Holloway silences the whispers

IF ever Ian Holloway required a show of support from his players this was the occasion. The Leicester City manager could not have been presented with a more emphatic demonstration that he has their complete backing at the Walkers Stadium.

The week commenced with Holloway dealing with rumours suggesting that his managerial position was less than secure and owner Milan Mandaric marking his first anniversary in charge by claiming that the worst year he has endured in football has cost him €16 million trying to clean up the mess at the Championship club.

Mandaric’s track record in lack of patience prompted all kinds of claims that Iain Dowie, Billy Davies and even Glenn Roeder were being lined up as the Championship club’s sixth manager in that 12-month period, after a run of three successive defeats had seemingly pushed Holloway closer to the revolving exit door.