As many of the players have returned for pre-season training, we continue our series of articles gathering the thoughts of our match reporting team on both last season and looking ahead, today we feature the views of Stuart Dawkins.
Before the season started what were your hopes on what we could achieve?
I hoped for a creditable performance in the Champions League, and was intrigued as to how European clubs would handle the Leicester style of play. I would have liked a top-6 (or so) performance in the league.
So on that basis out of 10, how would you rate last season overall and why?
Tricky question! Maybe a 7? The team did well in Europe – even including the manner of the defeat against Atletico. The final few games of the league season showed that we still have a competitive Premier League team, but the overall position in the league was less good than I hoped.
Why do you think we had relative success in the Champions League while struggling in the Premier League?
No idea! Clearly, there was an element of the team being ‘up for it’ for Europe. I can’t, however, believe that they were not also keen to do well in the league too.
When it was announced, did you agree with the sacking of Claudio Ranieri?
Reluctantly, yes. The club and its fans owe Claudio a huge debt of thanks, but at the time of his sacking I did think there was a significant chance of the club being relegated. The turn-around in results from that point on suggests that – for whatever reason – the decision was correct.
And now with the benefit of seeing the results, were the owners proved right?
Yes.
What was your personal highlight of the season?
My personal highlights are not really football ones. They were the feeling in Leicester city centre on lunchtime and early afternoon of Champions League home match days. The away fans wandering around looking at our city, the feeling of being part of something big. I hope we experience it again soon.
Kasper won the Player of the Year Awards, would he have been your choice and who else do you think deserves praise for their performances
Kasper was a good choice. Probably the most consistent outfield player was Simpson. Most other players did not show the consistence required of a ‘Player of the Year’. Ndidi is settling in well, however.
Which player do you think made the most progress last season and why?
As above, Ndidi has settled in well. Chilwell is looking to be a great prospect – his substitute appearance against Atletico transformed the game, despite wing back not being his normal role. Benalouane has been worthy of his first team place – and would be very solid indeed if he could erase occasional rushes of blood from his play
Which player did you think underperformed the most last season and why?
Mahrez. No idea why. Clearly, he is still capable of being brilliant at times, but across the season as a whole his play was too inconsistent.
What were your views on the signings made during last season?
City won the Premier League playing with a particular style that was moulded around the attributes of key players (notably Vardy and Mahrez). It was never going to be easy to recruit to continue that style. I felt that the signings made were an attempt to build for the future, moving on from the current style. In general, that has not worked particularly well.
Ndidi, however, is now looking a good buy. Slimani tries hard and is probably in that ‘if only he scored a couple of goals his confidence would rocket’ position that many strikers seem to fall into.
For match reporters who attended away games, which ground gave you your best away experience and why?
Away at Atletico is going to be a highlight of any season! That aside, I always think the fanzone works well at West Brom, I like the eagles and the engagement with both sets of supporters pre-match at Palace (shame you can’t see the whole pitch though).
On the negatives: West Ham’s new home ground really does not feel like a football ground. I also went to the Emirates for the first time, and was under-impressed with that too. These feelings were not helped by the number of empty seats as many people turned up late and left early at each.
Moving onto next season
What changes do you think are necessary to improve on this year’s squad?
Central defenders, extra cover in central midfield, a strike partner for Vardy … and Gray to learn that whilst he is a brilliant player, sometimes the easy pass is the right option.
While watching Premiership games during the 2016/7 season, which player from another club would you advise Shakey to sign?
I would happily trade Mahrez for Oxlade-Chamberlain and (say) £15m.
Any other observation you would like to make
My overwhelming ‘gut feeling’ looking back on the past season is not really about that season itself, it is still more like ‘how on earth did the club do what it did the season before?!’