Foxes Managerial Merry-Go-Round Resumes

Earlier this week, Sven-Goran Eriksson was again out of a job, this time at Leicester City.

The Swede, who took over in October 2010, oversaw a 3-0 home defeat to struggling Millwall in the nPower Championship on Saturday, which was to be his final game in charge for the Foxes.

"It was always my aim to lead the club into the Premier League.
"I am very sorry I won't be able to do that. Being the manager of Leicester was an absolute pleasure."

The east Midlands club were favourites to win the league this season, after a £15 million war chest was handed to the former England chief, but Eriksson has had a steady start to the new season, as the club currently lie in 14th place, but the board felt this was not good enough after signing the likes of Matt Mills (£5m), Kasper Schmeichel (undisclosed) and Gelson Fernandes.

Eriksson and Leicester City have both struggled for stability respectively in recent seasons.

Since departing the England national role in 2006, Sven has been in charge of four teams in five years, not forgetting his role as Director of Football at Notts County in League 1. From Manchester City to Mexico, to the Ivory Coast in the last World Cup and then finding himself in the east Midlands.

Meanwhile, Leicester City have chopped and changed since Martin O' Neill left the club back in 2000. No more than 11 managers have come and gone.

The abysmal era of Peter Taylor took over the following season. Micky Adams briefly enjoyed a successful spell between 2002 and 2004 promoting the Foxes in the old Division 1, before admitting he has took the club "as far as he can go", just after relegation in their solitary season back in the Premier League.

Scotsman Craig Levein left Hearts in the SPL in 2004 to join Leicester, and in three seasons, City installed four more managers with Rob Kelly, Martin Allen, Gary Megson and Ian Holloway who all failed to stop the rot at the King Power Stadium, then known as the Walkers Stadium.

Eventually, Leicester City were relegated under the stewardship of Holloway. Despite joining an already sinking ship, Holloway was relieved of his duties under owner Milan Mandaric.

Nigel Pearson's availability was seized upon by Mandaric, and it had seemed the good times had come back round. Leicester bounced back into the Coca-Cola Championship within the first time of asking, and Pearson and the Foxes continued their good form into the new campaign. They reached the play-offs but fell to runners up Cardiff City in Wales.

Pearson's departure came as a huge shock to many Leicester fans. The Sheffield Wednesday and Middlesbrough legend left the club after it had seemed former Swansea manager Paulo Sousa had held talks with Mandaric during the play-off semi final defeat to which Pearson left the club to go on to pastures new.

Sousa installed and City suffered a woeful start into the new season. The 6-1 away hammering to bottom of the league Portsmouth was enough for the board and fans as the Portuguese's contract was cut short.

New owners had took over from Mandaric, and Eriksson was in place to steer the City ship away from the dark depths of the relegation zone.

Successful he was. The club just missed out on the play-offs this time around. The loan signing of Yakubu signalled the saucy Swede's intentions of taking the club back in to the promised land.

A year on from his appointment, both parties are looking elsewhere.

Football is a cruel game. In a results-based industry, Sven failed to produce this term. Many believe he hadn't had long enough, many felt he was clueless with his formations and the starting line up. Whichever way you look at it now, a new era dawns on Leicester City yet again.

An Interview with Paul Nixon

There are not many cricketers in the modern game who manage to reach the age of 40 and still have the desire to continue playing. Former England wicket-keeper and Leicestershire legend Paul Nixon is one of that rare breed.

“Nico”, as he is affectionately known as by his team-mates and coaches, is about to enter his 23^rd season as a professional cricketer, and the Cumbrian is pleased to have signed a new one year contract last October.

He said: “I’m delighted to get another contract. There aren’t many players that have played four decades. I think there are only four of us, Dominic Cork, Mark Ramprakash, Robert Croft and myself, so I’m delighted.”

He joined Leicestershire in 1989 as a youngster. In the 22 seasons that have passed, Nixon has represented Kent as well as two stints in a Foxes shirt. An IPL (Indian Premier League) invite for Delhi Giants to go along with a call up to the England squad in Australia in 2007, and a World Cup selection in West Indies in the same year.

The evergreen professional has enjoyed two County Championship titles with Leicestershire, a Norwich Union – One Day title with Kent, two Twenty20 cup wins, as well as four consecutive finals days in the first four seasons of the new competition. 

Nixon recalled his time during the Jack Birkenshaw era, when the club dominated cricket for many seasons.

“The team (1996 and 1998 County Championship winning sides) were just peaking, just like the England Rugby team who won the World Cup. Each player was really starting to know his game. It was a small squad, so we knew we had to be fit and up for the challenge, and we knew our resources were smaller than the test playing counties,” Nixon said.

“We had a great atmosphere, we were very positive. James Whitaker (Head Coach) instilled that in every person.

“Jack [Birkenshaw] loves the game, passionate about the game and that rubs off on the players. I was delighted he had the success down here. He’s a well loved character in the game.”

Nixon believes his call up to England was probably the highlight of his career.

“For me, walking out in Sydney in the first Twenty20, representing England versus Australia. When you get picked for England, and then you play for England, then it’s your dream. That’s what it is all about. You walk out with the ‘Lions’ on your shirt. To see the ‘Barmy Army’ and the thousands there, it was a very special moment.”

Four years on, Nixon has handed his keeping duties to Tom New to become a specialist batsman in first-class cricket.

However, a knee-injury in pre-season training has forced him to rest for a few weeks. But he is optimistic that he will be fit for the first game of the season.

He said: “I tore my cartilage eight days ago in training doing some sprints, but fortunately I got surgery straightaway. I’m back running again, and I really can’t wait for the new season.”

After recent seasons in which Leicestershire have struggled in Division Two of the Liverpool Victoria County Championship (LVCC), the Foxes enjoyed a good season under the captaincy of shock signing,  former England and Yorkshire paceman Matthew Hoggard. The club finished fourth, but narrowly missed out on finishing in the top three.

“Our goal is to get Division One status. That is one of our targets. We were only literally a couple of points from going up. We had a relatively young squad as well as our overseas Andrew McDonald,” he said.

“Hopefully, I’ll have a great year for Leicestershire, and as Virender Sehwag always says, ‘the sun always shines for another innings’.”

Just you then, John Terry and co..

We've managed  to end 24 years of hurt down under, and what a fantastic achievement this was, winning the series in Australia's own back yard.

GREAT Britain, if you include Wales as well in England & Wales CB, in the new millennium, has now overseen two magical success's, and if you don't consider the Ashes as big as the World Cup, then think of it as cricket's equivalent.

The other, the Rugby World Cup. Martin Johnson lifting the Webb Ellis trophy in 2003, ironically in Australia. Admittedly, I am not a rugby lover, but I will always want the national side in any sport to do well, and the two winnings mentioned above are undoubtedly a few of the nation's sporting greatest achievements.

Some will say the Australians were, and still are going through a transition, but it doesn't matter. You have to beat what is front of you. This is what Andrew Strauss, Kevin Pietersen and head coach Andy Flower have done. Boy, we have kicked them where it really hurts.

Boys have become men in Australia. You can not criticise one member of England cricket team. Every single player has had a contribution; you may say, "Paul Collingwood didn't deserve his place?" Correct, he was off-form, but he took the most catches (9). Would it be a different case if it was someone else? Maybe, maybe not. From Alastair Cook's devastating run-fest, to Monty Panesar's drink duties, every single member of the Ashes squad can be so proud of what they have just done this morning (07 Jan, 2011).

Mike Gatting was the last successful captain to enjoy scenes similar to what Andrew Strauss has. This was such a long time. Years before I was even born. But the pain has healed, the Urn is coming home.

So, let's go to the country's national football side. 1966. A significant year. A recognised number. Why? This was the last time England has won a major tournament in this sport. Since then, the country has endured 44 (forty four) years of hurt. Another four more years until the next tournament, so this will be 48 years (that's forty eight) of more pain and misery.

The expectation of the football team is huge. Higher than you can ever imagine. The arrogance is disgusting. We, as a nation, seem to believe we DESERVE to win the World Cup. We do NOT. It takes years of progress, and will not happen over time. The rugby and Ashes winning respective sides, worked endlessly to achieve what they have done.

England cricket had never seemed to be going forward, until a change in hierachy scrapped old plans, introduced new ambitions and targets, and was met right on time. It has took years, and years for England to win three of the last four Ashes series, and it isn't on luck. Maybe, just maybe, the FA had ought to take a leaf out of the ECB's book, and follow their policy and initiatives.

England's fat cat bosses as well as players are earning embarrassingly, ridiculously high earnings for something they are ALL averagely good at. None of these players are WORLD-CLASS. None of them will ever reach the status Bobby Moore and the 1966 winning team reached.

Until everyone involved with England football and the FA take their head out of their behinds, the country will continue to bemoan another lacklustre tournament. The expectancy must lower, and there must be more graft behind to scenes. I will not go on, but for example, look at the amount of international/oversees football players that are playing in England. Just how on earth are young talent going to progress and improve if they do not even get a sniff of first-team football in the Premier League. That is one for example, but I could go on forever.

As the rugby and cricket national teams set to continue improving, England football will only settle for their pay packet at the end of the month. National pride and trophies were a thing of the past. Fast cars, mansions and money seem to be number one priority. Just how long will this last..?

England Cook-ing on gas, as visitors move closer to historic win

Firstly, a Happy New Year to my readers. I trust you all had a safe Christmas period, and a great start to the New Year.

England were on course on Day 3 in Sydney for a series win, the first win down under in 24 years as Alastair Cook and Ian Bell both recorded first-class centuries, as England finished the day at 488-7.

Cook entered the record books yesterday, spending a patient 36 hours at the crease throughout the Ashes series, becoming the second highest prolific run scorer down under, behind Wally Hammond.

Cook was eventually dismissed on 189, despite having a decision referred on 99 after Phillip Hughes, fielding at 'short leg', claimed a catch off the bowling of debutant Michael Beer. Hughes (right, in helmet), celebrated hesitantly, before looking at his team mates and opting to go up for a wicket. Evidence shows the ball touched the ground first, much to the disgust of Sir Ian Botham.

With two day left of the Ashes series, England were very much favourites to take the match. Australia captain Michael Clarke will probably be left to rue his decision to bat first, on a wicket which favoured the seamers, most notably England's, as Australia's tailend were left to pick up the pieces left by the host's top order.

Usman Khawaja and Michael Beer made their Test debut at the SCG, replacing Ricky Ponting and the injured Ryan Harris respectively.

Batting first, Shane Watson and Phillip Hughes look to hit the gas quicker than usual. Hughes, the main instigator, influenced a 55 run partnership for the first wicket, before falling to Tremlett on 31. Immediately, Khawaja stamped his authority on the game, slapping a short pitched delivery off the Surrey pace-man, then hooking the second, with attacking intent.

For the Aussie's, Khawaja seemed to be a breath of fresh air. He and Watson produced another 50 partnership, before Watson falling to Bresnan for 45. Clarke soon departed 4, again off Bresnan, which has turned out to be a torrid series for the stand in skipper. Michael Hussey, who had a quiet 4th Test, was dismissed by Paul Collingwood for 33, after an inside edge saw his bails removed.

Wicket-keeper Brad Haddin could only make 6 as Steven Smith scored 18, before a late onslaught by Mitchell Johnson and Ben Hilfenhaus saw Australia go from 189-8 to 265-9, before Johnson was bowled by Bresnan. Hilfenhaus was eventually removed for 34, with Beer remaining not out out on 2.

England's reply went well. With a swinging Kookaburra ball, Strauss and Cook looked steady and comfortable, frustrating Johnson and Hilfenhaus in the process. England captain Strauss has not converted a 50 to 100 yet, after he made 60 as England lost their first wicket on 98.

Hot-shot Jonathan Trott fell for a five-ball duck, his first of the series, to a Mitchell Johnson delivery. Cook was then joined by Kevin Pietersen, who hasn't really excelled since he produced that magnificent 227 in Adelaide. Pietersen made a start, but was halted at 36, again by Johnson, who was the pick of the bowlers. James Anderson went in as a nightwatchman, with the score on 167/3 accompanying Cook on 61 not out.

Commence Day three, and Hilfenhaus wasn't prepared to wait much longer, banging in the short balls to Anderson (left), but his opposite number played some delightful shots, despite scoring 7. He done his bit, facing 35 balls and staying overnight, protecting Cook.

Collingwood, who hasn't hit top form throughout this summer, looked uncomfortable at the crease, with Johnson swinging the ball from left to right, cramping Collingwood. It was obvious Collingwood was given instructions to get some runs on the board by his skipper. Beer claimed his first Test wicket at the expense of Collingwood, for another disappointing low score of 13. A rash shot; dancing down the track and hitting high into the air, straight down Hilfenhaus throat. But the tail hadn't been reached yet, with Bell to come in.

Bell hasn't really had room to play, despite previous scores of 76, 68* and 53, until this innings. With the score at 226-5, the lead wasn't much. Bell had to form a partnership with Cook and he did just that. Technically correct, and a pleasure to watch, Bell excelled in the warm temperatures, playing each ball on merit.

Cook, in his partnership with Bell, saw one of two controversial decisions go against the hosts on 99. The opener ran two runs to oversee his century. Much to his delight and the team's delight, the Australian's showed no acknowledgement for his knock, which was very disappointing to see.

However for Bell, with glorious shots, to go along with the pristine form he has shown over the summer for club and country, came controversy and a let-off for the Warwickshire batsman.  Smith dropped a chance off his own bowling, as Bell drove straight back at the leg-spinner, before being droped.On 67, it had seemed that Bell had edged behind off Watson. The decision was given, and despite only knowing if he snicked off behind or not, Bell still referred to his partner, new batsman Matt Prior, then to the Umpire. The review system including 'hot spot', showed no signs of an edge, but after Aleem Dar overruled his decision, snickometer showed there WAS a thin inside edge. Bell off the hook, and his intention was now to take advantage and hit that long-awaited century he has been craving.

Cook eventually departed for a phenomenal 189 runs, with Bell caught out on 115, as England reached 488/7 at close of play. Prior heaped more misery by scoring a half-century of his own.

Two days are left to play in this final Test, and with the momentum with England, the Australian's must look to restore pride back into the team and country. A draw at most is a must for Clarke's side, but a defeat looks most likely.

A declaration may be imminent on Day four, but whatever may happen come Day five close, what a winter England and the Barmy Army have had, down under.