Concerned for next season?

[willie-bell-in-rothley]

We went into last season with optimism, had we not had the injuries our season would have been better, 

i dont think we should worry, we just need a settled team

[Leicester_Loyal]

We'll be fine, even if we have a poor season we'll probably finish 10th, especially given we have no European football. The league is very rarely as strong as we think.

[The whole world smiles]

5 hours ago, Guy said:

So you think they'll all stay fit and injury free all season long? Just saying! 

Obviously I can't predict the future and who can legislate for some bellend snapping your best players leg a week before the season starts but Reasons I think they might. 

 

No Europe, minus 14 games compared to last leason including trips to Russia and Denmark. 

 

Proper preseason due to covid and the euros the players had a shorter break and a condensed pre season campaign. 

 

Hopefully a Clean bill of health staring the season last season we started the season minus Fofana, Evans, Justin who were all on the long term injury list. 

[Crinklyfox]

We have a number of class players.  On paper we should comfortably survive next season.  However, last season was a disappointment and apart from the fact that right now we have fewer injured players I can't see that a lot has changed.

 

We have been a soft touch compared to other PL teams, conceding many goals from set pieces where the opposition didn't need to be composed of a team of world beaters.  We also conceded from some defensive howlers, the standard of our defensive play was not up to the mark.

 

This season most other teams will have improved their squads and we have not to date.

 

At present I can't see the coming season showing an improvement on the last.  A few defeats, injuries and a run of poor results could leave us in the bottom half of the table for an extended period.  I hope this doesn't happen but it could - I remember that in the MON era after three top ten finishes we were relegated and very few of us saw that coming.

[Old Fox]

48 minutes ago, Leicester_Loyal said:

We'll be fine, even if we have a poor season we'll probably finish 10th, especially given we have no European football. The league is very rarely as strong as we think.

I love your optimism but look how close last season was and although we have two fit centre half’s it only needs one of them injured and we are weaker - and JE is a risk  at his age. Coupled with a lack of cutting edge out wide means we will be in games which can go either way - it would not take much in a very competitive division to see us in the wrong half !!

 

I think this season has the makings of being our toughest since we came up and I am not convinced that BR is committed and his noises could become toxic - I think the poor recruitment, COVID and investment in training ground are sadly a financial burden that could be our undoing.

 

Hopefully Leeds, Everton or Southampton will struggle too otherwise I see this being a tough read on relegation candidates except for Fulham and Bournemouth!

Edited 22 July 2022 by Old Fox

[Leicester_Loyal]

3 minutes ago, Old Fox said:

I love your optimism but look how close last season was and although we have two fit centre half’s it only needs one of them injured and we are weaker - and JE is a risk  at his age. Coupled with a lack of cutting edge out wide means we will be in games which can go either way - it would not take much in a very competitive division to see us in the wrong half !!

 

I think this season has the makings of being our toughest since we came up and I am not convinced that BR is committed and his noises could become toxic - I think the poor recruitment, COVID and investment in training ground are sadly a financial burden that could be our undoing.

 

Hopefully Leeds, Everton or Southampton will struggle too otherwise I see this being a tough read on relegation candidates except for Fulham and Bournemouth!

I too have no faith in Rodgers, but firmly believe we'll shift one or two out and we'll get one or two in before the end of the window.

 

I think players like Barnes, Tielemans, Maddison and Vardy will score exceptional goals again that'll see us near the top half of the table comfortably, especially considering they'll be fit and fresh most games (barring injuries). A lot of the top 6 will have players off to the World Cup as well, so it'll be a hugely toughly season for all those players.

[taupe]

I can understand why people might be concerned. What's NOT been going on, given what's been said about project refresh, sows the seeds of concern. But let's take a moment.

 

We've a decent team and an ok squad. Maybe we won't threaten top 6 (or even 10?) but we'll be ok. At worst, a treadwater season. We've certainly been in worse situations.

[Lionator]

Fitness is a bigger issue than signings. As we saw in the last few games, if we keep everyone fit then we’ll be on the coattails of the top six. If we don’t then we’ll be a similar position to last year. This negativity is really weird. 
 

Vardy will hopefully be around more. Daka will score more. Maddison and Fofana will be even better as will KDH. It’s going to be ok. 
 

Genuinely also, where does our fully fit first XI get improved without spending ridiculous money? 

Edited 22 July 2022 by Lionator

[Fox92]

We will be nowhere near relegation.

[kingkisnorbo]

I think a large part of our season rests on Daka to really catch fire. Can’t see a world where Vardy doesn’t spend half the season injured now. 
 

Plugging the glaring holes at the back (set pieces/GK) will go a long way in improving the season. Personally resetting the record on Rodgers to see if the improvements have been made. 

[moore_94]

6 hours ago, WigstonWanderer said:

Been meaning to ask, where is Ndidi? Has he not yet recovered from his injury?

He was back in training on Monday

[PAPA LAZAROU]

Of course, I'm concerned. It would be wildly optimistic not to be. This most vaunted 8th position from last season is a red herring. We all know it was an easy run in and before that started many posters on here had concerns about possible relegation. So far nothing has changed in terms of the team due to a lack of recruitment, and a few injuries to crucial players could put us right back into the doldrums of last season.

 

But my biggest fear for the season is how we play under Rogers. It's no good saying don't mention him on this thread it's unavoidable if there is to be a balanced debate. Even with the full team back last season his style of play was both negative and downright boring and cost us in Europe. Silly zonal marking and complete schoolboy defending on set pieces were embarrassing and oh so costly, yet he seemed unconcerned or did not have the ability to do something about it. Add to that his willingness to throw his own players under the bus in post-match interviews while never admitting any mistakes on his own behalf and it all adds up to yet another disappointing season with him at the helm.

[MrsJohnMurphy]

12 minutes ago, PAPA LAZAROU said:

Of course, I'm concerned. It would be wildly optimistic not to be. This most vaunted 8th position from last season is a red herring. We all know it was an easy run in and before that started many posters on here had concerns about possible relegation. So far nothing has changed in terms of the team due to a lack of recruitment, and a few injuries to crucial players could put us right back into the doldrums of last season.

 

But my biggest fear for the season is how we play under Rogers. It's no good saying don't mention him on this thread it's unavoidable if there is to be a balanced debate. Even with the full team back last season his style of play was both negative and downright boring and cost us in Europe. Silly zonal marking and complete schoolboy defending on set pieces were embarrassing and oh so costly, yet he seemed unconcerned or did not have the ability to do something about it. Add to that his willingness to throw his own players under the bus in post-match interviews while never admitting any mistakes on his own behalf and it all adds up to yet another disappointing season with him at the helm.

What does it matter when we play those easy teams? We beat them first few weeks or last, the points total is still the same

 

"Yet another"? are disappointing seasons a regular thing under Rodgers?

 

For the record, with no Europe and less injuries I think were going to smash it, Maddison will be a revelation get him in your Fantasy teams guys

Edited 22 July 2022 by MrsJohnMurphy

[Nalis]

13 minutes ago, PAPA LAZAROU said:

Of course, I'm concerned. It would be wildly optimistic not to be. This most vaunted 8th position from last season is a red herring. We all know it was an easy run in and before that started many posters on here had concerns about possible relegation. So far nothing has changed in terms of the team due to a lack of recruitment, and a few injuries to crucial players could put us right back into the doldrums of last season.

 

But my biggest fear for the season is how we play under Rogers. It's no good saying don't mention him on this thread it's unavoidable if there is to be a balanced debate. Even with the full team back last season his style of play was both negative and downright boring and cost us in Europe. Silly zonal marking and complete schoolboy defending on set pieces were embarrassing and oh so costly, yet he seemed unconcerned or did not have the ability to do something about it. Add to that his willingness to throw his own players under the bus in post-match interviews while never admitting any mistakes on his own behalf and it all adds up to yet another disappointing season with him at the helm.

1 - The table rarely lies at the end of a season, only argument would be that the gap in quality between us and say 12th wasn't massive. 

 

2- Surely its better to end the season on a decent run rather than claiming it flattered us because we had an easy run in? If we get those results consistently against those easy run in teams then we'll finish well into the top half of the table

 

3 - Fears of relegation  yep they were from a few people but obviously were unfounded, as predicted by the most people on here 

[coolhandfox]

23 minutes ago, PAPA LAZAROU said:

disappointing season with him at the helm.

It was our joint 4th best PL season by they way.

 

I'd take that again.

[StriderHiryu]

Not concerned at all, we have a very good team. It might only have been against Hull, but the performance in the second half of that match was very much like our performances that got us two 5th placed finishes.

 

I don't see us pushing for the Champions League, but if the season started tomorrow, I would see us challenging for 6th place alongside West Ham, Man United and Arsenal. If we get more consistency in our starting lineup by avoiding a massive list of injuries, then with the reduced number of games we have to play, we have a great squad, with genuine options on the bench to change the game in a season that allows 5 subs. 

[PAPA LAZAROU]

15 minutes ago, MrsJohnMurphy said:

What does it matter when we play those easy teams? We beat them first few weeks or last, the points total is still the same

 

"Yet another"? are disappointing seasons a regular thing under Rodgers?

 

For the record, with no Europe and less injuries I think were going to smash it, Maddison will be a revelation get him in your Fantasy teams guys

I genuinely hope you are right and I am wrong. No doubt we shall be reminding each other along the way how it went.

[jonthefox]

9 hours ago, Lesta2014 said:

10th placed finish and the carabao cup is my prediction. 

I’d settle for that.

[Guest Lako42]

My main concern is that we still have the same soft mentality players and coaches that we had last season. 

 

No physical man at the back, no genuine leader in the middle of the pitch and a really soft underbelly that saw us get embarrassed by Forest. 

 

I can't see that anything has changed in that regard, at all. 

[filbertway]

If this squad finishes on less than 55pts with no Europe to contend with, it's a cataclysmic failure that I doubt even Steve Bruce would be capable of.

 

The concern isn't this season, the concern is the 2 seasons after that. If we get them wrong we're gonna be in trouble.

Edited 22 July 2022 by filbertway

[Jakemoore]

I’m actually feeling very optimistic. We finished 8th last season which was pretty good considering the injuries we suffered. We’ve got a season without European football and a very big squad. I think we’ll benefit from 5 subs as well with plays like Praet and Soumare proving to be very useful. My only concerns are set pieces and whether or not we’ve sorted that. And the fact that we haven’t strengthen at CB. I am not sure that beyond Evans and Fofanna any of the others are actually good enough. Syoncu might be good enough if he decides to turn up. But I don’t think Amartey or Vestergaard are and i would have liked them moved on and replaced by now which isn’t looking likely. 
 

I genuinely think we’ll flirt with the top 6 again and probably end up finishing 7th with the lack of European games being a key factor. 

[Izzet is God]

9 minutes ago, Lako42 said:

My main concern is that we still have the same soft mentality players and coaches that we had last season. 

 

No physical man at the back, no genuine leader in the middle of the pitch and a really soft underbelly that saw us get embarrassed by Forest. 

 

I can't see that anything has changed in that regard, at all. 

Exactly this….we’ve needed this type of player since we lost Morgan. Unfortunately it’s not a Brendan type of player. He’s even managed to get rid of Hamza’s ability to dive in to challenges and show a bit toughness.

[foxfanazer]

14 minutes ago, Lako42 said:

My main concern is that we still have the same soft mentality players and coaches that we had last season. 

 

No physical man at the back, no genuine leader in the middle of the pitch and a really soft underbelly that saw us get embarrassed by Forest. 

 

I can't see that anything has changed in that regard, at all. 

It's definitely the soft mentality that worries me. If we did find ourselves embroiled in a battle I'm not sure I'd back us to win it with guts. Relying on our quality

[Jakemoore]

10 hours ago, The whole world smiles said:

Mate, 

 

Have a look at this team... 

 

Study the players that are in it, and explain to me how in gods name they get less than 40 points next season? 

 

Madness! 

 

That is a top 8 11 easily. The players beyond that are what let’s it down. Some are top 8 to - Castagne, Praet, Daka, Ihenacho but most of the rest are mid to lower table. 

[Jakemoore]

53 minutes ago, PAPA LAZAROU said:

Of course, I'm concerned. It would be wildly optimistic not to be. This most vaunted 8th position from last season is a red herring. We all know it was an easy run in and before that started many posters on here had concerns about possible relegation. So far nothing has changed in terms of the team due to a lack of recruitment, and a few injuries to crucial players could put us right back into the doldrums of last season.

 

But my biggest fear for the season is how we play under Rogers. It's no good saying don't mention him on this thread it's unavoidable if there is to be a balanced debate. Even with the full team back last season his style of play was both negative and downright boring and cost us in Europe. Silly zonal marking and complete schoolboy defending on set pieces were embarrassing and oh so costly, yet he seemed unconcerned or did not have the ability to do something about it. Add to that his willingness to throw his own players under the bus in post-match interviews while never admitting any mistakes on his own behalf and it all adds up to yet another disappointing season with him at the helm.

I take some of these points but I’d like to think he has learnt from them. The fact is, he’s never had the chance to learn. He made some of these mistakes at Liverpool but was sacked before he could put them right. We’ve given him another pre-season with a fully fit squad up in the French alps and I think that’ll make the world of difference. I am a glass half full guy. It’s just in my nature. We’ll be fine!