... assuming we get there of course... http://www.leicestermercury.co.uk/p...ys-Leicester/story-20830419-detail/story.html
We aren't going to get any better than Schmeichel, but agree we'd need one if he goes, the good thing with his contract running down is that we could get someone in before the season starts, rather than panic buying if Kasper was sold in the middle of August. Drinkwaters looking at club POTY after being short-listed for Championship POTY, i think he deserves his shot at being the DM. Agree about a natural footed right winger for when that is required. Im not convinced that De Laet or Konchesky will manage premier league wingers, so would look to improve. Think we will need a new striker tbh, Nugent and Vardy will put the effort in, but when the time comes to score one the fewer chances we are likely to create next year, we need to put them away.
Was thinking more of a replacement for Logan - we need a much better backup keeper. Drinkwater isn't a DM and is too slight to be one - need someone much more combatative.
The good thing about np"s interview is the positive vibe concening next season. suggests that a new contract will be offered and accepted
It'll surprise you the jump between the two League's, as players who look too good for the Championship can quick become lightweight in the top flight. We've added many Premier League quality players and we're still in the bottom half. The only real players who have successfully made the transition in our squad would be Meyler, Elmo, Chester and Rosenior (although Meyler, Elmo and Rosenior had the prior experience anyway). A few Premier League quality players every transfer window is the key.
Huddlestone was an inspired buy ... he'd be amongst my 'young guns' to go to the world cup but I suspect Woy will take a few of the usual suspects instead ...
To be fair, I don't think you really looked ready for promotion last season (it was a poor quality league last year). Remember, we've already got more points than you managed with 11 games to go! The main reason you look likely to survive is because of your signings. However I do take your point and it'll be interesting to see which of our players do make the transition. I already have ideas on who might struggle. Like yourselves, we will strengthen in the summer. To what degree will again be interesting to see. It'll be the first indicators on a) how much Nige trusts this current bunch and b) what our owners are willing to spend in order to survive. Will Nige's frugal ways actually cause friction with our generous owners? I think Nige believes he has already build a team that could survive in the Prem, and might not want to spend. Time will tell...
Huddlestone and Livermore have just transformed our midfield. Huddlestone would be in my World Cup squad above Cleverley every day of the week, although he has been off the boil lately. Davies has been outstanding, and is the Opta-Stats best performing English defender in the top flight, and mostly deserves a place in the Rio squad out of our team.
Surprised you've said this. I've seen him up for criticism multiple times on your board, you look so much weaker down the right with him as RWB too from what I've seen. The good thing for us is we've got a good spine with Kasper, Morgan, Drinkwater and Nugent. Obviously it's a big jump, but I think we're more than ready to take it. I'd say we're more ready than you were but those who do nothing go down and those who do too much go down, we need to find the sweet spot like you've done. It might surprise you to learn that Huddlestone is 27. I can see Nige spending a decent amount on only a handful of players. I can see us going for a new centre half, centre midfielder, winger and striker who would all be very important players for us. Look at Hull, they've spent a lot on their side in key areas. McGreggor (2.7m?? Candy will put me right there), Huddlestone (5m), Long (6m), Sagbo (1.7m), Jelavic (6m), Davies (2.2m). That's around 23m on 6 players. I can see us doing the same sort of business.
Nige will only spend £5-6m on a player if he really, really rates him. I'm more interested in seeing the unknowns we will bring in. If we can get Knocky and Mahrez while in the Championship, imagine the type of players that will want to come into a Prem club! The summer will be as exciting as next season.
I think buying wisely is the key. Bruce has had two brilliant transfer windows. Adding the likes of Davies, Figueroa, McGregor, Harper, Huddlestone, Livermore, Jelavic, Long etc. Also tying down Aluko to a new deal, he's done some great business this Season. I think he had a tough start to the Season, as his defending can be terrible at times, but ever since Brady's injury, our right side has become our strongest and he's really stepped up to the mark. I've been impressed with him lately. He's mainly an attacker; when called upon to defend, it becomes quite scary. McGregor was £1.5M I believe, but all the others are accurate as far as I'm aware.
I think the best thing about going to the PL is seeing your club sign quality players, especially these days when promoted clubs really struggle to finish above 18th. That, and being on MOTD, of course!
...an for me here in the US its going to be great as they show pretty much every single Premier game live on NBC. How lucky its like having my own season ticket for home and games and not spending a penny. Would obviously still prefer to be at the King Power!! Cant wait though very excited and will watch with interest the transfer activity over the summer. I wonder if Nige and his backroom staff will be of to Brazil to do some scouting at the World Cup. I think he will already know his targets though and try and do his business early doors as usual.
He's a bit hit and miss, he definitely looks better on the wing in a 4-4-2 with Rosenior behind him, as he's not great defensively. You generally find that some of those who you think will make the step up don't and some of those you thought wouldn't be up to the job are. Boyd's a good example, I think he's a great Championship player, but I didn't think he was Premier League quality, but he doesn't look out of place at all(though he doesn't make the starting XI).
very good post mate. i did try and post something similar a time ago but got shouted down You, along with myself have experienced the diffrence in class from NPC to EPL and its a gulf. playing against internationally recognised keepers, defenders, midfielders and forwards is a huge jumpo from the very average players in the NPC leicester have a good team and itll be intresting to see who they get in during they summer. They wil certainly be relegated if they dont sign a few. this is where Pearson will earn his money. LCFC have proved the worth of thier scouts, now comes the acid test. i'm confident that if they get 5 or so players in, they can stay up, but they aint gonna be the 500K types..
Queenie - we too appreciate Candy's post ... it was delivered with a degree of humility and respect and with no air of condescension ... and that's the real difference between the reaction that you got (or shouted down as you put it) and the one that Candy is getting. We have actually been in the Prem before Queenie, yes it was a few years ago now but those 'world class players' that you refer to were still in abundance even then yet, under Martin O'Neil, we held our own for several seasons ... so we are hardly virgin brides unprepared for the nuptials ...
Fosse, Im fully aware of your presence in the Prem as i still see heskey playing out here. When i tried to say the Prem is a completely diffrent kettle of fish, it was in replky to posters saying how well you would do. Your (outstanding) performance this season counts for absolutely nothing next year. You wil be playing against decent players as opposed to over the hill was beens or wanna be's just a thought, how is Martin O'niel doin in the prem right now?! You should stay up with a few decent buys, but you need to realise.you are the poorest of the prem...you'll do well initially because the oppo havent played against you. its called "first season syndrome". look at how Cardiff & norwich are faring. I'll certainly be watching with intrest and wish youall the best. i to have no problem with Leicester FC..(apart fromthe chickens who ran away) !!4 My only hope for the rest of this seson is that you do not win the league against us at home after that terrible (but effective) smash and grab you did at Loftus Road. Having said that..if you do..i am fully confident our "real football fans" will stand up and applaud your team....Thats what we do
