HankMarvin Posted 20 December 2013 Posted 20 December 2013 Knockaert: Championship is the hardest league in the world... but I'd give my life to play in the top flight May 12, 2013. A day that Anthony Knockaert will never forget. With the ball placed on the Vicarage Road penalty spot in the seventh minute of injury time, Leicester were one kick away from Wembley, their fate in the Frenchman's hands. Twenty seconds later, Knockaert was slumped on his knees in disbelief. Troy Deeney had scored the most dramatic of late winners on the counter-attack following Manuel Almunia's penalty save, leaving Leicester's promotion dream in tatters and sending Watford through to the Championship play-off final. Disbelief: Anthony Knockaert reacts after Leicester are beaten 3-2 on aggregate by Watford in May Knockaert - who had won the penalty himself at the end of an impressive first season in English football - had gone from hero to villain in less than a minute. He admits it was hard to swallow but, as his performances this season suggest, he feels he is a better player for the experience. 'It was very tough for me,' said the 22-year-old. 'I really wanted to get promoted, but that's football. It can happen to anyone. 'It was a bad moment for me and for the team, but I came back stronger mentally this season. 'I spoke with my family and friends over the holiday and they said to me "that is football". 'I just needed to be stronger and that is what has happened. I think I have played very well this season. 'It was a bad moment for me short-term, but I think long-term it will be good for me because I have learned a lot. 'Football is not always easy. It was a bad and a good moment at the same time.' Back with a bang: The France Under 21 international has been in fine form for Leicester this season Box of tricks: Knockaert takes on the Brighton defence at the Amex earlier this month Leicester - who face Championship leaders QPR at Loftus Road in Saturday's early kick-off - are aiming to avoid the drama of the play-offs by going up automatically this season. Nigel Pearson's Foxes sit in third place in the table, three points off QPR and one behind second-placed Burnley. But after picking up just one point from their last three games, twitchy Foxes fans will see the alarming parallels with last season. Leicester were cemented in the top two until the Christmas period but a woeful run of form through the winter saw their automatic promotion bid disintegrate. Only a last-day win at Nottingham Forest enabled them to squeeze into the top six. Knockaert, however, is confident that he and his team-mates have learned their lessons and will be able to sustain a challenge for the top two in what he feels is the toughest league on the planet. The France Under 21 international said: 'I think we can (get automatic promotion) but it will be hard because for me the Championship is the hardest league in the world. 'It's a long season and you have to keep working if you want to get promoted. 'It's really important to try and win every game at Christmas because after that it will be the winter and it's always harder in the winter. Main man: Knockaert is crucial to Leicester's automatic promotion hopes 'We saw that last season when we lost 11 games in the winter, so it was hard for us. 'But I think this season we are much better mentally, we have got a much better mentality and everyone in the group is concentrated to the full so I think we can do something this season. 'Some of the young players like Liam Moore, me and Matty James have grown and we have brought in some more experienced players like Gary Taylor-Fletcher and Dean Hammond, so I think we are much better this season.' Knockaert made the switch from French side Guingamp - who count Didier Drogba among their former players - in the summer of 2012 at the age of just 20. It was a brave move and can't have been made easier when Leicester's promotion bid was dramatically derailed at the same time as Guingamp were busy securing their return to the French top flight. But Knockaert insists he has absolutely no regrets about joining the Championship side, and much of that is down to Pearson and the people of Leicester, whom he says he 'loves'. The diminutive winger said: 'Since I came here and I signed in England he (Pearson) has protected me very well and he is always behind me. 'He wants always to help me and that's what I like as a player, so I'm really happy to have a manager like that because any problem, anything in my life is not good he is always behind me.' Mentor: Leicester boss Nigel Pearson has galvanised his squad after last season's play-off heartache Up for the fight: Knockaert gees up the Foxes faithful Knockaert, who appears in EA Sports FIFA 14, added: 'I am really confident in England because it is not the same mentality as in France. 'The people here are very kind and since I have been in England it is like a family for me, Leicester City, it is a very good club and I am very happy in England so everything is good for me now and I'm very confident for the future. 'We have got really great fans and I think everyone likes me in Leicester. 'If you like me, I like you, and if you don't like me, I don't like you. But in Leicester everyone likes me and I am very happy with them. Everyone in Leicester I love.' For all Knockaert's genuine enthusiasm for the task at hand in the Championship he makes no secret of his desire to play in the Premier League. 'Of course I want to play in the Premier League, it is a dream for every player,' he admits. 'If I can give my life to be in the Premier League, I will do it. I think I have to keep working and then one day I will be in the Premier League. 'It is my dream and I will do my best to be there next season with Leicester.' Three points at QPR on Saturday would go a long way to that dream being realised.
StanSP Posted 20 December 2013 Posted 20 December 2013 I love you too, Knockaert. Goals against Forest and Watford will live long in the memory. :wub:
Soar Fox Posted 20 December 2013 Posted 20 December 2013 Love the fella, you can tell he does he actually care about the fans & the club.
Banks Posted 20 December 2013 Posted 20 December 2013 Love the man, if he left I'd be beyond devastated.
AKCJ Posted 20 December 2013 Posted 20 December 2013 The goal against Forest is up there with my top 10 City moments.
stevelcfc Posted 20 December 2013 Posted 20 December 2013 As frustrating as he can be, you can't help but love him, and he has immense quality!
Devonfox1884 Posted 20 December 2013 Posted 20 December 2013 Absolutely love the guy, you can see his passion for both leicester city and football itself in his interviews. He will be the player who will get us back to the big time, mark my words.
NathanC93 Posted 20 December 2013 Posted 20 December 2013 Those gloves though ffs! You can tell he's a Frenchman :xmaslaugh:
sylofox Posted 20 December 2013 Posted 20 December 2013 Reading between the lines in the words of the great Bon Jovi and our motto since Brian little. FOXES NEVER QUIT Keep The faith. laptop probs
lgfualol Posted 20 December 2013 Posted 20 December 2013 Always use that bastarding picture of him crying :'( He's a great player though, I couldn't imagine not having him in the team.
Fox92 Posted 20 December 2013 Posted 20 December 2013 Do like him, and genuinely does seem to care about the club. Frustrates me at times but at least he will run at players.
Guest Sharpe's Fox Posted 20 December 2013 Posted 20 December 2013 Stuck in two minds whether to put money on him leaving to either Stoke or Hull.
Rob1742 Posted 20 December 2013 Posted 20 December 2013 For me, I have put him in the same bracket I put Frank Worthington, Steve Walsh, Ali Mauchlen and GaryLineker. A real fans favourite that comes around rarely. An absolute diamond of a bloke too, very genuine and really appreciates the fans.
Lobsterboyuk Posted 21 December 2013 Posted 21 December 2013 Quality player, could grow in to a truly great player, love him to bits
gazfox9 Posted 21 December 2013 Posted 21 December 2013 Absolutely top bloke. Always has time for the fans when I've seen him out and about around Leicester.
lavrentis Posted 21 December 2013 Posted 21 December 2013 Says alot about the man when you compare him to Kermorgant. Both ****ed up but you can tell Knockaert is a truly great guy and a great footballer
Lobsterboyuk Posted 21 December 2013 Posted 21 December 2013 Just saw him walking away from Loftus Road!
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