Post by Macmoish on Mar 18, 2011 10:07:49 GMT
Leicester Mercury
Friday, March 18, 2011, 09:30
The Friday Interview: Claridge says City can finish in top two
Steve Claridge
Former Leicester City striker Steve Claridge believes automatic promotion is still a possibility for Sven-Goran Eriksson's side. Claridge, who scored 17 goals in 63 appearances during his time with City, said the club are still in the mix for the second automatic promotion slot because of the unpredictable nature of this season's Championship race.
Claridge was born in Portsmouth and played over 100 games for his hometown club, who face City tomorrow at the Walkers Stadium.
He said several clubs had put themselves in strong positions but had failed to press home their advantage, except runaway leaders Queens Park Rangers.
However, the 44-year-old, who now works as a football pundit for the BBC, said if City were to have any genuine promotion aspirations, Saturday's clash with Pompey is a game they need to win.
"It certainly won't be an easy game for Leicester but if they want to get in the play-offs, or further, it is the sort of game they need to be winning," he said.
"Having said that, I think it is too early to say they can't afford anymore slip-ups because everyone else above them is tripping up too. No one has really grasped the initiative.
"Several teams have got into a strong position and then let it slip. They haven't taken advantage, unlike QPR.
"If Leicester hadn't won at Sc**thorpe last week, and were eight or nine points away, then I would say they have a problem, but they are only five points away and that is easily achievable.
"The thing is they are aiming for five sides, not just one or two to catch. You are not relying on just one club to slip up, which would make it tough.
"The nature of this league this season means there are a lot of sides up there who wouldn't be challenging in other seasons.
"Take Norwich, who are second. I don't think ordinarily they would be chasing an automatic promotion spot, certainly not in my career.
"There are five clubs who are all catchable for Leicester, four play-off spots and even one automatic promotion place. I wouldn't rule that out.
"They might have to win eight of their last nine games, but automatic promotion is still not out of reach. Apart from QPR, there are several sides who have messed up when in a good position.
"There will be a lot of clubs that will be kicking themselves at the end of this remarkable season."
Claridge is so confident about City's chances because of the quality City boss Sven-Goran Eriksson possesses in his squad, although he was left unconvinced when he last saw them while covering their defeat at Cardiff City for Radio 5Live.
"On that occasion I was not totally convinced by the shape," he said. "There were two or three players out of position and they didn't play particularly well.
"They certainly have the players to get into the play-offs. Except for QPR, they have the quality in the squad that others haven't got.
"The difference with QPR is they have the habit of winning even when they have not played well. That is why they are in such a strong position."[/u]
Claridge is less optimistic about Pompey's future and believes it could be a long road back to when they were a Premiership club challenging for trophies.
"Pompey are still suffering from what has happened in years gone by," he added.
"They are still paying the penalty for that. They have been hamstrung and there are people getting the blame that shouldn't be.
"The chairman has been keeping the club alive, but sometimes I think the supporters don't see the bigger picture.
"As long as they get the three points on a Saturday, that is all the fans see.
"They have been on a decent run of late but their season has been a mixture of the good and the bad. They are very up and down and you don't know what you are going to get from them.
"They are a mid-table side that will get stronger but it will take time."
www.thisisleicestershire.co.uk/sport/Friday-Interview-Claridge-says-City-finish/article-3345647-detail/article.html
Friday, March 18, 2011, 09:30
The Friday Interview: Claridge says City can finish in top two
Steve Claridge
Former Leicester City striker Steve Claridge believes automatic promotion is still a possibility for Sven-Goran Eriksson's side. Claridge, who scored 17 goals in 63 appearances during his time with City, said the club are still in the mix for the second automatic promotion slot because of the unpredictable nature of this season's Championship race.
Claridge was born in Portsmouth and played over 100 games for his hometown club, who face City tomorrow at the Walkers Stadium.
He said several clubs had put themselves in strong positions but had failed to press home their advantage, except runaway leaders Queens Park Rangers.
However, the 44-year-old, who now works as a football pundit for the BBC, said if City were to have any genuine promotion aspirations, Saturday's clash with Pompey is a game they need to win.
"It certainly won't be an easy game for Leicester but if they want to get in the play-offs, or further, it is the sort of game they need to be winning," he said.
"Having said that, I think it is too early to say they can't afford anymore slip-ups because everyone else above them is tripping up too. No one has really grasped the initiative.
"Several teams have got into a strong position and then let it slip. They haven't taken advantage, unlike QPR.
"If Leicester hadn't won at Sc**thorpe last week, and were eight or nine points away, then I would say they have a problem, but they are only five points away and that is easily achievable.
"The thing is they are aiming for five sides, not just one or two to catch. You are not relying on just one club to slip up, which would make it tough.
"The nature of this league this season means there are a lot of sides up there who wouldn't be challenging in other seasons.
"Take Norwich, who are second. I don't think ordinarily they would be chasing an automatic promotion spot, certainly not in my career.
"There are five clubs who are all catchable for Leicester, four play-off spots and even one automatic promotion place. I wouldn't rule that out.
"They might have to win eight of their last nine games, but automatic promotion is still not out of reach. Apart from QPR, there are several sides who have messed up when in a good position.
"There will be a lot of clubs that will be kicking themselves at the end of this remarkable season."
Claridge is so confident about City's chances because of the quality City boss Sven-Goran Eriksson possesses in his squad, although he was left unconvinced when he last saw them while covering their defeat at Cardiff City for Radio 5Live.
"On that occasion I was not totally convinced by the shape," he said. "There were two or three players out of position and they didn't play particularly well.
"They certainly have the players to get into the play-offs. Except for QPR, they have the quality in the squad that others haven't got.
"The difference with QPR is they have the habit of winning even when they have not played well. That is why they are in such a strong position."[/u]
Claridge is less optimistic about Pompey's future and believes it could be a long road back to when they were a Premiership club challenging for trophies.
"Pompey are still suffering from what has happened in years gone by," he added.
"They are still paying the penalty for that. They have been hamstrung and there are people getting the blame that shouldn't be.
"The chairman has been keeping the club alive, but sometimes I think the supporters don't see the bigger picture.
"As long as they get the three points on a Saturday, that is all the fans see.
"They have been on a decent run of late but their season has been a mixture of the good and the bad. They are very up and down and you don't know what you are going to get from them.
"They are a mid-table side that will get stronger but it will take time."
www.thisisleicestershire.co.uk/sport/Friday-Interview-Claridge-says-City-finish/article-3345647-detail/article.html
