As the 2011/12 fixtures are announced this Friday, Mike King concludes the series of articles where members of the Trust website match reporting team give their views on the past season and look forward to the year ahead.
What was your highlight of the season
Getting a draw in the FA Cup with Man. City then going to the replay at Eastlands – just felt we were where we belonged – in the Premier League, then I woke up!
What was your biggest disappointment
Away form especially away defeats at Portsmouth and Ipswich – both on Sky and we felt like climbing under the settee!
What do you feel were the main reasons City didn’t make the Play Off’s
Very poor and disappointing start to the season under Sousa, and although we shot up the table, this was a false dawn as our home form, after a good run, deserted us at a crucial part of the season
Who was your player of the season and why
Naughton although he did tend to make the occasional positional error that the opposition took advantage of and scored. Wellens tried hard and King's goals were next best
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
Obviously Naughton and Mee, who, after a bad start, improved alot and doesn't mind putting his head in where it hurts. Vitor if guarantees consistency and gets a run in the team. The Yak if he works hard EVERY game and scores regularly. Bouma not sure of him….
Of those you have named, how likely do you think their permanent signing is
Probably Mee and Vitor, Naughton will get snapped up by a Premier club or a rival Championship club with a better deal. The Yak at £35k per week will upset the rest of the squad so will go elsewhere – West Ham?
What do you think the squad lacked this season
Guts and grit when the chips were down! Played some good football at times but little penetration up front. Need a good, tall striker to win the headers from long balls (poor Howard now getting near his pension age) and hold the ball up for the mid-fielders to come through. We lacked height especially at set pieces into our box. A good keeper, Ricardo was a joke and obviously upset Weale who still lacks consistency.
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)
Westwood (GK), Makail-Smith (who knows where the goal is), and maybe Nolan if his face doesn't fit in Geordie Land – oh that's 3!
Before having any knowledge of the squad make up, how do you rate our chances of automatic promotion for next season
Only fair unless we sign (not loan) 6 or 7 real quality players in all areas, a mix of experience and flair. As usual it will be a hard division to get out of with the Premier relegation teams and the Division 1 promoters – just look at all the teams ex Premier in the Championship now.
Any other observation you would like to make
Being favourites already for promotion has probably cast a doubt without knowing who is coming in and if we do not get a good start (25 points from the first 30), the new owners, who are desperate for Premier football to give them exposure in the Far East, I can see Sven being pensioned off and it will be the same as last season – I hope I'm wrong, but…….Keep The Faith
PS Can't wait for the fixtures to come out!
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