Continuing our series of articles where our team of website match reporters review last season and look ahead to next, is Paul Weston
Before the season started what were your hopes on what we could achieve?
I hoped for a top six finish and winning the Europa League as a stepping stone to getting back into the Champions League
As the season progressed was your personal priority progress in Europe or the Premier League ?
It soon became obvious that we were a long way adrift in the Premier League and soon there was no option but to concentrate on Europe- even though it was eventually the Conference League after failure to go through in the Europa League qualifying group.
Given how the season panned out, in terms of success how do you rate it out of 10 and why?
I would give it 6.5 out of 10. Yes I know our injuries were horrendous until the last part of the season but there were only a few matches when we played well for 90 minutes. Our defensive weaknesses from corners and also inability to score from dead ball situations became a joke and embarrassment. It became the norm that we would have to score at least 2 goals to cancel out those we let in from corners. I just did not feel that our quality of play developed- in fact it regressed. Injuries of course played a part in this.
What was your personal highlight of the season?
I must admit it is hard to think of many highlights from an underwhelming season. Our timid display against Roma to depart the Conference Europa League was certainly a disappointment. I think on balance our display against PSV in the home first leg was my highlight. The football from both sides was thrilling and it was the best 0-0 I have witnessed.
James Maddison won the Player of the Year Award, would he have been your choice and who else do you think deserves praise for their performances?
On balance yes but his performances early in the season were patchy and not game changing. There is still room for improvement. He has a tough job to get into the England set up with Southgate so keen on Mason Mount.
KDH for me is a close second. His improvement during the season was remarkable and now he has to be one of the first names on the team sheet
What were your views on the signings made during last season?
Daka promised much in early games but then seemed to lose confidence. He has the ability to be Vardy’s successor but needs to look at the maestro on how to make the right sort of runs. Marks 6 out of 10
Lookman (loan). Can be a game changer but is easily knocked off the ball and his first touch is not so good. I am undecided whether we should make him a permanent signing. Marks 6/7 out of 10.
Soumare. Looks too slow and ponderous for the Premiership. He can neither create nor defend at the speed required. I would sell him if we could. Mendy is a much better and nimble player. Marks 4 out of 10.
Vestergaard. I cannot think of one redeeming feature and signing him was a big mistake. Every time he was introduced onto the pitch I closed my eyes and waited for us to concede a goal. I would rather we developed one of our young players into central defence. Sell please. Marks 2 out of 10 and that is generous.
Bertrand. Ditto. Marks 2 out of 10.
Which player do you think made the most progress last season and why?
Dewsbury-Hall. Once he had the confidence and felt he belonged in the side. He always wants the ball and drives the play forward. The problem now is that we expect so much from him.
Which player did you think underperformed the most last season and why?
Apart from Vestergaard and Bertrand I would reluctantly list the following:
- Barnes is a superb player but needs to be more consistent and flits in and out of games. He seems to lose confidence in a game too quickly when he cannot beat his man.
- Schmeichel again is a superb shot stopper but it cannot be a coincidence that despite all the defensive changes made during the season our woeful displays at corners continued. He needs to progress his game and command the ball at corners. The opposition know how to bully him – it is so obvious.
- Soyuncu. We depended on him too much through the injury crisis and his game deteriorated. There was always a mad moment lurking when a cool head was needed. It seemed like Rodgers lost faith in him later in the season.
In a season of many injuries, which players injury do you think had the most detrimental effect on our season ?
As soon as Fofana had his leg broken in that “friendly” game against Villareal I felt that our season’s hopes disappeared and so it proved. He can still develop but he drives forward from defence and is an exciting talent. He will be on many clubs’ wish list I fear.
What is your view on the club not wearing blue in some away fixtures last season when the kits clearly wouldn’t have clashed ?
It does not really bother me
Moving onto next season
Ongoing media coverage indicates we are looking for a centre back, midfield player and right winger as the main priorities, if you had to choose one position as the most important as to where we needed to strengthen, what would it be and why?
Evans is becoming injury prone so we need a commanding centre back. Assuming Tielemans leaves then a replacement is needed that is quicker and tough tackling. Tielemans KDH and Maddison are too similar when played together.
It has also been made clear the club needs to move out a number of players, who do you feel time at the club should come to an end?
Vestergaard, Bertrand, Soumare, Soyuncu and possibly Perez
Would you be looking to add some experience to a fairly youthful squad or would you continue bringing in younger players and develop them?
The recent signings have been poor so I think we ought to use Rodgers skills in developing young players. It is also a financial model that suits the club. The signings of Man City and Liverpool recently show a yawning gap in finances that we cannot compete with.
If you had a chance for a word in the owner’s ears, which player(s) would you be advising to sign?
I would leave it to Top and his team, but this time be wary of signing so called experienced defensive players as stop gaps when injuries strike!
What are your expectations and fears for next season?
I just hope that we start the season well and with an injury free squad. If we make signings I hope that it is in good time to blend them into the team. It might be close to Jamie Vardy hanging up his boots so I hope he remains injury free. If he does we could have a storming season.
Any other observation you would like to make
Up the City!
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