"We can reach play-offs next season"

[Ford Super Sunday]

An outlook, in part, contradictory to your signature. I know we do have a hell of a lot of pessimism on this forum sometimes, but why shouldn't we be challenging for the play-offs?

We all know what our Chairman is about and the expectation applied from the top down. With the set-up we have (especially with our Manager) and some money to spend, why can't we be a little more optimistic with our outlook?

Peterborough and McDons (even if they don't make it) have shown what can be done in back to back seasons. I'm not suggesting that the Championship will be a similar ride to that which we experienced this year but there's nothing wrong in setting challenging targets.

Using our new found momentum and summer purchases (whoever they may be) I think our team need to have belief that a play-off spot is within reach providing everyone gives their all for the cause.

Also, I can't see our infamous home crowd boo-boys remaining quiet if we're not pushing on.

I WANT the team to think that, my, i want the team to think they can go out and smash every team in the league.

What I dont want is fans expecting us to do well this season, it would only lead to disappointment, and as you said, the boo-boys returning, and unjust calling of Pearson

I just think expectation needs to be controlled thats all..

[Kilworthfox]

Note to Cliff:

Shut the fu ck up, there's a good lad

[Dr The Singh]

Note to Cliff:

Shut the fu ck up, there's a good lad

Note to Kilworth:

Stop being such a sore arse and make use of the vaseline, good lad!!

[leftsideoverhere]

Note to Kilworth:

Stop being such a sore arse and make use of the vaseline, good lad!!

Dear God! Please tell me the season is starting soon, I don't think I can bear much more of this. And that's without looking at the ten pages devoted to Billy Kee.

Another thread talking about DJ. My attention in the past couple of weeks has been drawn to several interviews given by Matt Oakley (and others) in which a key element of our success this season has been referred to as the spirit in the dressing room. The usual cliche about "a great bunch of lads" has been trotted out but they've often gone further and said things like "there were no bad apples this season". There's clearly some feeling and direct experience behind such quotes and the team spirit in the relegation season was clearly awful. Now there are several candidates for the bad apples might have been that Oakley et al are so pleased to be rid off, but the timing of those quotes as against the DJ "anything but Leicester" quote looks significant to me.

On the basis of the last eight months if NP and DJ have had a falling out I absolutely without question want the club to be on NP's side. It is. Goodbye DJ. End of.

As for Mr Ginnetta I understand its a requirement of his position that he is used by the media as a shortcut to "the fans' opinions". But fans have lots of different opinions, while Cliff only ever seems to have one - and it is always the same as the club's official line. The best supporters' clubs give a voice to alternative views and challenge the club: in Leicester's case that has hardly ever been true and the supporters' club seems to attract people more interested in bigging up the club and bathing in reflected glory than in actually challenging things and speaking up for the fans. It's trivial in good times when we don't need to voice an alternative but when things have been going badly for LCFC the supporters' club has been invisible.

[Thracian]

Frankly I don't see how anyone can judge our potential for next season.

a) We don't know who'll be in our team.

b) Be don't know who'll be playing in the opposition teams.

We do know that Pearson has beneitted from a season in which he's assembled a squad which has won us promotion and, obviously, some of those players will form the basis of our Championship side.

We also know that Pearson and his team have a goodish record in bringing in worthwhile footballers and that they'll have the entire close season to gel those newcomers together.

But he's still got to sign the targets he's looking at and doubtless it won't all go his way bearing in mind the likely competition.

However the above does give reasonable cause for being optimistic. I would have been happier if we'd had an extra player or two emerging from our own ranks but don't think that will be the case.

So it's all down to the additional signings and, while I'm reasonably optimistic on that subject, there's no certainties as yet. You can have the best line-up of theoretical targets possible but you've got nothing until the players have signed on the dotted line.

Another test for Pearson in the new season is how he copes tactically against consistently closer-matched opposition.

[Munzie]

Frankly I don't see how anyone can judge our potential for next season...

Unless you're a Bookmaker, I don't see why we have to wait to see who's in other teams on order to be in a situation where we can judge our own potential. One thing that has impressed me about Nigel Pearson is that he very much sees our destination in our own hands. On numerous occasions during interviews, he has dismissed questions surrounding other teams performances/results, choosing to concentrate on what he can have an influence over.

I agree, that he needs to capture any players he has targeted over the next few months. If half the rumours are true, he's well on his way to achieving this. What everyone else does is irrelevant. Whilst the odd signing might not go according to plan, I can only see that he will be looking to build a squad capable of delivering on our Chairman's expectations.

In summary, we will be playing teams in the Championship that have been built by their own management to acheive different objectives. There will be those that are targeting auto-promotion, others that see a safe mid-table position as a job well done, down to those who want to survive relegation. Providing we concentrate on what we can influence, there's no reason why we can't install a challenging target, such as a play-off spot, right now. By doing so, it will focus summer signings, team direction and motivation.

[Thracian]

For someone who is normally such a reasoned poster I can't begin to understand your logic.

Between them this season, Fryatt and Howard got 45 goals. You are a poster who has always espoused giving players who are already at the club a chance. These guys have earned the right to be our first choice front two. Admittedly, we are desperate for more competition up front, as Hayles and Dickov are useless, but to say that Howard and Fryatt aren't good enough now is just plain unfair. We have to let them have a chance to see how their partnership develops in the championship. And by that I don't mean the first 5 games, I mean the first 10-15 games. If it isn't working, then change it.

We have had too much upheaval lately. I'll be dismayed if we make too many signings in the summer. Let's give NP's team a chance under his leaderhsip. Writing off the likes of Howard and Fryatt before we start is going to help nobody

I'd perhaps agree with some of your argument had I not already seen Fryatt and Howard playing in The Championship.

I have NEVER argued that Fryatt wasn't good enough for Division One and said loud and clear last close season that he would very likely do well for us, because he'd shown his pedigree in that division with Walsall.

But, for me, Fryatt's limitations will make it much harder for him in The Championship ie his lack of pace, lack of height, lack of real strength and lack of vision.

He'll perhaps do better than the last time because, as already mentioned, we do have wingers and a degree of creativity from central midfield which was missing when we were last in the Championship.

But I've seen nothing to suggest Fryatt is doing anything about his limitations. Does he leap better? Is he quicker? Does he see people's runs and pass the ball or does he still run into blind alleys and ignore the runner? No. He just might be a little stronger but that's all.

As for Howard while I've had him as MoM so many times this season he finds it desperately hard to act as the target striker 35 yards from goal then to get into the box to challenge for what comes in.

We never get anyone on the end of low crosses nor does Howard leap to win the high ones convincingly. He challenges rather than wins them. And, understandably, he seems to find it ever harder to do 90 minutes.

But there's little compeitition because the club don't seem to encourage it. Hayles and Dickov were always makeweights.

Campbell, by far our best alternative striker, doesn't want to play for us because he's never been given a chance and has long given up hope of getting one.

You might think Fryatt and Howard have earned the right to lead our line next season but I think nothing of the sort. They've both been well paid for doing an outstanding job this season (Fryatt now has a nice long contract too) but, for me they'd be competing for their places like everyone else and I would wish them well. But I'd always be looking to improve on them.

Your view only reflects the sentiment which I believe could cost us points next season. Cos if you're going to take 10 or 15 games to decide you need better strikers if the ones you have fire blanks then, chances are, we'll be out of the reckoning for automatic promotion and seriously handicappped in your quest for a play-off place.

I've lost count of the times we've waited until it's too late at Leicester before acting on a problem. I don't assume the Howard/Fryatt partnership will founder, nor do I wish it. But I would certainly countenance the possibility and try to do something about it pre-season rather than later - if there's worthwhile strikers who can be persuaded that it might be beneficial to their careers to join us.

If I were a centre-forward and thought your comments reflected the views of the manager then you wouldn't catch me near the place. Because Pearson has given little indication this season of being a squad user - a man who will involve all his strikers regularly. So far it's been mostly a case of you're either in or out with Pearson.

I'm not saying that's necessarily wrong or not understandable at times. But it wouldn't encourage a potential signing.

.

[carterfox90]

totally agree with the above statement howard & fryatt will struggle next year we need to get a faster more skillful pairing to challange ie: cox & lambert would be my choice cox looks pure class & can make his own chances & doesnt need 4 chances to score 1 like fryatt

[Sods]

Cliff Ginetta, what an embarrasement. Don't think ive ever agreed with what he has said.

[Munzie]

totally agree with the above statement howard & fryatt will struggle next year we need to get a faster more skillful pairing to challange ie: cox & lambert would be my choice cox looks pure class & can make his own chances & doesnt need 4 chances to score 1 like fryatt

I still think that Howard and Fryatt have a job to do for us next season.

Fryatt has got better this season, mainly due to the games he has played and having an effective partner. His work rate has been high and his confidence in his own ability to score has risen dramatically. Downsides - Can be too selfish at times.

Howard has been a great target man. Playing with wingers and our centre-mid pairing of King & Oakley has given him the ability to receive balls and distribute accordingly. Downsides - Has been the main tactic in our team's strategy for far to long. Also, is beginning to struggle to see out the duration of the game.

My concern is that we stuck with pretty much the same pairing through much of this season. This gave other teams the ability to suss our strike force, resulting in our dip in form. Also, we had no-one to repalce Howard in terms of personnel or a change in tactics during his absence.

It has been an effective partnership. That said, we do need more options. Not just in other strikers but tactics as well. Route one to Howards head will not result in as many goals for us as we have seen this season.

[flanimal]

Why is everyone so daunted by The Championship? Preston reached the play offs, aand there is no reason we should fear a team like them! If they are top 6, then we needn't worry!

[leicesterseddon]

I WANT the team to think that, my, i want the team to think they can go out and smash every team in the league.

What I dont want is fans expecting us to do well this season, it would only lead to disappointment, and as you said, the boo-boys returning, and unjust calling of Pearson

I just think expectation needs to be controlled thats all..

It's the age-old problem: heaping pressure on the team often does it no good, but if you don't set ambitious targets then the club won't have anything to aim for. As the expression goes, if you set your targets too low, the greatest danger is that you succeed...

[Ultra]

The best supporters' clubs give a voice to alternative views and challenge the club: in Leicester's case that has hardly ever been true and the supporters' club seems to attract people more interested in bigging up the club and bathing in reflected glory than in actually challenging things and speaking up for the fans. It's trivial in good times when we don't need to voice an alternative but when things have been going badly for LCFC the supporters' club has been invisible.

True.

But as the Foxes Trust found to their cost, challenging the club can lead to being spit-roasted by the Mockery.

Is it any wonder that Cliff opts for the quiet life?

[carterfox90]

it would be a great season if we made the play offs but surely untill we know who is coming in & going we cant predict where we will be if it is going on the present team with no losses or improvements then i would say lower half of the league not quite relegation though bit like covs performance last season

[Ultra]

it would be a great season if we made the play offs but surely untill we know who is coming in & going we cant predict where we will be if it is going on the present team with no losses or improvements then i would say lower half of the league not quite relegation though bit like covs performance last season

Cov can get away with that, because their fanbase is lower and doesn't have the expectations that we do.

[Trav Le Bleu]

HE WAS RIGHT!!!

:scarf: :scarf:

[Daggers]

Cue another debate about ole Knifey.

[Nick]

Cue another debate about ole Knifey.

I do think/wonder if clubs can't write into contracts a gross misconduct clause.

As a representative/employee of a football club, bringing the club into disrepute by getting into trouble with the law a la Mattock and probably DJ, a club should be able to cancel a footballers contract at their own discretion with no recourse from the player.

[davieG]

I do think/wonder if clubs can't write into contracts a gross misconduct clause.

As a representative/employee of a football club, bringing the club into disrepute by getting into trouble with the law a la Mattock and probably DJ, a club should be able to cancel a footballers contract at their own discretion with no recourse from the player.

It could get messy though if they're not consistent which would mean turning a blind eye to those they want to keep prompting an unfair dismissal claim and potentially big damages from those that were shown the door.

The last time we did it it had a major impact on us going into administration.