Championship - Countdown: Leicester City

Eurosport - Mon, 27 Jul 09:40:00 2009

Eurosport-Yahoo continues its countdown to the Championship season with a look at newly-promoted Leicester City.

FOOTBALL 2008-2009 League One Leicester City Nigel Pearson - 0

Manager: Nigel Pearson (pictured)

Last 10 seasons in the Championship

(1999/2000 to 2008/2009): -/-/-/2/-/15/16/19/22/-

POSSIBLE STARTING XI:

Conrad Logan

Aleksandar Tunchev Michael Morrison Jack Hobbs - Joe Mattock

Stephen Clemence Matt Oakley Lloyd Dyer Andy King

Steve Howard Matty Fryatt

BACK-UPS FROM: Alex Cisak, Carl Pentney, Chris Weale, Harry Worley, Luke O'Neill, Bruno Berner, Wayne Brown, Robbie Neilson, Lathaniel Rowe-Turner, James Wesolowski, Nicky Adams, Levi Porter, Max-Alain Gradel, Aman Verma, Richard Wellens, Ashley Chambers, Paul Dickov, Craig King, Astrit Ajdarevic, Dany N'Guessan, Ricky Sappleton

TRANSFERS:

In: Richard Wellens (£1.2m, Doncaster Rovers), Chris Weale (Bristol City, free), Dany N'Guessan (Lincoln City, undisclosed), Wayne Brown (Hull, free), Robbie Neilson (Hearts, free), Jack Hobbs (Liverpool, undisclosed)

Out: Barry Hayles (Cheltenham, released)

POSITIVES: Last season Leicester played outside the top two tiers of English football for the first time in their history - and displayed a belief that they don't belong there. Losing just four matches in their league campaign, they will be looking to take that momentum into this season. Nigel Pearson has shown himself capable of succeeding in difficult circumstances.

NEGATIVES: The Foxes do not have an impressive record in the Championship, finishing 15th, 16th, 19th and 22nd in their last four seasons in the division.

VERDICT: Although their recent record in the second tier does not make for impressive reading, their performances in League One last season suggest they could be an altogether different proposition this time around. With a manager who can bring out the best in his players and a squad which has considerable quality and depth, they have every reason to feel optimistic.

PREDICTED POSITION: 9th

Mario Hajiloizis / Eurosport

Comment 1 - 8 of 8

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  1. So called Researchers should just stick to the­ Premiership, where they can get all of their­ information from Sky Sports without actually knowing­ anything about football. Leave the other leagues to the­ fans - we DO know our teams !!

    From karl.taylor, on Tue 28 Jul 10:43AM

  2. Stephen Clemence in the 'possible 1st team line­ up'­ !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!..hello­ !!!.... Mario Mario !!..where have you been­ ?????????????????????????????????????....

    From david w, on Tue 28 Jul 8:56AM

  3. Read up on a team first rather than just drawing names­ out of a hat!

    From DanielP, on Mon 27 Jul 10:06PM

  4. Conrad Logan first choice keeper, i think you need to­ sack youre researcher. Poor record in championship,­ what about being runners up when Micky Adams was in­ charge. What next we will sign Ronaldo for £81 million.­ If you dont know about Leicester dont make up @#$% like­ this rubbish!

    From Chris H, on Mon 27 Jul 9:36PM

  5. who writes this stuff the person needs to do some­ research really rubbish sack the person responsible..

    From STEPHEN, on Mon 27 Jul 9:08PM

  6. poor article. I doubt wellens wont start or­ N'Guesson.
    also, think we're signing kevin­ phillips today!

    From KarlB, on Mon 27 Jul 5:24PM

  7. yer agree !.. poor unresearched article !!

    From david w, on Mon 27 Jul 3:05PM

  8. Logan and Clemence in the team? Did you do any research­ before writing this article? Logan had 6 keeper ahead­ of him last season, including 4 loans, and Clemence­ hasn't played for approaching 18 months.

    From sirfm2002master, on Mon 27 Jul 1:04PM
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