Konchesky

[Happy Fox]

Article written by Paul Fletcher

http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/paulfletcher/2011/09/konchesky_learns_from_lessons.html#297134

This time last year Paul Konchesky was preparing to make his Liverpool debut after a deadline-day move from Premier League rivals Fulham.

Fast forward 12 months and the 30-year-old is gearing up for Leicester's trip to Barnsley as the Championship resumes after the international break.

He has exchanged one of the most famous clubs in England for one of the most ambitious.

The east Midlands club are bankrolled by their Thai owners and have strengthened way beyond the means of many top-flight clubs, let alone most of their Championship rivals, as Sven-Goran Eriksson's team attempt to fast-track promotion to the Premier League.

In the Football League, Leicester have been the story of the summer; compulsive viewing - the club with a wow factor as one new face after another arrived. The likes of Kasper Schmeichel, Neil Danns, John Paintsil, David Nugent, Michael Ball, Matthew Mills, Sean St. Ledger and Jermaine Beckford have all joined in addition to Konchesky, who signed in early July.

Konchesky is confident Leicester will handle the pressure to succeed. Photo: Getty Images

Big signings equal huge expectations but a return of four points from their opening four league games, including back-to-back home defeats, created an early build-up of pressure that was partially relieved by a 3-2 home win over high-flying Southampton in the previous fixture.

"After [losing] the first two home games it was crucial that we defeated Saints," Konchesky told me. "The home games have been very tough because of the expectations of the fans.

"We have spent a lot of money and the supporters want us to win every game but the Championship is a tough league."

To be able to shut out the pressure Konchesky tries not to look too far ahead, just focusing on the next game, while he reckons that activities such as a recent trip to the races have helped to foster a good team spirit.

Konchesky is also confident that his time on Merseyside will help him withstand the pressure at Leicester.

Twelve months ago a slightly fortunate goalless draw at Birmingham marked a solid if unspectacular start to his Anfield career but the defender's time at Liverpool coincided with a troubled period for the club.

New manager Roy Hodgson struggled to establish himself following his move from Fulham and he left the club after a 3-1 defeat at Blackburn on 5 January. That fixture also proved to be the last of the 18 appearances Konchesky made in a Liverpool shirt.

Konchesky's time at Anfield was not helped by an unwise Facebook comment made by the player's mother, who branded some of the club's supporters "Scouse scum". On the field he did not lack effort and his attitude was excellent but he struggled to adjust to the standards required of a club aiming for a top-four finish. He was honest enough to hold his hands up after his mistake late in a fixture at Tottenham in late November cost his team a 2-1 defeat. Konchesky did not play after Kenny Dalglish returned to the club in early January and was loaned out to Nottingham Forest, before joining Leicester permanently.

"I enjoyed my time at Liverpool, the experience of being at a top club," added Konchesky. "I wish them nothing but good luck.

"The tough times were when I was not playing but I was at a club where there is constant pressure, every season, so hopefully from leaving there to come here I am now used to high expectations."

Konchesky, who has previously also played for Charlton, Tottenham and West Ham, won both of his England caps under his current boss Eriksson and reckons the Swede was a big factor in his move to the King Power Stadium.

"Sven is a nice man and a great coach," added Konchesky. "He has been there with England and he can calm things down and give us confidence.

"Everyone is talking about Leicester and I wanted to be a part of it."

Konchesky, who had his best game in a Leicester shirt against Saints, sounded relaxed and confident as he discussed Leicester's prospects of promotion.

"With 46 league games in the Championship it is very long but with the cup competitions as well we want to be playing a lot more games than that," he added.

Konchesky, who became a father for the third time last week, has clearly put a difficult year behind him and is keen to use his experience positively. He is also hopeful that Liverpool fans have not seen the last of him.

Next season the left-back would like to be back at Anfield, as part of a Leicester team playing in the top flight for the first time since 2004.

[Uncle Monty]

Just read that article on the BBC. Nice read and quite interesting, didn't know about the Facebook comment which seems a tad over the top - pushy Mothers though eh! Fed up with all the comments on the bbc by other fans moaning about "Leicester can't buy the league" thinking that they are so insightful for suggesting it. I wish other fans would just get off our backs, jesus we are just trying to enjoy the ride. I didn't begrudge Chelsea when they got a new investor nor did I with Man City. For me it just all boils down to jealousy, it might sound a bit petty saying that but whatevs.

As for Konchesky I hope that his comments regarding the players gelling comes sooner rather than later, not seen much of him myself, heard mixed reviews of him on here with some suggesting he is one of our best players were as others are saying the complete opposite. He is saying all the right things though which is a good sign.

[Happy Fox]

Another comment from Paul Fletcher

At 10:00 8th Sep 2011, Paul Fletcher wrote:

Now then,

Many thanks for the comments so far. I would be very interested to hear whether people think Leicester will win promotion this season. They've had a patchy start but if they gel as a team then, as Konchesky suggests, they surely have enough quality to go on a long unbeaten run.

[Saxondale]

Moral of the story, don't allow your Mum to add you as a friend on Facebook.

Wonder what Mrs Konchesky thinks of us Midlanders!

On a more serious note, Konchesky seems like quite a straightforward, switched-on bloke.

[Kent]

He's definitely competent enough at this level and I've got full confidence in him, good solid LB for us.

[Floridafox]

Just read that article on the BBC. Nice read and quite interesting, didn't know about the Facebook comment which seems a tad over the top - pushy Mothers though eh! Fed up with all the comments on the bbc by other fans moaning about "Leicester can't buy the league" thinking that they are so insightful for suggesting it. I wish other fans would just get off our backs, jesus we are just trying to enjoy the ride. I didn't begrudge Chelsea when they got a new investor nor did I with Man City. For me it just all boils down to jealousy, it might sound a bit petty saying that but whatevs.

As for Konchesky I hope that his comments regarding the players gelling comes sooner rather than later, not seen much of him myself, heard mixed reviews of him on here with some suggesting he is one of our best players were as others are saying the complete opposite. He is saying all the right things though which is a good sign.

Couldn't agree more. I don't get why a dose of cash investment automatically makes a club into the lepers of the league. The days of a Wimbledon rolling down its socks and working its way all the way from the 4th to the 1st Division in just 5 years have gone. I shudder to think who we'd be buying without King Power - Alan Mowbray, Darren Kenton, De Vries, Momo and Elvis?

[iancognito]

Alan Mowbray

Which is just how memorable he was as a player for us!

Seriously though, think Konchesky is more than good enough for this level and probably the Prem too. I think we'd all swap the pressure of spending all season in the bottom 8 for the 'pressure' of spending 10 mill to achieve promotion.

[Raw Dykes]

Just read that article on the BBC. Nice read and quite interesting, didn't know about the Facebook comment which seems a tad over the top - pushy Mothers though eh! Fed up with all the comments on the bbc by other fans moaning about "Leicester can't buy the league" thinking that they are so insightful for suggesting it. I wish other fans would just get off our backs, jesus we are just trying to enjoy the ride. I didn't begrudge Chelsea when they got a new investor nor did I with Man City. For me it just all boils down to jealousy, it might sound a bit petty saying that but whatevs.

As for Konchesky I hope that his comments regarding the players gelling comes sooner rather than later, not seen much of him myself, heard mixed reviews of him on here with some suggesting he is one of our best players were as others are saying the complete opposite. He is saying all the right things though which is a good sign.

Exactly! If anything, I was glad to see Chelsea and Man City become ridiculously rich. It means the PL is more competitive, at the top at least. It was getting tiresome when only Man Utd or Arse anal were winning the league each year. Ideally, every club in the country would get a wealthy investor, and you would never have a clue whether Man Utd, Newcastle or AFC Wimbledon were going to win the PL title. Might happen one day.

You're right - it is just jealousy.

[Uncle Monty]

Exactly! If anything, I was glad to see Chelsea and Man City become ridiculously rich. It means the PL is more competitive, at the top at least. It was getting tiresome when only Man Utd or Arse anal were winning the league each year. Ideally, every club in the country would get a wealthy investor, and you would never have a clue whether Man Utd, Newcastle or AFC Wimbledon were going to win the PL title. Might happen one day.

You're right - it is just jealousy.

It's getting tedious now isn't it? I think there was a Brighton fan having a go at us in the Vicente thread (tbf I quite like the look of Brighton, nice stadia good manger etc) and the abuse from a few of the Bristol fans is crazy. I mean hang on a minute, can't you let us just enjoy the ride! The way Claridge acting like a social pariah, in the way he talks about clubs with money is just adding fuel to the 'hate Leicester bandwagon' too.

[The Year Of The Fox]

I've been impressed with konchesky. Likes to get forward and can put a good cross in.

[ta-fc]

Comes across very well TBH I like him at Fulham and think he'll be Leicesters forgotten hero this season...