Saturday, 18th August, 2001. If this date isn't etched into your minds, then I suspect the events of this day will be.
An 11 year old me gets off a bus in a small town called Blyth near Newcastle after a day out shopping with my dad. As we get off the bus about 200 yards from our then home, I excitedly run home. It's the first match of the 2001-02 season and we've missed the first half. I rush inside to see what the score is, switch on the TV and glance at the score...
Leicester 0 - 4 Bolton HT
My first thought is that perhaps they made a mistake - maybe they got the scores the wrong way around? Then I see the goalscorers. These aren't Leicester players? It then hits me that the scoreline isn't a mistake - it's real. The match eventually finishes 0-5 and kicks off a chain of events that see us relegated in our last season at Filbert Street.
Fast forward the clock 14 years to today and compare the feeling. What a performance, what a score, what a start! Mahrez, Albrighton, Vardy and Okazaki sounded like they had incredible performances. And we now stand top of the Premier League - we are, for another day at least, a week at best, the best team in the country. Amazing.
It feels like this goes someway to making up for *that* game 14 years ago. Let's enjoy it while we can - we've been through enough in the last 14 years to deserve it.
14 years later.....
posted on 8/8/15
Good post. I was at that Bolton game with my dad, we both had season tickets. Awful game, awful season as we had to sit and watch Taylor undo all of MONs hard work..
What's so great about today is that it looks as if Ranieri is sensible enough to pay tribute to Pearsons work and actually build on it. He is sensible enough to know that whatever Pearsons failings as a tactician or a person, he built a side in his own image - hard working and fearless.
It's interesting to note the language used by Ranieri in interviews today. He talks about his players needing to be 'Warriors'. He knows, unlike Peter Taylor, that actually not much needs changing here at all. Just incremental improvements, selecting the right players, using the right formation.
I fully expected Ranieri to be a Peter Taylor like disaster. I thought we'd end up with equivalent of Mancini upfront surrounded by a host of overweight past it Italian players looking for a pay day. I saw his record past Chelsea and was worried.
Well I certainly feel better after today. Yes the defence needs work. Yes Schmeichel and Morgan look likely to give a goal away at any moment, but I think CR will work on this and bring in the desired quality over time.
If we get Cambiassos replacement in place then I think this season can be a success.
Oh and can you believe NP left out Albrighton for 3/4 of last season? 2 assists and a goal in one match. Wow....
posted on 8/8/15
Although I wasn't there in person I remember the game well. Never before or since have I been certain of an outcome of a season after just one game, but I was that day.
Very enjoyable game today and Mahrez was my MOtM.
The downside was we should have won much easier and it won't be long before we have to change something (shape or personnel) in the defensive line if we carry on like we did today defensively.
But fair play to Ranieri. My biggest fear is that he'd start to change things too quickly. I think we do need to gradually improve in quality, but in the short term pace, hard work and endeavour will get us far. That what suits this squad at present and there was evidence of it all over the pitch today.
posted on 8/8/15
I was writing my reply at the same time as Blackstarr. If I'd have waited I'd have just written "ditto".
posted on 8/8/15
I liked the way you guys played as compared to most promoted teams and last season I popped onto your board a couple times to say you wouldn't get relegated. At some point you looked certain for the drop. Hopefully you solidify your position in the league this season and then perhaps start looking up the table rather than down. I prefer the teams that want to play football not the proverbial Stoke City type anyway. Good luck except for when we meet.
posted on 8/8/15
Haha, not many people say that to any of my posts joby!
posted on 8/8/15
Cheers mamba. Great game at anfield last season, a valuable point for us. Think it will be much tougher for us to get anything there this season though..you've made some top signings
posted on 8/8/15
I sure hope you are right. We were sheet last season and I hope we improve especially defensively otherwise it may be the same.
Also, I think Ranieri is a very shrewd appointment.
posted on 8/8/15
Remember it very well Foxello, it felt worse than being 5 down at Forest. That was one dark day because it was obvious we were going down.
Was at Anfield last season Mamba, I thought we completely dominated the game. I had the perfect view of the penalties but coming away with a draw was very satisfying.
I also think you've made some good signings, good luck for the season mate 👍
posted on 9/8/15
Great post, Foxello.
I remember the day well - my new girlfriend and I (now my wife) had just gone on a little break to Le Touquet in Northern France. We'd had several cocktails before wandering into a bar, where the results were on.
The 0-5 score line almost ruined my weekend, I knew at that point the game was well and truly up for us.
Fingers crossed yesterday's result shows how far we've come....