Key events
Maresca says the aim is for his team to get better every day, and doesn’t quite confirm that Vardy, captain today, will remain so, noting that in Albrighton, Ricardo and the injured Connor Coady, he has players who don’t “need the bracelet” to lead.
Meanwhile and as it always threatened to, Sweden v USA has gone to extra time after a goalless 90. Join Sarah Rendell to see what happens next.
We’re watching tape of Simms, who I think has a bit of something, and the physical presence to be a problem even when not at his best. Moreover, he has a manager who knows a thing or two about playing centre-forward, and I’m really looking forward to seeing how he does.
We’re here to share joy, so how about this?! Souls of Mischief have performed a totally new, 10-year anniversary version of 93 ‘til Infinity – and it’s devastatingly brilliant.
Mark Robins says the new signings he’s not included need time to get up to speed in terms of fitness and tactics; those in the side have, in the main, played through pre-season. Hamer, starting despite the interest, is “a brilliant player for us” and he hopes he stays in the building to have the team built around him.
And finally for this minor picture section, casual ridiculous athleticism from Wilfred Ndidi.
And what do our sartorialists think of Leicester’s new training kit? The Guardian says: rude.
Sensational in every aspect.
Coventry, meanwhile will – according to Google – be playing 4-4-3. I’m not sure about that – Simms is no ring-winger – so let’s see how they line up. Haji Wright, meanwhile, is not in the squad, but will presumably be integrated forthwith.
As for our teams, with his, Maresca makes clear that no one is getting anything for nowt. Timothy Castagne, Dennis Praet and Kelechi Iheanacho might all have expected to start today but all are on the bench, likewise James Justin who was so badly missed after jiggering his cruciate in November.
Before we dig into the teams in detail, at the KP today – for the last time for a while – will be Mr CM Connor, a Foxes fan and season-ticket holder of some 70 years’ standing. As we’ve all learnt, often painfully, players and owners are transient but supporters – Mr CM Connor and ilk – are there forever, bearing witness and defining their clubs with their stories. So godspeed, get well soon and hurry back.
M69 fun. League football is back, baby, and it’s as gloriously puerile as ever.
Also going on … and it’s t-e-n-s-e.
Let’s have some teams!
Leicester City (4-2-3-1): Hermansen; Ricardo, Faes, Vestergaard, Doyle; Winks, Ndidi, Dewsbury-Hall; McAteer, Vardy, Mavidi. Subs: Justin, Castagne, Souttar, Choudhury, Praet, Albrighton, Iheanacho, Daka.
Coventry City (3-5-2): Wilson; Thomas, McFadzean, Latibeaudierre; Eccles, Sheaf, Hamer, Palmer, Dasilva; Simms, Gooden. Subs: Collins, Binks, Kelly, Sakamoto, Wright, Bidwell, Van Ewijk, Howley, Obikwu.
Preamble
When Arsenal appointed Mikel Arteta, it was easy to snark – especially for those professionally obliged so to do. A barely passable midfielder at the level Arsenal demand, somehow elevated to club mainstay because he sat next to Pep Guardiola for a bit.
Er, yeah. Amazingly, it turns out that getting to sit next to Pep Guardiola for a bit requires moxie and intelligence, and by then sitting next to Pep Guardiola for a bit, further moxie and intelligence is acquired and intensified. So, though Leicester’s appointment of Enzo Maresca represents a risk, it also shows vision and imagination … if it works.
On the one hand, Maresca inherits a squad that had no business getting relegated; on the other, he inherits a squad that did get relegated. Many, though, blame that demotion on Brendan Rodgers or the board so, despite having lost Youri Tielemans, Harvey Barnes and James Maddison, they begin the season as strong favourites for promotion – with good reason.
Coventry, though, are tough opponents, having come within a sudden death penalty shoot-out of promotion last season. Their story, though, is far more heroic than that, Mark Robins returning the club to the Championship despite the traumatic, vicious and incompetent Sisu stewardship – before, earlier this year, it was finally and blessedly sold to local businessman, Doug King.
Whether Robins can inspire another promotion push remains to be seen; Viktor Gyökeres has moved to Sporting, Leeds are pushing hard for Gus Hamer, and Callum O’Hare is out for another month or so. But Ellis Simms looks a smart acquisition and Haji Wright an interesting one which, along with the general positivity suffusing the club and Robins’ ability to harness it, might be enough for another serious run. This should be good.
Kick-off: 12pm BST
