Championship Q & A: Leicester City

In the first of a series of a Q&A sessions with Championship clubs, we ask Vital Leicester for their thoughts on their up and coming season.

1. Your name and Club Supported

Joe, Leicester City

2. Your League Position last season

1st (League One)

3. Your Prediction For this Season’s Position Finish.

15th

4. Transfers In

Chris Weale, Jack Hobbs, Wayne Brown, Robbie Nielson, Richie Wellens, Astrit Ajdarevic, Dany N’Guessan

5. Transfers Out

Patrick Kisnorbo, Paul Henderson, Marc Edworthy, Barry Hayles, Bruno N’Gotty (all released)

6. Have you made enough signings for the new season? Are they the right signings?

At the moment, we really need at least one more striker. There are the obvious rumours flying around, but until something’s signed and sealed I won’t rest! I think capturing Jack Hobbs on a permanent deal is a massive coup for us, and Richie Wellens should prove to be a valuable signing.

7. What are the expectations amongst the fans for this year?

It’s fairly mixed really, although the general consensus is that we’d quite happily accept a season of mid-table mediocrity. As the Championship is such an unpredictable division it’s difficult to estimate; some of our fans think we could push for the playoffs with a couple more signings, whereas most seem to think a lower-half finish is more realistic.

8. Key player(s)

As mentioned before, Jack Hobbs is certainly one. Our defence was fantastic last year, so hopefully that can continue. Even when we got relegated in 07/08 we still had the second best defensive record, which only goes to show how few goals we scored. Secondly, Matty Fryatt’s performances will be crucial. After failing in the Championship previously, he scored over 30 goals last season. We’ve always struggled for goals in the Championship, so we’ll need him firing on all cylinders.

9. Your thoughts ahead of the new Championship campaign, are you confident or worried going into the new season? How do you think your year will pan out?

I’m a little worried about the striker situation. If Howard or Fryatt get injured, we’ve got Dickov (who’s way past it now) and N’Guessan (a natural winger) as backup. I’m confident something will be done before the transfer window ends though, I’m not particularly worried about that. I think we’ll have a mediocre season, avoid relegation and probably finish somewhere around 15th.

10. Predict the Top 2 and Play-off winner and the 3 clubs to go down

1. West Brom
2. Sheffield United
——————-
22. Barnsley
23. Blackpool
24. Scunthorpe

Thanks to Vital Leicester for answering our questions.

More thoughts coming soon from the rest of the Championship opposition.

Swansea City will begin their season with a match at Leicester City on Saturday August 8th.