This is Leicestershire --Mark Clayton highlights five things from Leicester's City win over Derby that may have gone un-noticed.
1Is an experienced creative midfield player the missing link in Leicester City's jigsaw? Would the wise old head in the middle of the park be the one to help unlock defences? It's certainly something City fans would like to see. However, it seems unlikely that manager Nigel Pearson has the resources with the new restrictions imposed by the Financial Fair Play. Remember, FFP will dominate thoughts and actions across the Championship this season.
2Brilliant, exciting, match-winner, talented, frustrating, inexperienced and infuriating are all words that describe the emerging talent that is Anthony Knockaert. We can now probably add naive to that list after Saturday's win at Derby. With the game in the dying seconds and City under pressure, Knockaert received the ball in space inside the Derby half. He should have taken the ball into the corner and wasted time, but instead went for goal and lost possession. Let's not be too critical, he's learning the game and will certainly be City's match-winner on occasions during the season.
3On the subject of Knockaert, some have argued that he doesn't fit into City's systems this season of playing 3-5-2 or 4-3-2-1, which was used at Derby. But Pearson certainly disagrees and brought forward, in a press conference, the exciting option of the Frenchman potentially playing as a striker, presumably alongside the likes of either Chris Wood or David Nugent. It is a tantilising option – would it be worth a try at Carlisle in the Capital One Cup next Tuesday?
4There is no doubt that City can play an awful lot better than they did at Derby, Pearson was quite open on that fact. But it was three points and "winning ugly" is very important in the Championship. There is far more to come from this City side. Should we be confident and optimistic for this season? Yes, we should. So far, so good.
5The reputation of football fans took a battering in the bad old days of hooliganism and perimeter fences, but it is totally different today. The City supporters on the 12.35 train to Derby on Saturday were a perfect example. The train was delayed by more than 35 minutes, it was absolutely packed with many standing, including in the toilets, and the air-conditioning was broken in one carriage. There were no complaints, supporters even gave up their seats for an elderly couple and helped one woman off the train with her luggage. The fans on the train – and the 2,500 in Pride Park – were a real credit to their club and city. Reported by This is 23 hours ago.