King: Leicester Can Compete For Europe Regularly

Leicester City midfielder Andy King believes they can become regular challengers for a top-four spot after impressing over the first half of the season.

Claudio Ranieri’s men are the surprise leaders of the Premier League at Christmas after suffering just one defeat all season – a 5-2 loss to Arsenal in September – while winning their last three, including a 2-1 win over champions Chelsea two weeks ago.

The Foxes’ title challenge has been predicted to falter by many, with Ranieri himself continuing to focus on Premier League survival as the main objective, but King believes there is no lack of belief at Belvoir Drive and City can achieve great things.

“It’s a big couple of years, challenging for the Premier League title is obviously a big ask, but I don’t see any reason why we can’t be in the top four or six, or even the top eight to start with and then try and build from there,” he told Sky Sports.

“That’s the owners’ vision. That’s what they set out when they first took over the club. He’s (Ranieri) an experienced manager, he’s managed in Europe and is doing a really good job here.

“He’s aware that he’s inherited a really good team and squad and maybe even better than what he thought he might be getting.

King says Leicester’s reaction to defeat against Arsenal shows the strength of character of the squad and demonstrates why they can’t be written off this year.

“When the fixtures were drawn at the start of the season we thought December could be a really tough period for us if we didn’t make a good start.

“We then lost to Arsenal and people thought ‘is that it? Is that them finished now?’ and we’ve bounced back and now we’re ten unbeaten again, so we’ve got resilience and quality in depth which we can call upon when needed.”

Leicester look to extend their lead at the top by five points when they travel to Liverpool on Boxing Day.

 

Dominant Display Boosts Leicester Survival Hopes

An impressive performance from Leicester City left Swansea stunned as the Foxes move off the bottom for the first time since November.

Nigel Pearson’s men ran out comfortable 2-0 winners at the King Power on Saturday in a passionate display which saw goals from Leonardo Ulloa and Andy King inspire the home crowd.

Swansea were overwhelmed by a side on a mission for survival with Leicester rejuvenated securing their third win in three games.

Striker Jamie Vardy could have scored within 20 seconds as the Foxes expressed their intent from the outset, bursting through from a Swansea kick off only to be halted at the last by Welsh captain Ashley Williams.

The hosts dominated the opening exchanges and took the lead in the 15^th minute when Wes Morgan knocked down for Leonardo Ulloa to rifle home from close range for his first league goal since Boxing Day.

Ulloa only started due to an injury to striker David Nugent in the warm-up and the Argentine rewarded Nigel Pearson with a fine performance.

Marc Albrighton came close to adding a second moments later who’s swiveling shot squeezed narrowly wide.

Leicester’s main concern was a failure to convert chances as the hosts created many openings which could have punished Swansea who were pedestrian in large parts.

Croatian Andrej Kramaric’s curling effort just missed the top corner followed by two efforts from the impressive Ulloa and substitute Riyad Mahrez going unfinished in the second half.

The Foxes were nearly punished for their wastefulness as on-loan striker Nelson Oliveira forced a brilliant save from Kasper Schmeichel from close 10-yards.

As Leicester looked to maintain the lead they had, Pearson changed the formation to 4-4-2 and the East Midlanders’ looked to hit Swansea on the counter-attack.

The move nearly paid diligence as the tireless Vardy tumbled in the box appearing to be pushed by Williams, only for referee Lee Probert to turn away the appeals.

Leicester had their reward shortly after though as a well-worked Cambiasso free-kick – who was superb all afternoon – was fumbled by Swans ‘keeper Lukasz Fabianski into the path of the incoming Andy King to secure the points for the hosts.

The result leaves Leicester in the relegation zone only on goal difference, moving above Burnley and QPR in the process. With 6 games to go, 4 at home, momentum is well and truly with Pearson’s side.

It is never easy to achieve three wins in a row for a club in our sort of position,” Pearson told Sky Sports. “It is what we need at this stage of the season.

“I am pleased for the players today. They have really committed to the season, and I can bemoan our luck at times, but we have kept our season alive.

“Winning games certainly helps that.”

With defeat in Leicester, 8^th placed Swansea now appear to have missed out on the possibility of European football next season as they remain 9 points adrift of 6^th placed Southampton.

“We probably got out-fought which I haven’t said too many times this season.” Swans manager Garry Monk said after the game.

“We knew with the crowd and recent results that the intensity would be high in the first 20 minutes and we didn’t really get a grip of it.

“Nelson Oliveira had a great chance and he did well to stay on his feet. If we had got a goal then the atmosphere would have changed.”

 

9th April 2015

The US prepare to invade Gatwick Airport…

Some old bloke called King is laid to rest in Leicester…

Some young bloke called King resurrects Leicester…

Bloody Germans…

Bloody Germans!

Santander swings a bat…

‘You called me names’

GET TO THE BEACH! THE SUN’S OUT!

Taylor’s next break-up song could be about an Irish centre-half from Solihull… Let us dream Sean.

Fast and Furious 7 gives Paul Walker a fitting send off. R.I.P.