ALC Fox

A possible AI-enhanced photo from the club's Thai account and they can't fix the sun-bleached seats. We look like Sunderland on their way down the divisions. As for the propaganda, Thailand could be entirely justified in their indignation. But we just don't know. How could we possibly know which side is telling the truth in this case? This messaging shouldn't have been shown. Thai politics has been rife with corruption with coup after coup. The world can't trust the message. If it goes up again (I don't think it will during competitive games) then it should be roundly booed. That's the only real message we can give them unless we can sneak in anti-propaganda signs.

What a guy. Abdul, give us at least one season in the Prem, please.

To be fair to the club, they've probably left it as close as possible in order to try and get a sponsor in after the KBet backlash. It's a great indication of fan power and actually good from the club that they've listened. It shouldn't be a massive deal really. Hopefully they get a decent sponsor sorted relatively soon. Chelsea had no sponsor for the majority of last season and their sponsor for this season is also to be confirmed. Obviously they're more able to afford to go without than us, but if we can sort one relatively soon, we shouldn't miss out too much. If our sponsor is a palatable one, I'd say things have turned out quite well

Oh my. They actually sell a shirt in the type of yellow-gold we've been crying out for in an away shirt for so long.

In theory he could have been a good signing for us but his injury at the start of 23/24 put paid to that as Vestergaard established himself alongside Faes and Justin in the three-man defence in Maresca's offensive shape. In truth, Vestergaard, Faes and Justin (and Doyle before his injury) were always more suited to Maresca's style of play. But upon promotion, after Maresca left, and we adopted an approach where we were always admitting that we would see less of the ball, you would have thought that he would be more of an asset as a traditional defender, and yet when he came in he was part of an abysmal defence that conceded easy goals no matter who was selected. Some may say that he was never really given a fair crack of the whip here. And his personality will surely have been a help in the dressing room. But he never fulfilled the promise that he held: to be a stabilising presence on the field, to not only achieve promotion but help us stay in the Premier League. His legs may have gone entirely now. We can't really be sure. It's an easier task for Wrexham this season. Anything above relegation will be a success, even if they publicly aim towards the top end of the table. I don't wish him any ill will. I know he rubs a lot of our fans up the wrong way but I honestly haven't consumed much of the content he produces, so I'm not so bothered by what he gets up to. He could have been a hero, but has just been a footnote in a dreary episode in our history. We move on and so does he.

No real down side to this is there. He'll barely play and he'll be able to provide a wealth of experience and set really high professional standards in training that Jakub and Bausor will expect to match. He'll be able to talk them through difficult spells and regale them with stories of coming through the other side of testing moments in his own career. He must have an eye on coaching too so you'd hope all goalkeepers at the club from first team to youth teams will benefit. I'm assuming Mads will go but if he doesn't then he'll also feel reassured with an experienced colleague like Begovic to turn to if his own form drops a little like it did last season.

Hamza is a local lad who does give everything on the pitch. He was also a big squad player in our last Championship season and a big part of Sheffield United's squad in the second half of last season in which they accumulated 90 points and were just unfortunate enough that two other teams in the league managed to get 100. We're in the strange position where both Hamza and the club as a whole are good enough for the top end of the Championship but not good enough in the Premier League. It's been often referred to as the Huckerby Zone, but there are a number of clubs and players who have occupied this territory over the years. Choudhury does get found out in the Premier League. If we get back there and want to stay there, his availability will surely be limited. But, whatever we think of his off-field exploits, he'll be a good squad player for us this year and maybe next season depending on how potential points deductions affect us.

A few of the subs were also subs in the first game (Coulibaly, Silko, Joseph and Nelson). I presume those that did get on the pitch didn't get a load of minutes hence they're on the bench again.

Blue shorts then it seems? Only bit of new info we can clean from that I guess. No sponsor as of yet, mirroring what the lads in the first game today had on the pink kit?

FINALLY! A clash between the two teams who have won the second tier a record number of times in England and Germany. Love a Köln kit btw. Shame they're about €90.

For a ball winner, he doesn't half get passed around as if he isn't there a lot. He may have been a victim of Cooper's more passive style of play and RVN's distinct lack of any identity at all, so I'm willing to cut him some slack and hopefully we'll see more of his natural game at (a) a level below last season in the Championship and (b) under Cifuentes who emphasises pressing and winning the ball back quickly. It didn't seem much in evidence from Skipp himself last weekend but it's early days and hopefully he can come good as Cifuentes imposes his style on the team.

He's doing God's work is Philippe Auclair. Shout it from the damn rooftops. Integrity used to be a thing in sport. It's high time clubs and individuals were shamed for not having any.

Awesome from Monga there

Hoping it's just a slow start from them but have to agree so far. Might as well be cardboard cut-outs defensively. Some nice stuff from Bilal but particularly Monga early on.

Not really a 'Leicester' thing but I like the idea all the same. It will be interesting to hear what the marketing dept thinks that they're inspired by

I always thought Steve Howard appeared taller than 6' 3". Rob Huth is the same height as well but just seemed absolutely massive.

Saw the reveal video as well. Pretty good effort.

One of the best things Enzo did was sort Ndidi out imo. I know it's a level below where he was at, but he took advantage of Wilf's athleticism by playing him box-to-box and getting those movements where he arrived in the box and was able to chip a cross over the keeper's head. Playing him as a deep defensive midfielder just didn't suit his game anymore but in no way is he an advanced playmaker either. If he stays, hopefully Cifuentes plays to the actual strengths he currently has rather than what he was perceived to be when he was 19/20.

I think Ruud's energy was completely different. He often wandered round with a face like a smacked arse as if he couldn't believe how crap the players were. Cooper tried to give the players autonomy but they didn't want it, they wanted intensity and instructions and the Enzo way. I think Cifuentes could be good in a similar, but not entirely identical, way to Maresca, especially among the young players who are going to be ready to learn and take on detailed instructions.

Looks like a good first session, setting the tone from the moment the players walk through the door. Love seeing Alves part of the squad, really hope he comes out of his shell and thrives under this manager. The potential we have with these young lads is immense. Shame that it seems that Fatawu has had a little set-back. Doesn't seem too serious based on the demeanour of all involved, and recovery from big injuries often results in little breakdowns doesn't it. Hope he's back out on the training pitch soon. Good early signs from a footballing perspective. It'll be interesting to see who he puts his trust in for the remaining friendlies.

Having not watched a single game of this last season, I assume this means that the group games only consist of National League vs U21 teams, meaning that U21s never face another U21 side and, likewise, National League sides never face another National League side - until the knockout stages, of course. With all National League sides playing at home, this also guarantees a four-game group stage even though there are eight teams per group because there are no 'return fixtures'. I think that's right based on how it's described on the website.

Hopefully this means we'll see Harry Winks being good again.

This guy and the young talent he'll be tasked with blooding into the squad could save this club. Top, next thing sack the board, please. Martí's Blue Army

The green and navy/black one does look to be an interesting take on the navy/jade from the 90s including the pattern. Not what I was expecting and the colours look a touch off but could be alright in the flesh. It is completely irrelevant but I like all of the kits from a design point of view. But I must reiterate my loathing of the sponsor and I for sure will not be buying one. I was considering the navy training shirt as that is pretty smart but, even though it has King Power on it I stead of KBet, I doubt I'll get one because they've chosen such a heinous match shirt sponsor. leicester-city-1995-96-away-1.jpg.webp

PSR compliant* Morally bankrupt *situation pending