Leicester v Watford 30/08/99 8.00
Leicester (1) 1 Watford (0)
0 FT
Izzet 44
City - Doing Fine
by Peter Gilbert
Before anyone is tempted to look down their noses at this performance with a 'It was only 1-0 and it was only Watford' type comment, don't forget it was in fact three very valuable points against a well organised team who clearly came here for a point. Oh and by the way we now have 10 points and we're 5th in the League above both Leeds and Arsenal and it's only the end of August. So all in all it was a great night.
Emile Heskey was outstanding and the sarcastic bleating of the Watford fans as they chanted at him 'You'll never play for England' really just summed up the ludicrous decisions that Keegan has taken in selecting his next squad. The sheer pathos of their words would have done a Pinter Play proud. Tonight Emile Heskey was a colossus in all departments; quick, strong, tricky and even delicate when needs be. He hit the post once and the bar too, and almost every time he touched the ball he had the hornets buzzing around in a helpless fury as he shook them and their fortress of a defence.
He was aided and abetted by Sinclair who's intelligent passes out of defence really stood out. Izzett too took the game to Watford as he wriggled forward into danger areas. Guppy floated his usual array of tantalising crosses into the warm night sky which just required the right man to be in the right place at the right time. Unfortunately for City it appeared that Watford under Graham Taylor's tutorage knew what to expect and set their defence out accordingly.
There was always the nagging feeling though that City needed to go in at half time with their noses in front. They cut it very fine but they managed it courtesy of a fine cross by Frank Sinclair which Day the Watford keeper could only flap at under pressure from Heskey, the ball fell to Izzett who despatched the ball into the back of the net and suddenly changed the slant of Martin O'Neill's team talk.
At half time Tim Flowers drew the raffle and said all the right things while we staged a sort of protest by letting our feelings be known as we held up posters we had been given to us which read 'Keep The City in the City' which was designed to show how much in favour we are of a new ground, which is no more than the truth of course. There was also an impassioned plea on the PA asking the people in SK1 to sit down at all times or all hell will break loose. Personally I can't see why they should not be allowed to stand up if they all want to stand up, they are after all our 'choir' and our most vocal fans and without them the atmosphere would be very tame. It would be a great shame if action were taken against them. Personally I prefer to sit down which is why I chose to sit in The Carling Stand. But in SK1 there are others who prefer to stand.
Anyway enough of this, and back to the football. Leicester dominated more emphatically in the second half with Heskey once again marauding around the pitch.Taggart was being given the run around by Ngonge and Elliott was having an off night, but Sinclair and Arphexad held firm and we were never really troubled,
Guppy and then Elliott should have scored as the ball fell to them with the goal gaping invitingly but they flashed at the ball when a composed finish was needed. Cottee was as neat and workmanlike as ever and Lennon began at last to get a hold of the midfield. Stefan Oakes started the game, his tackling and passing are fine but he needs to develop a few more dimensions to his repertoire if he is to make his mark. Savage applied consistent pressure down the right hand side which was further aided by Zagorakis who came on to replace a fading Stefan Oakes.
Cottee too was subbed off and replaced by Marshall who immediately made a nuisance of himself in the box.
As the final whistle blew we were all more than satisfied with the night's work. We now have a short break while England try and beat Luxembourg.
It's so far so good at present and we are well placed to go on from here to create the fan base needed to fill our all seater(take note SK1 !) 40,000 seater stadium. The success of the team is what will inevitably fill the stadium, which will bring in the money which will attract the players who will attract the fans and so on and so fifth place we are. That'll do nicely.
Leicester: Arphexad, Sinclair, Elliott, Taggart, Izzet, Lennon, Savage, Oakes (Zagorakis, 69), Guppy, Heskey, Cottee (Marshall, 86).
Subs not used: Gilchrist, Wilson, Hodges.
Booked: Lennon, Heskey, Izzet.
Watford: Day, Lyttle, Kennedy, Page, Palmer, Easton (Bakalli, 71), Hyde, Robinson, Williams, Mooney, Ngonge (Gudmundsson, 71).
Subs not used: Bonnot, Foley, Walker.
Booked: Hyde, Easton, Kennedy.
Attendance: 17,920.
Referee: N Barry
