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Your support makes all the difference.Micky Adams last night acknowledged that there will be "no hiding place'' for himself and Leicester City when they attempt to end a traumatic week with an unexpected win over an in-form Birmingham City before a taunting crowd at St Andrew's tomorrow.
Speaking of his relief at being able to set aside for 90 minutes the ongoing crisis over the three players imprisoned in Spain - as well as having to wade through hate mail and supportive letters - Adams said: "I'll be in that technical area. I'm a manager and a coach. That's all I've ever wanted. There's no hiding place for me. I'm determined to get a win for everyone connected with the club.''
Leicester's players were, he suggested, relishing the "release'' of actually playing a match and would not be cowed by any provocative chants from the Birmingham fans. "The only escape footballers ever get is out on the pitch,'' Adams said. "You tend not to notice the crowd's reaction to you.''
Paul Dickov, Frank Sinclair and Keith Gillespie have now spent eight nights in the Sangonera La Verde jail in Murcia on charges of sexual assault, which all three deny. With injuries and suspensions also biting, Adams had just 13 players in training yesterday and admitted the squad have been "subdued, workmanlike and down in the mouth'' this week.
He wished he could "turn back the clock'' to before Leicester went to La Manga, but added: "We've got to get on with it, and try to win games for our supporters, shareholders and sponsors. This club was dead and buried last season [when they went into administration]. Lots of people ploughed in good money to save it.
''Ever since I've been here it seems as if we've had to put out a rallying call to our fans every three months because we need their cash or their backing. But I know they'll get behind us.''
Adams did not accept that Leicester's difficulties are symptomatic of a wider malaise. "I hate the thought of people saying this is English football's problem. It's not. It's ours. Other clubs should not be tarnished with it.''
Leicester's players broke their silence on the La Manga fall-out yesterday. Les Ferdinand, at 37 the senior professional, said: "The knives have been out for us but we'll stick together.'' The former England striker expressed solidarity with the imprisoned trio: "Some things are more important than football, though you wouldn't believe it at times. This is a time to think of those guys and their families.''
Muzzy Izzet, the longest-serving player, called for a repeat of the response to Leicester's fall into administration. "The club and community came together and it made us stronger as a team. We need that spirit again now. All we can do is let the legal team deal with the players in Spain. We'll deal with the football.''
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