Neil Ransom refuses to stick his head in the sand when looking back on a season of struggle and revival for the Foxes.
How did your club fare compared to your pre-season hopes/expectation?
As a newly promoted side all I hoped for was to stave off relegation so job done! The way in which we have gone about it with our end of season form will have many at the King Power Stadium expecting Champions League football next season though no doubt.
2014/15 highlight?
Seeing a world class player in a Leicester shirt is not something we are used to in these parts but this season has seen me develop my first man crush….I bow down to you Esteban Cambiasso. Watching him this season and the destruction of Manchester United were moments to savour.
Season’s low point?
From November to March the disappointments just kept coming. Dire performances at home to Hull and West Brom stick in the mind along with a manager seemingly going into melt down and in Wes Morgan a centre half who just seemed to think the best way to stop strikers was to throw himself on his arse. Probably the lowest point was the club releasing a statement saying that Nigel Pearson hadn’t been sacked as had been widely reported. In hindsight it shows how much I and many others know I suppose…….
Player of the year
Without doubt Esteban Cambiasso. Once he got to grips with what English football was about he seemed to take charge of matters on the pitch and the tide turned. As the song goes…”he’s magic you know “. Take a bow too Robert Huth though I still cant believe he’s only 30!
Was there a particular goal/moment that got you out of your seat?
Jamie Vardy leaving the West Brom defence standing to score a winner in the last minute is the stuff that proper away day experiences are made of. Carnage ensued as he celebrated in front of the travelling fans.
Player you’d be happiest see leave this summer
Step forward -or should I say down – Paul Konchesky: The cones my 8 year old son uses at football training are more difficult to go round and probably move quicker. And they don’t roll the ball into the path of opposing strikers. Great goal against the Villa though.
Want your manager to still be in charge next term?
Despite his shortcomings for a large chunk of the season it would be harsh not to let him carry on what has been an incredible transformation. Needs to start next season as we have finished this one. A few quality signings and some media training and anger management should see him ok.
Nigel takes a well-deserved holiday after a gruelling season.
You can go back in time and offer the gaffer one bit of advice prior to the season just gone based on what you know is to come. What would it be?
Take a deep breath and count to 10 before you speak…..and dont mention ostriches. On the playing side I would ask him if he’s checked Mathew Upson’s fitness record and to give Marc Allbrighton the benefit of the doubt over whatever he did to upset him.
Which opposing player received the loudest boos and which opposing player impressed you the most?
The usual pantomime villains took most of the stick, Rooney ,Terry, Mourinho, and a special mention to Villa’s Alan Hutton.
Willian from Chelsea impressed me with his pace, power and the ease he went past, errr, Konchesky time after time in the second half at our place.
If at all, how did the media’s portrayal of your club in 2014/15 differ from the reality?
I actually thought the media were pretty kind on us as a team. We had played some decent stuff but didn’t get results. Most of the supporters could see where we were going wrong – as only supporters can – and they said it as it was. Nigel Pearson would no doubt dispute this though and call me an ostrich before asking if I had my head in the sand.
