MikeyT Posted 1 June 2013 Share Posted 1 June 2013 http://www.leicestermercury.co.uk/Ready-Leicester-City-rollercoaster-season-Rob/story-19155270-detail/story.html Leicester City manager Nigel Pearson likes to adopt a level-headed approach, writes Rob Tanner. When City are flying and expectations are rising, he does his best to keep feet on the floor by adopting a downbeat approach in public. Likewise, when City are struggling and the doomsayers are finding their voice, he comes out upbeat and positive in a bid to protect his players from negativity. But, while Pearson may like to keep everything on an even keel, his season has been anything but. In fact, it has been the proverbial rollercoaster ride. Installed as pre-season favourites for promotion, expectations were at an all-time high. Inevitably, after City started indifferently, it didn't take long for the speculation over his position to begin. After the defeat at Wolves in mid-September the rumours of talks having taken place between City and Harry Redknapp surfaced and persisted, to the extent that Pearson's representative, former Republic of Ireland international Mickey Walsh, went on Talksport and called for the club to issue a statement to deny the rumours. A statement was duly released, with no mention of Redknapp, but by this time City had started to find their feet. After three wins on the bounce, a draw at Birmingham on October 20 saw City take top spot and they remained there after a home victory over Brighton. City were in the ascendency. But then City suffered back-to-back defeats to Crystal Palace and Watford, which saw them slip out of the automatic promotion spots, and they dropped to fifth after a goalless draw at Bolton . However, back they came with a bang as a 6-0 thumping of Ipswich raised expectations again, followed in the next home game with a 4-1 demolition of Derby. But overall City were struggling to find consistency and at the turn of the year they were still in fifth spot and struggling to make an impact on the top two. Pearson moved quickly in the transfer market to snap up Chris Wood and it appeared the big New Zealander was the missing link. He scored twice on his debut as Huddersfield were hit for six. City finished January back in the automatic promotion places and well placed. They were on the up again, but then they were derailed at Peterborough. City's season started to dip again, and the speculation about Pearson began to increase. Two late goals condemned City to defeat and a weakened side also crashed out of the FA Cup three days later. The rot had set in. One win in 14 games in all competitions put their play-off place in jeopardy and the questions about Pearson's future began to intensify. A win over Bolton and a draw at Crystal Palace gave City hope, but a home defeat to Watford left even Pearson admitting a miracle was required. That miracle happened at Nottingham Forest, then a home win in the first leg of the semi-final against Watford had City dreaming of Wembley. Euphoria. The final dip on the rollercoaster was the most shocking as City's season ended in unbelievable scenes at Vicarage Road. They were one penalty kick from Wembley and a shot at the Premier League, only to have it snatched away from them within 20 mad seconds. A campaign that started with so much hope had ended with so much heartache. The speculation about Pearson's position intensified in the national press as a variety of managers were said to be lined up to take over. But City and Pearson must lift themselves because in just over two months, they have to get back on that rollercoaster for another ride. Hold on! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ian W LCFC Posted 1 June 2013 Share Posted 1 June 2013 I can't wait! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fazzyfox Posted 1 June 2013 Share Posted 1 June 2013 I've been to many a theme park but have yet to see a rollercoaster with a descent as steep as our bad run, if it existed you'd need a bleedin big sick bag / bucket, house of horrors may be a more accurate description. Cardiff were obviously the waltzer, Forest were probably the corkscrew and watford a travelling circus of international acrobats. Wolves were a helter skelter whilst Coventry remain being that ride that was ok in the 80's and early 90's but now sits on the grass rusting away with no queue or any interest in it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Col city fan Posted 1 June 2013 Share Posted 1 June 2013 I've been to many a theme park but have yet to see a rollercoaster with a descent as steep as our bad run, if it existed you'd need a bleedin big sick bag / bucket, house of horrors may be a more accurate description. Cardiff were obviously the waltzer, Forest were probably the corkscrew and watford a travelling circus of international acrobats. Wolves were a helter skelter whilst Coventry remain being that ride that was ok in the 80's and early 90's but now sits on the grass rusting away with no queue or any interest in it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Trav Le Bleu Posted 1 June 2013 Share Posted 1 June 2013 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DANGEROUS TIGER Posted 2 June 2013 Share Posted 2 June 2013 Two months to go, before the "House of Horrors" opens it's doors again, and the City fans enter it. What dark forces await us? . Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Deucalion Posted 2 June 2013 Share Posted 2 June 2013 Whatever happened to the Dive Bomber? Also, was our season more Dive Bomber than Roller Coaster? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bob Weasel Fox Posted 2 June 2013 Share Posted 2 June 2013 I've been to many a theme park but have yet to see a rollercoaster with a descent as steep as our bad run, if it existed you'd need a bleedin big sick bag / bucket, house of horrors may be a more accurate description. Cardiff were obviously the waltzer, Forest were probably the corkscrew and watford a travelling circus of international acrobats. Wolves were a helter skelter whilst Coventry remain being that ride that was ok in the 80's and early 90's but now sits on the grass rusting away with no queue or any interest in it.Very good Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bayfox Posted 2 June 2013 Share Posted 2 June 2013 Id think cov would be the corkscrew. De-comissioned and sat in the car park with no home. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ealingfox Posted 2 June 2013 Share Posted 2 June 2013 Let's all just sit back and enjoy the best time to be a Leicester fan - pre-season. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Archived
This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.