Leicester City fans’ big predictions for 2024/25: finishing position, what we want to see from Cooper's team, key man and more…
The season is upon us. Time to stop speculating and start spectating. Well, almost. How is the optimism level? It's been better based on the finishing position predictions, but there's more hope where key players are concerned.
Predicted finishing position?
Matt Jedruch: 20th. We somehow have the weakest squad in the division and a manager who must be quickly losing hope. Even with a late flurry of signings I think we're doomed, regardless of the points deduction.
Iain Wright: 17th. It's so hard to predict as we still don't know whether we are truly starting from zero points? In addition to this, we've had a challenging pre-season and, for the third year in a row, it feels like we have a lot to do in the transfer market.
However, what's the point in predicting relegation? You've got to have hope, right? Therefore, I'll go with my heart rather than my head and predict Cooper's Troopers storming to safety on the final day.
Helen Thompson: Hard to see anything higher than 20th at the minute. But my pessimism last season was laughable so here's hoping I'm wrong again.
Wilby Toothill: 20th. While tempted to put us in one of the other relegation spots, unfortunately I can’t look past rock bottom. I feel the team and squad is currently short in a number of areas across the pitch, and given the consistently increasing quality of the average Premier League squad, I fear for us. Despite this, I hold onto some optimism that a strong finish to the window and a positive start on the pitch could see us put together a rallying survival challenge.
Joe Clarbour: 20th.
Charlie Carmichael: When you combine the summer upheaval of losing our manager and most valuable player, a threadbare squad with limited firepower, the impending threat of not one but two points deductions, and a sheer lack of confidence in the club’s decision-making, it’s hard to foresee anything other than finishing rock bottom — 20th.
Becky Taylor: 20th, record lowest points tally.
Jamie Thorpe: 17th. God that feels so optimistic doesn't it? Until we know just how much of a deduction we are to receive this is an impossible question to answer, so I am backing us blindly to achieve what in reality, would be a massive success. A lot will depend upon the general quality of the league as there are no Sheff Utd esque teams dragging the average points down this year, so we will need a fair bit of luck to stay up.
Main thing you want to see from Cooper's team?
Matt Jedruch: Bravery, both in terms of playing style and team selection. We can expect Cooper to approach games with some degree of rigidity/pragmatism based on the fixtures, but it would be refreshing if we could play some nice stuff with the shackles off whenever possible.
If we are to suffer as predicted, it would be good to see some of our prospects get meaningful opportunities. In an ideal world, most of them would be about to embark on successful seasons on loan in the Championship, but as it stands we need them in the squad.
Iain Wright: Resilience. Plain and simple. It's hard to criticise last season, Straight Back Up, thank you for a job well done. However, the feeling of us faltering at the first hint of a febrile atmosphere (Cov, Leeds, Plymouth amongst others) combined with an inability to get back into games (QPR home, Middlesbrough both, Plymouth away, Bristol City away amongst others) did become a feature of the second half of last season.
Worse than that, going back to the last couple of seasons in the Premier League, we were very much able to win games at a canter, rolling in 3/4/5 goals, but desperately struggled to get one-nil-ers or 2-1s, or even an equaliser if we were behind into the second half.
Therefore, I want to see a return to Fearless, the old Foxes Never Quit. A team that will stand up for itself and not know when it's beaten. Ultimately, this is the big thing Cooper can bring to the party, which gives me some hope for the new season.
Helen Thompson: We are expecting it to be tough but I'd like maximum effort and some fight. That was our biggest crime on the field in the relegation season, and if Cooper wants to give the KP crowd something to cheer for, it starts there. I'd also like us to bring through some of the younger players, especially if/when we're doomed anyway. Give us something to be excited about if it is all a bit grim.
Wilby Toothill: I would like to see Steve Cooper put his own stamp on this team. A slightly worrying sign of pre-season for me was his insistence on at least some continuity from the style implemented last year. It almost feels as though he is trying (and presumably has come in with a mandate) to coach the team as a possession-based side. Time will tell, but if the best way to survive is to be far more pragmatic, I don’t think he should feel the need to play in a particular way. Steve’s a good coach - let him show it with this group, in his own way - a way that has kept teams up in recent times.
Joe Clarbour: Fight, spirit - all the usual - most of all though to attempt to play attacking football no matter the opposition. We’ll take the odd drubbing but if we know we’re effectively ten points down from the off let’s all try and enjoy it and have a go. Not the most tactically astute assessment I grant you but there you go.
Charlie Carmichael: Long-term planning. I don’t want 30+ year-olds signed on lucrative contracts with fabled ‘Premier League experience’. If we’re going to go down, let’s at least put the foundations in for seasons to come. Blood some youngsters — Alves, Braybrooke, Nelson etc. — and start building a side with a new identity. We may well get relegated, but I’d have far more confidence going into the Championship if we saw academy lads in the side and a semblance of a plan to come back up, even if it took a few seasons to achieve.
Becky Taylor: Preferably some new signings, but I don't expect much on that front with how this window has gone. From the existing players, it's the classic request, please show us some fight. We all know we are in a dire situation, we aren't in a position to ask for a sexy football show, so performances that make me believe they're putting everything in is what I am hoping for.
Jamie Thorpe: Fght. I know this is cliche, but it really is going to be crucial. We are up against it. The players know it, the fans know it, the management know it, but the worst thing we can do is be cowed by the challenge. Let's hope Cooper can cultivate the siege mentality that we have demonstrated so well over the years, bring everyone together and get stuck in. Worry about the style of football next season if we stay up!
Who'll be our player of the season?
Matt Jedruch: Fatawu. I think many fans would agree that watching Fatawu play is one of the few things we have to look forward to going into this season. He is the type of player who has the ability to set the tone for his teammates through his unrestrained determination and work rate, in the same way that Vardy has done for many seasons. He definitely has the ability to make the step up to the Premier League, and with some refinement to his game he could have a memorable season.
Iain Wright: Nick Di Marco. For those of you who've taken a break from the Foxes Merry-go round and don't know who he is, I'm sorry to report that he's not a fancy-dan striker plucked from Serie A... he's a lawyer!
All the same, he's destined to play a huge part in our season as he's our leading figure in the LCFC vs The Premier League saga that's apparently (and ridiculously) set to run all season.
Its unclear at this stage how big the Profit and Sustainability loss is and indeed why we think we shouldn't be punished for it ("we didn’t plan to be relegated" surely won't wash?). But LCFC appear very determined to fight this all the way.
In a division where every point counts, if 'Super Nick' can stop us losing a few and keep us up, you may well see him holding the Player of the Season trophy at the end of season gala dinner.
Helen Thompson: Hopefully Fatawu because he was an absolute joy to watch last season and that would mean he's taken the Premier League by storm. He's certainly going to be relied upon to help in the creativity space.
Wilby Toothill: Stephy Mavididi. I believe he is capable of making the step up; it will just be a question of consistency - he did go slightly cold down the stretch at times last season. However, he certainly has the ability for the Premier League, and is nailed to start. I think he’ll put together strong output across the season - and he’ll have to if we are to survive.
Joe Clarbour: Victor Kristiansen. Didn’t want to go for the obvious choice of Mads Hermansen and think Kristiansen has it in him to come from relative obscurity and tear up the left hand side in a plucky but ultimately unsuccessful one-man campaign of chaos and lung-bursting runs forward.
There will be plenty of running and crossing the ball out for a goal kick and the odd penalty conceded but I can see a few first time half-volleyed cross assists, the odd screamer (probably clipping the underside of the bar) and half a dozen or more certain goal-saving tackles followed by psyched-up, arm-waving celebrations to the crowd. Or he might just go out on loan again or be sold in the next week.
Charlie Carmichael: I’ll go for James Justin. Cooper is likely to change systems and formations throughout the season, and there isn’t many JJ can’t seamlessly slot into. As a defender, he’s going to be busy, but having someone who can add pace to a back three or push up on either wing and contribute to attacks is a great asset to have.
Becky Taylor: Stephy Mavididi officially, Abdul Fatawu unofficially. I expect Abdul to be a complete lunatic, including wild tackles to keep me entertained, but I think Mavididi will be the one to hit the numbers.
Jamie Thorpe: Hermansen. He's going to be busy after all. We all saw his quality last year, with his distribution key to our game plan, this year however you feel it'll be his shot stopping and ability under pressure that is called into action. We all saw how debilitating a poor goalkeeper can be in the 22/23 season, I am confident this wont be the case this year.
Key man?
Matt Jedruch: Buonanotte. He's joined with some pedigree and a point to prove, and it looks as though we will be solely reliant on him from central attacking midfield. He could be the difference between a disappointing season and a downright embarrassing one.
Iain Wright: Mads Hermansen. Most newly promoted keepers tend to be busy in their first Premier League season, but one gets the feeling Hermansen will be busier than an air traffic controller on Super Bowl day.
There's a lot of uncertainty around the club at the moment but he's one of the few things I am certain about. He's a top notch keeper who will probably only be will us for this coming season. Let's just hope we do indeed get a full season out of him though, as the thought of Danny Ward back between the sticks is enough to make a grown man cry.
Helen Thompson: Hermansen. We all acknowledge that our goalkeeper cost us last time out in the Premier League. Having a better calibre goalkeeper is some sort of reassurance because you expect that he'll get peppered in a fair few games. Hopefully he can save us a few extra points.
Wilby Toothill: At the time of writing, the wide areas are the area of the side about which I feel most comfortable. Having selected Stephy as my POTS, I’ve opted to mention the other wide man here: Abdul Fatawu.
Whilst still very raw, he remains our most energetic and exciting talent, and such unpredictability could be useful against experienced top level defences. For me, our best chance of scoring goals and winning games will be through our wingers successfully stepping up to the Premier League. We desperately need them - but I back them.
Joe Clarbour: I’ve pondered this one more than the rest (I’m sure you can’t tell). After going through pretty much the whole team more than once and constructing something of a case for all of them, I just can’t see past Wilf. Especially with Dewsbury-Hall gone. But not the revelatory goal / assist pinching false inside right of last season.
No, for us to have any chance of alleviating enough pressure on the defence to give us a fighting chance in at least some of the matches this season, we’ll probably need him back in Stretch Armstrong mode sitting just in front of the back line. A shame as he’s really rather good at the whole attacking thing. I hope he proves me wrong. I hope they all do - and for all my pessimism, I actually think they might.
Charlie Carmichael: Having watched our struggles against RC Lens when trying to build from the back, there feels like an awful lot of responsibility on Harry Winks’ shoulders. Connecting our defence and attack is absolutely critical, and given Winks is the main man everything runs through, his ability to retain possession while being relentless pressed before picking out one of the few options he has to play forward to could well decide our fate.
Becky Taylor: Mads. The only player who might literally save us this season, mainly by not leaving, to help us avoid having to relive Danny Ward in the Premier League.
Jamie Thorpe: Winks. Mr Consistent, the unsung hero, the cog in the machine. He was brilliant last season but went so under the radar you could argue that he was underrated, definitely by those outside of Leicester. The onus will be on him to use not only his undoubted ability, but also his experience. With a midfield light on composure, he will need to bring it in spades.
