Opposition View: Leicester City
How do you cope if you’re a Leicester City fan? One minute you’re staring relegation in the face, the next you’re Premier League champions, then you’re in the quarter finals of the Champions League and next comes the unspeakable tragedy that unfolded at the King Power Stadium just a month ago.
To find out, we spoke to Chris Forryan from Foxes’ fan site Leicester Till I Die.
Chris told us how the club is coping in the aftermath of the devastating helicopter crash that claimed the life of chairman Vichai Srivaddhanaprabha, what it was like to win the league as 5,000-1 shots and what he thinks of Mark McGhee.
Leicester have packed more into the last five years than most clubs go through in a lifetime. Let’s start with the unimaginable horror that was the helicopter crash that claimed the life of chairman Vichai Srivaddhanaprabha. How are the club and the city coping a month on from the tragedy?
It has brought not only the club and its supporters but I think British football closer together. I ask myself how many other football club owners would have received such an out pouring of grief at their passing? The support that was shown to our club from other football teams across Europe including some of our biggest rivals was heartwarming and shows the football family in its best light. A huge gap has been left but I am sure his son is up to the task of filling it as he takes over the reigns of running the club.
The greatest triumph “The Boss” oversaw and one of the greatest stories in sporting history was of course your title success in 2016. How on Earth did it feel to support a side that won the league despite starting the season as 5,000-1 rank outsiders?
To go from almost being relegated the season before to winning the Premier League was amazing, I wish I had had a bet. We went from a little midlands club to what felt like everybody’s second club (unless you were a Spurs fan). I believe we gave hope to all clubs outside the big six that dreams can come true. People are still wanting to talk about it now… take this question for example. It is something that will never be taken away from us.
The natural question to follow your success is how do you top it? It’s unlikely Leicester will lift the league again for some time, so how do you come close to matching the euphoria of that campaign when you go back to challenging for a top 10 spot?
We didn’t do bad the following season, quarter finalists in the Champions League and last British team in that competition that season. Reality does bite though and we have to aim for a European place via the league or winning a cup.
Claude Puel is your current boss, a man who was famously sacked for “only” leading Southampton to seventh spot and a League Cup final. He was booted out of St Mary’s for playing boring football, so how is he fitting in at the King Power?
Like Marmite. Some love the guy and want to give him a chance, others hate the fact he is taking us away from our Premier League winning style of play. However, his handling of the recent tragedy has won over a lot of fans.
We’ve shared a few bosses over the last 25 years or so. What are your thoughts on Mark McGhee and Micky Adams and if you had to pick one to return to Leicester, who would you go for?
Hate Mark McGhee. Walked out on us to go to “a bigger club” in Wolverhampton Wanderers. Worked out well at the time, didn’t it Mark eh? Micky Adams will always have a place in our hearts. Got us back into the Premier league while we were in administration, as well as having to handle the La Manga affair. I will leave you to work out which one I would have back!
As well as managers, there are plenty of players to have played for both clubs. One name in particular stands out – Anthony Knockaert. How do Leicester fans view the Little French Magician?
Whats not to love? Like a few players seemed to end up on then managers Nigel Pearson’s not liked list, but that said his demise at the club coincided with Riyad Mahrez’s rise. Say no more. That said love the little fella and wish him well at Brighton.
Leicester’s ability to pick up talented yet previously unheralded young English players is remarkable. Jamie Vardy, Harry Maguire, Ben Chillwell, James Maddison and Demarai Gray being just the obvious examples. What’s the secret behind this brilliant recruitment?
Well Maguire, Maddison & Gray were all established players at their respective clubs, Chillwell came though our youth ranks. Vardy along with non English players like Mahrez and N’Golo Kante were found by what was then an excellent scouting system run by Steve Walsh who is rumored to be making a return to the club. Leicester City also has a long history of having a good youth system, long may this continue.
Leicester have gone from Championship club to an established Premier League side relatively quickly. Any tips you could give to the Albion on how to do it?
There is no easy formula. Stick together, never give up or the belief or each other, fight until the end and, oh have a good slice of luck.
If you had to pick one player to sign from Brighton, who would you go for?
Glenn Murray as we have struggled to get the goals this season
Finally, how do you see Saturday’s game going?
The international break came at a good time for us after everything that had happened but we seem to like giving opposition teams a goal start this season. So I’m gonna go for a 2-1 victory for Leicester City.
Thanks to Chris for taking the time to answer our questions. You can follow Leicester Till I Die on Twitter to remind him of his prediction of a Foxes win should the Albion manage to gain revenge for them doing the double over us last season.
