Magnificent top 6 ride again..

[fuchsntf]

We had for our aspirations & ambitions..especially performance wise, a poor - turgid season..

 

Looking at the table ..

" The magnificent 6" ride again..

 

We have irritated them somewhat over

4-5 seasons. Though we no longer have that right to shout & sing about that title season...

We won admirers & some have tried to copy/emulate our small step of success...

 

The following jumped early out of the blocks, and maintained their momentum into latter part of the season,but with us & Manutd massively misfiring...

A.Villa, C.Palace,Brighton,Wolves,W.Ham,in the end ran out of in-depth quality gas, not forgetting the big boys deeper mental aptitude & strength.

 

Which does prove how difficult it really is & not bottle job antics,  even  to knock on the door & enter 

those top 4-6 thresholds & compete & challenge consistently through a whole season(s) right upto those very last 1-3 games.

 

The top 4 rescources are still proving too far ahead & can parry , a well directed thrust , from those teams

 who have built their best ever squads & competed over a larger part of any given season..

 

Even a misdirected misfiring Manutd, Arsenal & Spurs have in the longer term ,deeper allround rescources & means,  that keep those 'also ran' hourdes at bay.

Proving still a good wide committed,competitive suprise club haven't themselves those long-term rescources that can ford  that chasm...

 

That extra quality 1-7 players, deep within top 6 squads afford a laxing season that can be still won in the last EOS 2-5 game turn around..

 

Bottled it, ! 

we were never on the same

conveyer-belt..

but what this season as shown,

neither were any other media

 Elected Wanna-bes

Edited 19 May 2022 by fuchsntf

[Lambert09]

all you really need to do to comprehend the gaps is start a football manager season with one of ‘them’ then with us. See the outrageous difference in wages and budget  accords the board. 

 

We have to overachieve in every department of recruiting… where as they (with an already huge advantage in who to chose from and the money to get them) only need to get 1/2 right to succeed. 

 

We continue to grow as a club but the problem is, so do they.  With the new sub rule being introduced they will be able to keep 2 more big players happy with minutes from the bench 

[Jobyfox]

In many respects we have no chance of competing with the greedy six. It's not just their turnover, but the system is rigged to maintain the status quo and, when it's threatened, they attempt to lock out the competition permanently. That's what makes those two end of season collapses all the more painful. The chance to breakthrough is rare and you'd probably have to do it for five or more consecutive seasons just to start closing the revenue gap and become able to establish a more sustainable presence. 

 

We should, in reality, be in competition with 13 other clubs for the right to finish seventh. That's why 8th or 9th is far from being a poor season - purely based on the measure of league position. 

 

There is some hope that Chelsea might be the club to fall from the lofty perch. The disappointing thing is that we're not the most likely team to take their place as most of the smart money would be on Newcastle United. 

[Fox92]

We'll be up there next season again.

[Sampson]

Didn't Arsenal have a very similar season to us last season? Dick around 10th-12th most of the season, then had a few wins at the end. Then they found it much easier this season without Europe to contend with.

 

Albeit they  did splurge £150mil in the summer, which we aren't really able to compete with.

I am quite cautiously optimistic about next season to be honest.

Edited 20 May 2022 by Sampson

[yorkie1999]

Hmm. Wonder what we'd be like with a full squad, injury free for a couple of months at the start of next season.

[Supergray22]

31 minutes ago, Sampson said:

Didn't Arsenal have a very similar season to us last season? Dick around 10th-12th most of the season, then had a few wins at the end. Then they found it much easier this season without Europe to contend with.

 

Albeit they  did splurge £150mil in the summer, which we aren't really able to compete with.

I am quite cautiously optimistic about next season to be honest.

Yes the pattern is similar just played out a different way. All but the top two have had periods of inconsistency like us this season. Can’t help feeling that without those last minute concessions, real injury crises and a few dodgy refereeing decisions we would have ended up in a similar position to last two seasons. Win on Sunday and we will only be three places worse off even still. 
 

I shouldn’t criticise our referees too much though. I’m still scarred by Roma way. Could be worse and it probably did even itself out. 

Edited 20 May 2022 by Supergray22

[Saxondale]

7 hours ago, Jobyfox said:

In many respects we have no chance of competing with the greedy six. It's not just their turnover, but the system is rigged to maintain the status quo and, when it's threatened, they attempt to lock out the competition permanently. That's what makes those two end of season collapses all the more painful. The chance to breakthrough is rare and you'd probably have to do it for five or more consecutive seasons just to start closing the revenue gap and become able to establish a more sustainable presence. 

 

We should, in reality, be in competition with 13 other clubs for the right to finish seventh. That's why 8th or 9th is far from being a poor season - purely based on the measure of league position. 

 

There is some hope that Chelsea might be the club to fall from the lofty perch. The disappointing thing is that we're not the most likely team to take their place as most of the smart money would be on Newcastle United. 

I don’t think money is the sole factor. Look at how much Everton have spent!

 

If anything, I reckon it’s more to do with these clubs’ ability to attract the top talent.

[RumbleFox]

I suppose just looking at the table and nothing else we’ve had a decent season based on injuries and, with everyone fit all season, you’d expect us to finish higher which would be very good. I’m still on the fence about Rodgers. Part of me thinks he deserves one last crack at it but another part feels like change is needed. God knows. One thing is certain though, we need more entertainment next year. 

[Spudulike]

54 minutes ago, Sampson said:

Didn't Arsenal have a very similar season to us last season? Dick around 10th-12th most of the season, then had a few wins at the end. Then they found it much easier this season without Europe to contend with.

 

Albeit they  did splurge £150mil in the summer, which we aren't really able to compete with.

I am quite cautiously optimistic about next season to be honest.

Next season is going to be unique with the Nov/Dec World Cup break. Some clubs will lose more players than others who will be trying to avoid injury before and returning injured/knackered. 

 

I think we could take advantage especially as we're not playing Thursday night euro football. 

[FosseSpark]

If we finish 8th, no one will mention it, but we will have done relatively well having been without arguably 4 of our 5 best players: Vardy, Fofana, Evans and Ndidi for large parts of the season and having Castagne, Ricardo, Justin unavailable or unfit for another large chunks. Meaning we have played amartey, soyuncu and Thomas more often than anyone thought or wanted us to.  

The fact Tielemans checked out is not Rodgers fault.

I don't think we can blame him too much for being too Conservative either as we haven't had the firepower in place to play a different way. We could have been on the end of some serious dickings if he'd have set us up more open or gung ho attacking. often he's sacrificed that with the intent of nicking close games with a touch of quality amid some dour football. Pragmatism over Idealism which makes for Puel Ball sometimes but has probably stopped us being nearer to a relegation fight. 

 

Three things which are unacceptable and can't continue:

 

Recruitment has been woeful, scouting hasn't picked up a massive lack of pace and heart in players like soumare, vestergaard etc and they've wasted time and money. Shifting peripheral players has been slow and means we aren't agile in the market on a limited budget.

 

Blooding of talented u23s needs to happen before they are 23. I expect to see Madivadua, Maswasinhe, Popov and Alves in some cups or on benches next season or gone on loan.

 

Defending set pieces: Kolo and big Mike S need to go and be replaced by competent individuals. Top many tactics (zonal, man to man, men on posts) seem to have been underpractised, and our attacking routines seem similar. The buck needs to stop with these two and if they remain in post it might be the thing that brings Rodgers down. 

 

 

 

Edited 20 May 2022 by FosseSpark

[fuchsntf]

7 hours ago, Jobyfox said:

In many respects we have no chance of competing with the greedy six. It's not just their turnover, but the system is rigged to maintain the status quo and, when it's threatened, they attempt to lock out the competition permanently. That's what makes those two end of season collapses all the more painful. The chance to breakthrough is rare and you'd probably have to do it for five or more consecutive seasons just to start closing the revenue gap and become able to establish a more sustainable presence. 

 

We should, in reality, be in competition with 13 other clubs for the right to finish seventh. That's why 8th or 9th is far from being a poor season - purely based on the measure of league position. 

 

There is some hope that Chelsea might be the club to fall from the lofty perch. The disappointing thing is that we're not the most likely team to take their place as most of the smart money would be on Newcastle United. 

Agree ..

I reckon 90% of the normal fans will accept those 8th- occasional 6th

Placings,but even I ,defender of the faith ,want to see decent performances & entertainment,when higher wages & higher quality are being touted.

I count these last 15 months as unusual because of that built up chronic injury list and time for returnees to refind form..

 

Whatever  our & other chasing clubs,the challenge to those converted top 6 places are difficult enough..Take any 1st choice top 3 players out for just a month & we will struggle over 2-3 months .Those top 6 just ride & carry it easier..

 

 

 

[MarriedaLeicesterGirl]

1 hour ago, Supergray22 said:

Yes the pattern is similar just played out a different way. All but the top two have had periods of inconsistency like us this season. Can’t help feeling that without those last minute concessions, real injury crises and a few dodgy refereeing decisions we would have ended up in a similar position to last two seasons. Win on Sunday and we will only be three places worse off even still. 
 

I shouldn’t criticise our referees too much though. I’m still scarred by Roma way. Could be worse and it probably did even itself out. 

In all honesty, I think the Fofana injury -- happening the way it did and when it did -- had a huge psychologically negative effect on the team at the beginning of the season (the Betrand COVID situation was also bad, since he actually looked good in pre-season, whether that was an illusion, we will never know). Add in the game postponements, the various COVID issues, the injury crisis, etc. ... I mean, finishing 8th would be pretty impressive.

 

Then we get the last minute collapses: If we had won that Tottenham game, would it have turned around our season? Maybe. But psychologically, you can get into the habit of conceding late (the "here we go again" syndrome). I think this also plays a role in our corners issue: If you are always conceding, you find a way to concede.

 

But we lost a lot on tiny margins, during one of the strangest, most difficult two years in football since the Second World War. This actually leaves me hopeful about next season. Without having to play two games a week, without being a nose swab away from losing a player for ten days, and without the trauma of losing players I would have thought as irreplaceable 18 months ago (Youri and Cags leaving this summer? I am very 'meh' about it. Love them both, but I don't think they performed well this season) ... I think we are in a good spot.

 

[Number 6]

We need to start introducing the direct play a bit more to utilize our own weapons, but with a fully fit squad and no European travel we should really be challenging them again next year. It will certainly be difficult: top 2 are sorted, can see Spurs under Conte and Utd under Ten Hag doing better but there is a lot of improvement needed - particularly with the Utd squad. Arsenal have arguably overperformed this season, will be interesting to see if they can go again with European games too. And Chelsea are a bit of an unknown at the moment.

 

Which leaves it to us and West Ham to challenge them I think. Again we have the benefit of fewer fixtures so I really do think we should be looking to get top 6 next season as the goal. We have a great squad of players and it is a big summer window for us to try and exploit, but I think there is reason to be optimistic about the season.

[Spudulike]

Tiny margins, yes, and quite a few were the result of bad VAR decisions (in particular, Brighton x2, Man Utd). It would be easy to blame some of those decisions on denying us Euro football next season.

Can't think of a dodgy VAR decision going in our favour this season. It's almost as if it's pay back for the FA Cup final (when both decisions were correct).

[fuchsntf]

1 hour ago, Saxondale said:

I don’t think money is the sole factor. Look at how much Everton have spent!

 

If anything, I reckon it’s more to do with these clubs’ ability to attract the top talent.

Hence why I used rescources..one could write a list of the variants..

But one major factor that some on here don't comprehend...Players wanting more to have that chance to go to one of those top 6,clubs..name tradition & choice of better quality teammates,not in our eyes but theirs..

Seagrave will be secondary until it's proven itself..

 

[Supergray22]

1 hour ago, MarriedaLeicesterGirl said:

In all honesty, I think the Fofana injury -- happening the way it did and when it did -- had a huge psychologically negative effect on the team at the beginning of the season (the Betrand COVID situation was also bad, since he actually looked good in pre-season, whether that was an illusion, we will never know). Add in the game postponements, the various COVID issues, the injury crisis, etc. ... I mean, finishing 8th would be pretty impressive.

 

Then we get the last minute collapses: If we had won that Tottenham game, would it have turned around our season? Maybe. But psychologically, you can get into the habit of conceding late (the "here we go again" syndrome). I think this also plays a role in our corners issue: If you are always conceding, you find a way to concede.

 

But we lost a lot on tiny margins, during one of the strangest, most difficult two years in football since the Second World War. This actually leaves me hopeful about next season. Without having to play two games a week, without being a nose swab away from losing a player for ten days, and without the trauma of losing players I would have thought as irreplaceable 18 months ago (Youri and Cags leaving this summer? I am very 'meh' about it. Love them both, but I don't think they performed well this season) ... I think we are in a good spot.

 

Yep I’m with you totally. 
 

That evening we were on holiday in Spain and I went from elation from the way we were playing to a feeling of dread for the coming season. I think it probably effected a lot of fans.  I think we are still in a good spot too. Especially historically. It we do need to address the known issues successfully this summer hopefully. 

[Les-TA-Jon]

Such a weird season and difficult to analyse. On the one hand our away form, defence in general and set piece issues have been woeful. On the other hand we look to be finishing 8-10th, despite all the injuries. 

 

But even with a 'bad' season if we hadn't of chucked 8 points away in the final seconds against Spurs, West Ham, Everton and Newcastle, we'd be in with a very good shout at Europa League qualification again...

[trabuch]

1 hour ago, MarriedaLeicesterGirl said:

In all honesty, I think the Fofana injury -- happening the way it did and when it did -- had a huge psychologically negative effect on the team at the beginning of the season (the Betrand COVID situation was also bad, since he actually looked good in pre-season, whether that was an illusion, we will never know). Add in the game postponements, the various COVID issues, the injury crisis, etc. ... I mean, finishing 8th would be pretty impressive.

 

Then we get the last minute collapses: If we had won that Tottenham game, would it have turned around our season? Maybe. But psychologically, you can get into the habit of conceding late (the "here we go again" syndrome). I think this also plays a role in our corners issue: If you are always conceding, you find a way to concede.

 

But we lost a lot on tiny margins, during one of the strangest, most difficult two years in football since the Second World War. This actually leaves me hopeful about next season. Without having to play two games a week, without being a nose swab away from losing a player for ten days, and without the trauma of losing players I would have thought as irreplaceable 18 months ago (Youri and Cags leaving this summer? I am very 'meh' about it. Love them both, but I don't think they performed well this season) ... I think we are in a good spot.

 

Definitely this. Horrible thing to happen and it sickened me - must have affected the team's morale. Although his spirit in the way he recovered should have been an inspiration.

 

I've got high hopes for next season - at least until I totally over react to our first defeat and the gloom sets in (which will last until our next win... I'm a simple soul). There will always be someone who irritates the greedy 6 (and Newcastle). Let's hope it's us again, no reason why it shouldn't be.

[Gravel]

West Ham may still take Man U's place at the top table this season.

 

 

[MarriedaLeicesterGirl]

1 hour ago, fuchsntf said:

Hence why I used rescources..one could write a list of the variants..

But one major factor that some on here don't comprehend...Players wanting more to have that chance to go to one of those top 6,clubs..name tradition & choice of better quality teammates,not in our eyes but theirs..

Seagrave will be secondary until it's proven itself..

 

Players usually want to go to the Top 6 clubs to "play" at top 6 clubs -- hence our links with players "not playing" at their Top 6 Clubs. I think for many reasons Leicester have an edge over our competition in the "Fighting for 7th Club". This includes Seagrave (and the stadium expansion), but also an ownership with a proven record in doing what it takes to be competitive. I mean, take Youri, for example: He is an ambitious young player who wants to play for a Champions League team. Yes, we are a "stepping stone", but we are also a stepping stone that saw him play in Europe and win an FA Cup and Community Shield. If you were going to bet on any non-Top 6 team to take home a trophy in the next three years, I have a feeling we would get pretty good odds.

[Jobyfox]

3 hours ago, Saxondale said:

I don’t think money is the sole factor. Look at how much Everton have spent!

 

If anything, I reckon it’s more to do with these clubs’ ability to attract the top talent.

I think it (money) absolutely is the overriding factor. Attracting top talent comes later. 
 

Man City weren’t much before their investment. I remember when they were first trying to recruit players there were a lot of people saying: “….. why would you go there instead of Man Utd…. ? That doesn’t happen now. Similarly with Chelsea and Arsenal. 

 

It will be much harder (for Newcastle) now than when Man City and Chelsea broke through because of all the financial regulation that is now in place. As I say the system is rigged. You can’t increase turnover without sustained  success, you can’t get success without buying the best players, you can’t buy the best players without spending lots of money, you can’t spend the money without falling foul of FFP.

 

That’s where Everton have come unstuck. You have to pay over the odds for talent until you’re established, but you can’t establish yourself without spending the money. The only alternative is to invest sustainably and for the long term, as we have done with our training centre.

 

The top clubs don’t magically attract the top talent. The route of it all is money. 

 

[filbertway]

5 hours ago, yorkie1999 said:

Hmm. Wonder what we'd be like with a full squad, injury free for a couple of months at the start of next season.

[FosseSpark]

I agree. If you look at the league winning side that leicester had, it included 4 genuinely world class talents in Mahrez, Kante, Vardy and Schmeichel who have gone on to rack up stats and trophies that put them undeniably in the top quality bracket

coupled with a set of lower quality team mates that performed 8-10 out of 10 each week to support them. 

Most top 6 sides maintain at least that mix and over time compile a squad that has almost two teams of that quality. 

The issue with sustaining it is that all it takes to dismantle an emerging power is to take 1 or 2 of its emerged stars. The only way for them then to maintain is to strike it lucky in the transfer market, which is always a 50/50 enterprise at best. 

so the dice are rigged and leicester are the case in point. it has been too easy for Chelsea and Man City to buy our quality out from under us and make it very difficult for us to build success on success. 

it's like paying poker vs someone with treble your stack and a pair of kings in hand. you might beat them once, but they are then going to bully you over the next few hand. 

[SheppyFox]

6 hours ago, Fox92 said:

We'll be up there next season again.