Today we feature the second end of season review from our members who make up our team of match reporters, here are the thoughts of Eddie Blount.
At the start of the season, what would you have regarded as a successful return to the Premiership? Survival!
Were your expectations raised following the 5 – 3 victory over Man Utd ? Yes, especially considered alongside performances against Arsenal and Everton
With Villa at home being the only victory in the first 3 months of 2015, did you think we would stay in the division going into April? After the failure to beat Hull – who should have won incidentally – I could see no way back
What do you feel were the main reasons we went on such a long run without a win? Playing 4-4-2 with central defenders always under pressure so that Morgan tried to play like three men and conceded several silly goals by trying too hard. Plus lack of aerial ability when defending and some incredibly bad luck, eg the two penalties given against us at Anfield.
Finally some poor team selection, particularly the decision not to give Albrighton an extended run. I sympathise with Pearson to some extent as he had to see what the Championship-winning side could do but his lack of managerial experience in the Prem re formation and tactics was a factor also
By contrast, the end of season run was an incredible set of results, what do you feel were the main reasons for the sudden success? The signing of Huth gave the defence a more solid look. The decision to play 3-5-2 or close variations with two excellent attacking wing-backs in Schlupp and Albrighton was crucial as was the allowing of Mahrez to roam freely behind the front two. Finally the emergence of Vardy as a striker who had learned to run the channels and the fantastic leadership of Cambiasso were also key factors. Obviously several things came together in the right mix
Was there any point during the season where you felt a change of manager would have been the best way forwards? I admit to thinking Tony Pulis would get us out of the mess we were in but once he was taken I was prepared to see the season through with Pearson who had done brilliant work in the Championship
What was your personal highlight of the season? Putting 5 past Man U after trailling 1-3
Esteban Cambiasso won all the official player of the season awards, would he have been your choice and who else impressed you this season? Cambiasso was wonderful! Others who showed they could play well at this level were Schmeichel, Morgan, Huth, Wasilewski (yes!), Schlupp, Albrighton, Mahrez, Vardy, Ulloa and Nugent
A number of experienced heads were added to last season’s squad, which of this seasons signings did you think made the most significant impact? Cambiasso Huth and Albrighton
A number of players made significant strides forwards with their career, which player do you think made the most progress last season and why? Probably Schlupp who found being a wing-back preferable to being either a full back (defensive positioning weak) or a winger / wide player (football brain not up to standard). Pace and tackling are his strengths and being a wing back gave him the opportunity to use these attributes to best effect
Were there any players that failed to live up to your expectations? Drinkwater unfortunately plus James has still to prove he can thrive at this level
What changes to the squad do you think are necessary to improve on this year’s Premiership Campaign? We need two more central midfielders as a first priority, three if Cambiasso is not here
If you could advise Nigel Pearson on new signings, who would your suggestions be for additions to the squad? The management has a good record of buying well and getting very good value so keep up the good work! A couple of strong mobile African midfielders a la Crystal Palace would be my choice
What do you feel is most significant element of our game we will need to improve next season? . If we play like we did in the last quarter of the season we can give anyone a game apart from Chelsea!
The King Power stadium, which has always compared unfavourably to Filbert Street for atmosphere suddenly came to life this season, with a number of visiting sets of supporters stating our ground had the most noise in the division, what do you think were the reasons for this? The atmosphere was superb and a real factor in our revival. The crowd believed and the team believed and we simply swept most teams away. Awesome!
Any other observation you would like to make Our survival will be historic in that the record of being bottom for 140 days and not only surviving but finishing 14th may never be broken. I have supported City for well over 60 years and never seen anything like it
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
The Trust dedicates this series of end of season reviews to one of our match reporting team who has contributed since we first launched them. Mike King sadly passed away a couple of days before the final day of the season.