City win to start new era

Leicester City started life after Gary Megson in the best possible fashion with a 2-0 win over Barnsley.

Megson’s former backroom staff, Frank Burrows and Gerry Taggart took charge of the match whilst City search for a new manager continues.

It was perhaps not a total surprise that Burrows selected a side that could have easily been that of Megson’s. Sticking with the 3-5-2 formation, Collins John made his first start continuing where he left off against Sheffield United, pairing up with Matty Fryatt up front.

Iain Hume came back for suspension and played in an attacking position behind the front two, the injured Stephen Clemence making way.

Shaun Newton, who replaced Clemence midweek, kept his place in the side at the expense of James Chambers in an otherwise unchanged side to the one that suffered a tame 1-0 defeat just 3 days ago.

Despite the fact that caretaker Burrows passed up the chance to make bigger changes to the team selection, there was an increased aura of optimism from the home crowd and City started the game in a much more positive attacking fashion, Iain Hume in particular helping bridge the gap between the midfield and attack well and ensuring that the two strikers were not isolated up front.

City however failed to create much and during the first quarter of an hour, chances from either side were at a premium with no real shots on target.

Then after 22 minutes, City were ahead, Shaun Newton’s freekick from the right hand side was not dealt with by the Barnsley defence, the ball pinged around the penalty area before Collins John opened his account finishing from close range.

City then went on to double their lead less than 10 minutes later and the goal again came from a set peice. This time Alan Sheehan’s corner was headed in by Patrick Kisnorbo for his 3rd goal of the league campaign, making him the club’s leading goal scorer in the process.

At this point the game opened up slightly with chances for both sides failing to be taken.

City’s problems in the centre of the midfield then took another turn for the worse as James Wesolowski was replaced 5 minutes from the break by James Chambers after suffering yet another injury this season.

City’s 5 man midfield at this point consisted of Newton, Stearman, Chambers, Hume and Sheehan.

City again started brightly after the break, Matty Fryatt heading wide from a Stearman ball in from the right just before the hour mark.

After 70 minutes Carl Cort was sent on for John after the goalscorer appeared to have taken a knock, chances for both teams were few and far between as the game fizzled out towards the end, Stearman and Fryatt trying their luck but failing to test the Barnsley keeper.

Overall a much needed victory for City who move up to 15th with 15 points from 12 games.

Fans will be encouraged by the more positive nature of the team’s play however with both goals coming from set plays City have to look as far back as the Stoke game to find the last time City scored from open play in the League.

The injury to James Wesolowski, who had previously been out for 6 weeks will come as a blow, with captain Stephen Clemence also out for 2-3 weeks.

A good result but in truth Barnsley were poor and on another day against better opposition we might not have been as fortunate.
Burrows throws his hat in the ring
‘What’s not to like about being manager of Leicester City? We’ve got a fabulous stadium and facilities and we are determined to get back into the Premier League.
‘Gary said they were happy with the staff at Bolton and he won’t be taking me with him. I’ve told the chairman that I won’t go anywhere as long as he wants me.

‘I’m under contract here and I’ve told the chairman that I’ll run the football team until he tells me different.’