Staring a new week with the fourth in our series of articles from our 2015/6 match reporting team with their thoughts on our season to remember and starting to look at next season.
Today, we get the views of Colin Hall
At the start of the season, what would you have regarded as a successful season? I felt that provided we could overcome the loss of Esteban Cambiasso and Matty James (the entire central midfield unit from the previous campaign), there was scope for improvement for us. The promoted sides did not appear to be much of a threat and there were a number of other teams that seemed within our reach. I never imagined, though, they would all turn out to be within our reach!
How far had your expectations been raised by Christmas? We knew that relegation was no longer a possibility – which was a welcome contrast to our previous three top-flight seasons. There was a doubt whether the team's form could continue, but a top six finish looked quite feasible at that stage.
After which game did you start to think, we could win this? The win at Tottenham – at a time when our form was actually starting to perhaps unravel a little bit, started to give us real hope that the title could be within our grasp. When it was followed a few weeks later by a 3-1 win at Manchester City – as good an away performance as I have ever witnessed from City – the confidence and self-belief rose significantly among players and fans alike.
It seems generally agreed across our fan base, that several factors contributed to our success, if you had to choose the most significant factor, what would it be? A management team that was able to bring everything out of each and every member of the squad.
Focusing on Claudio Ranieri, what do you think his main contribution was to turn us into title winners ? Sorting the defence out. In the opening games of the season, as for much of the previous one, it looked a real weakness. However the changes in tactics and personnel that the manager introduced following the home defeat to Arsenal ensured that it became a notable asset.
What was your personal highlight of the season? There were a number of goals of exceptional quality during the season. Riyad Mahrez's goal against Chelsea and Jamie Vardy's incredible effort against Liverpool spring readily to mind.
But the biggest highlight of the season was undoubtedly the final whistle of the Chelsea-Tottenham game when our status of league champions for the first time in history was finally confirmed. That is a moment I and many other Foxes will cherish for the rest of our days.
With our players winning so many national awards this season, who would you pick out as your player of the season? All the players made important contributions during the course of the season, but N'Golo Kante probably made more than most. After looking slightly uncertain in his early games, he adapted to the demands of the Premier League really well and managed to keep his form in games where others struggled.
I hope the club will be able to keep N'Golo at King Power Stadium for at least one more season, but if he feels the need to move on, he'll leave us with many wonderful memories.
Who within the squad would you award the title “best unsung hero” ? Christian Fuchs didn't receive the accolades and limelight that others in the team did, but the record shows we only had 2 league defeats with him in the side. That speaks for itself. He was the best left-back in the league last season and although he didn't show his best form at Euro 2016, I'm sure he'll continue to be an asset for us next season.
A number of players made significant strides forwards with their career, which player do you think made the most progress last season and why? Jamie Vardy was clearly a player transformed and the dramatic increase in his goal tally (as well as his exploits for England) reflected that. But Danny Simpson and Wes Morgan also raised their games significantly. Many fans of my acquaintance were unsure this time last year whether they were Premier League players. Both of them have now proved that they are Premier League winners!
The club’s success triggered unprecedented media and public interest in Leicester City. What was your most memorable ‘non-football‘ story about the club last season ? The arrival of hordes of Italian fans in the city for the weekend of the Everton game. Very few of them, if any, were able to get a ticket, but they wanted to share in the celebrations and pay their own tributes to Claudio. Like the man himself, they were a credit to themselves and their country.
For match reporters who attended away games, which ground gave you your best away experience and why ? All the venues where home fans stayed behind to applaud us after our victories. I saw this happen at Swansea, Everton, Crystal Palace, Sunderland and even Manchester City. There was a real sense of goodwill towards us as we challenged – and eventually overcame – the “usual suspects” who were slightly more accustomed with the upper echelons of the league.
Moving onto next season
What changes do you think are necessary to improve on this year’s squad? A significant increase in quality and quantity will be needed for the squad to absorb the additional demands presented by Champions League football. I'm glad to see Claudio has recognised this and the signings of Ahmed Musa and Nampalys Mendy in particular are real statements of intent.
While watching Premiership games during the 2015/6 season, which player from another club would you advise Claudio to sign? Salamon Rondon of West Brom caught the eye – not least because he scored in both games. I'm not sure his club would be willing to sell, though.
Robbie Brady of Norwich and Troy Deeney at Watford were intriguing possibilities. Both of them would have slotted into the squad, but the price tags attached to them meant they would have been questionable value compared to alternatives available from other leagues.
Who would you like to face in the Champions League? Given recent events, which are likely to raise travel and accommodation costs significantly, three teams in Western Europe would be ideal. A group with Celtic, Anderlecht and Lyon – assuming those teams qualify for the group stages – would do just nicely. Having said that, I wouldn't be surprised if our paths crossed with Atletico Madrid and/or Red Star Belgrade again.
Should we make the knockout stages, a trip to see City at the Bernabeu or Camp Nou (perhaps even both!) would be highly appreciated.
Any other observation you would like to make: I'm not convinced about the idea of letting the academy or under-21 side take part in the Football League Trophy. While it may be an experience for the players involved, many lower league fans are concerned that this may be the thin edge of a dangerous wedge which may eventually lead to such sides entering their league itself.
I share their view that this move would not assist in tackling the long-term issues that our game needs to address, which after the latest tournament failure by our national side, now assume even greater priority.
I also hope the club announce moves to increase the stadium capacity as soon as possible. The demand for season tickets and memberships is clearly exceeding supply.
A stadium holding 40000 – or maybe even more – would give us a fighting chance of ensuring that our status as the leading club in the Midlands is maintained for the medium to long term.
The views expressed in this report are the opinions of the Trust member nominated to file the report only and do not represent the views of the Foxes Trust organisation