Leicester City - Canadian Media Coverage

[Molson Canadian]

From: "The Footy Blog" http://my.thescore.com/footyblog/default.aspx

3 UP 3 DOWN

Back by popular demand after a bit of a lay-off, here’s a look at the goings-on in the League Championship these days.

As usual, it’s a super-tight division both at the top, and the bottom. Exhibit A, 1st place Newcastle are only 6 points up on

10th place Nottingham Forest 15 games into the season. At the back end, Ipswich are amazingly last, but only 6 points

away from 14th place Sheffield Wednesday. But who’s hot, and who’s not these days?

3 UP

LEICESTER

They really have carried their form from last season in to this year. Amazing after a promotion, but they’ve lost only twice

in 15 outings (tied for best in the division). Even their losses have been quality in a way, as they lost 1-0 at Newcastle

(a game in which they played well), and 2-1 to a good Preston side. Dating back to last season, they have lost a grand

total of 6 league games out of 61. That is incredible on any stage. As mentioned on the podcast this week, Matty Fryatt

is a Premiership-quality striker. Over that same 61 game span, he has tallied 36 goals. They have the ambition and the

talent to make a push back to the top-flight this season.

CARDIFF

Back on the list again as they keep on humming along. Unbeaten in 6 after a bit of a stumble, the Bluebirds are the

Arsenal of the Championship with 31 goals already. They’ve scored 4 or more 4 times in their 15 matches, including

twice away from home. Amazingly, in Michael Chopra and Peter Whittingham, already have two double-digit scorers.

Should be a fun one on Saturday as they face Welsh rivals Swansea.

SWANSEA

Speaking of the Swans, they are back on track in a big way. They had a horrendous start to the season under

Paulo Sousa, but look like a promotion hopeful again. The key to the turnaround? an amazing defensive record.

They’ve conceded a total of 2 goals in their last 9 matches. They should be higher up the table, but goals have been

a bit of a problem. They’ve had 4 goalless draws over that 9-game stretch. Still, they’re only 2 points out of a playoff

place.

Honourable Mention: Newcastle, QPR

3 DOWN

SHEFFIELD UNITED

How quickly things can fall apart. After beating rivals Wednesday 6 weeks ago they were flying high, easily in the top 6.

Since then? 2 draws, 5 losses, and 17 goals against. This team was known for it’s resolute defence last year, but they

are leaking them right now and the confidence is gone. They are spiralling so badly that dreams of promotion are being

replaced by nightmares of a relegation fight. That might be a bit extreme, but this club has not experienced a run like this

at this level in recent memory. Kevin Blackwell is under big-time pressure from the always hostile Blades faithful, and

a loss at Barnsley on Monday might be enough to see his run come to an end. A win and things calm down over the

International Break.

MIDDLESBROUGH

Another team with big ambitions in a big tailspin. I’m still shocked at the Gareth Southgate firing, weeks later.

To stick with a manager after being relegated, and to fire him only a dozen or so games in to a relatively successful

start in the Championship makes no sense to me. Steve Gibson clearly wanted Gordon Strachan in at any cost,

but you have to feel for Southgate, who loves this club. The post-Southgate era hasn’t exactly started well.

They twice threw away a lead at Preston to draw 2-2, and then lost 1-0at home to releagation-threatened Plymouth.

Have scored only 7 goals in 8 home matches.

DERBY

One side that ‘Boro could beat recently was Derby. The goals have dried up for the Rams, shut out 3 times in their

past 4 matches (and the goals came in a 4-2 loss). Even Ipswich beat them last time out, the first win of the season

for Roy Keane’s men in 15 tries. Away form is atrocious, with 2 draws and 6 losses (-9 goal difference) away from

Pride Park.

Dis-honourable mention: Coventry

Round 1 of the FA Cup Proper goes this weekend, an exciting time for any fan of the lower-tiers.

Let me know your thoughts and opinions on anything League Championship or Football League.

Cheers,

Thomas Dobby

[Shrenchel]

Insightful.

[Koke]

Fryatt's 36 in 61 is a pretty admirable record at any level.