Does anyone think Leicester will struggle this season?

[Guest Bilo]

As things stand, we aren't good enough to mount a promotion challenge or even a play-off challenge. We won't score enough goals for that, I'm yet to be convinced that Fryatt, Howard and N'Guessan are quality Championship strikers.

Things are better at the other end though, Tunchev and Hobbs in particular look more than capable of doing a job at this level, Mattock is highly rated already and has a great teacher in Powell and Neilson looks as though he'll be solid. So long as we aren't as catastrophically bad up front as we were in the 07-08 season, and there's no reason to suggest that we will be, we will be comfortably clear of the relegation zone. So long as we remain stable as a club with Pearson at the helm, mid-table is about the level we can expect with no further signings. A good striker or two brought in before the August transfer window closes could see us mounting a play-off push.

In short, I am not worried about us getting relegated again nor I am excited about getting promoted because I feel we have mid-table written all over us.

[maddog]

Billy Sharpe and Freddy Eastwood, 2 strikers renowned for their awful Championship form in recent seasons, and huge lack of goals.

Billy Sharpe bagged 31 at Scunny in League One, 4 more than Fryatt got, before being snapped up by Sheff Utd.

But Sharpe has struggled hugely, scoring just 4 goals in 29 appearences in his first season.

And continued to struggle last season, only making 22 appearences, scoring 4 more goals.

So thats 8 goals in 51 games for Sharpe in his 2 seasons for Sheff Utd.

Freddy Eastwood, bagged 23 in League One for Southend, and even had a decent first season for them in the Championship scoring 11 goals, a decent total, miles and miles better than Fryatt for us.

Then snapped up by Wolves he dropped, scoring just 3 goals in 31 appearences in his 1st and last season there.

Then bought by Coventry, appeared in all 46 games of the season, starting 37 but only managed a measley 4 goals.

Fryatt has a worser record than Sharpe, thats how poor he has been for us in the Championship, and in his 2 full seasons with us, where he's had pre-seasons and been with us for the full season, he's scored just 5 goals in 62 games.

Fryatts record in those 2 seasons is actually worse than Eastwoods shocking record at Coventry, it's worse than Eastwoods awfulness at Wolves, and it's much worse than Eastwoods at Southend.

Even Billy Sharpe, just 8 goals in 2 seasons at Sheffield United, beats Fryatts 5 goals in 2 seasons for us.

And you may say Fryatt only appeared in 62 of 92 games, well Sharpe only appeared in 51 games for Sheff Utd and scored 3 more goals than Fryatt did in those extra 11 appearences.

So Freddy Eastwood and Billy Sharpe both have better records than our Fryatt. They both scored well in League One, have both been shit in the Championship but still better Fryatt.

God i hope he fooking scores at least 15 goals this season so i can stop moaning about his shitty record. One of the worst if not the worst Championship striker, until he finally gets some fooking goals for us there.

[Lovejoy]

Early form will be a big sign methinks. Gut feeling is mid table mediocrity.

[stevie909]

I am not to confident with the lack of signings and the quality of players that have come in.

Most probably need another goalkeeper. Weale was back up at Bristol City, has been out at Yeovil and Hereford and is deemed good enough for Leicester City. Logan has been surpless to requirements and wasn't needed last year, and all of a sudden he is the back up goalkeeper.

Nothing wrong with the defence, Hobbs, Tunchev and Morrison are quality as well as Brown who has played in a promted team with Hull.

The midfield is fine. Worried about the wingers, don't think that Gradel, N'Guessen or Dyer will be good enough although their pace may be key.

110% worried with the strikers. Obviousley DJ Campbell isn't wanted because he is rubbish, Dickov is to old now although he may do a job of winding up the opposite players leading to a goal or two or a sending off or two and I don't think Howard will score to many. Have confidence in Fryatt, ecspecially with him scoring so much in League 1 his confidence may be sky high and with him scoring yesterday shows he may be essential for our relegation battle or promotion push whatever it is.

Overall I am not confident and think we will struggle in the division, ecspecially against teams like Sheffield United/Ipswich/Newcastle/Middlesborough etc.

Best signing for me is Richie Wellens who is one of the divisions most creative midfielders; something that I think we have missed for the past years in that division.

But hopefully, prove me wrong as well Leicester! Come on! & sign at least two more 'quality' strikers

Don't make me laugh

[davieG]

Billy Sharpe and Freddy Eastwood, 2 strikers renowned for their awful Championship form in recent seasons, and huge lack of goals.

Billy Sharpe bagged 31 at Scunny in League One, 4 more than Fryatt got, before being snapped up by Sheff Utd.

But Sharpe has struggled hugely, scoring just 4 goals in 29 appearences in his first season.

And continued to struggle last season, only making 22 appearences, scoring 4 more goals.

So thats 8 goals in 51 games for Sharpe in his 2 seasons for Sheff Utd.

Freddy Eastwood, bagged 23 in League One for Southend, and even had a decent first season for them in the Championship scoring 11 goals, a decent total, miles and miles better than Fryatt for us.

Then snapped up by Wolves he dropped, scoring just 3 goals in 31 appearences in his 1st and last season there.

Then bought by Coventry, appeared in all 46 games of the season, starting 37 but only managed a measley 4 goals.

Fryatt has a worser record than Sharpe, thats how poor he has been for us in the Championship, and in his 2 full seasons with us, where he's had pre-seasons and been with us for the full season, he's scored just 5 goals in 62 games.

Fryatts record in those 2 seasons is actually worse than Eastwoods shocking record at Coventry, it's worse than Eastwoods awfulness at Wolves, and it's much worse than Eastwoods at Southend.

Even Billy Sharpe, just 8 goals in 2 seasons at Sheffield United, beats Fryatts 5 goals in 2 seasons for us.

And you may say Fryatt only appeared in 62 of 92 games, well Sharpe only appeared in 51 games for Sheff Utd and scored 3 more goals than Fryatt did in those extra 11 appearences.

So Freddy Eastwood and Billy Sharpe both have better records than our Fryatt. They both scored well in League One, have both been shit in the Championship but still better Fryatt.

God i hope he fooking scores at least 15 goals this season so i can stop moaning about his shitty record. One of the worst if not the worst Championship striker, until he finally gets some fooking goals for us there.

for every ying there's a yang, I'm pretty sure that in the history of the football league there's been players who've scored a bag load of goals in the 3rd tier and also done it in the 2nd, probably the 1st as well. Let's not crucify anyone before a ball is kicked.

[Webbo]

Billy Sharpe and Freddy Eastwood, 2 strikers renowned for their awful Championship form in recent seasons, and huge lack of goals.

Billy Sharpe bagged 31 at Scunny in League One, 4 more than Fryatt got, before being snapped up by Sheff Utd.

But Sharpe has struggled hugely, scoring just 4 goals in 29 appearences in his first season.

And continued to struggle last season, only making 22 appearences, scoring 4 more goals.

So thats 8 goals in 51 games for Sharpe in his 2 seasons for Sheff Utd.

Freddy Eastwood, bagged 23 in League One for Southend, and even had a decent first season for them in the Championship scoring 11 goals, a decent total, miles and miles better than Fryatt for us.

Then snapped up by Wolves he dropped, scoring just 3 goals in 31 appearences in his 1st and last season there.

Then bought by Coventry, appeared in all 46 games of the season, starting 37 but only managed a measley 4 goals.

Fryatt has a worser record than Sharpe, thats how poor he has been for us in the Championship, and in his 2 full seasons with us, where he's had pre-seasons and been with us for the full season, he's scored just 5 goals in 62 games.

Fryatts record in those 2 seasons is actually worse than Eastwoods shocking record at Coventry, it's worse than Eastwoods awfulness at Wolves, and it's much worse than Eastwoods at Southend.

Even Billy Sharpe, just 8 goals in 2 seasons at Sheffield United, beats Fryatts 5 goals in 2 seasons for us.

And you may say Fryatt only appeared in 62 of 92 games, well Sharpe only appeared in 51 games for Sheff Utd and scored 3 more goals than Fryatt did in those extra 11 appearences.

So Freddy Eastwood and Billy Sharpe both have better records than our Fryatt. They both scored well in League One, have both been shit in the Championship but still better Fryatt.

God i hope he fooking scores at least 15 goals this season so i can stop moaning about his shitty record. One of the worst if not the worst Championship striker, until he finally gets some fooking goals for us there.

Did you want us to sign Simon Cox?

[smudger63]

I am getting pissed off with people banging on about Weale being back up. Have you not seen the quality of keeper ahead of him at Brizzle City?

Apparently Basso has handed in a transfer request at bristol now, maybe we could get him, now that would be funny, .

Hes heavily linked, to join sheff utd, to replace paddy kenny.

As for us, i think we will finish mid table, at best, with the current team, but dont see us going down.

I expect we still have a few loanees to come in, and also at least one, hopefully two strikers, then who knows, to early to say for sure at the moment.

[Manderic's pants]

Billy Sharpe and Freddy Eastwood, 2 strikers renowned for their awful Championship form in recent seasons, and huge lack of goals.

Billy Sharpe bagged 31 at Scunny in League One, 4 more than Fryatt got, before being snapped up by Sheff Utd.

But Sharpe has struggled hugely, scoring just 4 goals in 29 appearences in his first season.

And continued to struggle last season, only making 22 appearences, scoring 4 more goals.

So thats 8 goals in 51 games for Sharpe in his 2 seasons for Sheff Utd.

Freddy Eastwood, bagged 23 in League One for Southend, and even had a decent first season for them in the Championship scoring 11 goals, a decent total, miles and miles better than Fryatt for us.

Then snapped up by Wolves he dropped, scoring just 3 goals in 31 appearences in his 1st and last season there.

Then bought by Coventry, appeared in all 46 games of the season, starting 37 but only managed a measley 4 goals.

Fryatt has a worser record than Sharpe, thats how poor he has been for us in the Championship, and in his 2 full seasons with us, where he's had pre-seasons and been with us for the full season, he's scored just 5 goals in 62 games.

Fryatts record in those 2 seasons is actually worse than Eastwoods shocking record at Coventry, it's worse than Eastwoods awfulness at Wolves, and it's much worse than Eastwoods at Southend.

Even Billy Sharpe, just 8 goals in 2 seasons at Sheffield United, beats Fryatts 5 goals in 2 seasons for us.

And you may say Fryatt only appeared in 62 of 92 games, well Sharpe only appeared in 51 games for Sheff Utd and scored 3 more goals than Fryatt did in those extra 11 appearences.

So Freddy Eastwood and Billy Sharpe both have better records than our Fryatt. They both scored well in League One, have both been shit in the Championship but still better Fryatt.

God i hope he fooking scores at least 15 goals this season so i can stop moaning about his shitty record. One of the worst if not the worst Championship striker, until he finally gets some fooking goals for us there.

The dude's 23 for god's sake, and a much better (thinner) player last year than in the two seasons we were in the Championship. I'm not saying he's going to do exceptionally - and we definitely do need another quality striker - but surely double figures at least?!

[Joe.]

Maddog it's totally pointless comparing Fryatt to Sharp and Eastwood when they're three different players at three different clubs. How on earth do their club performances reflect what Fryatt will do this time around?

For my two cents, I think he'll do alright and maybe get 15-20 for the whole season. Better manager, better team and improved fitness this time around.

[Salieri]

Maddog it's totally pointless comparing Fryatt to Sharp and Eastwood when they're three different players at three different clubs. How on earth do their club performances reflect what Fryatt will do this time around?

For my two cents, I think he'll do alright and maybe get 15-20 for the whole season. Better manager, better team and improved fitness this time around.

I agree. I think he's a FAR better player than a couple of years ago and will prove a fair few doubters wrong this season.

[Ultra]

Teams that do will in this division, especially the ones that stay up, have a lot of physical presence. I think that's why we've signed people like Wellens, to beef us up a bit, but I still don't think we're really a particularly strong team in that regard.

Other teams that do well play really, really good football, and we don't have the players for that.

Like Hull and Stoke did, the last time they were in this league?

I don't think we'll struggle, but I don't think we'll do as well as some people think, and if we got lucky and somehow went up this season it'd end up being a disaster.

I'd take promotion whenever it comes.

Obviously the squad would need shedloads spending on it to make us even semi-competitive in the Premier League, but we can cross that bridge once we get there.

[Dan]

for every ying there's a yang, I'm pretty sure that in the history of the football league there's been players who've scored a bag load of goals in the 3rd tier and also done it in the 2nd, probably the 1st as well. Let's not crucify anyone before a ball is kicked.

Jason Scotland being probably the best example.

Apparently Basso has handed in a transfer request at bristol now, maybe we could get him, now that would be funny, :D .

Hes heavily linked, to join sheff utd, to replace paddy kenny.

As for us, i think we will finish mid table, at best, with the current team, but dont see us going down.

I expect we still have a few loanees to come in, and also at least one, hopefully two strikers, then who knows, to early to say for sure at the moment.

More ironic than funny, I think Basso is quality but would feel extremely sorry for Weale and wouldn't complain if he handed in a transfer request if we did sign Basso. The main reason he left Bristol to come here was for that first team chance, it would be bad enough to start getting kept out again, but by the same player would take the biscuit.

[Flynny]

Like Hull and Stoke did, the last time they were in this league?

Did you not bother reading the first half? Teams that do well and stay up tend to muscle their way up, teams that do well and come down are the more footballing sides, we're neither.

[carterfox90]

will be mid table but if we get in a couple of decent strikers then we could be a force as we all know this league is hard & most teams will beat each other thats why its more exciting than the 4-5 horse race in the premiership

[colbo68]

As things stand, we aren't good enough to mount a promotion challenge or even a play-off challenge. We won't score enough goals for that, I'm yet to be convinced that Fryatt, Howard and N'Guessan are quality Championship strikers.

Things are better at the other end though, Tunchev and Hobbs in particular look more than capable of doing a job at this level, Mattock is highly rated already and has a great teacher in Powell and Neilson looks as though he'll be solid. So long as we aren't as catastrophically bad up front as we were in the 07-08 season, and there's no reason to suggest that we will be, we will be comfortably clear of the relegation zone. So long as we remain stable as a club with Pearson at the helm, mid-table is about the level we can expect with no further signings. A good striker or two brought in before the August transfer window closes could see us mounting a play-off push.

In short, I am not worried about us getting relegated again nor I am excited about getting promoted because I feel we have mid-table written all over us.

agree with this post completely - I dont think we'll concede too many this season, and I think we'll make chances. The problem may well be the front two not taking enough of the chances we do make. Big Steve looks to be playing well in terms of winning flick-ons, but, as I said last season, doesn't score enough for a striker - I think if Mandaric pushed the boat out, spent some decent money on a proven striker to partner Steve when Fryatt is out, this could make all the difference to us pushing for a play-off position.

[DB11]

Yes ofc we will.

[Jon the Hat]

How many teams come up and do well in their first season, with a sqaud which on paper should not even get clear of the relegation zone? We see it most seasons now. We are used to winning games, and you cannot buy that. Top half comfortably. I have no doubt we will see 4 additional players in the sqaud in the next 3 weeks.

[josh_baskin]

Hope not ive a £50 bet with a friend that city will finish above forest!

[smudger63]

Jason Scotland being probably the best example.

More ironic than funny, I think Basso is quality but would feel extremely sorry for Weale and wouldn't complain if he handed in a transfer request if we did sign Basso. The main reason he left Bristol to come here was for that first team chance, it would be bad enough to start getting kept out again, but by the same player would take the biscuit.

We wont sign basso anyway, but i would find it funny, but then thats just the devil in me!

[Radovan's Caravan]

Unfortunately I think that the step-up will be too much of a shock for you.

I think that you will be hanging on till the last day of the season to wrap up the title this time

[lcfc_jme]

18th, a full 10 places behind Forest and 6 places behind Derby. Still above Cov for those of you that actually care about them, though.

[Milans Foxes]

I actually can't believe some of the pessimism on this board!! I suppose it becomes part and parcel with being a City fan. First of all, why are people moaning about the lack of strikers??!! Last season, we scored 84 goals in the league and we had an incredible goal difference of +45 and in Matty Fryatt we had a strkier who came very close to being top scorer! We created chances in almost every game and this was despite many teams playing us who were content with putting 11 men behind the ball. We dominated the division and won it as convincingly as any team in the past.

Now, people are worried that we can't convert this form into The Championship. Why?? There are numerous differences between our team now and two seasons ago yet all you can talk about is how few goals we scored last time we were there. First, we have a manager who has instilled discipline and a winning mentality. We should not underestimate the achievement of getting straight back up last season! We create chances now, hence why Howard and Fryatt scored so many goals. However good a striker is, they aren't going to score goals without having chances created for them and without a decent run in the team to build confidence. Billy Sharp and Eastwood have both been mentioned. But they didn't get a decent run of starts in front of a midfield giving them chances. We also contribute goals from midfield, something we never used to do! We have an awesome defence highlighted by the photo of the four guys in the mercury! How many times have we seen teams come up from league one, keep the same squad and challenge for the Championship. Bristol City, swansea and Hull have all done well with relatively little money. People keep mentioning the step up from league 1 to championship. There really isn't a huge difference and the characteristics needed to win league 1 will be very much the same as those required to win the championship.

We might not have the best individual players but there is little doubt in my mind that we have one of the best TEAMS in this division. Take Newcastle. Yes, they have a few decent individuals but the team is in chaos. No manager, unhappy players, devastated fans. How anyone can suggest they will do well is beyond me! I can see them being relegated.

So lets get behind the team like we did so well last season. Stop the moaning, have trust in big Nige and I'm sure we will have a great season. Who knows, it may even be as successful as the last one

Rant over!

[Webbo]

I actually can't believe some of the pessimism on this board!! I suppose it becomes part and parcel with being a City fan. First of all, why are people moaning about the lack of strikers??!! Last season, we scored 84 goals in the league and we had an incredible goal difference of +45 and in Matty Fryatt we had a strkier who came very close to being top scorer! We created chances in almost every game and this was despite many teams playing us who were content with putting 11 men behind the ball. We dominated the division and won it as convincingly as any team in the past.

Now, people are worried that we can't convert this form into The Championship. Why?? There are numerous differences between our team now and two seasons ago yet all you can talk about is how few goals we scored last time we were there. First, we have a manager who has instilled discipline and a winning mentality. We should not underestimate the achievement of getting straight back up last season! We create chances now, hence why Howard and Fryatt scored so many goals. However good a striker is, they aren't going to score goals without having chances created for them and without a decent run in the team to build confidence. Billy Sharp and Eastwood have both been mentioned. But they didn't get a decent run of starts in front of a midfield giving them chances. We also contribute goals from midfield, something we never used to do! We have an awesome defence highlighted by the photo of the four guys in the mercury! How many times have we seen teams come up from league one, keep the same squad and challenge for the Championship. Bristol City, swansea and Hull have all done well with relatively little money.

We might not have the best individual players but there is little doubt in my mind that we have one of the best TEAMS in this division. Take Newcastle. Yes, they have a few decent individuals but the team is in chaos. No manager, unhappy players, devastated fans. How anyone can suggest they will do well is beyond me! I can see them being relegated.

So lets get behind the team like we did so well last season. Stop the moaning, have trust in big Nige and I'm sure we will have a great season. Who knows, it may even be as successful as the last one

Rant over!

Good post

[LCFC-ARAB]

I actually can't believe some of the pessimism on this board!! I suppose it becomes part and parcel with being a City fan. First of all, why are people moaning about the lack of strikers??!! Last season, we scored 84 goals in the league and we had an incredible goal difference of +45 and in Matty Fryatt we had a strkier who came very close to being top scorer! We created chances in almost every game and this was despite many teams playing us who were content with putting 11 men behind the ball. We dominated the division and won it as convincingly as any team in the past.

Now, people are worried that we can't convert this form into The Championship. Why?? There are numerous differences between our team now and two seasons ago yet all you can talk about is how few goals we scored last time we were there. First, we have a manager who has instilled discipline and a winning mentality. We should not underestimate the achievement of getting straight back up last season! We create chances now, hence why Howard and Fryatt scored so many goals. However good a striker is, they aren't going to score goals without having chances created for them and without a decent run in the team to build confidence. Billy Sharp and Eastwood have both been mentioned. But they didn't get a decent run of starts in front of a midfield giving them chances. We also contribute goals from midfield, something we never used to do! We have an awesome defence highlighted by the photo of the four guys in the mercury! How many times have we seen teams come up from league one, keep the same squad and challenge for the Championship. Bristol City, swansea and Hull have all done well with relatively little money. People keep mentioning the step up from league 1 to championship. There really isn't a huge difference and the characteristics needed to win league 1 will be very much the same as those required to win the championship.

We might not have the best individual players but there is little doubt in my mind that we have one of the best TEAMS in this division. Take Newcastle. Yes, they have a few decent individuals but the team is in chaos. No manager, unhappy players, devastated fans. How anyone can suggest they will do well is beyond me! I can see them being relegated.

So lets get behind the team like we did so well last season. Stop the moaning, have trust in big Nige and I'm sure we will have a great season. Who knows, it may even be as successful as the last one

Rant over!

VALID!

[Foxhateram]

People banging on about signings on here is getting really tedious. What is it with people wanting "proven" signings. Tunchev was not a "proven" signing and after a few games everyone was praising him like he was gold-dust.

Pearson has made some top notch signings that were not proven in any league, some that were proven in lower leagues and they have paid off. The secret behind our success last season was the fact that we had a positive winning mentality and a squad of players that knew each other and how each other plays, We dont need a overhaul of signings we need stability of the squad with a few signings to provide something a bit different which i think we have done.

Once we have another striker to give us something different upfront i.e. a pacey striker that has strength and power. Then we will be a good squad and battle at the top. Forget all this "proven" malarky. The last time we were in this league we had a team that on paper looked like we could do well but on the pitch was poor.

I trust that pearson knows what he is doing and im sure hes trying to keep the core of the squad the same that got us promoted and so it should be like that. If we can keep that winning mentality, and keep the youngsters heads up when we have a less decent patch then we will do well this season.

"Believe in what you have, work with what you have, your coaching can teach players how to fly and you will feel damn well good about it" That is a Quote from the tutor i had on my Level 2 coaching award, he worked for southampton.