Leicester City hot-shots are out to get Derby County
Craig Shakespeare has warned Derby County that Leicester City have the attacking players who can really hurt the Rams.
City head to Pride Park tonight (7.45) for a Championship clash with their East Midlands rivals which could make or break both clubs' season, with the gap to the play-offs now stretched to 11 points.
-
Firepower: Jermaine Beckford (left) and David Nugent are flourishing in City’s attack
- What do you think the score will be tonight? Vote in our poll on the right of the screen.
However, City assistant manager Shakespeare believes that, in strikers David Nugent and Jermaine Beckford, City have the firepower that can out-gun the Rams.
Between them, Nugent and Beckford have scored 11 goals alone in City's last eight games in all competitions, while the Rams have managed only four in total in their last eight.
"We need to keep it tight at the back because we feel we have players at the other end who can hurt them," said Shakespeare.
"We are very pleased with the way the partnership between Jermaine and David is flourishing. Both of them have benefited from playing a 4-4-2 formation.
"Before, when we have tweaked it and played 4-3-3, I think they would both openly admit they prefer 4-4-2.
"I think their form and their well-being together has been good, and last Saturday at Norwich was the best I had seen them as a pair this season.
"They worked as a pair and also did all the other bits without the ball.
"The second goal highlighted it. Jermaine won the header and then created the space for David to go on and score. It was very good.
"They were up against a Premier League team but created lots of problems for them."
Even in defeat at Watford last week, Nugent scored two stunning goals after combining with Beckford on both occasions.
"Watford was a disappointing result, but if you look at Nugent's two goals, they were goals that should rightly win any game, and it was a shame they didn't," added Shakespeare.
"They complement each other very well. We can hopefully keep their form going at Derby."
29 Comments
View all
by Newarkfox
Friday, February 24 2012, 12:45PM
“Predictions for next Week... Not that theres much point predicting.. just bored.
no point doing a predictions league for the rest of the season...
WHam vs Palace - Home
Brum vs Scum - Home
Brighton vs Ipswich - Away
Brizzle vs Blackpool - Away
Cov vs Barnsley - Draw
Donny vs Posh - Away
Boro vs Reading - Draw
Pompey vs Dirty Leeds - Home
Watford vs South Coast Team - Away
Blackpool vs Dull - Draw
Barnsley vs Trees - Away or Draw.”
by Valefox
Friday, February 24 2012, 11:38AM
“Gostof66
I think you are about right, NP does not suffer fools gladly, I believe that he was asked about dropping Matt Mills by a Sky interviewer pre match and did not give them what they wanted, then some wag phoned in post match and questions NP's man management, doh. I'm sure he and many other managers and players would prefer not to interviews at all, let's face it we could all be interviewers because a lot of post match interviews start off something like,
"Well Nigel another win and another 3 points",
"er well yes",
"and the goal, good work by Dyer and a cracking finish by Danns",
"er well yes",
nothing like stating the obvious then, gis a job mate.”
by foxyrod
Thursday, February 23 2012, 10:58PM
“had to leg it round the corner to my sons from work( not recommended at fifty one) so missed the first 20 minutes including the goal , but the last 25 mins of the first half was a walk in the park , danns was superb , best ive seen him , and st ledger was solid . derby were bound to come at us in the second half , but we were more than good enough and with 56% possession ( for the second away game running ) and 10 attempts on target, compared to derbys 6 , plus we hit the woodwork 4 times , it was a well deserved win . and No 1 fox .... we only need 9 wins now !!”
by ghostof66
Thursday, February 23 2012, 10:19PM
“Supporter's”
by ghostof66
Thursday, February 23 2012, 10:19PM
“Oh and well done to the supporter at Pride Park.. you were awsome again!!!”
by ghostof66
Thursday, February 23 2012, 10:17PM
“Great result but still some folk want to pick up on something that NP "said" on TV re Matt Mills.
Mills played at Watford, was pants and we lost and conceded 3. Pearson Dropped him and we have beaten Norwich and Derby (both away!) without Mills and when journalists concentrate on asking questions NP won't tell them what THEY want to hear!
Leave Pearson alone and vocally support the team he picks and we might get somewhere!!!!
Look on the bright side,, Chelsea have not got owt out of there £50M player so I suppose our £5M is a drop in the ocean compared...
Mills may come good but you cannot criticise a winning team or the manager for selecting that team.
If Mills has issues with Pearson leaving him out it's between the manager and him.
There is only one manager so why do 20.000 try to do the job for him?”
by Yorkfox
Thursday, February 23 2012, 10:06PM
“3 points are 3 points and just what the doctor ordered.
First hlaf Danns was like a player possessed. Beckford was disappointing, and Sol is no full-back.
Otherwise, who cares. We have back to back wins allbeit Cup then Championship, and a chance over the next 3 games to consolidate the foundations laid this last few weeks and go on a run
Well done City, and well done Danns, best I have seen from you all season”
by Postiej
Thursday, February 23 2012, 9:53PM
“great win tonight. had the balls and quality to hold out for a clean sheet and a vital 3 points.
and i think Nigel Pearson has woken up and realised that Matt mills is a total liability and not worth anywhere near the £5 million we paid for him!!”
by Jani88
Thursday, February 23 2012, 9:47PM
“I good win but the 2nd half was not a strong, but a welcomed 3 points.”
by leicesterusa
Thursday, February 23 2012, 9:44PM
“great win for leicester. they came out fast but in the second half had me biting my fingernails but we held on for a good win.thought Nugent had it put away in the second half but wasent to be .was a close game.”