Over the next few weeks, members of the Trust website match reporting team will give their views on the past season and look forward to the year ahead, Colin Hall kicks off the series….
What was your highlight of the season?
The home clash with Manchester City gave a useful reminder, to fans and TV audience alike, of the club's ambitions and aspirations. Other notable features were the two away wins at Leeds (both of which I attended), as well as the defeats of local opponents and particularly the manner in which these were achieved.
What was your biggest disappointment?
The slump in form after mid-February which cost us a top-six place. The donation of points to the annual sky blue survival appeal was also much regretted, as were the televised horror shows at Portsmouth, Ipswich and Forest.
What do you feel were the main reasons City didn’t make the Play Offs?
Instability, inconsistency and inexperience. The repercussions of the club's protracted takeover were felt for too long on and off the field. Last summer, the previous regime showed zealous haste both in dispensing with the then manager and then appointing an instant replacement. Paulo Sousa tried to make too many changes too quickly and paid the price, alienating players, fans and ultimately the boardroom…..
His successor, while accomplished, lacked knowledge of the qualities needed to succeed in this particular league, which affected his judgements of certain players and caused changes to be made which weakened the side at a crucial stage. The two Chelsea loan signings, while of undoubted quality, were not really the players we needed to meet the challenges we faced.
Who was your player of the season and why?
Kyle Naughton stood out as the main (maybe only?) City player of genuine top-flight ability. – regularly solid in defence and occasionally spectacular in attack.
Of the loan players we have had this season, which players would be the most important to have with us again next season and why?
Apart from Naughton (see above), Ben Mee and Greg Cunningham showed promise. The jury is still out on Miguel Vitor, but he showed potential in the season's latter stages to be worth another squad place.
Of those you have named, how likely do you think their permanent signing is?
Can't see Mee or Cunningham making too many breakthroughs at their parent club next season, so we could land either or both of them. Whether Vitor figures in Benfica's plans is a question only that club can answer. Naughton, sadly will probably be snapped up by a Premier side.
What do you think the squad lacked this season?
We desperately need leadership, particularly in defence and midfield. Andy King, quality player though he is, does not strike me as a promotion-winning skipper. Other senior players in the squad were found wanting at Championship level three years ago and haven't improved since. I'd be perturbed if they featured very often next season.
Name two players (not loans from this season) that you would like Sven to sign next season (and believe we have a realistic chance of signing)?
Richard Dunne may not feature in Villa's plans next season. He's worked successfully with Sven before and is the type of experienced, uncompromising defender we need. In attack, Craig Mackail-Smith is the type of striker we need – mobile, hungry and prolific. I'd rather Sven invested in him than some fading, bloated mercenary who goes AWOL in big games.
Before having any knowledge of the squad make up, how do you rate our chances of automatic promotion for next season?
We should be contenders (our owners will invest too much for them or us to fail), but much depends on the teams coming down from the top flight. West Ham will be dangerous opponents, as would yoyo clubs like Wolves and Birmingham if they took the drop. I'd be happy to take a top-six finish right now if offered it.
Any other observation you would like to make?
If Sven wishes to stick with a 4-3-3 formation (which sadly often turned into 4-5-1) he should ensure that his squad are comfortable with that system. The rehabilitation of Hobbs and Waghorn, together with the retention of Tunchev, would also be positive moves.
Somewhat to my surprise, I managed to attend 29 City games (22 home, 7 away) during my term as Lord Mayor. I retained (and duly renewed) my season ticket and gained more enjoyment from it than for many past seasons.
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
More views from the reporting team will appear soon