Today Colin Hall gives his views in the last 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.
What was your highlight of the season?
We started and ended with decent away wins – the manner of our last-gasp victory at Leeds was particularly satisfying. Sadly, what transpired in between these pinnacles fell way below the standard we were led, and entitled, to expect.
Even the FA Cup run, while an intriguing interlude, owed much to lack of motivation on the part of our opponents.
Still, it could have been worse – look towards Derby, Forest or Coventry for evidence..
What was your biggest disappointment?
The team lacked leadership both on and off the field. When the going got tough, especially in away games, too many players went into hiding and we ended up losing too many matches that should have been there for the taking.
City started as one of the favourites for Promotion, yet failed to make the playoffs, what do you feel were the main reasons for this?
The previous manager focused too much on assembling a collection of individuals, rather than building a genuine team or establishing a coherent, consistent game plan. As a consequence, the parts added up to more than the whole on a far-too-frequent basis.
Tensions between the old guard and some of the more high-profile summer signings continued throughout the campaign.
Discipline within the side also left a lot to be desired. Vassell's ridiculous lunge in the opening minutes of the first game set the tone for much of what followed and made the team marked men in the eyes of many referees. The red cards and consequent suspensions had dire consequences and the management need to cut them out.
Kasper Schmeichel won all the official player of the season awards, would he have been your choice and who else impressed you this season?
Schmeichel was the most consistent player throughout the season, and by some distance. He also merited the awards he received because of his passion, commitment and honesty – quantities not always in evidence elsewhere in the squad.
David Nugent and Paul Konchesky deserve special mention for their efforts during the campaign, Neil Danns found consistency after the turn of the year, once installed in a settled central midfield role, while youngsters Jeff Schlupp and Liam Moore showed promise during their appearances in the side. Ben Marshall also caught the eye with some impressive performances and goals.
Which of the players failed to live up to your expectations?
Neither of the two big-money signings (Mills and Beckford) set the league alight to the extent their transfer fees would have suggested. Abe and Fernandes also didn't make the impact that we hoped for, and their departures were not widely mourned.
Wellens and King were both well below the standard they set in previous seasons. Too many others also struggled for consistency during key stages of the campaign.
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 owners clearly had an aim of seeing us promoted within two years. With that target having been missed, continuing losses are inevitable, but they only increase the need to go up next season. Another failed promotion bid would have drastic consequences for the club, especially with the league's new 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?
The price rises are far from ideal, but looking at the accounts and the ticket prices at promotion rivals (eg Leeds) they could easily have been a lot higher. Many fans will absorb the increases, but the recession hasn't gone away and others will continue to pick and choose the matches they attend.
Looking forward to next season, where do you think are the main areas that Nigel Pearson needs to make signings?
Central defence and midfield should be his main priority. I'm pleased with the signing of Matty James as he will give us more depth to an area where we struggled towards the end of the season.
Name two players that you would like Nigel to sign next season (and believe we have a realistic chance of signing)?
Luke Chambers of Forest is rumoured to be a target. He's impressed against us in the past, and would link up well with his old partner Wes Morgan. Robert Snodgrass of Leeds would also give us greater consistency and a stronger physical presence in attack.
Which 3 clubs do you see as the main threat for promotion next season ?
Blackpool, Leeds and Sheffield Wednesday.
Before having any knowledge of the squad make up, how do you rate our chances of automatic promotion for next season?
It depends on the start we make – if we can hit the ground running, a lot of nerves will be settled and we can lay the foundations for a genuine challenge. However, if we slip up in the opening games, as has happened in the last two seasons, the frailties may return on and off the field.
Any other observation you would like to make?
I'd like to see the restructuring of the league to reduce the fixture list and focus on quality rather than quantity. The current schedule of 46 games is no longer sustainable in a modern footballing environment and leads to too many mind-numbing midweek games which stretch the loyalties of fans beyond breaking point.
In addition the FA and leagues to liaise to ensure that the FA Cup final is on the last Saturday of the season at 3pm, and does not clash with league or play-off fixtures.
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