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Your support makes all the difference.Filbert Street may be coming down, but Leicester are on their way back up. A gathering only 17 short of the record for their new Walkers Stadium watched them overcome their East Midlands rivals, Nottingham Forest, with a goal on his first starting appearance by Tommy Wright, an 18-year-old local boy who used to be a mascot for the club.
Wright's close-range finish late in the first half, eerily reminiscent of countless Gary Lineker goals at their nearby former home, left Leicester needing one win in five matches to be sure of returning to the Premiership at the first attempt. In last night's mood, which saw them dent Forest's play-off aspirations after the visitors initially looked superior, it may well come at Rotherham on Saturday.
All in all, it was an ideal way to mark the first anniversary of Micky Adams' appointment as manager. Adams has tasted defeat only five times in his 45 League matches in charge, a remarkable record even before one considers Leicester's protracted brush with bankruptcy. Unsurprisingly, a clutch of clubs, including Fulham, Aston Villa, Leeds and West Ham, reportedly have designs on his services.
Adams, a Sheffielder who would relish completing their rise in South Yorkshire, said: "For the first time this season I can honestly say: 'We're there'. There weren't many chances and I'm full of admiration for the way Forest play. Having said that, our work ethic was awesome. We didn't give them a minute's peace, especially in midfield. That was the key."
Hart, who is also being linked with Leeds, felt Forest had deserved more. "I have to say that I thought we played very well," he said. "I was pleased with the way we took the game to a very good, strong side. Leicester aren't in second place by accident. But the goal was unfortunate."
It arrived in the 37th minute after Forest had enjoyed the better of a rousing but virtually chance-free first half with a neat inter-passing style that contrasted starkly with Leicester's more direct and physical approach. Jordan Stewart, from beyond the angle of the 18-yard area, put in a diagonal shot which Darren Ward could only parry. Wright pounced on the loose ball to double his career tally of goals.
"I'm pleased I picked him," said Adams of the England Under-19 international, who is the subject of a forthcoming Channel 4 documentary. In truth, his options were limited by the absence of Paul Dickov and Brian Deane, yet Wright showed a commendable appetite for closing down defenders as well as the predator's touch.
If Leicester do not win at Rotherham, Adams' third promotion as a manager will surely come at home to Brighton, one of his former employers, or at Sheffield United, his boyhood heroes. The Blades also feature on Forest's gruelling schedule in a six-pointer next Tuesday, though first they receive Wolves on Friday. Judging by this robust, raucous encounter, the City Ground will be no place for faint hearts.
Leicester City (4-3-1-2): Walker; Sinclair, Elliott, Taggart, Rogers; Izzet, Davidson, Stewart; Scowcroft; Wright, Benjamin. Substitutes not used: Stevenson, Heath, O'Grady, Summerbee, Flowers (gk).
Nottingham Forest (4-3-1-2): Ward; Louis-Jean, Dawson, Hjelde (Walker, 71), Brennan; Thompson, Williams, Reid; Huckerby; Harewood, Johnson (Lester, 88). Substitutes not used: Jess, Bopp, Roche (gk).
Referee: M Clattenburg (Cramlington).
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