No plaice like home for Jamie
BUT COD ARMY DODGE A BATTERING AS OLD BOY VARDY MISSING
Neal 7; Coyle 7, Bolger 7, Eastham 6 (Pond (15th) 7), Bell 7; Glendon 7, Schwabl 8, Dempsey 7, Hunter 7; Burns 6 (McAleny (69th) 6), Cole 6
IT WAS like fish without the chips in this lunchtime treat by the seaside – no Jamie Vardy for Leicester.
The cult figure’s return to the Highbury Stadium – where he scored 34 goals to earn Fleetwood promotion to the Football League in his one and only season at the club – was spoilt by a niggling groin injury. It was a real kick in the unmentionables for the Cod Army.
But the adoring faithful were more than happy to sing his name with a ditty confirming their never-ending affection.
Vardy took his place in the stands instead of his old stamping ground and was given the VIP box owned by chairman Andy Pilley, who missed the game after being stranded on a cruise ship in Haiti.
But it was never plain sailing for Leicester who struggled to come to terms with a rutted, sandy pitch which was right up Fleetwood’s street.
Home keeper Chris Neal was delighted they could not cope.
His clean sheet was rewarded with a year’s worth of pizza from the club sponsors – but he is not sure boss Uwe Rosler will allow him to take full advantage.
Neal said: “I don’t eat pizza very often but it’s a nice offer. Pizza is an added bonus on an occasion like this.”
Team-mate Ash Hunter could almost have washed down his slice down with a glass of champagne after going agonisingly close to a winner in added time.
But a Leicester side without Vardy and a host of key players lived to fight another day in the replay after Fleetwood gave everything in only their third time in the FA Cup Third Round.
Manager Rosler could not hide his delight. He dismissed the fact that Leicester made eight changes and said: “To assume we got a draw because of weaker opposition
Jakupovic 7; Amartey 6, Dragovic 6, Benalouane 6, Chilwell 6; King 7; Gray 7, Silva 6 (Okazaki (58th) 7), James 6, Barnes 6 (Albrighton (58th) 6); Slimani 6 (Iheanacho 80th) I think that is the wrong angle. And how can I be disappointed on a day like this in the biggest game in our history? A sell-out crowd.
“Our owner wasn’t here but he would have been very proud of us.
“We never let them settle and my players showed a high grade of maturity.
“We created enormous chances and we had the shot from Hunter which hit the post. It would have been nice to win the game.”
But will he give his keeper permission to make the most of that pizza offer?
Rosler added: “Of course, they are allowed to eat pizza but we have certain restrictions on players.”
Leicester boss Claude Puel was relieved his side live to fight another day.
He said: “Some changes are normal because we had a lot of injuries. I picked a team which could win the game. So no excuses. We had a good team on the pitch.
“The surface made it difficult to play on the floor. It was a positive to keep a clean sheet but it was not enough to win the game.
“It was a tough game against a good team. I just hope Jamie is back next week.”
Leicester lacked a real threat without Vardy and almost went behind after just nine minutes when defender Yohan Benalouane fired a backpass at high speed and keeper Eldin Jakupovic was forced to save one-handed.
Demarai Gray had a low shot blocked by Neal and Matty Markus Schwabl S Hooper Bury (A), Jan 9 Chelsea (A), Jan 13 James fired over the top but they were not really scary moments for a resolute Fleetwood defence.
The second half was just as disappointing for Leicester with Fleetwood having the better chances.
The ever-lively Markus Schwabl saw his perfectly struck shot held by Jakupovic.
And then came Hunter’s drama in the dying seconds. His shot deflected off Benalouane, hit the base of the post twice and ended up in Jakupovic’s grateful arms.
Neal admitted he did a little celebration at what he thought was the winner. And Rosler said: “Days like this are fantastic for the future of the club.”