Loughborough Dynamo & Tamworth

[davieG]

I thought Parkes who I've only seen play at CB looked fairly comfortably at left back. Defended well, got forward, played some nice passes and looked comfortable on the ball.

I also thought Verna put in a decent stint in midfield.

Where was King? Is he injured as well/

[Matt]

I thought Parkes who I've only seen play at CB looked fairly comfortably at left back. Defended well, got forward, played some nice passes and looked comfortable on the ball.

I also thought Verna put in a decent stint in midfield.

Where was King? Is he injured as well/

He was in his tracksuit bottoms at Tamworth, don't think he was in the squad or anything but he was there in attendance.

[renards]

Dickov looked out of it.

Mate of mine was the centre half for Lough (pulled down Kee for the peno..in fairness he would of scored)

From a defenders veiw he could'nt see Dickov doing much this year.(not exactly in those words)

Maybe stating the obvious, but interesting coming from a player

[Bert]

I thought Parkes who I've only seen play at CB looked fairly comfortably at left back. Defended well, got forward, played some nice passes and looked comfortable on the ball.

I also thought Verna put in a decent stint in midfield.

Where was King? Is he injured as well/

Yeah, he limped put of training on Friday.

[Jimmy]

Yeah, he limped put of training on Friday.

was it just the usual pre-season type injury or something more serious?

[DB11]

Jorrin John looks a decent prospect.

He called me blind when I ran the line on Leicester U18s

[Bluefoxtim]

He called me blind ran I ran the line on Leicester U18s

[Fez of Mahrez]

Not reading anything into this particularly but in terms of performance yesterday, I thought:

Excellent: Parkes, Verma, Berner, Brown, Bolger

Did well: Billy Kee (worth a go), Jorrin John (great touch and vision albeit in two very brief appearances), Hobbs, Morrison, O'Neill, Burns (improved as the game went on), Dyer, Adams, Howard, Chambers, Gradel, Logan, Weale (nothing to do), Pentney

Average or struggled a bit: Ajdarevic, Neilson, Mattock, Dickov, Craig King.

I think that's everyone. I've not seen Bolger, Parkes or Verma before, thought they were all really good. Bolger and especially Parkes already looked far better prospects than the likes of Rowe-Turner, Garner or Lycett ever did. The Hinckley goalathon last year where Rowe-Turner got annihilated was embarrassing, will be interesting to see whether the likes of Bolger and Parkes do any better on Wednesday.

[xxinxsxx]

Distinct lack of Fryatt..... interesting with the Wigan rumour going round

Matty is inj but only out 4 a week.

[Leicesterboi]

Dickov looked out of it.

Mate of mine was the centre half for Lough (pulled down Kee for the peno..in fairness he would of scored)

From a defenders veiw he could'nt see Dickov doing much this year.(not exactly in those words)

Maybe stating the obvious, but interesting coming from a player

Jake Betts was the defender. Very good player. Used to play with him at Loughborough Dynamo. He said kee was far more to contend with than Dickov which as you say, is fairly obvious!

[renards]

Jake Betts was the defender. Very good player. Used to play with him at Loughborough Dynamo. He said kee was far more to contend with than Dickov which as you say, is fairly obvious!

And Captain for much off the game! taken off because he was 'totally bolloxed'

Had to contend with Dickov, Kee (44 in 42) then switched to left back to contend with Nick Adams who was possibly MOM

Well done Bettsy....and Pearson knew his name

[clazkel]

Really?

I'm glad we have signed him but I thought he was quite poor yesterday tbh, he nearly cost us 2 goals from where I was watching.

To be honest i didnt pay much attention to the game as it went on as i was getting bored. But i was behind the goal in the stand that had the roof, and first half i thought Hobbs was pretty solid, but didnt really notice him second half when he was down the other end. But i agree im really glad we've signed him.

[Walshy5]

I was at tamworth yesterday and i might be the only one that thinks this but i thought neilson was shocking. Hope he aint that bad all the time. Hopefully just a one off bad game.

[Walshy5]

Anyone fancy doing some tamworth ratings by the way

[Daggers]

I was at tamworth yesterday and i might be the only one that thinks this but i thought neilson was shocking.

Nope.

@Luffbra:

Key looks a unit, plays with passion, has an engine and demonstrated some excellent close control, vision and range of passing.

Verma impressed me, I want to see more of him.

Astrid was bollocks - she kept making the wrong choice and playing shit passes. I've seen enough of her now to question her signing.

Brown ruled.

Gradel was not firing, Dickov was Dickov (and not worth playing) and Joe is not worth big money. No one else was a stand out for me there.

@Tammy

Zzzzzzzzz. That was a dull, insipid performance. Oakley looked good but Tamworth had all the passion and we allowed them to dominate far too often. Neilsen, as others have praised him, failed to link play, pass, tackle, overlap or shoot. He was, aside from the fouls, wank.

[clazkel]

Loughborough Game

For me I thought in the first half Leicester bossed the game. Kee did what he always does, scores goals. In fairness I've seen him play alot better but he scored one and was directly involved in the other 2. What more could you ask for from a centre forward? He looked busy and is deceptivley quick for a lad of his frame. Also suprisingly good in the air. He impressed me today, especially considering he is now playing against men and not boys in the academy.

Aman Verma also impressed me. He didnt look out of place atall and didnt give the ball away. Very tidy player and deserves his chances. Although I understand he isn't going to Slovenia which is a shame.

Nicky Adams was one of the best players on the pitch today. Great close control, coasted passed players and created alot of openings.

Wayne Brown and Boulger were solid and dominated in the air. Cool and calm in possession. Brown is a great asset to the squad.

O'Neill also was very steady, for me he is the better full back than Mattock. Joe has a big year ahead of him. He has to start justifying all the hype surrounding him.

Gradel showed flashes of brilliance but lacked a killer final ball at times.

Astrit struggled. He has not impressed me atall yet. Hopefully Pearson has seen something that will justify his signing.

To be fair to Dickov, he has lost his pace, but still worked hard. I would much rather have Kee involved than Dickov. But by all accounts Dickov is brilliant with the young strikers and is trying to help them as much as he can. He isn't bitter that they are up and coming and he is past it. He takes on a mentor role which is a credit to him.

All in all a decent work out. Dynamo are a good outfit and will do well in their league next season. And for the lad who asked, Callum Ross did play and to be fair he was decent.

Edit: Spoke to Pearson walking back to the car. He confirmed Wellens, N'Guessen and Fryatt not involved due to fitness. I asked about the Fryatt Wigan rumour, the response.....''F**king' No Chance!'

I agree with your summary of the players, Adams, Kee, Brown, O'Neill and Boulger played really well. Not to sure about Verma though, he tried but i thought sometimes he lacked abit of class, but at least he got involved and didnt try and hide. Astrit didnt do anything of recognition

And im glad of the response Pearson gave to the Fryatt Wigan rumour

[Lillehamring]

who is burns?

[Bert]

Robbie Burns.

Come through the academy. Went out on loan to Tranmere last season.

[Lillehamring]

Robbie Burns.

Come through the academy. Went out on loan to Tranmere last season.

cheers

“He turn'd him right and round about / Upon the Irish shore; / And gae his bridle-reins a shake, / With adieu for evermore, / My dear,/ Adieu for evermore.”

[davieG]

From the Merc

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Astrit Ajdarevic tipped to be big hit for Leicester City after victory over Loughborough Dynamo

Steve Beaglehole believes Astrit Ajdarevic's welcome-back to the Leicester City fold is great news for the club.

The Swedish youth international has signed a one-year deal at the Walkers Stadium and made his return in Saturday's 3-1 win at Loughborough Dynamo in City's opening pre-season friendly.

Ajdarevic made five substitute appearances for City last season on loan from Premier giants Liverpool.

And Beaglehole, reserve-team coach in charge of the side at Loughborough, said: "Astrit is a talented lad, otherwise he would not have been at Liverpool. He loves to get the ball down and play it and has fantastic ability and I'm sure the fans will get behind him."

City won with goals from Billy Kee, Paul Dickov (penalty) and Nicky Adams. Alex Johnson scored for Loughborough.

Beaglehole said: "I don't know why we've never played at Loughborough before.

"It's a good set-up with good players and I like what the management are doing in terms of the work with the players. It was also very handy for City's fans.

"We had three aims going into the game – to show good fitness, professionalism and a clean sheet – and we managed two out of the three.

"We were a bit sloppy with the goal," added Beaglehole. "But the passing was good and the lads worked hard."

City: Logan, O'Neill, Bolger, Brown, Mattock, Gradel, Verma, Adams, Ajdarevic, Kee, Dickov. Subs: Ambrusics, John, C King.

[davieG]

Gerry Taggart was unable to hide his disappointment as Leicester City conceded a late equaliser as their friendly with Blue Square Premier new boys Tamworth ended in a 1-1 draw at The Lamb ground on Saturday afternoon.

City led through Swiss international Bruno Berner's 54th-minute toe-poke only for Lambs striker Nick Wright to square the friendly encounter three minutes from time.

Reserve-team coach Taggart was put in charge of the team by Nigel Pearson and the former City defender said: "I won't say too much about their goal. Everyone knows I'm as competitive as they come and there's no such thing as a friendly.

"And that was particularly the case against (Tamworth boss) Gary Mills, my good mate who everyone knows is an ex-Leicester player. Let's just say, I'm glad there were not any points on it."

Taggart said the test offered by Tamworth, who won Conference North last season, was a good fitness exercise for City.

Taggart, who had a brief spell as player-coach at Tamworth before linking up with City, said: "It was always going to be a good test, particularly against a non-league side who were going to be up for the test.

"It was a first game for a few of the lads after some hard days of training and they were blowing a bit. They've not got their match fitness up there yet.

"I thought the teams were pretty even fitness-wise.

"But things will change for us because the touch will improve, the runs will improve and there will be more game awareness. This was primarily a fitness exercise."

Taggart said he was pleased with the contribution of Robbie Neilson, City's close-season capture from Scottish Premier Hearts.

Neilson played at right-back at The Lamb and Taggart said: "He's coming into pre-season and already showed what an aggressive performer he is. He is a good talker and a good asset to the club."

City were also in action at Loughborough Dynamo and, with the squad being split, youngsters Craig King, Cian Bolger, Jorran John and Robbie Burns were involved in both matches.

Taggart said: "They have had a quick journey from Loughborough to Tamworth and played in two games.

"However, being out there with some older players in front of crowds will stand them in good stead."

City: Weale (Pentney 60), Neilson (Bolger 88), Morrison, Hobbs, Berner, C King (Parkes 55), Oakley, Burns (John 80), Dyer, Howard, Chambers.

[Lichfieldfox.]

Tamworth ratings

Weale 6 Nothing to do

Neilson 6 Did nothing to impress me, should have been booked for nasty late challenge

Morrison 7 Solid

Hobbs 8 Looked very composed

Berner 8 Good game, well taken goal

C King 6 Busy but did not stamp authority on game

Oakley 7 Quiet but solid passing

Burns 7 This lad impressed me greatly busy and good anticipation

Dyer 7 Energetic but failed to beat his man enough

Howard 7 Caused a lot of problems in their defence but di not link well with Chambers

Chambers 6 Great pass for Berners goal but reckless challenges and dissent

Parkes 6 Solid

Pentney 6 Assured

John Not on long enough to comment

Bolger Not on long enough to comment

[lou]

Tamworth ratings

Weale 6 Nothing to do

Neilson 6 Did nothing to impress me, should have been booked for nasty late challenge

Morrison 7 Solid

Hobbs 8 Looked very composed

Berner 8 Good game, well taken goal

C King 6 Busy but did not stamp authority on game

Oakley 7 Quiet but solid passing

Burns 7 This lad impressed me greatly busy and good anticipation

Dyer 7 Energetic but failed to beat his man enough

Howard 7 Caused a lot of problems in their defence but di not link well with Chambers

Chambers 6 Great pass for Berners goal but reckless challenges and dissent

Parkes 6 Solid

Pentney 6 Assured

John Not on long enough to comment

Bolger Not on long enough to comment

Thats not the usual Chambers..... I hope it was an off day and not going to be the norm!

[nuneatonfox]

Tamworth had a good player called Bradley Prichard I reckon he deserves a trial with Leicester.

[clazkel]

Thats not the usual Chambers..... I hope it was an off day and not going to be the norm!

I know i was disappointed with Chambers, i thought this season he will make his mark on the team, but then again last pre-season he played really well but didnt really feature during the season.