In the second of our series of articles where we have asked our match reporting team to give an end of season report and then have an early look forward to next season, today Stuart Dawkins gives his viewpoint
What was your highlight of the season
I attended the pre-match tour of Sweden, which was fun. There was a sense of optimism regarding Sven and the team. Unfortunately, that optimism ended quite quickly, and I struggle to think of many proper 'highlights' during the season itself.
Reaching the FA Cup quarter finals was good, and going to Stamford Bridge for the match was a personal highlight – if only the team had turned up for the first half-hour, it might have been a football highlight too!
What was your biggest disappointment
The lack of consistency. Year-in, year-out City have had seasons where they were able to beat the good sides, but not beat the bad ones. I had hoped that Sven and the huge transfer bill would result in a team which was better than that; I was wrong.
City started as one of the favourites for Promotion, yet failed to make the Play Off’s, what do you feel were the main reasons for this ?
Giving away too many 'soft' goals at key times. Too often having far more shots on goal than their opponents, but not scoring from them. A midfield which was completely outclassed against bigger/stronger players.
That seems to cover most of the team (Schmeichel did OK, I think). Overall, as the season progressed it was a lack of ability and drive in midfield which seemed to matter the most.
Kasper Schmeichel won all the official player of the season awards, would he have been your choice and who else impressed you this season
Kasper would have been run close by Konchesky. Each of them are basically sound and work hard, though each is prone to the occasional gaffe.
I think Peltier had a decent season. I also rate St Ledger highly, although the chopping and changing at centre back has probably not helped any of them form a reliable partnership.
Which of the players failed to live up to your expectations ?
Mills, of course. It was curious how he simply never got started in a City shirt.
King has gone from being the best player to not warranting a place in the team – this may well have been cause by his injury, but is still a shame. None of the new (this season) midfielders have really shone: each has come in, looked OK for a game or two, but then not really stamped their mark on the team (although Danns might prove able to do that, once he is back from injury).
The fact that the line-up for the final few matches frequently included Gallagher/Dyer/Wellens summed up the disappointment with the newer signings.
Off the pitch, the financial accounts up to May 2011 revealed significant losses, that wages equated to 95% of turnover and with further loans added since, the owners had now loaned the club £53m, what are your thoughts on these figures?
The Thai owners have put in a significant investment. They are on-the-record as saying that they will stand behind that investment and, to date, they have stuck to their word on pretty much all matters related to City.
I am concerned, however, that if they were to walk away from the club for any reason, then I do not see how the club could survive with its current debt structure.
I am also intrigued to see how the owners go about normalising the wage bill in preparation for Championship Financial Fair Play rules.
Season Ticket prices were recently announced for the 2012/13 season and while the Family Stand prices were frozen, the average price increase was 8%, with some areas as high as 15%, what is your reaction to the prices and do you feel attendances will be affected next season
I am torn on this one: such increases at a time of so-called austerity are not fair on a lot of people, who will struggle to pay them because that is what fans do. On the other hand, the over-inflated cost of footballers at present (transfer fees and wages) means that the club have to act to improve the balance between income and expenditure, so I can fully understand the new pricing structure from the club's perspective. As an industry, football is passing too much of its wealth to players and to agents; until that is rectified, ticket costs are likely to remain high.
Basic economics suggests that ticket sales will be effected to some extent, but I suspect most season ticket holders will renew.
Looking forward to next season, where do you think are the main areas that Nigel Pearson needs to make signings
See my waffly answer above re why City failed to get promotion!
Midfield is key, however. I do not think the club has a midfield of sufficient quality at present.
Name two players that you would like Nigel to sign next season (and believe we have a realistic chance of signing)
I'm never very good at this one, so I will let Nigel decide.
Before having any knowledge of the squad make up, how do you rate our chances of automatic promotion for next season
About 10%, unless Pearson gets a stable midfield sorted out early in the season. If he does so, then maybe 20%, because on paper we still have a very decent Championship squad.
With 2 clubs left to be decided by the Play Offs, which 3 clubs do you as the main threat for promotion next season ?
West Ham (unless they progress) together with the relegated clubs, although I fear that Wolves – in particular – may go into free fall and be less of a threat, and that Blackburn will depend crucially on their owners' actions.
Any other observation you would like to make
With very few exceptions (eg the FA Cup run and a couple of other matches) 2011/12 was one of the least entertaining seasons I can remember as a City fan. Hopefully next year can be better!
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