Leicester City Stand Point by David Bevan: Lloyd Dyer adds extra dimension to attack

I took the opportunity to attend two games on Boxing Day with the help of our unusual early-evening kick-off time, and the parallels between the two home sides involved could not be ignored.

Birmingham City are the other team from the Midlands that play in blue but the comparison stretches far more than that.

Alex McLeish has set his side up in a very organised fashion, with hard-working and committed players all over the pitch and one or two individuals with that spark of creativity.

Their goalless draw with Chelsea was not just a battling, backs-to-the-wall performance, though, with the visitors' defence looking shaky when put under pressure. City have not got £9.5million to splash on an Ecuadorian international striker or the same amount on a pair of centre-backs but, thankfully, the Championship does not demand that sort of expenditure to achieve success.

The catalysts for victory over Sheffield United were acquired through far more modest means, City ending the game with a central defensive pairing consisting of a 21-year-old signed from non-league and a teenage loanee left-back.

Michael Morrison and Ryan McGivern both stepped up to the plate when they were needed and, despite a few scares, ensured City took all three points.

The name on most City fans' lips on the way back up Raw Dykes Road after the game, though, was Lloyd Dyer.

The exciting left-winger has enjoyed two promotions in a row, firstly with MK Dons from League Two before becoming a key part of City's League One title success last season.

The question now will be whether he can travel up the divisions in successive seasons given that City sit fourth in the table just shy of the Championship's midway point. Dyer was back to his best against the Blades, twisting and turning defenders while maintaining his trademark direct running at goal. In his absence, our forward play can look very pedestrian.

When on form, Dyer adds an important dimension by linking the midfield and attack through his bursts of pace.

With Matty Fryatt also looking lively and Steve Howard winning crucial aerial battles, City looked far more dangerous going forward than in recent weeks.

The fans' praise flowed for Dyer but there was plenty of concern ahead of the trip to Doncaster.

Morrison and McGivern performed admirably in the heart of the defence during the second half on Saturday but Jack Hobbs, Wayne Brown and Bruno Berner will be welcomed back with open arms.

Luke O'Neill struggled in an unfamiliar role at left-back after being thrust into the side at half- time despite a lack of match practice this season.

City fans are hoping for some familiar faces to return to the defence at the Keepmoat.

David Bevan is a City fan and contributor to the websites Foxes Talk and Vital Football.