Carling Cup 'fever' hits Leicester - and Leicester only !

Leicester City come to the City Ground tonight talking up our derby game with them. I don't know how many times you have to tell the typical Fox fan but the biggest East Midlands derby is between the 'Trees' and the Rams - Nottingham Forest versus Derby County. 25,000, including 5,000 Forest fans turned up for a pre-season friendly a few weeks back, that tells you the intensity of our rivalry with them. I'll be surprised if  anything like that many attend the City Ground tonight, despite the influx of the Fox faithful.

True, hardly any other team will take 5,000 away fans to a second round CC tie this evening - no other set of fans are daft enough ! Still after 35 years without a win at the City Ground, the poor Foxes, despite being a division higher, are making a big deal out of a visit to a 'third division' club.

For me personally, having lived in Leicester for many years I want to see City soundly beaten and normally I view the fixture with relish. If it had been a league game or FA Cup tie I'd be up for the game, but an early round CC tie isn't worth the trouble and expense. That the worst element of the City following will be present and a busy night ahead for the Police is in prospect hardly has one clamouring for a ticket !

As it is, a defeat might just push Colin Calderwood closer to the exit door and that would be not a bad outcome. OTOH, it'd be quite nice to make it 36 years without a win on Trentside for the Foxes, but my overall feeling is one of indifference.

One the plus side, the 'Brazil of the West Country' (copyright A. Sanders MP) top the Conference table today after a well earned point at Forest Green Rovers. One point separates the top nine teams ! It promises to be a hugely difficult division to get out of. With Torquay having a squad containing 16 new players this season a play-off place would be a creditable achievement for a new team under new management. Come on you Gulls !