Crystal Palace - Friendly

[Moreton]

1-1 Final Score

Matt Oakley the scorer for City.

Some are saying Max gradel is Man of the Match, He'll have some real compeition from Nicky Adams for that postition.

Overall a good test for Leicester.

Next Game, The Dons at the Walkers, Leicester City's first ever in League One Football.

[maddog]

1-1

Not a bad result against a top 6 Championship side.

Away from home, i know it's only a pre-season friendly but it aint a bad result.

Sounds like we played pretty average though apart from Gradel.

[MikeyT]

Good game from what it sounded.

We sound very promising as an attacking unit and equally as good at the back.

Yes we havent had a pre season game where we've had a clean sheet, but the team is still gelling and getting to know each other but it certainly looks positive for the upcoming game next week.

For me personally Gradel has to start, with possibly Adams on the bench and Dyer on the other wing.

All in all a good workout in the game today and against Birmingham, which we certainly didnt deserve to lose.

Bring on the Dons!!

[UrbanFox]

Yeah we sounded alright today, looking forward to next week now, Will be intresting to see who starts on the right hand side of midfield as the 2 best players of pre season have been Adams and Gradel in my opinion. still think we maybe need another forward (who can score) and a replacement for James Chambers as cover at full back if he ends up at donny.

BLUE ARMY

[jonno24]

After all this hype over Max Gradel i really hope he delivers this season as i feel that the side we have is morethan capable of promotion

BLUE ARMY

[Benji]

Obviously listening to a game your restricted to views based on another's perceptions of the game but still the most impressive and encouraging thing for me is the attacking mentality we seem to have developed.

Gradel helps immensely as every time he gets the ball the only thing in his mind is to attack, but all the team seem to have adopted the same attitude and follow suit, with plenty of shots on goal.

Another pleasing thing for me is the fact we are USING our main midfield attacking threat of Gradel. So many times we've had players with the potential but completely neglected from the game.

Let's hope we've not ''peaked'' too early

[foxaholic]

Obviously listening to a game your restricted to views based on another's perceptions of the game but still the most impressive and encouraging thing for me is the attacking mentality we seem to have developed.

Gradel helps immensely as every time he gets the ball the only thing in his mind is to attack, but all the team seem to have adopted the same attitude and follow suit, with plenty of shots on goal.

Another pleasing thing for me is the fact we are USING our main midfield attacking threat of Gradel. So many times we've had players with the potential but completely neglected from the game.

Let's hope we've not ''peaked'' too early

[Moreton]

?

[Asha]

?

[Steven]

From alex on TB who went to the game.

++Strike me down obvisouly++

But I was v.impressed with the lads today.....Blimey, some of the best football we seem to have played in ages IMO.

Stand out players were Gradel, Oakley (second half), Morrison (even though some numpty reckoned he was 'shit'), Dyer and actually all of them to be fair!

Seriously I thought we were far the better side, not bad at all at this stage of proceedings!

For my money too, Kish looked amazing when he came on for the also impressive King. I hope to see Kish this year.

Why on earth Gradel wasn't called back from loan last season is totally beyond me too....

[1884]

Just got back from the game, and to say I'm pleased with that performace is an understatement. Compleletly played Palace off the park for 85 minutes (the 5 they got there goal in!). The movement on and off the ball was such an improvement for last season and the Birmingham game on Tuesday.

I sat in the Palace end and unfortuantely Alan Curbishly was sat in the posh seats, and i just hope he was watching our left wing and not our right! Gradel was surperb, collecting the ball and his first instinct was to attack at the Palace left back. He got kicked a few times but brushed himself down and went again. A couple of great pieces of skill had some of the Palace fans clapping too, a joy to watch, and hopefully more of the same!

Oakley was solid as today aswell, Fryatt took a knock before half time, so that's probably why he was brought off, came out after half time and was limping so hopefully he'll be alright for next week. Tunchev also took a knock, but didn't look too bad. Mattock played OK, so hopefully not enough to impress Curbishly who left before the end!

Why Barry Hayles is still on our pay roll I don't know! DJ looked lively when he was intorduced, as did Nicky Adams. Lloyd Dyer was fairly inactive on the left, but I was once again impressed with Andy King in the centre of the park, spraying balls left and right, but also backwards to start again, rather than just lumping it upfront. Howard actually played alright! Won a majority of his headers against a certain Paddy McCarthy and laid the ball off out wide or through for Fryatt.

Overall, very satisfied with the performance, and I'm sure the other 160 odd city fans who made the journey. Quick mention to the Foxestalk flag which successfully endured it's first outing today! Roll on Saturday

[Rodders]

Just got back from the game, and to say I'm pleased with that performace is an understatement. Compleletly played Palace off the park for 85 minutes (the 5 they got there goal in!). The movement on and off the ball was such an improvement for last season and the Birmingham game on Tuesday.

I sat in the Palace end and unfortuantely Alan Curbishly was sat in the posh seats, and i just hope he was watching our left wing and not our right! Gradel was surperb, collecting the ball and his first instinct was to attack at the Palace left back. He got kicked a few times but brushed himself down and went again. A couple of great pieces of skill had some of the Palace fans clapping too, a joy to watch, and hopefully more of the same!

Still interested in Mattock maybe?

EDIT: If I'd read on I'd have seen that you mentioned this in the next paragraph. Sorry!

[1884]

Still interested in Mattock maybe?

That was my thinking, or maybe he was looking at Moses or Skannel for Palace?

[wellsy]

Good result, still no clean sheet though.

Suppose its against a good side so overall good result for the mighty foxes.

Bring on the Dons saturday

[Salieri]

Been working all day so only just found out the result. After reading all of the in game and post match comments it looks like the general consensus is that it was a pretty encouraging performance!

Sounds like Gradel was excellent again and surely must now get the nod next saturday. Injuries to Fryatt and Tunchev, not too serious i hope?!

1-1 away at one of the better championship sides (albeit in a friendly) is a pretty good conclusion to what has been a good pre season campaign.

This time next week i expect us all to be rejoicing a good solid home win to kick start the season! Although i did expect that last season prior to the Blackpool game....

[Head Honcho]

Don't all have a go at once but is there any reason why Adams and Gradel can't both start?

I think attacking football is on the menu this season and it's about bloody time!

God I'm starting to sound like Thracian now

[Wooly]

Went to the game today. Decided to cycle as I don't live that far away and the weather was nice. What a mistake - can't believe how steep the hills around Selhurst Park are, my legs are like jelly!!

Well, I can say quite honestly that is the best I've watched Leicester play for a very very long time. I don't know how you heard it on the radio, but I swear blind we absolutely dominated from the off, aside from five minutes following their goal. The game went by so quick, which was a shame as it was very enjoyable.

Gradel is absolutely amazing. I mean, the kid is an absolute joy to watch, was beating men for fun, was trying (and pulling off) audacious tricks all game, and seems to have good end product (a few good shots on target, and a good cross on him).

Adams was also lively when he came on. Dyer didn't look too great - nothing wrong really, but didn't do too much. Porter looked alright when he came on, bit better than Dyer and to be honest he did look very good. Great to have such strength in areas we've not had anyone whatsoever in the last few years. Gradel & Adams to start for me but I don't think it'll go that way, since neither has played on the left at all this pre-season.

In the middle, Oakley was very good, a definite starter and captain for the season for me. King actually played quite well, nobody around me seemed to know who he was though, thought he was a trialist?! Kish looked excellent. Weso didn't have enough time but he didn't seem to impose himself aswell as the others. Oakley & Kish to start here for me.

At fullback, Gilbert linked well with Gradel, I wasn't 100% convinced though and believe Chambers would be the better option. I hope Curbs was there to watch Mattock, because on that performance he probably wouldn't bother - he was quiet really. Don't get me wrong, he didn't do anything wrong, but didn't do too much - a bit like Dyer really. Was just quiet down our left.

Centre-half, Morrison looked really good despite the reports from previous games. He was really loud, bossing the others around. Overall it was pretty hard to judge them to be honest because we had so much of the ball. Tunchev looked alright, some people said he seemed to be injured coming off, I didn't see it though.

Henderson was pretty good I thought. Made one blinding save which was all he had to do really. Kicking was sound, communicated very well with the defense I thought, and caught well from crosses & set pieces.

Up front Fryatt looked great! DJ looked pretty lively. Howard won the ball in the air most of the time I suppose, but by god is he slow. The only player who didn't leave with any credit was Hayles - he looked so out of his depth. Don't know what he offers? No pace, not good in the air, not a great finisher, no range of passing, not particularly strong, not a leader.

All in all, excellent stuff, really enjoyed it, and can't tell you how excited I am about the new season.

[Salieri]

Don't all have a go at once but is there any reason why Adams and Gradel can't both start?

I think attacking football is on the menu this season and it's about bloody time!

God I'm starting to sound like Thracian now

I was wondering too about Gradel/Adams starting. Gradel is def RM and i know Adams can play RM and CM but can he play on the left? Been more impressed with him than Dyer so far.

[Bryn]

I was wondering too about Gradel/Adams starting. Gradel is def RM and i know Adams can play RM and CM but can he play on the left? Been more impressed with him than Dyer so far.

Coulda sworn he played on the left for Bury rather than the right.

[Simi]

Max Gradel was absolutely fantastic today.

The way he runs at defenders is something else. The Palace left back must of been a broken man at the end. He was ripped to bits by Gradel all match.

Thought we played very well, Fryatt is beginning to impress me and Howard did ok as well.

The tempo was good and we worked it into the channels well and what was nice to see was the quality of the crossing. Gradel and Dyer, although not so much put some good balls in and it was from one of them balls we scored from when Oakley followed up. Good to see him darting into the box and finishing it off.

Feeling very positive and I just can't wait for the games to start meaning something.

As an aside, Fez, Alex and all are still at the pub in London. Rumour is Alex is mixing Guiness with double Baileys and drinking it out of a Viking hat.

[Babylon]

Some palace comments...

"Max Gradel was excellent for them, by the way, he even got a big hand from the Palace fans when he came off."

"Leicesters No 7 was very good - as good as any player on the pitch and we should watch him. And Curbishley left the stand 2 mins after he was substituted. Earlier questionof who he was watching, answered!"

"LC had a couple of good players especially right winger"

"Leic were better - team cohesion , better foward and midfield play, right back who supported hs winger, faster fitter and more fluent passing,"

Question: "I live right near selhurst and just heard a loud cheer. Is it 2-1?" Answer "Don't think so. Apparently they were cheering one of the Leicester players being subbed. He had played very well"

"Leicester worked very hard and Pearson had them organised into the "two banks of four" system that is quite successful in nullifying the opposition and breaking with pace. They will do very well this season, I will be placing a small wager on them winning League 1."

"Leicester were the better side overall. We shouldn't ignore the fact that they looked a talented and well organised side but we should have been better."

"Was really impressed by the Leicester no 7 today. Gave Clint Hill a tough time and involved in their goal. If we can't get Sinclair on loan from Chelsea I hope Warnock would look at him as he would be an a useful player and a step up from Routledge and Robinson Crusoe on the wing."

[Tilley]

Some palace comments...

"Max Gradel was excellent for them, by the way, he even got a big hand from the Palace fans when he came off."

"Leicesters No 7 was very good - as good as any player on the pitch and we should watch him. And Curbishley left the stand 2 mins after he was substituted. Earlier questionof who he was watching, answered!"

"LC had a couple of good players especially right winger"

"Leic were better - team cohesion , better foward and midfield play, right back who supported hs winger, faster fitter and more fluent passing,"

Question: "I live right near selhurst and just heard a loud cheer. Is it 2-1?" Answer "Don't think so. Apparently they were cheering one of the Leicester players being subbed. He had played very well"

"Leicester worked very hard and Pearson had them organised into the "two banks of four" system that is quite successful in nullifying the opposition and breaking with pace. They will do very well this season, I will be placing a small wager on them winning League 1."

"Leicester were the better side overall. We shouldn't ignore the fact that they looked a talented and well organised side but we should have been better."

"Was really impressed by the Leicester no 7 today. Gave Clint Hill a tough time and involved in their goal. If we can't get Sinclair on loan from Chelsea I hope Warnock would look at him as he would be an a useful player and a step up from Routledge and Robinson Crusoe on the wing."

Don't want Gradel to get too many plaudits, else he will be gone!!

[Tevez]

Got to be up with the best away days i've ever had.

Max Gradel is on it, he's going to be good.

[Simi]

Got to be up with the best away days i've ever had.

Max Gradel is on it, he's going to be good.

Got some great casual snaps of you.

[James.]

As an aside, Fez, Alex and all are still at the pub in London. Rumour is Alex is mixing Guiness with double Baileys and drinking it out of a Viking hat.

Confirmed. And I have the before, during and after photos to prove it.