'Leicester had to show a real dogged side to them'published at 13:13 8 January
13:13 8 January
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Former Leicester City player player Ian Baraclough says the Foxes had to show a different side to their game in the FA Cup third-round victory over Millwall, a team who "weren't going to let them have it all their own way".
Speaking on the latest episode of BBC Radio Leicester's When You're Smiling podcast, Baraclough said: "It was a thoroughly enjoyable game of football to watch.
"Leicester had to show a really dogged side to them. It was a Millwall team that weren't going to let them have it all their own way. They broke with pace and precision and, at times, should've punished Leicester a little bit more.
"Leicester were just more clinical, none more so than opening the scoring against the run of play, then just before half-time, and then that third goal from Tom Cannon against the run of play again. It was good finishing - both teams looked a threat.
"I think Tom Cannon had a really good game. He was a constant menace in behind the Millwall back three.
"Casadei had a fantastic game as well, whether it was a threat on goal with his runs or being the link in play. Ben Nelson can be happy with the game he played - he will have more game time in a Leicester City shirt.
"I think Enzo Maresca will look back at the game and think that they've had to come through that having to play a different way. For me, that can only be a good thing."
When is the draw for the FA Cup fourth round?published at 18:29 5 January
18:29 5 January
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The draw for the FA Cup fourth round will take place on Monday, 8 January before the third-round tie between Wigan Athletic and Manchester United, which is being televised by ITV.
The 16 fourth-round games will be scheduled across the weekend of Saturday, 27 January.
Foxes to make changes for FA Cup tiepublished at 16:55 5 January
16:55 5 January
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Leicester City manager Enzo Maresca has said he will make changes to his starting line-up when the runaway Championship leaders travel to Millwall for their FA Cup third-round tie on Saturday.
The Foxes won their most recent meeting 3-2 at King Power Stadium on 13 December, but Joe Edwards' Millwall have won three and drawn two of their subsequent five Championship games and have kept four consecutive clean sheets.
"As you could see against us, they were trying to change something with their new manager," said Maresca. "Now they are getting much better. I watched their previous games and you can see clearly they are getting better.
"It will be a tough game. We're going to change several players because we're going to give chances to players who have not had many minutes. At the same time, we will give some rest to players who have played almost every minute this season."
Maresca will take charge of a team in the FA Cup for the first time, although he was part of Pep Guardiola's coaching staff when Manchester City won the tournament last season.
"It's a fantastic competition," said Maresca. "I was lucky last year to reach the final and be part of that competition, so I know how important it is and how nice it is."
'Cannon appears a natural goalscorer'published at 11:06 5 January
11:06 5 January
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Foxes striker Tom Cannon has been talking about scoring a brace on his full debut and showing the supporters what he can do, on BBC Radio Leicester's When You're Smiling podcast: "It's great, honestly. The start I had with the injury was tough, but then I knew I had to keep my head down and keep working. Then to be rewarded like this, this is what all the tough days are for. To get the two goals, I'm buzzing.
"I'm always on the move, looking to run in behind and also come to feet when I can to link the play, which obviously the manager likes. I've just got to keep implementing both into my game and see where it goes."
On being 10 points clear at the top of the table: "After the tough Christmas period with four games in 10 days, it's obviously tough for any side. So to keep winning and get the job done, it's impressive each matchday from the sidelines. The way the lads keep digging in, it's unbelievable. We've just got to keep going and keep our heads down and let the football do the talking."
Former Leicester City striker Matty Fryatt added: "He was emphatic and clinical. He showed his movement and it was the composure of his strikes. Watching on, he looked like someone who was natural to it. They say about a 'natural goalscorer' and that's how he appears.
"It would've been a frustrating period for him, coming to the club being injured. Then you've got to bide your time because you've got international forwards ahead of you.
"Then he had this opportunity for his first start for the club against Huddersfield and his first strike was technically brilliant. The second one he goes through on goal and you fancy him to score, there was nothing rushed and he was so composed."
Foxes promotion push 'going very well' - Faespublished at 17:19 4 January
17:19 4 January
Media caption,
Defender Wout Faes tells BBC East Midlands Today that Leicester City's promotion push is "going very well" but stresses their goal of a Premier League return remains far from done.
After 26 games, Leicester are 10 points clear at the Championship summit and have a 13-point cushion to third-placed Southampton in race for automatic promotion.
You can read more from the Belgium international by clicking here.
Happy new year, everyone. And it certainly has been if you're a Leicester City fan.
Over the festive period, we achieved 10 points out of a possible 12 - only dropping the two to our nearest rivals at their place. Ten goals scored, two conceded and we now stand 10 points ahead of Ipswich Town. 13 ahead of third-placed Southampton and 25 (yes, 25) ahead of Hull City in seventh.
I don’t think we are going to get relegated somehow.
Santa had obviously checked his naughty chart and decided we had all been good boys and girls!
In fact, if we look at December as a whole, it's P7 W6 D1 L0. As Jeremy Clarkson once said: "It's so difficult not to look smug at this point."
Yes, I was annoyed at the timing of how and the way in which we conceded against Ipswich. But last season was so, so bad and it's nice to smile on a Saturday night again.
Manager of the month for December? Step forward, Enzo. I know Christmas is the time of Jesus Christ, but I think we have our own second 'Italian' coming in Maresca.
'His attributes are really going to suit the system'published at 11:01 2 January
11:01 2 January
Former Leicester City winger Matt Piper spoke to the When You're Smiling Podcast about Tom Cannon, who scored his first goals for the club against Huddersfield on Monday: "Those goals will be huge. He's a confident kind anyway, but he's got these little cameo appearances that aren't giving him enough time. Those games are done, and this team likes to keep possession and play out the end of games.
"When you bring Tom Cannon on, he's offering great movement and creating space to run into but none of the passes are coming. You're thinking he needs a lot longer on the pitch. I was a little bit surprised he started today, but he gets his opportunity and what a full debut it was for him.
"He didn't just score the goals, he played really well as well. You can see his attributes are really going to suit this system. He can come towards the ball and link it, he's strong, he's good in the air, he can finish and he's speedy. He's got everything to his game really.
"He likened himself to Jamie Vardy and you can see that. I really enjoyed his movement on Friday night, it just so happens the ball didn't come. Today you saw lovely movement for his second goal. It was a great performance I thought from him.
"What a feeling it must be when you identify someone you really want, you put your faith in someone, you don't know if they are going to work and it works. I know it's only one game, but you can see why Enzo [Maresca] wanted him even when he was injured in the medical. He stuck with him because he knew what he wanted and you can see why because he can do it all."
'We couldn't have asked for more in the second half of 2023'published at 11:25 1 January
11:25 1 January
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Big Strong Leicester Boys podcast host Jake Watson spoke to When You're Smiling about the Foxes' 2023: "It's been a tale of two halves. That first six months was tough going, and the summer was very nervy. The second half of the year has been very good.
"I don't want to go overboard too much, but the reality is that even the most optimistic of fans would not have quite predicted we'd be as good as we have been. The [managerial] appointment was bang on, the signings have been great and, where we are in the league table, I don't think we could have asked for any more in the second half of the year - so let's focus on that.
"Where Leicester were at three, four, five years ago with the top-five finishes, FA Cups, there's a good chance that isn't ever replicated. That isn't because we're being unambitious, the reality is that those achievements were absolutely spectacular.
"To ask this club to get back where they were in the next few years is probably unrealistic. If we get ourselves back in the Premier League and established as a mid-table club then we should be very happy with that.
"We're moving in the right direction after a catastrophic 12 months under Brendan Rodgers, but there needs to be certain degree of realism in terms of where we expect the club to get to in the next 12 months."
Transfer news: Foxes keen on Carvalho loan movepublished at 09:52 1 January
09:52 1 January
Leicester City want to sign Liverpool forward Fabio Carvalho on loan after the Portugal Under-21 international was recalled early from his spell at RB Leipzig. (Sky Sports), external
'Professional Leicester went through the gears'published at 13:50 30 December 2023
13:50 30 December 2023
Former Leicester City winger Matt Piper, speaking about The Foxes' 2-0 win over Cardiff, on BBC Radio Leicester's When You're Smiling podcast:
"I thought it was a really good performance. We didn't play magnificent football but it was one of those performance where Leicester held the opposition at arms length and went through the gears.
"We've seen it many times this season when they want to. That's what good teams do - when they want to they can become a little more intense, more front footed, aggressive, spin the ball a little quicker.
"Often in the last six or seven games it's been that first 15 minutes of the second-half when we've had to step it up to go and get the goal or create the chance. Today, it was after the first 15 minutes because I was sitting here worried that they hadn't started well. I was fearing they were tired because (Enzo) Maresca hasn't utilised his squad too much over the last couple of weeks.
"Then, all of a sudden, they just put their foot down. I can't remember there being a trigger, they just did it by themselves. For the next 15 minutes they moved it quicker and that's when they got the goal. They let Cardiff back into it a little bit but they didn't really have the quality to get back into the game.
"We managed to keep them out and then in the second-half it was really professional. They got the second goal then dropped back to conserve energy."
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