Leicester v Fleetwood: Vardy saga continues
Leicester City’s FA Cup 3rd Round replay against Fleetwood Town is on January 16. Expect Jamie Vardy’s return to face his former club
Leicester drew Hereford or Fleetwood in the third round of the FA Cup last week. The Bulls lost to Fleetwood, so they entertained the Foxes. There on the west-coast is where the first step was taken toward Vardy’s dream materialising.
Leicester’s main striker unfortunately missed his fairy-tale comeback to Fleetwood last Saturday. The England international would have demanded to play at the Highbury Stadium if he were fit.
The Sheffield born striker was so confident of an England call-up when sold to Leicester that he had a call-up bonus written into his contract.
Correspondingly, his former teammates were disappointed not to face him too. The infamous Vardy was quite the character during his time there. Much national/international media coverage has centred on Vardy and his madcap antics while a Fleetwood player.
Free pizza
The game finished 0-0 and the only person happier than Fleetwood’s manager or chairman was their goalkeeper. Chris Neal won a year supply of pizza for shutting out the weakened Foxes attack as part of Papa John’s sponsorship of the club.
Possibly the easiest meal he’ll ever earn as the lacklustre Premier League side were devoid of ideas or creativity. Claude Puel chose to blend youngsters, reserves, with a new player. The Frenchman also combined this with few other experienced squad-members.
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The game ended goalless with barely any clear-cut chances. Fleetwood could have won the tie towards full-time, yet it was not to be. The spectator was seemingly in need of Vardy’s direct playing nature. I’m sure the neutral would agree.
Honours even, Vardy saga continues
However, the Cod Army were good value for their draw. They seemed undaunted in their first ever game against a Premier League opponent. It was almost as if they were given incentive by Puel’s debilitated line-up.
The League One outfit won their previous two away fixtures, they face Southend away before the Foxes at the King Power Stadium. Uwe Rosler’s side have nothing to lose while gaining an unusually large share of the gate in Leicester. Like the first meeting: this promises to be a very competitive game.
Next: Leicester signing is finally ready to play
Catch the replay on BT Sport 2, January 16 at 7:45pm. If Leicester, along with Jamie Vardy, progress to round four they will meet Peterborough United. Vardy could also play against his former V9 Academy player Alex Penny, who is now at the Posh.