by Andrew Cussen
Leicester City have quickly won over many neutrals with their brave and resilient play in the opening three matches of the Premier League season, but they have also beats the odds to secure two vital points. City drew against two Champions League hopefuls in Everton and Arsenal despite finding themselves behind on three occasions, a great show of character and mental fortitude. Backed by raucous fans and with a great spirit amongst the team, the Foxes are looking like the strongest of the three promoted teams.
City’s strong start at home should come as no surprise really — they suffered defeat just twice at the King Power Stadium last season as they collected 55 of their 102 points in home matches. The second defeat was after they had secured promotion, a rather inconsequential loss as City refocused and won the Championship by finishing nine points clear of Burnley.
It’s a well-worn cliché that to stay up a side has to pick up points at home, but it remains true to this day. In the past four seasons only two teams have stayed up after collecting less than 20 points at home, Villa in 2011/12 with 19 points at home and Sunderland last campaign with 18, although last season’s feeble efforts from the relegated sides certainly helped the Black Cats.
Two points from two home games against two of the better sides in the league will have City manager Nigel Pearson feeling hopeful and Foxes fans may be thinking that survival is not all they can achieve this season.
“I have been asked if staying up is just enough, and that has to be the bottom line, but I think it’s dangerous to set your targets too low,” Pearson said before the Arsenal match.
“The key is always going to be whether we can learn quickly. It is whether you are able to adapt quick enough but I think our performances would suggest we are a capable side.”
“We have some very good individual players but our main strength last year was our collective spirit and belief, but we do have capable players.”
The spirit and collective belief that Pearson mentions has been clear for all to see in City’s first two home matches. It took the Foxes just two minutes to equalise after conceding the first goal in both games, with club record signing Leonardo Ulloa finding the net on both occasions. A strong defensive axis of captain Wes Morgan, England under-21 international Liam Moore and Danish international Kasper Schmeichel give City the foundations that are the envy of many sides outside of the top half.
Morgan was a rock at the heart of the Foxes’ defence on Sunday afternoon and his leadership and unwavering commitment will guide the team through the rough patches that they are bound to face during the campaign. Schmeichel is looking more commanding of his area and he has already made a number of crucial saves in the early stages of the season. Moore has been touted as a future senior England international and he has formed a solid and imposing partnership with Morgan.
The pace with which Leicester attack is thrilling to watch and they have quality delivery from set pieces with Riyad Mahrez and Anthony Knockaert. Once again, this may sound rather cliché for a promoted side but these are all good signs for City. They have played two possession heavy sides in their first two home games and dealt with the danger posed extremely well, while also providing a threat of their own. It will be interesting to see if the Foxes can dictate a game more against some of the sides around them in the table, but they certainly have the firepower up front to cause problems for anyone.
It’s been a solid start for Leicester and they have shown that they’ll be very difficult to beat at home this season. Plus they just signed a Champions League winning midfielder and have as many points as Manchester United, so it’s good news all round for the Foxes.
