Wright’s admiring glances at Foxes

ATHLETIC assistant manager Tommy Wright admits it will be a major upset if his former club Leicester City, runaway leaders of Coca-Cola League One, fail to win promotion.

As Athletic prepare for tomorrow’s live televised game at the Walkers Stadium, which kicks off at 5.20pm, Leicester legend Wright believes the Foxes are odds-on favourites to be crowned champions.

“Strange things can happen in football but, as Leicester have such a good cushion over everybody else, it would be a big shock if they were to lose out,” conceded Wright, whose former club are 10 points clear of second-placed MK Dons.

Wright has been impressed with the way Leicester, who are bankrolled by former Portsmouth owner Milan Mandaric, have responded to relegation to the third tier of English football for the first time in the club’s history.Unlike Nottingham Forest and Leeds, two giants who struggled to escape from League One after falling on hard times, Leicester look as though they will bounce back straight away.

Said Wright: “When Forest and Leeds were relegated every game they played was a cup final as far as their opponents were concerned and it put them under a lot of pressure.

“It has also been the case for Leicester, another big club, though they have gone about their work professionally and are a good bet to be promoted.

“Nigel Pearson, who became manager in the summer, has done a great job and I have been impressed with them when I have seen them play.

“Defensively they have a great record and the two lads up front (Matty Fryatt and Steve Howard) have scored plenty of goals.

“There is a good structure to their side and, even when they don’t play well, they invariably win as they don’t concede many goals and are liable to nick one at the other end.”

Leicester’s consistency is such that they have lost only twice in 29 league fixtures, the last being 16 games ago at the end of October.

Millwall and Brighton are the two teams who have inflicted league defeats, the former the only victors at the Walkers Stadium where Athletic will be paying their first-ever visit.

Wright has also been impressed with the balance of youth and experience.

Leicester have journeyman like Chris Powell, Paul Dickov, Barry Hayles, Wayne Brown, Stephen Clemence and Howard, but there are also young jewels like Wales under-21 international midfield player Andy King and Joe Mattick, a defender who has represented England under-21s.

“I have been impressed with King whenever I have seen him and I am sure Mattick, who is only 18, will one day play in the Premier League,” added Wright.

Pearson, a former team mate of Athletic manager John Sheridan at Sheffield Wednesday, has also used the loan market astutely, capturing Liverpool goalkeeper David Martin and defender Jack Hobbs, Arsenal defender Kerrea Gilbert and Manchester United midfielder Tom Cleverley to augment an already-impressive squad.

And even the recent loss of Bulgarian international defender Aleksandar Tunchev – a summer signing from CSKA Sofia – with a cruciate knee ligament injury has not derailed Leicester’s push for promotion.

“Leicester have a far bigger budget than ourselves and, with a 20,000-strong fan base, it is obviously easier to attract players compared to ourselves,” added Wright

Wright has also been impressed with Fryatt whose goals - 20 of his 25 have been in League One - have helped propel Leicester to the top of the table.

He said: “I liked Fryatt when I used to watch him playing for Walsall.

“He had a difficult start at Leicester and didn’t score many goals in the Championship, though they were relegated last season.

“He has certainly made up for his disappointing start and, with his excellent movement, he is one we will have to watch.”

The good news for Leicester is that Fryatt has committed his future to the club by signing a new contract.


LEAGUE ONE FIXTURES
TOMORROW - Bristol Rovers v Huddersfield, Colchester v Stockport, Hartlepool v Walsall, Hereford v Brighton, Leicester v Athletic, MK Dons v Crewe, Peterborough v Carlisle, Scunthorpe v Cheltenham, Swindon v Southend, Tranmere v Leyton Orient, Yeovil v Northampton. MONDAY - Leeds v Millwall.