Wright tips rivals for an assault on promotion

LIKE Nottingham Forest and Leeds before them, Leicester City are fighting the syndrome of being a big fish in a small pond.

This season is the first time Leicester have ever played outside the top two divisions, but they are coping admirably – and Nigel Pearson’s side will arrive at Boundary Park tomorrow with seven wins in nine attempts.

Leicester fans want nothing less than automatic promotion, and the depth of talent available to Pearson suggests those expectations will be fulfilled.

Athletic are also flying high with a record of 15 goals in five home games, so tomorrow’s clash could be one to remember.

Leicester are now, arguably, the biggest scalp in League One, and Athletic coach Tommy Wright admitted his surprise at seeing them down in the lower divisions.

Wright’s playing career featured a highly-successful spell with the Foxes, who dropped out of the Championship on the final day of last season.

He said: “I watched the game against Stoke which relegated them and it was such a shame for the club and the fans.

“A club like Leicester shouldn’t be playing in League One. They have quality players and great support, so I was very surprised they came down.

“It’s obviously a few years since I was there, but I know first-hand the loyalty of the fans and how thousands will turn up, no matter what.

“I expect Leicester to be right up there this season, although, as Nottingham Forest would tell you, this is a difficult league to get out of.

“Maybe one of their problems has been too many managerial changes, but myself and Shez (Athletic boss John Sheridan) have watched them a couple of times and Nigel Pearson has got them well organised.

“They also play good football and come January, if they have injuries or suspensions, they will have the finance to add to their squad.”

Outspoken chairman Milan Mandaric sacked Ian Holloway at the end of last season before naming Pearson as Leicester’s 10th manager in nine years.

Ironically, Pearson was among those responsible for their final-day heartbreak – victory for his Southampton team condemned them.

Leicester sold two important players during the summer as both Iain Hume and Gareth McAuley moved back to the Championship for over £1million.

But they also signed lots of quality replacements, not least Bulgarian international centre-back Aleksander Tunchev, who had just captained CSKA Sofia to his domestic league title.

Tunchev returns tomorrow after World Cup duty – he was facing Georgia and the small matter of world champions Italy – and he’s a key reason for Leicester’s fine defensive record.

Also at the back should be three youngsters on loan from the Premier League: Kerrea Gilbert (Arsenal) and Jack Hobbs and David Martin (Liverpool).

Matty Fryatt is among League One’s top scorers, while fellow striker Steve Howard will surely give Athletic a physical battle.

Leicester look formidable. But, then again, so did Leeds before Athletic went to Elland Road – and remember what happened there?