Half-way Through The Season Summary

[Dylan]

We are now 23 games into the season- the half-way mark. Currently 17th in the table with 29 points and a poor goal difference. We're only 5 points off the play-offs, but if you predict all the postponed games its probably around 7- which is not too bad. A good run can put us into the mix of it.

I think 46 points from our remaining 23 games would see us getting a playoff place, anything under would leave it tight. This means an average of 2 points a game- hard but not impossible if we go on a good run. So far we've gained 24 points from 14 games since Sousa left- an average of 1.71 points. This has to be our target, as I think it'd take too much for an automatic promotion spot in my opinion. We have to be looking up the table; there is NO WAY I can see us fighting against relegation.

With the January transfer window coming, we can expect to see new faces coming in to boost our playoff push. Fryatt is almost certain to go, and unfortunately I can't see Curtis Davies staying at the Walkers. I'd hope we sign a striker, a finisher, whether on loan or permanent. This has got to be Sven's main target in the window. We fail to convert possession into goals on MANY occasions, including today against Leeds.

In the next 23 games, we need to be more punishing like teams like QPR and Cardiff- scoring loads of goals- converting possession into chances into goals, something we've lacked this first half of the season. Also, we need to play well for THE FULL 90 minutes, not just the second half. Again, something we've done often this season- for example, Leeds, Donny, Watford, Cardiff, Palace.

Our defence is another thing which needs to be tightened- too many goals conceded. We've already conceded 40 goals this season, compared to 24 at the same stage last season. Every time were defending a setpiece/corner I feel nervous as we concede too many from them, and crosses leaving unmarked men.

Another problem is scoring from corners, its got to happen soon. We must've had around 250 this season, yet NO goals. A team should be scoring at least 1 in 12 corners in my opinion.

In my opinion, we should have at least 4-5 more points this season, but have missed out due to lack of conviction, poor defendin0, playing only one halfg etc. Eg, Watford, Palace, Reading, Leeds and maybe Sheff Utd.

I think we'll just fall short of the play-off unfortunately, but let's hope I'm wrong!

So, what are your thoughts for the season so far, and your targets for the rest of the campaign? Where will we finish?

[SMX11]

Need big improvments in certain areas of the game:

1) We dont compete enough for the ball with direct teams

2) Poor concentration by most of the defenders

3) Too many individual errors

4) Abysmal set pieces

We need a bit more experience at the back for me. Curtis Davies, although good, seems to be faltering of late and I would not try and sign him unless the price is right. We aren't far away but it is easy to say "well we are X points from the play-offs" that fact is we aren't in the play-offs and if we don't improve defensively we wont be any closer to them.

[Ross 'LCFC' Turner]

'half a season of two half'

going down under sousa

would be in the top 6 if the season started when sven took over, says it all really.

thinks are looking up under sven, the players want to play for him, were unbeaten in 8 at home and won our only 2 away games under him

he'll no doubt add quality in january so things are looking towards an exciting 2011 :sge:

[Bob Weasel Fox]

Too much to do in all honesty to make the play offs i think, although obviously i hope they prove me wrong. We are probably the best footballing side in this division on our day, sadly our day isnt often enough - were not consistent, well we are. . . . . . . consistently inconsistent!!!!

[Ambitious]

I think we have to be realistic and accept that this season just has not gone how it should have done and focus on gaining promotion next season. The Play Offs are far too unrealistic now, we're 17th in the league. We're going to be bringing in many new faces in January, those players are going to need time to gel with one another, it isn't going to click just like that it will take time. A top 12 finish is more than doable, I know it isn't good enough and a Club like ours should be doing a hell of a lot better, but we have to be realistic, our away form is atrocious at the minute and until that is rectified we will struggle to get out this league. It is a real shame as I would love to see my beloved Foxes back in the worlds best league, but we have to accept that it just hasn't been our season. The person to blame is someone who isn't associated with the Club anymore, Milan Mandaric, it was his barbaric decisions that have played a huge factor in why we're where we are, the best thing he's done for us is sold up and fooked off. We've got new owners now who are a lot richer than Mandaric and are willing to be a lot more generous with transfer and wage funds than he was. So my prediction is a mid table finish between 9th and 16th, then 2012 will be the year Leicester return to the premiership after an eight year absence.

[Corky]

Positives-

Home form is very good.

Scoring a healthy amount of goals

Andy King is prolific from midfield

The midfield are forming a very competent unit

Negatives-

Leaking too many goals

Away form is not good enough

Don't make the most of our set-pieces

Inconsistency

The first half of the season has been mixed. At home we look strong, away I expect us to lose, which I didn't last season. The appalling start has set us back so any defeat now will hold us, yet we're only a point behind 9th, which I'd have taken two months ago.

We're in a position to push on with the January window coming up, so Sven can have a settled team with players available until the end of the season at least.

It's been a turbulent first 23 games, but I can see a brighter future.

[JamesLCFC]

I think that if we reach play offs, itll be a brilliant effort. But its highly unlikely we will make it, buying 12 million worth of players in january could be bad, just look at man city.

A change of a team and players so quickly can sometimes be bad, but we will see

COMEON LEICESTER

[MOT]

I think that if we reach play offs, itll be a brilliant effort. But its highly unlikely we will make it, buying 12 million worth of players in january could be bad, just look at man city.

A change of a team and players so quickly can sometimes be bad, but we will see

COMEON LEICESTER

For all of the drama surrounding their team, they are 2nd in the Prem- not bad for a team that has won nothing in close to 40 years

The playoffs aren't that far out of your grasp, anyway. 11 games ago we were sat in your position after getting hammered 4-0 at home (16 or 18th can't remember which).

[Heart-Shaped Fox]

We can make the PO's, just need to be better at the back. I think we are getting better at finishing the chances, well gradually anyway, but the defence is sometimes still a shambles. We dont win enough in the air, we put it out of play and the slightest pressure by the opposition, and silly mistakes are being made. I think Sven needs to try and stick with a consistent pair of centre halves, hopefully they will gel well the more games get played.

I do think to come in the top 6 we have to average 2 points a game, which is a tough ask but I can believe we can do it.

[Dylan]

We're still in for playoffs in my opinion. We'd have to have a very good 2nd half to the season, and not go on any bad runs but its still possible. Last year 70 points was 6th place (or thereabouts) and the table looks similar to that of this stage last season, so I reckon it'll be around 73 points max for 6th place, thats 44 more points.

We do what QPR/Cardiff done in the first half of this season, and we'll be there. Definitely won't be easy but possible. We've shown we can play excellent football- just as good as QPR/Cardiff, so if we can transfer that into chances and results it CAN happen. Our away form NEEDS to improve.

Think of it this way. If the table was reset and the season started on Tuesday, do you think we could be in the top 2 at the end of the season- after 23 games? If you think YES, then you think we'll make the playoffs. We need to go on Championship-winning form but IT IS possible.

[Head Honcho]

I personally believe we'll just miss out on the play-offs this season.

Can't really see us getting a decent run together to even challenge for a place but stranger things have happened!

[Leicester_Loyal]

I think we'll finish 8th.

But if the new signings settle in and we go on a good run where we win say the last 8 out of 10 matches, it could just sneak us into the play offs.

[WardyisPukka]

Need big improvments in certain areas of the game:

1) We dont compete enough for the ball with direct teams

2) Poor concentration by most of the defenders

3) Too many individual errors

4) Abysmal set pieces

We need a bit more experience at the back for me. Curtis Davies, although good, seems to be faltering of late and I would not try and sign him unless the price is right. We aren't far away but it is easy to say "well we are X points from the play-offs" that fact is we aren't in the play-offs and if we don't improve defensively we wont be any closer to them.

I agree with most of this!!

Today we didnt at all compete in midfield until halfway through the 2nd half!! we need to play for 90 mins and quite a few matches this season we havent and to challenge for the play offs we have to play for 90 mins or at least look interested like we didnt today!!

the midfield is usually solid but today they were better than us outplayed us but at times this season all three (king wellens abe ) go forward and expose our defence which leaves us very vunerable sometimes , one of either wellens or abe need to stay back and play the holding role !!

i think we'll go on a good run and pick up some points!! but we need to improve and some players need to massively improve :

1) finish chances !!

2) defence errors

3) midfield to press more

4) dyer to be given more games!!

5) to play for 90 mins or at least show some fight sometimes!!

6) gallagher to be dropped unless he starts running at full backs and crossing more!! like dyer

I think we'll finish 11th!!

[Captain...]

Sven still has a lot of work to do. He still doesn't know what our best formation and starting line-up is.

Even if we did, we don't know know how many of them will be here after Jan.

We could get in to the playoffs, but it will take a big turn around, we are starting to play with more passion than before and fighting spirit, but we still look a long way from being a team equal to the sum of our parts. I don't know how many new players we need if everyone is performing then we will beat anyone in this league, unfortunately we can only do that for short periods.

We will know more on Feb 1st. 5 league games between now and then, one cup game and I don't know how many transfers in and out.

[Karljohn]

Stacks of work to do.

Still think the big and ugly Richard Dunne's of this world are far more at home at this level than your Curtis Davies'.

Defence needs sorting, starting with the keeper commanding his back four, Weale has dropped a few clangers but no more than any other keeper does, for me if he were to open his gob a bit more he would be my first choice over Kirkland.

If I could choose 2 from the 4 loanee defenders it would be Naughton and Vitor, but the left back position needs sorting, has Kennedy really had a fair crack at it? Bruno?

In attack we have major problems, Howard who's goal ratio speaks for itself, Fryatt seemingly on the way out, Vassell has still only found the net once and Waggy looking like he's carrying the weight of Mandaric's eagerness to get rid of 3m quickly, with Waggy currently being overlooked by the ineffective Bednar, and our inability to score from set pieces, and from close on 300 corners, its a bigger worry for me than the back four.

We are a huge 9 points better off thanks to Andy King!

[colbo68]

We are now 23 games into the season- the half-way mark. Currently 17th in the table with 29 points and a poor goal difference. We're only 5 points off the play-offs, but if you predict all the postponed games its probably around 7- which is not too bad. A good run can put us into the mix of it.

I think 46 points from our remaining 23 games would see us getting a playoff place, anything under would leave it tight. This means an average of 2 points a game- hard but not impossible if we go on a good run. So far we've gained 24 points from 14 games since Sousa left- an average of 1.71 points. This has to be our target, as I think it'd take too much for an automatic promotion spot in my opinion. We have to be looking up the table; there is NO WAY I can see us fighting against relegation.

With the January transfer window coming, we can expect to see new faces coming in to boost our playoff push. Fryatt is almost certain to go, and unfortunately I can't see Curtis Davies staying at the Walkers. I'd hope we sign a striker, a finisher, whether on loan or permanent. This has got to be Sven's main target in the window. We fail to convert possession into goals on MANY occasions, including today against Leeds.

In the next 23 games, we need to be more punishing like teams like QPR and Cardiff- scoring loads of goals- converting possession into chances into goals, something we've lacked this first half of the season. Also, we need to play well for THE FULL 90 minutes, not just the second half. Again, something we've done often this season- for example, Leeds, Donny, Watford, Cardiff, Palace.

Our defence is another thing which needs to be tightened- too many goals conceded. We've already conceded 40 goals this season, compared to 24 at the same stage last season. Every time were defending a setpiece/corner I feel nervous as we concede too many from them, and crosses leaving unmarked men.

Another problem is scoring from corners, its got to happen soon. We must've had around 250 this season, yet NO goals. A team should be scoring at least 1 in 12 corners in my opinion.

In my opinion, we should have at least 4-5 more points this season, but have missed out due to lack of conviction, poor defendin0, playing only one halfg etc. Eg, Watford, Palace, Reading, Leeds and maybe Sheff Utd.

I think we'll just fall short of the play-off unfortunately, but let's hope I'm wrong!

So, what are your thoughts for the season so far, and your targets for the rest of the campaign? Where will we finish?

my thoughts:

1. We are grossly underachieving - why do so many city fans appear to be content with our league position and constantly bleat on about 'giving people time' or 'building for the future'? Leicester are a BIG CLUB (30 odd thousand at the Walkers yesterday) with strong financial backing. For me the jury is still out on Sven and Fazackerly - yesterday we were shite until we got the penalty.

2. We need a big, strong midfielder - a ball-winner who can lay it off to Wellens and King to build-up play - Abe IS NOT that player, in my opinion and any money we target at players in the transfer window needs to be at a good midfielder. The current back four are good enough, but are not supported defensively by the midfield. A modern day Steve Thompson would be a godsend..

3. We MUST stop the bloody long-ball game - the Leeds defenders yesterday had Howard in their back pocket - Big Steve is not mobile enough and does not score anyway near enough goals to warrant a first team place. The team looks so much better going forward when the ball is kept on the floor and Vassell needs to be played down the middle.

4. This 'being linked with every available premiership player going' has to stop... it is unsettling for the current squad, and its about time that Sven/Derek began to make the current crop gel together and play as a team. Leeds yesterday looked well-organised (two banks of four), solid and played as a unit - we looked like a bunch of disjointed individuals who didnt have a game plan and it was only for yet another Kingy wondergoal that we didnt lose the match.

5. Most importantly, we must keep Andy King - defensively he's suspect, but a midfielder who can pop up with the goals he does is worth his weight in gold...

To summarise.... I wouldnt be looking to make lots of signings and yet more changes..... drop Abe and get a good midfielder in, drop Howard and keep the ball on the floor and lets see whether Sven has the ability to motivate and organise an already strong squad of players... as for the playoffs, in my opinion they are achievable...

oh.. and for goodness sake - play Lloyd Dyer...............

[purpleronnie]

I too think the playoff chance has gone, a top 10 finish will do me, hopefully sven will stay and we'll give it a real go next season, lets face it the league is weak and we'll have a good chance next season.

[Jakemoore]

Too much to do in all honesty to make the play offs i think, although obviously i hope they prove me wrong. We are probably the best footballing side in this division on our day, sadly our day isnt often enough - were not consistent, well we are. . . . . . . consistently inconsistent!!!!

Except for Swansea, they play better football I think.

[MOT]

my thoughts:

1. We are grossly underachieving - why do so many city fans appear to be content with our league position and constantly bleat on about 'giving people time' or 'building for the future'? Leicester are a BIG CLUB (30 odd thousand at the Walkers yesterday) with strong financial backing. For me the jury is still out on Sven and Fazackerly - yesterday we were shite until we got the penalty.

2. We need a big, strong midfielder - a ball-winner who can lay it off to Wellens and King to build-up play - Abe IS NOT that player, in my opinion and any money we target at players in the transfer window needs to be at a good midfielder. The current back four are good enough, but are not supported defensively by the midfield. A modern day Steve Thompson would be a godsend..

3. We MUST stop the bloody long-ball game - the Leeds defenders yesterday had Howard in their back pocket - Big Steve is not mobile enough and does not score anyway near enough goals to warrant a first team place. The team looks so much better going forward when the ball is kept on the floor and Vassell needs to be played down the middle.

4. This 'being linked with every available premiership player going' has to stop... it is unsettling for the current squad, and its about time that Sven/Derek began to make the current crop gel together and play as a team. Leeds yesterday looked well-organised (two banks of four), solid and played as a unit - we looked like a bunch of disjointed individuals who didnt have a game plan and it was only for yet another Kingy wondergoal that we didnt lose the match.

5. Most importantly, we must keep Andy King - defensively he's suspect, but a midfielder who can pop up with the goals he does is worth his weight in gold...

To summarise.... I wouldnt be looking to make lots of signings and yet more changes..... drop Abe and get a good midfielder in, drop Howard and keep the ball on the floor and lets see whether Sven has the ability to motivate and organise an already strong squad of players... as for the playoffs, in my opinion they are achievable...

oh.. and for goodness sake - play Lloyd Dyer...............

[themotivator]

12 mil scares me and excites me in equal measures.

[ThorpeAstleyFox]

To make the play-offs would require automatic promotion form for the second-half of the season which I think is beyond us. I would like to see us making signings in the transfer window with next season in mind so that we can start the season with a strong, settled team. Key priorities for me are:

1. A strong, mobile target man. Not a younger Steve Howard as I don't believe that he was ever particularly mobile - more of a Jay Bothroyd (who incidently we'd have no chance of signing!). Unfortunately I haven't got a single suggestion to make so hopefully the club's scouts know more than I do!

2. We need to man-up. Teams have worked out that if they close us down and put in a few rough challanges then some of our players just don't look interested. Every team has some "weaker" players but in my opinion we don't have enough players who are willing to get stuck in when things aren't going our way.

3. A plan B. Our plan B yesterday was to change to a 4-4-2 with a big man-little man combination up top and hoof the ball up.