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End Of Season Review – Part Two

In the second of our series of articles where we have asked our match reporting team to give an end of season report and then have an early look forward to next season, today Stuart Dawkins gives his viewpoint

What was your highlight of the season

I attended the pre-match tour of Sweden, which was fun.  There was a sense of optimism regarding Sven and the team.  Unfortunately, that optimism ended quite quickly, and I struggle to think of many proper 'highlights' during the season itself.

Reaching the FA Cup quarter finals was good, and going to Stamford Bridge for the match was a personal highlight - if only the team had turned up for the first half-hour, it might have been a football highlight too!

What was your biggest disappointment

The lack of consistency.  Year-in, year-out City have had seasons where they were able to beat the good sides, but not beat the bad ones.  I had hoped that Sven and the huge transfer bill would result in a team which was better than that; I was wrong.

City started as one of the favourites for Promotion, yet failed to make the Play Off’s, what do you feel were the main reasons for this ?

Giving away too many 'soft' goals at key times.  Too often having far more shots on goal than their opponents, but not scoring from them.  A midfield which was completely outclassed against bigger/stronger players.

That seems to cover most of the team (Schmeichel did OK, I think).  Overall, as the season progressed it was a lack of ability and drive in midfield which seemed to matter the most.

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End of Season Review – Part One

We have asked our match reporting team to give an end of season report and then have an early look forward to next season, here is the first of the series, with the views of Eddie Blount

What was your highlight of the season

Appointment of Sven. It gave out a message of intent and aroused hope and expectation in equal quantities

What was your biggest disappointment

Sven's failure to produce a team which was capable of challenging for promotion in any real sense in spite of a fantastic outlay by City's owners

City started as one of the favourites for Promotion, yet failed to make the Play Off’s, what do you feel were the main reasons for this ?

The main reason was a lack of physicality in virtually all areas of the pitch. You cannot pass your way out of the Championship. If the players could do that they would be playing in the Premiership. The side's engine room - midfield - was the weakest part of the team.

Too many players lacking in pace and strength. You can carry the odd passenger but City's midfield was awash with them. Players like Gallagher, Dyer and King all have some outstanding qualities but they share the same weaknesses which is why we fared badly against the poorer sides both away and at home. We were a soft touch for them.

Kasper Schmeichel won all the official player of the season awards, would he have been your choice and who else impressed you this season

Schmeichel was a reasonable choice though he faded a little towards the end of the season. Nugent worked really hard without a great deal of support from midfield and Konchesky, in spite of the odd serious lapse, had a decent season

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Fans Service of Remembrance this Sunday

Leicester City Football Club will host its annual Service of Remembrance this Sunday (13 May, 1.30pm), giving supporters the opportunity to pay their respects to those members of the LCFC family no longer with us.

The service, held at King Power Stadium's Garden of Remembrance, will be hosted by Club Ambassador Alan Birchenall and is open to all supporters, as we fondly remember those supporters that have passed away.

The day will also mark the final service of LCFC staff member Pat Griffin who, in conjunction with Alan Birchenall, founded the successful Garden of Remembrance. Pat will retire following Sunday's service, as will Club Chaplain Richard Gamble. They have both been integral to the development of the garden and the Club's annual service.

All supporters are welcome to attend, with the service lasting approximately one hour. Should the day be subject to inclement weather, the service will be held within King Power Stadium.

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Fairytale Finish to Foxes Flop Season

Leeds 1 City 2

Report by Colin Hall

A stoppage-time winner by 17-year-old debutant Harry Panayiotou enabled Leicester City to end the Championship season on a high-note.

The Leicester-born youngster, a product of the club's high-flying academy, diverted a Ben Marshall shot past Leeds goalkeeper Andy Lonergan to earn the Foxes a 2-1 victory and lift them to a final league placing of 9th.

It was a dream come true for Panayiotou, a 72nd-minute substitute for Lloyd Dyer, who had already impressed many visiting fans with his tenacity, pace and composure beyond his years.

However, the goal also provided a positive ending to an away day which had seemed destined to be as frustrating as so many that had preceded it during a long and largely unfulfilling campaign.

With several stalwarts unavailable, Nigel Pearson rang the changes from the previous week's dispiriting defeat by West Ham.  Dyer, Sean St Ledger, Martyn Waghorn and Liam Moore replaced Richie Wellens, Andy King, David Nugent and Lee Peltier. In addition, Kasper Schmeichel was made captain for the day on his return to his previous club.

The Dane was forced into two early saves, as first Robert Snodgrass, then Luciano Becchio burst clear on goal.  But a biting cross-wind made quality football difficult, and both sides struggled to establish a rhythm during a tetchy first half.

City created chances of their own, testing Lonergan with a Marshall freekick and a Wes Morgan header.  However just as the half looked like meandering to a quiet end, the visitors took the lead through a move of rare quality.

Waghorn, making his first league start for the Foxes since November 2010, seized upon a miscued Leeds clearance, tricked his way past former team-mate Alex Bruce and beat Lonergan with a well-placed near-post finish for his first City goal in 14 months. 

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Supporters Direct Welcomes Football League Vote On Financial Fair Play

Press Release from Supporters Direct

Supporters Direct welcomes today’s (April 25th) agreement by the Football League and its clubs for the introduction of a Financial Fair Play framework and continuation of the Salary Cost Management Protocol, which will operate in the Championship, League One and League Two from the beginning of the 2012/13 season.

The framework aims to: “reduce the levels of losses being incurred at some clubs and, over time, establish a league of financially self-sustaining professional football clubs.” In the Championship, clubs have used UEFA’s Financial Fair Play Regulations as the basis for a break-even approach, whilst Leagues One and Two will adhere to the Salary Cost Management Protocol.

Tom Hall, Head of Policy and Development at Supporters Direct, said: "Since 1992, there have been 92 insolvencies in the top five divisions of English football. This framework represents a necessary step in combating the financial difficulties that have become all too common throughout the pyramid."

In a time of continuing economic uncertainty, it is essential that football adopts more responsible business practices, and embraces good governance, in order to preserve clubs as valuable community assets. Supporters Direct therefore commends the Football League and its member clubs for agreeing this framework, and looks forward to the continued development of a more sustainable game; in the UK and Europe.

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