It would be nice if the season was finishing now

Last updated : 20 November 2005 By Tony Scholes

Leicester boss Craig Levein had spent the last two weeks working on their forward play because of the lack of goals and for the second time in a month they failed to find the net against the Clarets leaving him looking for new players.

“I have now got to look for someone to come in to score goals,” said Levein after Burnley completed the double over his side. “Whether it is on loan or a permanent deal is something I am yet to make my mind up on,” he added.

Looking at yet another blank day in front of goal he said, “We looked like we might score, but we didn’t and that is my main concern at the moment. Mark de Vries is by far and away the leading goalscorer in our side but I would have expected two strikers to have scored between 15 and 20 goals between them by this stage of the season.”

He saw his side concede one goal and get the benefit of two poor decisions that saw other goals disallowed but was convinced it was only the lack of goals that cost his side. “I think we lost the game in front of goal. We created a lot of good chances but didn’t score,” he said.

“I thought we played quite well, especially in the second half when we played some good stuff. We haven’t worked so hard for ninety minutes, but again we haven’t managed to get anything from the game.

“I feel sorry for our supporters again who have travelled here to watch us. But I don’t think they will be disappointed with a lack of effort because I thought that we worked our socks off. There were some good performances but they will get lost in the result.”

Steve Cotterill saw his side climb into their highest position since he took over as manager and said after the game, “It was a hard fought win but we always thought it was going to be like that. We saw Leicester play at Preston the other week in a 0-0 game and they’ve kept a few clean sheets on the bounce.

“We thought it would be a one-nil game and it was never going to be a classic. Certainly in the second half they had more possession but we had the better chances and could have wrapped the game up a lot earlier rather than having a nervous last ten minutes.”

Like most of us Steve was at a loss as to why Ade Akinbiyi’s brilliant goal was disallowed. “There was nothing wrong with Ade’s goal,” he added. “The defender got on the wrong side and was out strengthened by Ade and the rest was history.”

Steve was delighted with the performances from former Bournemouth duo Wade Elliott and John Spicer and said, “I thought the way Wade and John had trained this week, they would have an impact on the game. The pair of them have been outstanding and we’ve been talking to John about his heading and how he needs to be a better header of the ball. It looked pretty good to me so whatever he’s been doing in the last couple of weeks, we hope he can continue.”

Looking at the clean sheet he had praise for the defence and said of them, “I thought the whole back four did well today because they had about nine players bigger than six foot. They are a big team and the biggest we’ve played this season. That was our fear because we had sorted out our set plays yesterday and then had to change them when we saw their team sheet.”

Finally he admitted that the team would not be getting carried away after moving into the top six and said, “It would be nice if the season was finishing now. We are delighted with it but more important is the points and that is what we are interested in. It is nice that we have jumped a few teams but there are a few games to play yet.”