http://thetwounfortunates.com/which...which-of-leicester-citys-players-will-step-up Thought provoking article - have to say I more or less agree on his analysis of the team that that played against Reading in this context ... only bit I have an issue with is his view on our financial position ... given what our owners have done with our debt, our operating losses are likely to be quite healthy compared to many of our rivals who will be paying interest on loans in addition to operating costs next season ...
Can't help wondering if Schlupp is ready to step up as a striker now. His pace and ball control are very good. Is he the illusive extra striker we need? Especially as everyone agrees we need a new left back.
Great article and agree virtually 100% with what we saw from the Reading game although this doesn't reflect on performances from the entire season.
I'd agree with that to a degree. Schmeichel DeLaet DEF Morgan Schlupp Mahrez Drinkwater James Knockeart Vardy FOR These should be "ready", but its all about whether we can improve on them.
what an excellent article. For me: Kasper (we all hope) RDL Morgan DEF LB Knockaert Drinkwater CM/James LM Vardy FOR Vardy wont score many at all but will allow the whole team to play better given his work-rate and allow a new STR to flourish. Someone to splash out on a little in the build of like Wilfried Bony (obviously not him) where we splash out a little to get a big strong lad with a physical presence also with a decent goal record (not just a lanky target man, i mean a bulky stong player) could be the type of man that we need in. I cant see both Mahrez and Knockaert starting as both are far more able on the right and in the premiership we will need some more balance. Both will have a big part to play though. DD will step up absolutely no doubt and i imagine James will too - we need to make sure we get another very strong option there otherwise we will be too weak and not have enough options. Someone big and strong in the build of Wanyama (i know we wont get him) to add a little bit more strength to the team. A safe LB with premier league experience could prove vital as that experience is something which the team is really missing. Likewise with a CB.
I can see Schlupp becoming a very good LB - all depends if he wants to be one though. I can see a place for Nugent - he is our top assister this season. I am worried about the Drinkwater/James partnership in the middle - neither of them are tenacious ball winners and I'd say we'd need someone like that.
Lot of good points ed ... but for me Mahrez is showing that he will be one of the first names on the team sheet next season ... I think he will thrive at the top table where you are allowed more time on the ball ... I'm not sure what you mean by a safe left back with premier league experience ... Konchesky is arguably that (well he at least has the experience ) but I prefer Schlupp there any day of the week ... he's young hungry, combative and will only get better as he matures ...
I could easily have slotted his name in there instead of Knockaert's - i just thought that AK offers a little more defensively (which i dont think a lot of fans realise). Its more just the point i dont think we are balanced enough with both of them in the team currently. Konchesky has the experience but not sure he is 'safe'. Schlupp could well - i really really rate the lad. I just think it is important to have someone else more 'specialised' there as he hasnt really been properly tested yet. He is one of the best in the league atm at LB i feel as his pace just gets him out of so many situations - fast wingers who are used to their pace being an asset just dont know what to do but when he is in the premiership against pacey wingers who also have end product and more ability it is yet to be seen whether or not he is still up to that. I hope he will be but he is still raw at the position and we cannot take passengers as we will get punished. Also not happy if he is happy to be seen as a LB option or not yet - i know a while ago he wasnt but maybe that has now changed.
... again some good points ... although persobnally I have more concerns at this point in time re our central defence ... they got a bit of a mauling at Reading and the opposition next season will be of formidable quality ... can't really be complaining mind ...
Wes's form has dropped recently but i have no doubt that a summer off from a long season (has he missed any games?) will allow him to become the absolute rock he was again next year. I think one of him or Moore will be good enough but a top CB will be a priority i feel. I think that in comparison to most promoted teams are in a great position as i think we have an excellent backbone. We are young and english and going up with players who are constantly improving rather than has-beens who have reached their peak. This group of players are improving together and with some quality additions i feel we can beat the drop. That, i believe, is purely the aim for next season and if we can manage that then i feel we can really cement ourselves in the premier league due to the way, currently, we go about our business and the way the owners have been.
I think De Laet's speed would be a real asset in the Prem. May need to work on the defensive side of his game, but you can learn that, you can't learn pace.
The commentator against Reading made particular mention of the pace of both De Laet and Schlupp on Monday ... both need to work on the defensive side of their game but both add real threat going forward ... Vardy was rather unlucky to have that goal ruled out it was indeed marginal ... and the burst of pace and cross from Schlupp deserved a goal on the end of it. Perhaps the most impressive thing I saw from Schlupp on the night was when he got mugged by Gunther sliding in and pulling the ball back into our penalty area ... how he then got back to make the interception is testament to both his incredible speed but also desire to put right a mistake ... we will need those attributes next season
Nobody will make the step up because you'll be playing our boys Nah, I can see potential in Vardy, and I've been hearing good things about Schlupp. Morgan will be key to your survival next Season, because as we've proven; if you don't concede many, you're chances of survival are much better, regardless of how many you score. Knockaert and Schmeichel will have massive roles to play too.
All that and you left our Player of the Season Danny Drinkwater and The Next Big Thing(s) Riyad Mahrez & Liam Moore. And my own personal favourites De Laet and James. Guess you can see now why we fancy our chances of survival!
