In the final article in our series from our match reporting team, Colin Hall (CH) & Cristian Bratu (CB) 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?
CH – For all kinds of reasons, promotion was an absolute must. The departure of key players and the financial hit resulting from our demotion meant that failure to secure an immediate return to the top flight could have led to many years of languishing in the lower leagues.
Fortunately, the club made an inspired appointment in Enzo Maresca, and gave him the backing he needed to reshape the squad and enable them to perform – at least in a sufficient number of games – at the level that was required to secure promotion and a league title.
CB – Despite losing a number of our players following relegation, we still had a team littered with Premier League quality, so the first hope was to either bounce back up at the first time of asking or mount a push for promotion. That of course is easier said than done as the team was in transition and seriously lacking in confidence following the season prior. The question was whether Maresca could revive the team and get them firing again – I thought that would be a process that would start off slow and gather momentum as the season progressed but the players took to the game plan very well and it was only until the last third of the season that we saw problems arise as we were found out by other teams in the league.
As the season progressed at which game did you start to believe we’d be promoted?
CH – At the start of 2024, when the gap between ourselves and third-placed Leeds stood at a whopping FOURTEEN points, it seemed to be a question of when, not if, promotion would be secured.
But, as many Foxes have seen so often during the years, a season at second-tier level is first and foremost a test of endurance, and this time it looked frighteningly possible during the closing weeks that this squad might fail it. Only after the Southampton game – the last in a series of crucial home wins during April – did I truly believe the job would be completed.
CB – I think the first real eye opener was the result at St Mary’s and how we looked like scoring every time that we attacked. In that game, we showed that we could be effective on the counter-attack as well as with slow build-up play, putting us in good stead whichever way the opposition set up defensively. This trend continued as we stormed into a commanding lead at the top of the table and from there, it was harder to see us not get promoted due to the position that we were in, though more on that during the next point…..
Did you remain convinced after that game that promotion was assured or did you waiver?
CH – At that point it was clear that the chasers were having similar mentality and endurance issues to ourselves. QPR had been a team transformed since we beat them at Loftus Road, and I always thought they’d have too much for Leeds.
In any event, Preston’s season had been over for weeks, so they were never likely to present the challenge that other teams had done in previous weeks.
CB – Maresca’s tactics were working a treat but the game that changed everything was Middlesbrough at home. This was Boro’s second win against us and with that, the template on how to get the better of us was there for the whole league to see, leading to the late season collapse. While we showed that we could attack in different ways as mentioned above, Maresca was very stubborn with his tactics and it was very much the case of playing how we play and if we lose, we lose. Unfortunately, this became more and more the case but luckily, other teams hit rough patches at the same time we did and we were able to get over the line, though it was much closer for comfort.
What were the key improvements to the team compared to 2022/23?
CH – A number of players found the form that had deserted them for long spells during the previous season. In addition, the new signings settled quickly, helping to provide the stability and consistency that had been lacking under previous regimes.
CB – One of the key changes as mentioned before was the confidence that was reintroduced into the team. The season prior, the players seemed defeated before they even stepped onto the pitch, and you could see their heads drop as soon as a goal went in. This time round, they had a plan they that trusted and with that, they were the ones who found late equalisers and winners – a stark contrast to the relegation season.
What were your views on the signings made last season?
CH – We needed a good transfer window last summer – and fortunately we got one! All the players signed – whether permanently or on loan – made key contributions during the course of the season, although some (Doyle, Casadei, Akgun) found it difficult to sustain their initial impact. Mads Hermansen, Harry Winks and Abdul Fatawu all stood out among the new arrivals and did enough to suggest they could be assets at Premier League level.
Meanwhile Conor Coady, once he overcame early injury problems, proved why he’d been a leader and a winner at Wolves, though the manager, for whatever reason, did not use him as much as he should have done. It’s not entirely a coincidence that we remained unbeaten throughout the entire league season in games when he started.
CB – It was important to get the recruitment right after relegation as it could have meant the difference between stopping the rot or continuing the drop and I think the club were successful on that front. Hermansen was the key signing in my view due to the issues that we had in that position and Fatawu and Mavididi added the excitement and threat on the wings that we lacked. Winks was assured in the middle of the park throughout the season and Cannon is a young striker with a lot of potential, though I think a loan may be beneficial to ensure he gets the game time he needs to develop. Loan signings in Akgun, Doyle and Casadei were less successful, but every player had a part to play in the promotion and that is all you can ask for.
Which player do you think made the most progress last season and why?
CH – Hermansen and Fatawu developed well, although there were times when their progress wasn’t completely smooth. Ricardo Pereira and Wilfred Ndidi both deserve special credit, though, as they were both asked to step outside their comfort zones and perform in roles with which they were neither familiar or comfortable. Nevertheless, they both did exceptional work for the team and made significant contributions to our eventual title triumph.
CB – It is hard to look past Vestergaard for this as the resurrection of his Leicester career came to the surprise of everyone as he went from exile to a key cog in the team. His lack of pace for the Premier League is still a slight cause for concern so he will need to ensure that his positioning is on point to accommodate this.
What was your view of the fans support during the course of the season
CH – Let’s focus on the positives first. The fans turned out for home games in numbers not seen at second-tier level for generations. They found enough of a voice to see us through a crucial series of home games when the promotion charge was at serious risk of being derailed.
The large turnouts at away games also helped to boost our record on the road.
However, there were also times when large sections of the stadium seemed far too passive, even detached. The mass evacuation of stands, especially in games where we were trailing, did not look good, and cannot be repeated during the season ahead.
There were also some disturbing undercurrents within the fanbase, as was evident whenever players took the knee before matches (whether home or away). As recent events have shown, Leicester is far from the only area where racial tensions persist, but the club and supporters groups alike need to take a strong position in the coming months.
CB – While we were getting the results that we needed (excluding the late season run), Maresca’s style of play proved divisive between fans, with some supporters in favour due to the position we found ourselves in the table, while others identified a lack of urgency and entertainment and grew frustrated, especially as results kept going against us. The lasting memory of the fans over the season however will always be the party atmosphere at Preston and I hope performances in the Premier League will bring more nights like that.
Given how the season panned out, in terms of success how do you rate it out of 10?
CH – I’d say about 8. Some might think I’m being a tad harsh with that figure, given our final position and points total, but many who followed us regularly would agree that we left around 15-20 points out there during the course of the season, and probably a similar number of goals.
We had an opportunity to make a real statement and build some genuine impetus for our return to the Premier League. Sadly, we didn’t make the most of it.
CB – Going back up as Champions at the first time of asking is no easy task so in terms of success, it would be hard to argue with a 10 on that front.
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?
CH – Steve Cooper needs to find a system which suits the strengths of the squad he has. If he can build a solid, disciplined, organised defence – and there is more than sufficient quality in his squad for him to do that – then that will provide a platform for the team as a whole to compete at a higher level.
CB – Naturally, our style of play will change under a new manager, but we will also see a decrease in the amount of possession that we have due to the higher quality of opposition than we face. The key thing that I want to see is the ability to adapt depending on how the game is playing out as opposed to the stubborn tactics of Maresca as this will help us pick up points along the way.
What playing positions do you think need strengthening and what do you consider the most important type of player needed.
CH – A striker (maybe even two) and a creative midfielder are absolute musts for the coming season. We also need players with a strong, positive mental attitude who will not shrink – as some have done in recent seasons – in the face of tough challenges that undoubtedly lie in wait for us. Whereas the 2016 squad was full of natural leaders, this one is far less so.
CB – Based on the preseason that we have just had, we certainly need more strength in an attacking sense, mainly up front and in attacking midfield. With the loss of Dewsbury-Hall, Daka and Vardy out injured and Cooper seemingly not fancying Cannon, we need specialist players to fill these positions as opposed to stop gaps such as playing Mavididi up front – filling round holes with square pegs was one of the reasons that we got relegated in the first place.
Would you be looking to add some experience to a fairly youthful squad or would you continue bringing in younger players and develop them?
CH- If Cooper can maintain the balance between youth and experience that his predecessor did, that will be a definite plus. However, the well-documented financial circumstances may ensure that academy players are given more of an opportunity this season. Whether enough of them can step up to the standard the top flight demands will be a key factor in the outcome of the forthcoming season.
CB- I think it is important to find a balance. Youth of course can set you up for the future, but this season is all about the present and staying in the league to allow us to build on from there. Due to the club’s financial issues, they will have to be pragmatic in their approach to transfers and the deals we have seen so far have been testament to that.
What are your expectations and fears for next season?
CH – The points deduction, if one is imposed, will be nowhere near as draconian as many fans are dreading. It would defy logic – and possibly the law too – for City to face a harsher penalty than either Everton (serial offenders) or Forest (whose efforts to comply with PSR did not appear to be unduly strenuous), especially as, unlike them we were actually relegated and had to deal with the financial penalties that ensued from that.
But the pre-season games to date have already shown where the main issues are likely to arise. Unless and until we can find sufficient creativity and firepower, a long and unpleasant winter lies in wait for us.
CB – It was going to be a tough season even without the potential points deduction that we are facing. The uncertainty going into the season is not going to help matters so we need to make sure that we make the best start possible to put us in a good position for when any deductions come into play as we do not know how long this will drag out for.
What is your prediction on where we’ll finish at the end of the season?
CH – My heart says we’ll show enough to defy the odds and the sceptics as we did in post-promotion seasons in 1997 and 2015. My mind, though, is giving me a rather bleaker message.
CB – It is hard to predict when we don’t know our fate but anywhere outside of the relegation zone will be seen as a success. I hope that relegation fears will be quashed with games to spare but this of course will be dependent on how many points are taken away from us.
Any other observation you would like to make?
CH – I remain completely unconvinced that Jersey Budd is the person capable of providing a rousing, inspiring pre-match anthem that can truly enthuse the entire fanbase..
However, at the moment there are a lot more pressing matters surrounding the club.
Even after 14 years, there are elements among City supporters who are less than comfortable with the current ownership of the club. While I do not believe the King Power era has run its course – Aiyawatt and his family have invested far too much financially and emotionally to walk away any time soon – there does need to be a review of personnel and processes to ensure there is no repetition of the grievous errors we have seen in the course of the current decade.
We still await any kind of explanation for the massive losses incurred during a season where we finished in eighth place in the richest league in world football, and had three lengthy cup runs. The club hierarchy should have been well aware of the profit and sustainability rules that the Premier League had brought in, and it defies belief that they put us in a position where failure to comply with such rules was ever a possibility.
It is to be be hoped that the imminent consultation processes with fans will bear fruit very quickly.
However, the Trust itself is about to begin a process of change. While the recent increase in members wishing to play an active role is potentially encouraging, care must be taken to ensure that the newer and younger members have the interests of the Trust and the club at heart, rather than be guided by the divisive and narrow agendas some keyboard warriors online wish them to follow.
CB – Leicester City of the past were praised for how the club was run and the connection they had with fans and after the last few years that we have had, it is very important to get back to the fundamentals once more. We used to be the blueprint for every other club but have since turned into a blueprint of what not to do. If we want continued success as an established Premier League club
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.