Heads you win tails I lose?

Interpreting any messages in the bland statements of people who are determined not to say anything is precarious but caretaker manager Rob Kelly is in a strange situation at Leicester.

Club chairman Jim McCahill speaking on the club's official site said within a lengthy but understandably guarded statement:

'Considerable progress has already been made and we have been impressed by the quality and diversity of the number of applicants we have received for the post(of manager).

But, he also confirmed that Rob Kelly 'certainly comes into our thoughts as well in this process.

'I know that, given Rob's connections with Wolves, he is really looking forward to today's game and there can be no more powerful way of stating your case than by winning football matches.'.

That part of the message is clear then - win today and Kelly would be putting pressure on the board that they would clearly welcome. And being up against his old club, there could hardly be more incentive.

McCahill also talked of the inevitable need for the Board to retain confidentiality in its negotiations with potential successors to Craig Levein.

But the fact remains that no decision appears to have been taken yet. Mike Newell seems the main man and he confirmed that contact has been made but no job has yet been offered.

The obvious implication is that further candidates have to be interviewed but if you were a board of directors and you wanted Newell would you really go away without letting the man know that the job was his if he wanted it?.

I don't think so.

The truth seems to be that City, Mike Newell and any other managerial candidates need to know know where City are heading.

The next two games are crucial to that information - today's home game against Wolves and the February 11 visit to Brighton who have replaced Leicester in the bottom three.

Ironically, if Kelly wins today's game it may well make it easier for anyone to accept the managerial reins at Leicester and therefore to displace him - although his own position would be stronger.

And if he loses it will surely make it harder for any new manager to say yes while Kelly's position would be weaker.

Strange situation.





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