In the second of a series of articles from our match reporting team, Graham Tracey (GT) & Kate Thompson (KT) 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?
GT – I saw some nonsense from some people saying we were heading for back-to-back relegations, which had no basis in logic for me. There is always uncertainty with a new manager, and so I was hopeful of the play-offs, but clearly winning the title exceeded my expectations.
KT – I didn’t expect promotion and even thought we might be relegated again!
As the season progressed at which game did you start to believe we’d be promoted?
GT -Even by October I felt that we had such a cushion that it was hard to imagine two teams overtaking us…
KT – After the mid-season blip, I wasn’t really confident until the home game against Southampton
Did you remain convinced after that game that promotion was assured, or did you waiver?
GT – The Millwall and Plymouth week was as bad as I can remember as a Leicester fan. After Daka sliced that chance wide at Plymouth, my stepdaughter rushed downstairs to see me having some kind of breakdown where I was trying to climb into the TV and shouting “get off the pitch”.
KT – I was pretty confident as it was so near the end of the season and the other contenders were having a wobble
What were the key improvements to the team compared to 2022/23
GT – The performances can’t really be compared as they were in different divisions, but the morale and uniting behind the manager were obviously in marked contrast to the relegation season.
KT – Their excellent start gave them confidence, which appears to be very important to footballers, and the defence was much more solid albeit against lesser opposition
What were your views on the signings made last season?
GT – Terrific. The wingers were the highlight of the season. I wasn’t convinced we needed a new keeper but Mads was a revelation. And persuading Coady and Winks to drop down were major coups.
KT – Good – Hermansen and Winks made a big difference. I was sorry that Coady didn’t get more opportunities
Which player do you think made the most progress last season and why?
GT – A tossup between Mavididi and Fatawu, but I’ll go for Stephy because of how satisfying it must have been to play in your own country for the first time and make that impression.
KT – It has to be Vestergaard, who looked like a totally different player. And Dewsbury Hall was clearly a man on a mission, as he said himself
What was your view of the fans support during the course of the season
GT – Too many moaners who are never happy and obviously haven’t lived through periods of the last 50 years like some of us. But the atmosphere at Preston when we won the league was an all-time classic.
KT – Mixed. I hate to hear booing and would never do it myself, but generally this was borne out of frustration
Given how the season panned out, in terms of success how do you rate it out of 10?
GT – 9
KT – I would say 9; like many others, I didn’t like the endless sideways and backwards passing but was prepared to tolerate if when the results were generally good. I was disappointed that we didn’t beat Reading’s record of 106 points
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?
GT – Willingness to try different formations – eg use full backs, two up front. No aimless passing between defenders when not even being pressed.
KT – I appreciate that not losing will be the main focus, but I would like to see them be a bit more adventurous
What playing positions do you think need strengthening and what do you consider the most important type of player needed
GT – An extra striker to accompany Vardy and Cannon (I would give Daka away). Given our budget and plight, we need players capable of an immediate impact (hence I’m worried why we spent £5m on Goulding, good though he may be in future).
KT – We still need a replacement for KDH; if Winks get injured, we are in a mess. And Vardy apart, another striker would be good. Daka still doesn’t inspire me and although I hope Cannon will come good in the end, it may take a while
Would you be looking to add some experience to a fairly youthful squad or would you continue bringing in younger players and develop them?
GT – Experience as long as not some of the arrogant characters we’ve had in the past like Keown and Wise. They can help the likes of Coady and Vardy acclimatise youngsters like Alves who will hopefully be involved.
KT – If we can do a mix of both, that would be best. We should be able to recruit PL quality players at the end of their career and up and coming youngsters – who, sadly, we will then no doubt sell on for a massive profit!
What are your expectations and fears for next season?
GT – I think this all revolves around the severity of the points deduction, which coupled with a bad start could make the season a dismal experience. I like Steve Cooper though, so if some other teams struggle then we may have a fighting chance.
KT – It all depends on how many points we are docked. If it is no more than six then I think we have a fighting chance of staying up, anymore then I think we are straight back down again. But I hope I am wrong!
What is your prediction on where we’ll finish at the end of the season?
GT – More than a 50% chance of relegation, assuming a points deduction of 6 or more.
KT – Certainly in the bottom half, hopefully out of the bottom three by the skin of our teeth
Any other observation you would like to make?
GT – It is strange for the joy of promotion to evaporate with my contempt for much of the off-field decision making within the club. The sale of KDH, who appeared set on emulating Walsh and Vardy as an all-time legend, due to financial mismanagement by those who remain at the club, appalled me. The shirt deal indicates complete moral bankruptcy to me.
Living in the North-West and only being able to attend a few home games each season, the matchday prices and membership fee are beyond what is realistic for me to pay (especially as the sad reality is we may not win many matches). Facing not going to a match for the first time since the 1970s is depressing beyond words.
KT – I am so disappointed with the club at the moment: the £25 charge for a physical season ticket, the hike in match day prices, the new shirt sponsor and many more. I hope things will change but I am not holding my breath!
The views expressed in this article are the opinions of the Trust members nominated to write the article only and do not represent the views of the Foxes Trust organisation.