In the first of a series of articles from our match reporting team, Paul Weston (PW) & Colin Murrant (CM) give their views on last season and look forward to next season.
Before the 2023/24 season started what were your hopes on what we could achieve?
PW – To be honest after the relegation debacle I thought we would end up mid-table. I had no idea about what Maresca would bring to the team so did not dare to hope about promotion back to the Premiership.
CM – I knew we had a lot of Premier League quality players (albeit they had failed to keep us in the PL), nonetheless, a very good squad for The Championship. On the other hand, Maresca was a complete unknown with no exposure to The Championship. I remember telling people, I thought we would have a slow start and grow into the season; if we were in the top 10 after 10 games, I believe we would have a good chance of promotion. So, I guess I was correct but the start we had, and the way the performances collapsed from mid-February, was a complete reversal of what I expected.
As the season progressed at which game did you start to believe we’d be promoted?
PW – After about ten games it started to look like we had a winning formula. There were quite a few matches where we just did enough to win but we were consistent
CM – Pre the collapse, and with a 17-point cushion, every game seemed to increase belief. I was never enthralled by the tactics to be honest, particularly as even poor teams seemed to suss us ours. As the rot set in, I genuinely started to think we would blow it. I finally started to believe we would get promoted after we beat a tough (and unlucky) WBA side on 20th April; 3 days later the thrashing of Southampton re-affirmed my optimism: at this stage there were only two fixtures remaining.
Did you remain convinced after that game that promotion was assured, or did you waiver?
PW – I did waiver after Christmas when we had our wobble and lost some away games. Other managers had started to work us out and we had become too predictable.
CM – I would not say the Southampton game assured me that promotion would happen; after all, it was only a week after the debacles at Millwall and Plymouth. It was interesting that the other three teams in the Title Race started losing. I went through all the permutations: when you do that you end up thinking City would not get any more points, and that the other teams will win all their matches. In the end, Southampton seemed to be setting themselves up for the play-offs having previously gone 25 games unbeaten: Leeds caved in at QPR and never recovered: which allowed Ipswich to get second place.
What were the key improvements to the team compared to 2022/23
PW – Hermansen, Vestergaard, Winks, KDH were a strong spine to the team with two exciting wingers in Mavadidi and Fatawu. We had a clear playing method which worked, and our mentality was stronger than in the relegation season
CM – A system the squad bought into and seemed to enjoy Enzo’s management: no egos within the squad: early wins built confidence throughout. The team itself seemed to develop a closer relationship with the fans.
What were your views on the signings made last season?
PW – All good although baffling why Canon and Coady were selected rarely
CM – Winks was an outstanding signing for us. He came to us following an injury hit loan spell in Italy, which was a concern. However, he stayed injury free and was pivotal in his defensive midfield role. My only surprise with Winks was the number of bookings he picked up.
Coady, I thought was a good signing for us; his pre-season injury resulted in Vestergaard getting an opportunity which he took, resulting in Coady never really breaking into the team on a regular basis. When he did play, Coady demonstrated his leadership qualities.
Hermansen completely suited Maresca’s style of play, for the fans though, it was a bit scary at times. I have reservations that he is Premier League standard in his all-round goalkeeping abilities, it feels like he has not been fully tested yet. As a Championship player, you cannot fault his number of clean sheets.
Mavididi and Fatawu both excited and frustrated at times, but it was a thrill to see genuine wingers on both flanks. Some of the goals they were involved with were spectacular, and Fatawu’s hat-trick was stunning. Fatawu, I think is more likely to be the one that progresses.
Cannon looked promising, although he initially signed with a back injury. In the absence of Daka during the African Cup of Nations, Cannon got a run in the team and scored some good goals: he was then left out of the side on Daka’s return.
Doyle and Akgun played their part but never produced enough on a regular basis to make me think they would be at LCFC for another season.
Which player do you think made the most progress last season and why?
PW – I cannot believe that I am saying this, but it has to be Vestergaard. Somehow Maresca found a footballer in him. He had the strength of character to be a key player in the side despite being cold shouldered by Rodgers
CM – Normally, I would answer this question in terms of a young player. However, during season 22/23 no one was more unloved, unused at City than Vestergaard, His suiting to Maresca’s style cannot be doubted, and I give him great credit for winning over the fans. His lack of pace is undeniable, put his performances last season for City, and for Denmark in the Euros, prove he has good qualities elsewhere.
What was your view of the fans support during the course of the season
PW – Very fickle at times. Too many boos at half time and frustrated with City’s style of play
CM – The singing section were superb, and much appreciated by the team as was evidenced after the trophy presentation. I did view one match from SK1 and was surprised how loud and continuous the singing was. Normally, I sit the other end of the ground and you can hear more from East Stand and very little from SK1. The rest of the crowd is fairly quiet to be honest. As always, the support we have at away matches is much louder. I also think the style of play with slow build up does not naturally generate excitement and caused some rumbles from the stands. The lack of a Plan B was not a problem when we were winning, but caused frustrations when we were losing: the booing of the team at half and full time at Plymouth, was a prime example of this. The mass exodus on 85 minutes is also detrimental to the atmosphere.
Given how the season panned out, in terms of success how do you rate it out of 10?
PW – I would give it 9. Maresca achieved what was needed, although his stubbornness to change tactics in matches was frustrating at times.
CM – In terms of success, it has to be a 10, the aim of promotion was achieved, and we had a good cup run.
Moving onto next season
What changes (if any) to our playing style would you like our new manager to develop for our first season back in the Premier League?
PW – If Maresca had stayed as our manager I do not think our slow passing style from the back would have survived. Possession is good but it has to be faster in the Premiership. Vestergaard has to have protection otherwise it will be too easy for opponents to turn him and run at goal. We need to create more chances. Quite often Vardy was surviving on scraps when leading the line.
CM – I think, in common with most City fans, I like counter attacking football built on a solid defence and with fast, skilful wingers. I prefer a system built around the strength of the players we have not on some philosophy. I believe with our squad, Maresca’s style would have floundered in the PL: he could pull it off at Chelsea though.
What playing positions do you think need strengthening and what do you consider the most important type of player needed
PW – Surely Vardy cannot be no. 1 striker any longer. If Canon is not to be his successor, then we need a striker. We also need a strong tackling attacking midfielder to support Winks and Ndidi
CM – Pacey and strong centre back, creative midfielder and a pacey proven goal-scorer. At least one of these with great presence and leadership qualities on and off the pitch.
Would you be looking to add some experience to a fairly youthful squad or would you continue bringing in younger players and develop them?
PW – We have to invest in youth given our financial restrictions
CM – I think someone with PL experience is essential: we have Ricardo, Vestergaard, Vardy, Coady, Ndidi, Winks but I do not see them as strong personalities: apart from Vardy who I doubt will be playing as much this season. I think a strong personality would help the youngsters and I really look forward to Alves and Braybrooke, inter alia, getting their chance.
What are your expectations and fears for next season?
PW – The spectre of a significant points deduction hangs over us (and seems strangely to avoid Manchester City…) I therefore fear that we will be relegated again primarily due to the points deduction. I would be absolutely delighted with fourth from bottom of the Premiership
CM – I do not see us struggling like the three teams promoted in 22/23. However, the points deduction is like the Sword of Damocles hanging over our heads.
What is your prediction on where we’ll finish at the end of the season?
PW- My head says third from bottom of the league. I hope that I am wrong.
CM – This would be a complete guess without knowing the size of the points deduction. As I said previously, I think we could have a reasonable season but, whether we will have enough points to secure another PL season is in the lap of the PL Gods. If the deduction is a significant number of points, we might well have to develop a siege mentality: memories of 14/15!
Any other observation you would like to make?
PW – I am concerned that the Club is starting to alienate itself from its fans and losing its “family club” ethos. The deafening silence over its approach to Financial Fair Play Rules does not help. Somehow the forthcoming season is not as exciting as it should be.
CM – I just hope that the Director’s start appreciating and respecting the existing fan base and do everything to encourage the young fans and families for the future. I think they need to be pro-active in improving the relationship. King Power might be the custodians, but this great club belongs to Leicester City and Leicestershire. The rift between the fans and the club has not been this bad for many a year. The advent of Fan’s representation gives the Board the opportunity to rectify this.
The views expressed in this report are the opinions of the Trust members nominated to file the report only and do not represent the views of the Foxes Trust organisation.