That's not him

By Oli
February 24 2009

Ahead of the top of the table clash between the Dons and league leaders Leicester City, Dons Online speaks to a Foxes fan to get his thoughts on Saturday's match. Some Dons fans may be familiar with the name Lovejoy, and I was interested to hear his thoughts ahead of Saturday's game.

First of all, how long have you supported Leicester and why did you choose the Foxes?

I've supported Leicester for 12 and a bit years now having been hooked since seeing us win at Villa Park in November 1996. As a young kid growing up in Leicestershire they were always going to be the team for me, and then when the family moved south, my old man was influential in keeping the blue in the blood.

For those who have been living on Mars since August, could you sum up your season so far?

Well after a significant turnover of playing staff and new manager Nigel Pearson and his staff arriving in the summer, the season got off to a good start with a relatively comfortable 2-0 victory over newly promoted Milton Keynes. This set the tone for consistent good form over the proceeding months, with the team having only tasted defeat twice in the league all season. We are seen as a strong outfit with a few standout individuals who are hard to beat.

After a pretty disastrous first full season for owner Milan Mandaric, have opinions of him changed following this season's success? The lack of headlines off the field suggest things have maybe settled down.

Firstly it's important to remember that were it not for Milan Mandaric, Leicester City were facing potential administration as the state of the club's finances were so dire. For that the club are truly grateful to Mandaric for bailing the club out, and indeed for his continued support of his managers.

Many Leicester fans do blame Mandaric significantly for the club's demise to the third tier for the first time in the club's history. His reputation for managers coming and going is well documented. However, it does seem that in Nigel Pearson, Milan has found his Harry Redknapp. An honest, quiet, down to earth guy who assumes complete control of the dressing room and has so far excelled himself in the transfer market, traits which aren't usually associated with his predecessors Martin Allen and Ian Holloway. Also Milan's low profile approach this season has led Leicester fans to believe that maybe, at last, he is turning the club round positively.

How did you feel about the appointment of Nigel Pearson at the start of the season, and this may be an obvious question but what is your opinion of him now?

Whilst many fans were calling for a high profile appointment, the Leicester job appeared to be one of the most unfancied positions in English football. When Nigel Pearson was appointed, there was scepticism amongst City fans over the appointment of a man seen perenially as a "number two". Some only gave him until Christmas, however the majority of us and indeed the chairman felt some much needed stability was required. His early signings and pre-season form pointed towards promise, but having reached the lowest point in the club's history, caution was certainly the overwhelming approach to the forthcoming season. Eight months on, and Nigel Pearson is being described as "the saviour", arguably Leicester's finest manager since Martin O'Neill. I'm not sure anymore needs to be said on the man.

Lloyd Dyer was very popular with Dons fans, and seemed to start well with Leicester. How is he doing now?

Lloyd Dyer started the season in wonderful form for Leicester, played with bundles of enthusiasm, terrorised defences every week and chipped in with a number of goals. However in the past three or four months, Dyer appears to have suffered a major loss of form and indeed confidence. After his extremely impressive start, the fans gave him longer than they usually do a player not playing well, but Dyer still appears to be struggling. Maybe a return to his former hunting ground will be the tonic Lloyd needs to turn his season around?

Let's hope not! Onto the match on Saturday - how do you rate your chances?

We've only lost once away this season, and with 4,300 visiting fans travelling, the players will be fired up. It's also worth noting that we prefer to play against opposition who like to attack, so the lads will be relishing this game. Add to this the hosts quetionable home form, and our twenty game unbeaten run, I think an away win is very much on the cards.

Any danger men for us to watch out for?

Whilst Matty Fryatt takes the majority of praise in the media for his 26 goals this season, his strike partner Steve Howard will be the one who'll stand out in the game more. An old fashioned workhorse like striker, Howard gives defenders a torrid time with his work rate and physical prescence. He also offers a very useful outlet meaning when in attack City have a number of different approaches, leading to so many victories this season.

Also the midfield is on the whole excellent. Andy King is the playmaker in the middle of the park who is instrumental in the majority of attacks, as well as chipping in with an excellent goal return so far this season. Probably the most well known member of the side is Matt Oakley the captain, who has begun to show his class this season operating predominantly on the right. New signing Tom Cleverley has also began to show signs of his potential with some eye-catching displays either from midfield or full back.

However arguably the most important player in the side is the one which you'll hardly notice and ask who he is. Bruno Berner has successfully converted from full back to holding midfielder and is Leicetser's Makelele, if you like.

Centre-backs Aleksandar (that's how Wikipedia's telling me to spell it) Tunchev and Jack Hobbs are both out for you on Saturday (pending an appeal on Hobbs' red card). Do you think your defence will suffer much as a result?

Alex Tunchev is without doubt the best player I've seen in this division this season, he's a huge loss. Since his injury in January, Jack Hobbs has really stepped up to the plate, he's also a big loss. However this is a position we are strong in. Michael Morrison in his first season of league football has improved immensely and is a very good centre back. Alongside him will be Wayne Brown, an experienced rock of a defender on loan from Hull City.

The area of defence I'm concerned with is the full backs. Kerrea Gilbert and Joe Mattock are both young and inexperienced, and neither have played particularly well recently. I wouldn't be surprised to see "The Grandad" Chris Powell come in with his experience of big games and promotions.

Which Dons players do you feel could cause you the most problems on Saturday?

I like the look of Jemal Johnson. He seems a real threat running at his man and appears to have an eye for goal too. I also thought Aaron Wilbraham looked a decent player on the opening day at Filbert Way, certainly a handful.

Your score prediction...

Sorry but I'm very confident going into this one, I think 3-1 to Leicester.

A couple of League One questions... who's going up?

We should go up, no question. In second, I see no reason why Milton Keynes shouldn't. It seems every time one of the chasing pack is closing, they have a bad result and the gap opens up again.

If you could have any League One player in your side, who would it be?

I think Neil Eardley of Oldham Athletic is by a country mile the best full back in the division, he'd be a great acquisition for anyone in League 1.

Also in a few years I think Fabian Delph will be a star in the Premier League. Wouldn't mind having him either.

Dons Online would like to thank Lovejoy very much for his time, an interesting read I hope you'll agree.