Expectations for next season

[CKB]

When talking about strengthening, I can't imagine who I'd leave out.

We need a new left-back if only for cover for Bruno. Perhaps a new centre-back if Tunchev's still doubtful. Assuming we can't get Spearing we need another midfielder of his ilk and definitely another forward thinking midfielder if not a striker.

Having said that, I love the lot of them from the past two seasons and not one deserves to be dropped or discarded.

Agreed with them positions you mention but one vital one...right back so Morrison can be eased into his proper CB role.. We are not that far away imo in having a side that should do very well...BUT football can be very strange at times so i am not taking anything for granted next season

[flanimal]

I think we'll sign Spearing. He's what, 22? And he's only played a few games at Liverpool. He'll be wanting to be a regular.

I think Waghorn probably wants to be a Leicester player. He won't want his last contribution as a Leicester player to be a penalty miss/save/whatever. Bruce probably won't let it happen though.

Vaughan is likely. If Beckford is going to Everton, shows that Vaughan can't be that highly rated.

Alex Bruce as well, I think he'll stay.

And Tunchev, I don't think he'll be the same player. I really hope he returns though. He was one of the best defenders we had since Matt Elliott, or Hobbs.

[Matt]

Obviously depending on what happens through the summer, but early predictions are the we will finish mid-table, we won't make the playoffs - We have a great manager, great team and with addition we could be something special in this division I just have a gut feeling we'll end up around mid-table next season, a disappointment compared to this season.

My worry is we may lose Nigel through next season.

My expectations - Same as this season, i'm not raising them and i'm certainly not lowering them so Mid-table to Playoffs i'll be pleased with.

[Aeropars]

I think automatic promotion is acheivable as long as Milan backs the manager with cash. The teams coming down will use parachute payments to pay off debt and that puts us on a level playing field.

The signings since NP took charge (neilson aside) have been absolutly inspirational. With another seasons signings I expect us to get even better and our younger players to mature. I think 2010/2011 season will be a very good season.

[Aeropars]

Some please tell me exactly why we would lose Nigel Person as manager?

I think the thought of it is absurd. A team which he has unfinished business with which has so much potential isn't something he will walk away from.

[Matt]

Some please tell me exactly why we would lose Nigel Person as manager?

I think the thought of it is absurd. A team which he has unfinished business with which has so much potential isn't something he will walk away from.

I just fear it and am on edge, he's a good manager, all i'm thinking is should we be in a mid-table position next season around the halfway point when Premiership managers start getting sacked theres no denying they will have NP on their list to atleast look into, I just fear he'd jump.

I like to think NP is a honest man who likes to see jobs though - I stuggle to believe any of that is left in football though.

[Aeropars]

In an era when referee's are constantly berated by managers for dodgy decisions I have never once heard NP say anything derogatory about a ref. WHat you see is what you get.

I think he is one of the last remaining few gentlemen of the game (I also think Dave Jones is one too) and I think he is a man of his work. I never got that impression from O'Neil or Micky Adams. Oddly, I did from Holloway and I actually think hes a good bloke. I think the same about Nigel. Unless something is done to upset him, I expect he will be here to see us up and keep us up.

[ScouseFox]

I just fear it and am on edge, he's a good manager, all i'm thinking is should we be in a mid-table position next season around the halfway point when Premiership managers start getting sacked theres no denying they will have NP on their list to atleast look into, I just fear he'd jump.

I like to think NP is a honest man who likes to see jobs though - I stuggle to believe any of that is left in football though.

These were my thoughts aswell.

If we're in the bottom half of the table around November, and a mid/bottom Prem team sack their manager, he'd be a name associated with them.

Like yourself, i'm hoping he wouldn't just jump ship after we gave him a chance and he's clearly held in such high regards by everyone involved in the club.

[shez]

We will be champions!

[AndyBrew]

top 6 without doubt.

I don't think Burnley will be pushovers next year

[Dylan]

Absolutely fantastic season. Thank you NP.

Next season imo, will be a weaker championship (still be hard and unpredictable), but this season from day one, Newcastle and WBA have been far far the strongest teams in the league. With Burnley, Hull and Pompey coming down, I don't see them as being as much threat as WBA and Newcastle were. Especially with Pompey's and Hull's financial situation. Teams coming up from League1 will be more strong though, with Leeds and Norwich up- who can be very dangerous.

I honestly think if we can keep names such as Hobbs and Fryatt, and get players like Waghorn, Spearing, and Bruce back on loan we can mount a huge AUTOMATIC promotion push, or at least playoffs. If we can get Bruce, and keep Hobbs, they'll form a solid CB partnership- they've looked comfortable together in the past 2-3 games when they've played. This can be played with Berner, who is solid at LB, along with Morrison at RB, who has been great adapting to that role. If we can have a defence like this, (which is very young too), we will keep it solid at the back, like its been this season.

Our midfield is the one area (if any) which may need strengthening in my opinion. I think King has been good all season, coming up with vital goals. And Wellens has been great in the 2nd half of the season, which gives us a decent CM. I think Oakley shouldn't really get much of a look in now. He hasn't looked up to Championship standard all season to me, and think a young player such as Adams should rank ahead of him in the squad next season. Also, i'm hoping we can get Spearing on loan again- he's looked fantastic in the few games he's played- very calm and composed, and gets stuck in- just what we need. If we can get him, our CM will look great for the Championship.

On the other hand, I feel our left and right may need strengthening. I gotta feeling we should keep Gallagher on the right. He looks like he's got good tekkers. This is his first season here, and hopefully next season he'll feel more comfortable. I'm hoping he can have a "PeterWhiitingham" season next year (highly unlikely but i have high hopes), maybe not scoring as much, but scoring and whipping in great freekicks and corners. Our left wing is another debatable matter. Lloyd Dyer has played well this season, but has only scored 3. He looks a decent player, and can hopefully excel next season.

Attacking wise, I think we're okay. I think we'll keep Fryatt cause of his injury, so he's not been in the spotlight lately. And also Howard's been fantastic in the latter end of the season- especially yesterday- my MOTM. He's not just flicking it on now, he's holding it up too. If he can carry on where he left off, him and Fryatt can form a good partnership. I am also REALLY hoping we can get Waghorn back, whether its permanent or loan. His heart for the game and Leicester is great. I felt sorry for him yesterday, and had to be carried off. He was put under pressure by a stupid decision from Kermorgant. He feels really passionate for Leicester, and hopefully he can come back. Bruce have a word with ya dad please Btw, does anyone have any idea how many years he's got left on his Sunderland contract? I think he should be loaned back, don't think he's ready for the Prem yet, and plus, Sunderland have Bent, Jones and Campbell.

I'm also hoping Kermorgant's STUPID decision, will help us in the long run. He'll be thinking about it until next season, believe me. Hopefully he'll be going all out to redeem himself, banging in goal left, right and centre! Maybe we should try and get in one striker on loan too to strengthen our attack even more. We need to start next season how we finished the last, scoring goals.

Im hoping for top 6, and i think we're well capable!

[flanimal]

Kermorgant will never be a 20 goal a season player. He didn't do it in the French leagues, he won't do it now. He could be a guy with many assists to his name, but I doubt it. I doubt he'll play much from now on, probably get loaned out to a French club then he'll disappear. It's going to take immense bottle to turn it around, and I don't think he'll get the chance.

[whitlock]

NP has seen something in him to offer him a contract and i think that we have seen glimpses of what he can do, few assist, won some great headers, good goal against M'boro and i cant quite see NP just giving up on him for that penalty. Not defending the penalty, it was shocking, looking over few youtube clips, he was trying to re create the same pens he did for his previous club, the "chip" fortunatly for him they came off back then but unfortunatly it didnt yesterday. I'm not defending the penner, shouldnt of done that but i guess none of us knows what it was like to be in that position yesteday, or how players feel comfortable taking peno's. I'll still be backing Kermit as every player that graces the Leicester shirt. Said to my unc, this season was never going to be Yann's season but next season will be and i still firmly believe that, maybe even more so as he will feel he has a point to prove.

[Jodranadinho]

I have to say that <b>if</b> we manage to keep our core squad (hobbs, king, etc.) and release some of our fringe players, the likes of oakley for example and replace them with good, consistent and proven players in this league then i feel that we will compete for a top six finish again. NP has done a great job in getting us 5th this season and i have no doubt he has the backing of the club, fans and MM to do it again. keep the faith

[Yojoe36]

Well if not much changes:

A good cup run

Top 6 finish

If things change for the worst:

Top 12 finish

If things change for the better (Yeah right):

A good cup run

Top 2 finish

[Frenzied]

If we keep hold of Pearson, the squad and add where we need to, I expect us to be pushing for automatic promotion. I'd be very disappointed if we didn't at least finish in the play-offs. The past two seasons have seen nothing other than solid progression and I see no reason (apart from those stated above) why we shouldn't continue to improve.

[FantasticFox]

I would love for City to push on and become an even bigger threat in the Championship, but my head says we'll fininsh mid-table maybe pushing for play-offs, but my heart says if we do what we have this season then why not make the automatic places. I hope that we will be up there with the best.

[Fox92]

I know it depends on who everone signs and get rid of, including Leicester.

But the Championship is looking to be the toughest it has been in years. As Nigel said after Cardiff: "this season will be difficult to repeat" and I do believe him.

In my eyes, the teams that have a real chance of gaining promotion include:

Portsmouth

Burnley

Hull

Blackpool/Cardiff

Nottingham Forest

Sheffield United

Reading

Bristol City

Doncaster Rovers

Queens Park Rangers

Barnsley

Middlesbrough

Swansea City

Norwich City

Leeds United

I think that this season was our chance to finally get out of the league. Look at the sides in the past that made the play offs then slipped away; Leeds, MK Dons (in League 1 like), Bristol City, Crystal Palace etc

Next season will be harder than ever before and we may get a suprise or two.

But, lets see who signs who first.

[Dobos]

Given NP staying, which is likely, we have the chance of reaching auto promotion. Forest and Burnley will be up there with us but i reckon our championship run and playoff performance last season will attract decent Loanees thus strengthening the squad.

Kermorgant will be a decent player. I reckon he can turn the fans around and put in good performances next season. He's a tit for that penalty but i'm getting over that.

[iancognito]

Top 6 should still be achievable. A few teams will have some financial backing like Forest & Boro but I can't see many outside the top 6 this season getting into it again this season. Reading, Bristol City & Swansea & Norwich have good enough squads & managers to get them challenging but the rest will be mid table at best. The only other teams I'd have an eye on would be Leeds & the play off winners doing what we've done with a bit of momentum but it's not guaranteed that they'll step up a level and do any better than they did in the Championship last time out.

There's no reason to believe we'll lose many from the squad or even the manager and if we keep the nucleus and add a couple, we'll be fine. It'll depend just how much Milan wants that promotion as well.

[surrifox]

its a tough call - I genuinely thought that Newcastle would really struggle this year (absurd fans expectations, disillusioned wantaway owner, bunch of overpaid show pony players) instead of which they pissed it.

I agree that none of the 3 relegated clubs look likely to sustain a challenge and depending on how the rebuilding goes would think we have a good chance of automatic promotion given some more inspirational playing of the loan market coupled with the strong central spine to the team.

I believe that given the chance to strengthen their ridiculous defence that Forest will challenge again and that Middlesborough 's financial strength will give them an edge over most clubs. Bristol City have 2 key components - a 20+ goal striker (something we need to locate) and a manager who knows how to achieve promotion -they will also probably be in the mix. In conclusion we are losing Plymouth and Sheff wed who always take points off us which should help

[RowlattsFox]

I think the areas we should prioritise are Right Back, Cover left back, maybe 2 central midfielders (defensive and creative), think we need a wide player (ideally someone who can play both sides) and a couple of strikers (I think we'll sign Vaughan).

[lou]

I expect that whatever the players do it wont be enough for some of the ****** we have as supporters <_<

[jonthefox]

well im having a tenner on us for the title.I really believe we can do it.

[Mr B]

My moneys on the playoffs again, but going up automatically would be amazing, take away the pressure and stress of the playoffs. I just hope we at least consolidate and try and build on this season, and not go backwards.