Steve Agnew

25.35

Don’t forget Dyche took Burnley into the Europa League!

There is a worrying pattern of losing leads and losing our heads during Rodger’s tenure in the last 18 months. I feel that much of this is down to the character of the players and the profile of player that has been recruited. I am amazed that Rodger’s recruited Vestergaard and then quickly afterwards bemoaned not having the right profile of defender. After three years the squad is now in Rodger’s image. If we don’t have aggressive defenders who win the ball in the air, then whose responsibility is that? Across the pitch we have technical players who are great when not under pressure. When it becomes a battle on the pitch we crumble. In fairness Rodger’s did acknowledge this when he signed Soumare but that signing hasn’t worked yet. However we need more players who will battle. Ask yourself which of our players you would want beside you in the trenches? Not many of our current 11! Compare our title winning seasons or the Martin O’Neil years to now. Almost every player to a man in those teams would fight. We can afford one luxury creative player (ie Mahrez or Izzet) but the others must dig in, otherwise the balance is wrong. In our 11 we have Barnes, Maddison, Tielemans, Nacho, and arguably others who don’t contribute to the physical aspect of the game. We also miss the warrior types of Morgan, Huth, Fuchs, Walsh, Taggart, Elliot. Leaders and players who will defend at all costs.

Agree with this. I respect Rodgers for being one of our best managers in terms of success on the pitch. However I was Rodgers out as soon as he begin the narrative about overachieving and being past our peak. Any manager saying that to his players must go. Vichai had high aspirations for this club and would not have tolerated that kind of attitude. As fans of course we can be realistic and don’t expect to win all the time. However we want the players to believe they can beat anyone, be positive and give everything. I noticed shortly after Rodger’s comment on overachieving that Perez was also spouting the same line in the media. Proof that the mentality had taken root. I suspect that Rodger’s is using the overachieving narrative and now blaming players to protect his own reputation. His actions are not in the best interests of the club. It’s pretty serious stuff.

I have two spare tickets for the Easy Life Leicester gig on Friday. Selling at face value (£26 each) Printed and can be collected from Leicester. Please direct message me if interested. Thanks

His very own Steven Gerard moment!

I feel so desrerately sad this morning at what has happened. Vichai's ownership of LCFC has been the best period in our history, no question. He has shown immense love to the club and indeed the people of Leicester outside of football, as seen in his multimillion pound donation to the Children's hospital following the title. Always kind, always gracious. An absolute gentleman in and out of football. My prayers are with him and his family. They are amazing people and my thoughts are with them at this desperate time. I hope we get a miracle.

What gives you confidence that we can recruit five good players in one window? My count is two good players in 14 signings since winning the league. Can you name a club who have successfully integrated 5 players in one window? Can you name a club who has successfully transformed their style? Can you name a club with our budget who play possession football and beat the big budget clubs? Can little old Leicester attract the type of ball playing footballers we need to implement this new style? I think gambling on all of the above is a huge, huge risk.

The question the owners will be asking themselves is have they seen enough in Puel to trust him with a summer window. In the 30 games Puel has had in charge he has yet to prove that the current squad of players can play his style. 4 wins in 16 is a trend the owners will have in their minds under careful consideration. It is relegation form. Puel will probably argue that he needs wholesale changes of personnel to make it work. The owners must now choose whether to invest significantly in his strategy to change the playing style or hire a manager who can work with the existing squad. The former being the expensive high investment option, the latter being the pragmatic approach. It's a big call. One that could make or break the club. I've rarely seen a team at the top level assimilate a large number of players in a single window. If Puel goes for big change and it doesn't work out, it could be hard to recover. Take into account that our recruitment has been abysmal since winning the title and there is a lot of risk in banking on a large number of new successful signings gelling in a pre season. I have been a season ticket holder for 20 years and my view is that I've not seen enough from Puel. Home performances have been the most lacklustre I have seen since Sven. I don't expect to win the league or win every game. I am a realist and don't expect high league table finishes. I do, however, long for a bit of excitement at the KP. It's been dull and boring for a long time. Performances have been abject on a number of occasions. I would love nothing more than for Leicester to win the remaining six games playing better football than Man City. I don't see this happening. And if performances, and to a lesser extent results, don't improve in the final 5 games, I suspect history will repeat itself for Puel. Yes we need a long term plan. Yes we should not keep changing the manger. But getting the right man with the right plan is the starting point. I know what I would do.

I have been trying to give Puel the benefit of the doubt, hoping that we are seeing a transitional phase. Unfortunately, the performances are providing little room for optimism. As many have already said we are slow in possession and look devoid of attacking threat. My real concern is that the playing style is getting further away from the identity of Leicester City as a hardworking, difficult team to play against. I think Puel is trying unsuccessfully to impose his own identity on to a Leicester squad that doesn't suit a slow possession based game. Another transfer window for Puel is likely to take us further away from the blood and guts performances that epitomise great Leicester teams and further towards a slow possession based side. Big decisions to be made in the summer, even if on the surface our leave position looks okay. Decision which our owners will not shy away from. History may repeat itself for Puel.

I am on the fence with Puel. The optimist in me thinks it is a transitional phase before we kick on and dominate next season. I would like to see more speed from back to front and more aggression all over. Let's not lose all of the blood and guts identity of Leicester City in the process of transformation. Although even more important than Puel's coaching ability will be our transfer dealings. We need to buy starters. No more squad players. We need top quality. Especially if we need to replace Mahrez. Interesting times ahead. In context of out club's history these are the golden years for which we need to be grateful. We should all remember to enjoy the next seasons before we do the classic Leicester Yo-Yo! :-)

I love Simeone. I've always thought he would be a perfect fit at LCFC. As much as I am sure he would like to work with Jamie Vardy, it is very unlikely to happen. As others have said he will be looking for a big club. He will turn Chelsea into an Atletico-esque monster counter attacking team.

I feel a good performance is coming from Demari today! A goal and an assist! Many have said it, but he is young and we must keep the faith. It is in our best interests for him to be supported and come good. Demari Gray, Gray, Gray!

Chilwell is clearly a very talented player and prospect. He is quick, great with the ball, can take a player on and cross accurately. He is learning and with experience will grow into a super player. Yes he made a mistake but it is to be expected with young players. Importantly he kept his head up and never stopped trying. It is great to see a Leicester side with so many talented youngsters coming through. Our job as fans is to help them through the development phase by being supportive and realistic. We should all be thankful that we are witnessing the golden years in our club's history. I've said it more than once, but I feel that Puel is bringing through an exciting young team who are more technically gifted than any other previous squad I can remember in my 30 years of supporting the club. I was initially sceptical of Puel, but I am delighted that he has proven me wrong. I am more and more impressed with the changes he is gradually making. He is a shrewd coach and manager. Change takes time and necessarily has its ups and downs. Let's put it into perspective when we get the urge to criticise our young players. I was at the game last night and can understand the frustration. However, we are seeing the birth of a new post-title-winning side and we should be patient and enjoy watching the team flourish. It's a long view required with a bright future ahead.

Gray clearly has the raw ingredients and natural talent to succeed. In my eyes it is only his decision making which is holding him back (an area that I assume must be easier to fix than say a lack of pace!). He has shown glimpses of real top level performance but not managed to gain consistency, as yet. It will come. I back Puel to improve his confidence and his decision making over time. I hope that Gray shows a willingness to learn and improves his game in the next few months. We must begin to play Gray and Diabate more often before Riyad likely leaves in the summer. A lot of clubs would be desperate for a player with Gray's ability and potential. We are lucky to have a wealth of youth coming into the ranks - a new dawn! These kids are the future! And a very bright future at that!