In the fifth of the series of articles from our match reporting team Kate Thompson gives her views..
Before the season started what were your hopes on what we could achieve?
I would have been happy with a safe mid-table finish, and perhaps another shot at the FA Cup.
As the season progressed at which game did you start to fear we could be relegated?
Bournemouth at home, a game we should have won, but Maddison’s missed penalty at home to Everton was the real turning point for me.
Given how the season panned out, in terms of success how do you rate it out of 10?
Being generous, one out of ten. There were a few good matches, such as Villa away and Spurs at home.
What do you feel went wrong?
Where do I start? Perhaps I was as blinkered as the staff and players, but it seemed impossible that we would be relegated. I naively thought the days of Leicester being a yo-yo club had ended, but how wrong can you be?
With hindsight – and isn’t hindsight a wonderful thing! – Rodgers should have been sacked much sooner. I’m sure Vichai would have been more ruthless. Again, with hindsight, the writing was on the wall after the Forest FA Cup game the previous season, but it didn’t seem so seminal at the time. There were some worrying signs early on, such as Brighton away, but then some excellent wins – just not enough of them.
LCFC managers and some LCFC fans had differing views on the effort some of the players were putting in, what are your thoughts?
It’s difficult for me to have a view on this because I assume the team were playing in a style directed by the manager, which was too pedantic for many fans and might have seemed as if they were being lazy and not putting in any effort.
What were your views on the signings made during last season?
Faes started well but his two comical own goals against Liverpool knocked his confidence. Similarly, Kristiansen and Souttar had good debuts (away to Villa) but failed to keep up the standard. And the biggest disappointment of all was Tete, who promised so much in his debut.
Which player do you think made the most progress last season and why?
I guess the only one would be Iversen, the rest stayed at the same level or below their best for most of the season.
Which players did you think underperformed the most last season and why?
Tielemans; he was my favourite player but had a poor season and I am not surprised that clubs weren’t beating a path to his door to sign him on a free transfer.
With a number of injuries, which players injury do you think had the most detrimental effect on our season?
Clearly Evans, although I would add Justin and Pereira. The two under-21 players who suffered ACL injuries, Braybrooke and Alves, may have played a part in the first team now and it is sad that they will not be ready for the start of next season.
Moving onto next season
What is your initial reaction to the appointment of Enzo Maresca as our new manager?
I am excited by the appointment and it seems a bold move by the club. Obviously, he won’t have players of the calibre of the Manchester City first team squad but hopefully he will have learnt a lot from Guardiola about a playing style. I just hope he is given time.
It has been made clear the club needs to move out a number of players, who do you feel is essential that we retain?
Evans, Justin, Pereira, Dewsbury-Hall and Barnes. I am not convinced that the last will leave, despite all the rumours, as he is a local boy and that still counts for something. I would have added Mendy, who I have always liked and who has a bit of a raw deal at Leicester, but it seems he is leaving.
There will therefore by a number of new signings, however what do you feel the squad lacked last season and needs adding?
Very clearly defenders who like to keep the ball out of the net! And a goalkeeper who inspired those in front of him.
Would you be looking to add some experience to a fairly youthful squad or would you continue bringing in younger players and develop them?
A mix of experienced and young players should always be the pattern.
If you had a chance for a word in the owner’s ears, which player(s) would you be advising to sign?
As ever, I have no idea.
What are your expectations and fears for next season?
I will be very surprised if we get promoted at the first time of asking and expect to remain in the Championship for a few years.
Any other observation you would like to make?
I don’t understand fans who said they were angry at relegation. Obviously, I am disappointed, but at the end of the day it is still my club and I will continue to support them.
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