm glad it's not just me!