Sunday’s game with Ipswich wasn’t the most inspiring of encounters but it was another point gained and another fixture done and dusted. It’s a shame we didn’t get the win, but we’re still in a good position.

I did an interview with Sky before the match and they were asking me about playing in similar conditions during my career. It took a lot more to get a game called off back then, not just a bit of ice on a path near to the stadium! I’ve got to pay tribute to Jim Sehmi from EL Construction, though. His lads did a great job clearing the roads and pavements around the ground.

Roy Keane has made Ipswich much harder to beat, but the early goal was a sloppy one to concede and City the players were asleep. That made it an uphill battle, but the lads showed good character and scrapped their way back into the game.

It was good to see Steve Howard bag another goal and I was impressed with the big man’s performance. The ball spent a fair bit of time in the air and Howard won most of his battles. When he’s on that kind of form he’s a great outlet and takes a lot of pressure off the team.

This weekend the lads will travel across the border to Wales to play Swansea City. We’ve sunk the Swans 2-1 twice this season at the Walkers, once in the league and once in the FA Cup. It would be nice to add to that on Saturday, but it won’t be easy.

Paulo Sousa’s team play some decent football and are having a great season. I’ve heard good things about their young centre back Ashley Williams, who has been linked with a move to the Premier League and they’ve got plenty of flair with the likes of Jordi Lopez, Nathan Dyer and David Cotterill in the side.

We still don’t know who our FA Cup opponents will be after Bristol City and Cardiff drew 1-1 in the week. Both teams are struggling for form and it’s a good chance for City to progress to the next round. After Liverpool crashed out on Wednesday the tournament might just open up a bit.

It’s a shame the youth team were knocked out of the FA Youth Cup on Tuesday. They lost 5-1 to Liverpool at the Walkers, but by all accounts were unlucky and had plenty of chances. It’s the first time they’ve lost all season and Jon Rudkin and Steve Beaglehole are doing a great job.

I remember playing in the Youth Cup for Wigan Athletic ‘A’ team against Manchester United. I was up against Mark Hughes, but I think he must have had a bit of a knock as he didn’t really seem interested, which is not like Sparky. I was 17-years-old and made my debut in the league soon after. It was a massive step up in class with a much faster tempo.

Mr Mandaric hasn’t had the best of weeks with those HMRC charges. I’m fully behind the chairman and I’m sure things will sort themselves out. From my experience, off the field issues don’t really have an impact on the players.

During the Martin O’Neill era I remember all that controversy involving Barrie Pierpoint and the ‘Gang of Four’. The fans obviously backed O’Neill and I remember we had a bit of siege mentality in the dressing room and actually went on a decent run of form. You don’t get to know much about what’s going on upstairs as players, it’s pretty much what you read in the media and I’m sure Nigel Pearson and the lads will be fully focused on their football.

I saw Martin Johnson at the Ipswich game. We had a good chat and I sorted him a cup of tea and some biscuits from my hospitality lounge. He’s enjoying managing England but it obviously takes up a lot of his time. He told me he misses playing 5-a-side footy with the legends on a Friday more than anything! It’s always good to see Johnno at the Walkers and when I was playing, a lot of the Tigers lads were regulars at Filbo.

I had a great day on Thursday when I attended Holmes Park for the launch of Leicestershire and Rutland FA’s Vision for a Goal – Every Player Counts initiative for disabled footballers. Bruno Berner was there representing the club and we were both inspired by the enthusiasm the players have for the game.

I’ll be busy this weekend too, attending the opening of City’s 125 Exhibition at Snibston Discovery Museum on Saturday with club historian, John Hutchinson. If you’ve got any City memorabilia bring it along and I’m sure John will be able to tell you more about it.

‘Frozen Britain’ messed up my wager last week, with two of the games called off. This week I’m backing Spurs, Peterborough and Forest to win. Fitzy from Turner & Kendrick will again be donating a £25 bet for Wishes4Kids.

For all the latest official news on Leicester City Football Club visit www.lcfc.com. To get your tickets for the Newcastle United game email ticket.sales@lcfc.co.uk

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