Martin O'Neill confident Leicester City will go up this season
Former Leicester City manager Martin O'Neill has backed his former club to win promotion back to the Premier League this season.
O'Neill took City to three League Cup finals, winning two, and cemented them in the top 10 of the Premier League during his reign.
He believes that, with manager Nigel Pearson, who was yesterday crowned Championship manager of the month, and the backing of the club's owners, City have a great chance of returning to the top flight.
"It would be terrific this year if they did it," said O'Neill during a break from warm-weather training with Sunderland in Dubai.
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"I know they have everything behind them, and an excellent manager and a strong side.
"We played them in pre-season and, while you can't make any great judgements in pre-season, they looked a strong squad.
"If they can avoid serious injuries to key players, I know the Championship is a very long season, but they look like they have the ability and wherewithal to do it.
"It would be great to see them back."
O'Neill said he has fond memories of his five years in charge at City between 1995 and 2000.
"My old haunt was Filbert Street and those days were fantastic," he said. "Those days will never come back because Filbert Street isn't there anymore.
"I had great days there and enjoyed it immensely. It is a great old club."
Pearson was given the manager of the month award for January after City won four consecutive games, scoring 13 goals and conceding just two, as they surged into second spot in the table.
But striker Chris Wood was beaten to player of the month award by Watford's Matej Vydra, despite scoring five goals in January, including a hat-trick in the 4-0 victory at Bristol City.
Czech striker Vydra started three games in the Championship and scored twice in each of them as Watford boosted their own promotion credentials.
Speaking about Pearson's win, panel member Alan Curbishley said: "It's been a fantastic month for Nigel Pearson with Leicester City winning all of their games, while also scoring freely.
"They are now in a great position as we approach the business end of the season."
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by ghostof66pah
Sunday, February 17 2013, 5:38PM
“It's ok Mike. We just have to look at the bigger picture.. Let's take stock of where we are this season with 30 games gone... 53 points, sitting 5th with 2 games in hand on our main rivals for 2nd place. (Hull, Watford & Palace) with only Middlesborough as an outside chance. Well done to Hull for getting the points on the board to open a 6 point gap. Sound a lot but if (yes I know, IF!) we win our games in hand we will sit 2nd.
We should all be excited that our team are at last with a realistic chance of going up.. We have spent about 9 seasons hoping that we can close at 10-12 point gap just to get into the play-offs and only done it once - With This Manager -
So it's all to be hopeful and realise that we have already enjoyed a couple of unbeaten runs and I do believe that we can have one more 4-5 win streak that will take us over the line.”
by onceablue1
Sunday, February 17 2013, 3:28PM
“Come on then, it's that time of the season when we all have different views on how the rest of the season will pan out. My view is that we need at least 11 more wins, I can't see past Cardiff to win the thing, no surprise there, runners up difficult but I reckon Watford will be very close. To win the play off's, I hope I am completely wrong about this but if Blackburn don't allow the cup to get in the way then I think they might be the side as there usually is that enters the top six late on and if they do they could go all the way.
On the positive side I'm really **** at predicting what will happen so I would like to see some other opinions.
So come on heads on the block time.”
by LCFCMike
Sunday, February 17 2013, 12:04AM
“Ghosty.....I love your confidence, but struggling to share it. Winning Tuesday and Saturday will change all that.
C'MON LEICESTER.”
by ghostof66pah
Saturday, February 16 2013, 10:13PM
“Relax...... We just need one more 4-5 win streak and all will be well.......
Forget what others are doing... We match their last 16 games records and we WIN Promotion.... Simples.... It's our time....”
by Alanprichard
Saturday, February 16 2013, 10:07PM
“I hope Martin is right. Personally I think we should fasten our seat belts as we are in the for the ride of our lives!! 3 points on Tuesday please Nigel.”
by IbstockFox
Saturday, February 16 2013, 9:42PM
“Blackburn winning at Arsenal was good news as they will be focussing on the Cup. Cool heads are required right now or we could undo all the good work in January. Should win on Tuesday, Blackpool are there for the taking so 9 points will put us right on course. Keep the faith.....”
by acullingham
Saturday, February 16 2013, 9:04PM
“Watford and Hull are capable of getting 83 points, we might be looking at 85/86 points for second place this year.”
by Surrey_Fox
Saturday, February 16 2013, 8:49PM
“16 games left, we should be aiming for 10 wins. That gets us to 83 points even if we lose the other 6 games. 83 points usually gets you second place. Job done!!”
by Scottmason
Saturday, February 16 2013, 8:06PM
“The dreaded manager of the month award.”
by Luxpaul
Saturday, February 16 2013, 5:38PM
“Spot on KevCol. That's just about what I posted After the "Posh" debacle. The results are in, and all three won with Watford & Palace banging in FOUR! Hull got through 1-0, the second home win in a week and another home game for them and Palace on Tuesday. Now apart from being down to 5th and six points off second place our advantage with the +26 goal difference is getting drawn in as well. Blackburn knocking Arsenal out of the cup means the game against them a week on Tuesday won't have to be put back further, but as you say they might be on a bit of a roll by then. So in theory we've three tuogh games coming up in the next 10 days. Let's hope we can bounce back after last week starting Tuesday with three points against Charlton and that we've got Chris Wood back in the squad.”