John Gregory shuffled the pack after recent defeats to Derby and Sheff Wed and was forced into one change today through injury to Marc Bircham. Simon Royce made his patient return to the side since being injured for a large chunk of last season and having to keep the bench warm for the last month. Gregory also drafted in the promising Pat Kanyuka ar centre back whilst Rehman was switched to right back. Steve Lomas replaced Bircham in midfield and was duly appointed captain and upfront tall Danish striker Marc Nygaard was preferred to young England Under 19 forward, Ray Jones. On the bench was the welcome return of Gareth Ainsworth who has been out injured for 10 weeks and young loanee Michael Mancienne was once again held back for his full debut.
I felt comfortable with the changes made as some freshness had to be injected into the team as confidence had started to dwindle once again, although i felt a little bit sorry for Paul Jones who in my mind had not done a great deal wrong lately but maybe Gregory felt it was time for something different?
Ten-man Leicester held on for a share of the spoils, at the end of an absorbing contest in W12.
The Foxes survived a second half onslaught from the R’s to leave West London with a point, after Gareth McAuley saw red midway through the second half for deliberate handball.
Martin Rowlands stuck away the resultant spot-kick to set up a grandstand finish, but the Foxes survived and thanks to Patrick Kisnorbo’s early header, made the trip back up the M1 with a plucky point.
Leicester led at the break, despite the R’s creating a flurry of golden opportunities in an end-to-end first half.
Rangers’ inability to keep their concentration in the opening exchanges came back to haunt them yet again, as Patrick Kisnorbo coasted into the box unchallenged to head past Simon Royce.
It was the fifth match in succession in which the R’s have given conceded inside the opening quarter of an hour – a stat that will no doubt concern gaffer John Gregory.
Undeterred, Rangers went on to orchestrate proceedings for the remainder of the half, with Dexter Blackstock the chief destroyer.
On another afternoon, the R’s summer signing could have bagged a first half hat-trick, but Conrad Logan was in inspired form for the Foxes.
Rangers made a promising start, yet despite an early rendition of ‘Pig Bag’ over the PA system, Dexter Blackstock’s stunning second minute volley from Lee Cook’s cross finished the wrong side of the post.
But it was Leicester who opened the scoring on six minutes, when Tiatto’s sublime free-kick was glanced home by Kisnorbo.
The returning Royce appeared to be in control of the situation, but a slight moment’s hesitancy allowed the Leicester captain the time and space he needed to finish in style.
The R’s should have been on terms five minutes later, but after an almighty goalmouth scramble, Blackstock somehow scooped the ball over the bar from the edge of the six-yard box.
The better opportunities continued to fall the hosts’ way and after Cook’s free-kick was only half-cleared, Damion Stewart’s close-range effort was superbly tipped round the post by Foxes custodian Conrad Logan.
Play quickly switched to the other end, with Royce on hand to palm away Iain Hume’s effort from an acute angle.
The returning Kanyuka was soon forced from the fray with what appeared to be a hamstring injury, with Michael Mancienne coming on for his home debut.
Royce had to be at his agile best again in the 25th minute – this time on hand to save Elvis Hammond’s 20-yard pile-driver.
Blackstock was leading the Foxes defence a merry dance and when the inspirational Steve Lomas fed a neat pass into his path, the former Southampton ace was unfortunate to see his looping effort finish inches over.
The same player forced Logan into another fine save on the half hour, as Rangers’ superiority slowly but surely showed signs of paying dividends.
The outstanding Cook signalled Rangers’ second half intentions inside the opening seconds, leaving three defenders in his wake, only to be hacked to ground by Tiatto.
Martin Rowlands’ resultant free-kick flew high and wide, before the same player lobbed over from an impossible angle two minutes later.
Rowlands was like a man possessed at the start of the second half and when the ball fell to him on the edge of the box in the 53rd minute, only the width of the post denied him the goal his performance undoubtedly deserved.
Mancienne was growing in stature as the match evolved and when he was gifted the freedom of the final third, only another solid stop from Logan prevented him from opening his account for the R’s.
However, despair turned to joy for the home crowd on 66 minutes, when referee Mr Stroud pointed to the spot and dismissed Gareth McAuley for deliberate handball after he palmed away Blackstock’s goal-bound strike on the line.
Rowlands stepped up from the spot and made no mistake from 12-yards, sending Logan the wrong way to spark scenes of mass celebration amongst the home faithful.
The Blackstock-Logan battle showed no signs of easing up and when the former got goal-side of his marker at the back post, Logan produced more heroics, grasping the ball on his line.
Sensing the three points were there for the taking, Gregory introduced Gareth Ainsworth at the expense of the fatigued Rowlands – the fans’ favourite returning after a 10-week lay-off due to a hamstring injury.
Yet despite their numerical advantage, the R’s only had a weak Zesh Rehman header and a Jimmy Smith strike to show for their late efforts.
And their inability to create in the final third almost proved costly three minutes from time. A high ball was travelling what seemed into the arms of Royce but Rehman decided to hook the ball away but only scuffed his clearance straight to Hume who fired at Royce and Matty Fryatt somehow fluffed his lines from six-yards. I can only presume that Royce had not called for the ball as he did not appear to show his dissapointment at Rehman but it made my heart sink into my pants without doubt!!
Player Ratings
Simon Royce
Roycey did ok today and will feel fairly comfortable with his return to the side but i wonder if he called for the ball that was his before Rehman almost gifted the Foxes the 3 points.
A very satisfactory 6
Zesh Rehman
I actually think Zesh could play the holding midfield role quite well at QPR but today he was moved to right back and then after 21mins he returned to partner Stewart in the middle. He has had a tough few weeks lately and is not a player who has warmed the Rangers faithful but today apart from the scuff towards the end, the big lad did ok…just.
An improved 5
Marcus Bignot
Marcus never fails to give less than 100% for the R’s and is playing out of position but still he is able to turn out some solid performances and is linking very well with Lee Cook down the left. I am pleased for the lad as he deserves his place in the team currently.
A solid 7
Damion Stewart
I don’t know what it is about this player but i think there is something inside of Stewpeas that could make him a useful player for the R’s. Lately he has been shocking but today he turned out a useful performance and one he can hopefully build on and get back to the form he showed away to Southampton over a month ago.
An above average 6
Pat Kanyuka
Maybe this was too soon to start this very promising defender having been out injured for a few weeks. Only played for 21mins and never really had a chance to show why so many fans think highly of him.
Can’t score more than a 5
Steve Lomas
Has shown great character since being surplus to requirement earlier this season and then given a second chance with John Gregory. Today he played in a role which is best suited to him and it showed. Was given the captain’s armband and huffed and puffed all game. Broke up play without really shining but was effective enough.
In the end a worthwhile 6
Jimmy Smith
His early form of late his evaporated but today his showed a slight improvement but still has more to give. I was not overjoyed with his performance today but at the same time i don’t think he was bad either. A few times i noticed him sweeping up around our penalty area which shows that he is willing to learn and become a team player and not just a player who loves to go forward and score goals.
Just squeezing into a 6
Lee Cook
Twists this way and twists that way and fires in cross after cross. He is the heartbeat of the team currently and his fitness has really improved as he has been picking up many balls deep in the Rangers half as well as roasting down the left wing and through the middle.
Cook is a confidence player and the crowd produce a buzz when he picks up the ball which suggests that he is very exciting to watch. Need him to stay fit or we could be in trouble!!
A spectacular 8
Martin Rowlands
Did not look totally match fit today after picking up some knocks lately but is still producing for the team and his determination is there for all to see. Nearly scored a belter early in the second half with a cracking shot that hit the post and tucked away the penalty with real confidence.
A satisfying 7
Dexter Blackstock
Runs and chases for everything and has really improved since his summer arrival and without doubt a striker who could become a favourite down at W12 given time.
Could of maybe hat a hat-trick today had he taken his chances better but he will learn from this and his efforts will be rewarded.
A worthwhile 7
Marc Nygaard
One of the most frustrating players i have ever watched down at Rangers. We know he can score goals and he is built like a tank but all too often he decides whether or not to put in a performance and today was totally unacceptable. Did not look like a team player out there today and was sluggish to most 50/50 balls. Won’t be sad when Gregory eventually shows him the door but a part of me wishes he would just become the player he potentially could be!
A flimsy 4
Michael Mancienne
Came on for the injured Kanyuka after 22mins and looked a bit nervy and raw for the remainder of the first half.
Settled down well in the second period and was not afraid at times to take the ball forward and he even got in a worthwhile shot. Maybe needs to release the ball a bit earlier at times but overall he did ok today and i am sure he has more to offer given time.
A steady 6
Kevin Gallen
King Kev has done nothing for me when coming off the bench lately but there again he has not really been given the chance to get many minutes under his belt. Today he got a good half hour and showed a gimmer of a bit more fight but nothing too much to write home about.
An average 5
Looked very unfit and lacking first team action after making an apperance in the last 15mins. I am not going to say anything negative about Ainsworth because we all know he has the heart of a lion and will run through brick walls all day. Before injury he was turning in some fantastic performances and i am sure he will eventually get back to that form again.
An average 5
Manager Rating
John Gregory freshened things up today and i pretty much ageed with his line up before the match. I am sure now he might think twice about Marc Nygaard but overall the team showed more fight today and determination to win.
A satisfactory 7
Opponent Rating
Rob Kelly has settled this Leicester team into a hard working unit and has made a satisfactory start to his career at Leicester. Today he made his team work hard even down to 10 men.
Worth a 6 for effort