Leicester Preview

Someone has told me that we have some important game coming up?

This time tomorrow we will know whether Boro have caused an upset and beat Leicester City to make it through to the 2nd round of the FA Cup. It is arguably the biggest game of the season and a great chance for us to cause a shock and get a bit of money along the way. Boro’s FA Cup record isn’t that impressive in recent seasons, but a decade ago Stevenage were the giantkillers everyone was talking about when they held Newcastle at home, as well as also beating league sides like Cambridge, Leyton Orient and Swindon.

Tomorrow will be a difficult game even though Leicester are not in the greatest runs of form. In fact they have already been beat by a lower league side this week when Rotherham United knocked them out of the Johnstone’s Paint Trophy. However, their squad still has a lot of quality and they could easily still be in the Championship. Ex Boro strikers DJ Campbell and a certain Barry Hayles could both feature for the Foxes. Steve Howard and Matt Fryatt are also at Nigel Pearson’s disposal so both Hayles and Campbell could find themselves coming off the bench.

Boro meanwhile have only two injury worries. David Bridges remains a long-term absentee while although Lee Boylan is still out, he is expected back sooner rather than later. Graham Westley has some big decisions to make ahead of the game. He must decide whether to continue with Peter Vincenti in midfield after his superb display against Woking or recall John Martin. Who will play at the back is another question. Can Ronnie Henry and Mark Albrighton cope with the physical threat of Howard and pace of Fryatt? In my opinion I think the centre halves should remain the same, but bring back Scott Laird and move Eddie Anaclet to right back. I think on paper that is our best defence.

Who partners Steve Morison is another area which GW will be looking at. I’d expect Daryl McMahon to play on the left so it could be either Mitchell Cole or Callum Willock up top. Although I think Willock has done well recently I’d be tempted to stick Mitch up there because I think he raises his game on the big occasions and can do something out of nothing. What Westley does though is another thing? Here is what he has been thinking about the game;

“It’s a fabulous fixture. The players will enjoy the environment. It’s a bigger crowd than they’re used to, a bigger stadium than they’re used to, and a great experience.”

Can Boro win tomorrow? Yeah they definitely can, but they will have to be at their best and hope that the Foxes are having another off afternoon. If Leicester play to their potential then I’d expect a resounding home victory as they are quite simply a class above us. Anyway tomorrow will be a good day out, regardless of the result and I just hope that we play we way we can and leave the Walkers with our heads held high.

Prediction: Leicester City 2-3 Boro (I had to, it’s the FA Cup!)