No mass summer signings – boss

[davieG]

Merc

Leicester City boss Nigel Pearson has promised changes during the summer – but not wholesale signings on the scale of last year.

Pearson says he knows exactly what is needed to be done this summer to turn City into promotion challengers next season.

He said he did not expect the City squad that starts the next campaign to be massively different from the one that has under-performed this season.

But he said he would be making changes and had already drawn-up his plan.

City have one game left, away at Leeds on Saturday, and Pearson said the work towards next season had already begun.

"We are looking forward now to preparations for next season, so although we still have a game to go, this final game is very much a part of moving forward," he said.

"I am very clear in my mind how we do move forward and what is needed, so it is really a case of now seeing the season out on the training field and on the pitch at Leeds in the right way. That is when the hard work really starts.

"I think when anyone associated with Leicester looks back on the season there have been times when you can look back and say 'if only'.

"Let's not kid ourselves, we are in the position we are because of our shortcomings and my job is to rectify that.

"During the course of the season, we have not done enough to earn the right to be in the play-offs.

"That is my remit to rectify that, and I will be working hard to do that in the summer."

Pearson said there may be more trading this summer, but not the swathe of new signings seen last summer.

City have to look to balance the books better ahead of the introduction of the Financial Fair Play rules, which are designed to encourage clubs to operate within their revenues.

These measures will be implemented over a three-year period, with the break-even assessment covering the financial years ending 2012 and 2013 assessed during 2013-14.

"I don't see massive changes necessarily, but I think it is important that we do make some changes," said Pearson.

"I am not presuming the money spent last year will be available this year. There will be a little more trading done because the financial fair play will have impact on clubs."

[Zingari]

He doesn't sound baffled to me

[ozleicester]

Phew, glad its all under control

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=THMU6UeEZpY

[norfolkfox222]

Line up for first game of next season..

Weale

Pelts

Morgan

St Ledger

Kennedy

Marshall

Wellens

King

Dyer

Nugent

Vardy

...

[Callabinho]

Quality not quantity aye old Nige

[cc_star]

I know this group of players has fallen short, but huge changes would only replicate the mistake.

If the aim is top 2 then we need a few more than we would aiming for the playoffs, but I'm very excited about our apparent targets.

[chris_lcfc_85]

This is good news. As previously mentioned, too many signings would put us in exactly the same position we were in last summer.

Some stability is required and a few tweaks in certain positions.

Despite our terribly inconsistent season, we have some very good players for this level so no need to overhaul the side

[_Fatboyslow_]

Some stability is required and a few tweaks

Stability is a good word, buy tweaks is a little weak especially when refering to the midfield

[roachmachine]

Purely on a personal leve, i'd like to see us lose, Wellens, Gallagher, Dyer, Mills, Weale, and, Howard, and wouldn't be that bothered if Bamba was sold for a decent price, however i feel this is unlikely to happen, specially with the first 3 names, as they seem to be semi permanent fixtures in the team nomatter how bad their form is. So if that turns out to be the case, i feel we won't be exactly setting the bar too high for next season, and will adjust my expectation levels accordingly

Pity i can't renew my season ticket after ive seen who we bring in

[fosseman]

Nige's statement is intended to offer hope and thus generate season ticket renewals. There's no more to it than that.

[chris_lcfc_85]

Stability is a good word, buy tweaks is a little weak especially when refering to the midfield

Marshall, Danns, Drinkwater, Dyer and King should all be there next season meaning we'd need another wide player plus a centre mid.

2 x players for that area, maybe 2 x for the back 4 and 1 x striker..... 5 new signings

[RumbleFox]

Well done Nigel! Sounds good to me! I believe in you! Some of you are very silly sausages on here and you make me laugh. "I'd like us to lose Gallagher". . Yeah that's clever mate. Let's get rid of a solid performer who can play only half the games during the season and often come on as a sub and score over ten goals for two consecutive Championship seasons. He can also play in a number of positions and seems fairly happy enough at the moment to be used as back up. Some of you have no fvcking idea do you! I cannot stand the fvcking witch hunts on here sometimes and negativity before next season ever begins! This is going to be a horrible place for the next few months isn't it? Well I say right now I trust in you Nigel and, though this has been a pretty bad season, I am fully behind you and the team and I have a little bit of optimism (yes yes I know that's not really allowed on here but oh well, I've never been one of the in crowd). So who stands with me fellow Foxes? Who's gonna dare to dream and have faith and who's just gonna just be a miserable cvnt?

COME ON NIGEL! COME ON LADS! WE ARE LEICESTER CITY!!! WE ARE LEICESTER CITY AND WE CAN DO THIS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Daggers]

Nige's statement is intended to offer hope and thus generate season ticket renewals. There's no more to it than that.

They'll sell more with the message: "Come and watch all the players who were inconsistent this season do the same next season, as I make excuses - only this time, pay more money"?

Hands up who's full of hope...

[Happy Fox]

A defensive midfielder is the only type of central midfielder we require.

Another Winger is a must preferably a LW- Stewart?

Harry Kane (loan)

A RB

4 signings should be fine.

[HEGGSY]

Good. Mass signings we just put us pack to square one.

[Lobsterboyuk]

So who stands with me fellow Foxes? Who's gonna dare to dream and have faith and who's just gonna just be a miserable cvnt?

COME ON NIGEL! COME ON LADS! WE ARE LEICESTER CITY!!! WE ARE LEICESTER CITY AND WE CAN DO THIS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I'm with you rumblefox!

[flowwolf]

He doesn't sound baffled to me

No just confused. Once again he is getting ambition mixed up with ability. So basically he is saying that we are stuck with the same mediocre players because we can't afford to get rid of them. Then they have the nerve to put up the season tickets :( :(

[Big Dave]

I know this group of players has fallen short, but huge changes would only replicate the mistake.

If the aim is top 2 then we need a few more than we would aiming for the playoffs, but I'm very excited about our apparent targets.

I was very excited about this seasons targets and signings.....................

[Smudge]

They'll sell more with the message: "Come and watch all the players who were inconsistent this season do the same next season, as I make excuses - only this time, pay more money"?

Hands up who's full of hope...

[Bayfox]

this seems a bit of a worrying article to me, it seems to be pretty clear that there will be lots of outgoings to help balance the books, so ok I accept this has to happen and it won't be a bad thing in general.

So then we are left with a situation that leaves us bringing in a few new bodies, fine.

However, if this then means that the majority of players in this new slim line squad are left from this/recent seasons, Kasper, Koncheskey, SSL(on his day), Danns, King(in goal scoring form) Marshall, Nuge and Beckford (when interested) I'm not so fussed about.

But does this mean that Nigel believes he can get more out of Peltier, Wellens, Gally, etc because I can see us being stuck with a few of these as I'm guessing job 1 is to move Pants(il) and Mills on if we can find takers along with Howard leaving on a free I guess. Because despite everyone thinking we had a massive squad 10 months ago, I find the fact we have 1 RB, 1 Decent Keeper, No real cover in the Middle of the park if we suffer 2 injuries and no one to really push dyer, marshall, or the front 2 a bit worrying already, and if we are to move a fair few players out, then I guess the majority of the players left will at least be around the matchday squad and if they haven't been good enough this season why should they be next season.

Or is NP suggesting he's spent the last few months working out what is wrong as opposed to trying to get results?

[MattyFromLE]

this seems a bit of a worrying article to me, it seems to be pretty clear that there will be lots of outgoings to help balance the books, so ok I accept this has to happen and it won't be a bad thing in general.

So then we are left with a situation that leaves us bringing in a few new bodies, fine.

However, if this then means that the majority of players in this new slim line squad are left from this/recent seasons, Kasper, Koncheskey, SSL(on his day), Danns, King(in goal scoring form) Marshall, Nuge and Beckford (when interested) I'm not so fussed about.

But does this mean that Nigel believes he can get more out of Peltier, Wellens, Gally, etc because I can see us being stuck with a few of these as I'm guessing job 1 is to move Pants(il) and Mills on if we can find takers along with Howard leaving on a free I guess. Because despite everyone thinking we had a massive squad 10 months ago, I find the fact we have 1 RB, 1 Decent Keeper, No real cover in the Middle of the park if we suffer 2 injuries and no one to really push dyer, marshall, or the front 2 a bit worrying already, and if we are to move a fair few players out, then I guess the majority of the players left will at least be around the matchday squad and if they haven't been good enough this season why should they be next season.

Or is NP suggesting he's spent the last few months working out what is wrong as opposed to trying to get results?

Why is it worrying? Cutting down the wage-bill, finding out which players want to be here and which don't. It will also separate gaps in the dressing room, not only from getting rid of the ego's but also the gap in wages for example; Matt Mills rumoured to be on 25k+, didn't show as much enthusiasm or try as hard as say someone like Schlupp who is probably on considerably less? Not sure if this is true, but i can imagine it having quite a demoralising effect on the lesser paid player? Who knows.

I certainly think for the long term future of the club that this will be a positive rather than a hindrance.

[chris_lcfc_85]

this seems a bit of a worrying article to me, it seems to be pretty clear that there will be lots of outgoings to help balance the books, so ok I accept this has to happen and it won't be a bad thing in general.

So then we are left with a situation that leaves us bringing in a few new bodies, fine.

However, if this then means that the majority of players in this new slim line squad are left from this/recent seasons, Kasper, Koncheskey, SSL(on his day), Danns, King(in goal scoring form) Marshall, Nuge and Beckford (when interested) I'm not so fussed about.

But does this mean that Nigel believes he can get more out of Peltier, Wellens, Gally, etc because I can see us being stuck with a few of these as I'm guessing job 1 is to move Pants(il) and Mills on if we can find takers along with Howard leaving on a free I guess. Because despite everyone thinking we had a massive squad 10 months ago, I find the fact we have 1 RB, 1 Decent Keeper, No real cover in the Middle of the park if we suffer 2 injuries and no one to really push dyer, marshall, or the front 2 a bit worrying already, and if we are to move a fair few players out, then I guess the majority of the players left will at least be around the matchday squad and if they haven't been good enough this season why should they be next season.

Or is NP suggesting he's spent the last few months working out what is wrong as opposed to trying to get results?

I said earlier 5 x signings, a new RB, a new CB, a new CM, a new wide man and new striker.....

Peltier will compete with the new RB.... then with Danns, King and Drinkwater, another CM would be fine....

A CB to replace Mills and a different type of forward like Heskey/Hulse/Helguson/Kane..... Stronger options

[Corky]

DANGEROUS TIGER

The ONLY change I want is for the DOG to leave.

[Jace]

Well done Nigel! Sounds good to me! I believe in you! Some of you are very silly sausages on here and you make me laugh. "I'd like us to lose Gallagher". . Yeah that's clever mate. Let's get rid of a solid performer who can play only half the games during the season and often come on as a sub and score over ten goals for two consecutive Championship seasons. He can also play in a number of positions and seems fairly happy enough at the moment to be used as back up. Some of you have no fvcking idea do you! I cannot stand the fvcking witch hunts on here sometimes and negativity before next season ever begins! This is going to be a horrible place for the next few months isn't it? Well I say right now I trust in you Nigel and, though this has been a pretty bad season, I am fully behind you and the team and I have a little bit of optimism (yes yes I know that's not really allowed on here but oh well, I've never been one of the in crowd). So who stands with me fellow Foxes? Who's gonna dare to dream and have faith and who's just gonna just be a miserable cvnt?

COME ON NIGEL! COME ON LADS! WE ARE LEICESTER CITY!!! WE ARE LEICESTER CITY AND WE CAN DO THIS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Another class rumble by Rumble Fox!!

[Raw Dykes]

this seems a bit of a worrying article to me, it seems to be pretty clear that there will be lots of outgoings to help balance the books, so ok I accept this has to happen and it won't be a bad thing in general.

So then we are left with a situation that leaves us bringing in a few new bodies, fine.

However, if this then means that the majority of players in this new slim line squad are left from this/recent seasons, Kasper, Koncheskey, SSL(on his day), Danns, King(in goal scoring form) Marshall, Nuge and Beckford (when interested) I'm not so fussed about.

But does this mean that Nigel believes he can get more out of Peltier, Wellens, Gally, etc because I can see us being stuck with a few of these as I'm guessing job 1 is to move Pants(il) and Mills on if we can find takers along with Howard leaving on a free I guess. Because despite everyone thinking we had a massive squad 10 months ago, I find the fact we have 1 RB, 1 Decent Keeper, No real cover in the Middle of the park if we suffer 2 injuries and no one to really push dyer, marshall, or the front 2 a bit worrying already, and if we are to move a fair few players out, then I guess the majority of the players left will at least be around the matchday squad and if they haven't been good enough this season why should they be next season.

Or is NP suggesting he's spent the last few months working out what is wrong as opposed to trying to get results?

I wouldn't worry too much about it. Some of the players wages are very large, so if Pearson can offload them, then the squad doesn't have to be smaller at all. In fact, if it's done right, the squad could even be a bit bigger while still cutting the wage bill. For example, if we can find a club to take Mills and his £30k a week, or whatever it is, then that would free up enough cash to bring in at least two good young players without it affecting the wage bill at all. The new FFP rules could stop us being overcharged when buying players, whether they're really affecting us or not. The club may be able to use the rules as an excuse for not being able to fork out as much in wages as it could last year, whilst still selling itself as a club with real ambition of reaching the PL soon.

Pearson may not be a master tactician, but he can certainly be trusted to do a great job in the transfer market, based on his previous record. I think the club has a good scouting network, and I'm looking forward to seeing what business we do over the summer. In the transfer window last summer, we were mugs, and I'm confident that's over with now.