Imo once we are mathematically down, pre season should start immediately. The last 2/3 fixtures should see everyone who is planning to leave dropped and fringe/youth players tested. Of course we will get three starts for Elyounoussi I expect.
I see it both ways there. That sounds like a great idea in principle, but do we really want to see Ballard & Doyle have their confidence smashed by being stuffed at home to Liverpool, or away at Brighton? I don't want them to be ruined by the state of this season, but they should be given a chance. It's a weird one and both sides of the argument make sense imo!
It should definitely commence immediately behind the scenes. Plans and discussion regarding regarding to manager, sales, purchases, contracts; the works. Their absolute focus should be on next season, not the remainder of this season. But on the field, I don't think it really matters. What we do in those final two or three games will have no bearing on next season. Without next season's manager in situ, it won't even be a chance for them to have look at a few other players. If anything, it might not be the worst idea to do the complete opposite, and leave out the players who are most likely to be a part of next season. Give them a two week headstart on their summer holiday. This PL season is a late finish, and I presume next Championship season will begin a week before the PL. So we're talking a relatively short off-season compared to usual. And then on top of that, a potential large overhaul in our squad, in conjunction with a new manager, will likely mean that pre-season is more important than ever. So letting them go on holiday early, with the aim of clearing their heads and then hitting the ground running when they return, I think has value.
Is anyone behind the scenes actually going to be at the club next season? Don't want Ankersen being too involved (because it's gone so well so far) and Wilcox presumably won't start here till his duties at City finish at the end of the season.
The pre-season has started already, I reckon. With the investments made a return next season is an absolute must. Expect sales and terminations of contract pretty quick.
I was aware that Leicester's next two matches were both on a Monday. But I've only just realised that it's actually their next four matches - every remaining match before the last day. Playing on four Mondays in a row; that surely can't have ever happened before? Some might argue otherwise, but I think it's an advantage to know what other sides have done before you take to the field. (Albeit that won't really be the case for Leicester next Monday, given that Everton and Forest both don't play until later that day.)
