As we kick start the new year (and happy NY all) it looks as if the transfer window is going to be a difficult one for Leicester. While they’ve had targets for a few months, a failure to land any in summer means players are at a premium and yet again finances have come into focus. A loan deal for the underwhelming Jeremie Boga is on the cards while a bid for Onahi has been lodged, he may prove too expensive.
The situation with the playing squad has become critical with Maddison out for the Fulham game (rumours of anything other than a knee injury are ridiculous) and we’re of course far too reliant on him. We’ve got very limited wide options, no Praet and limited full back cover too. With Evans out injured we’re relying on a very poor Daniel Amartey.
This brings me to a point no Leicester fan wants to face. It isn’t all on Rodgers. While TB has done his level best to convince us that Rodgers is responsible for everything from 9/11 to the war in Ukraine - the fact is - the club has got itself into an alarming position. Rodgers said the squad needed an overhaul in the summer and he was right - even if he remains the wrong person to oversee it
Leicester now find themselves in a perfect storm. Previous seasons of under investment in key squad areas, failing to plan for ageing players or players who are leaving have combined with a reckless financial gamble that failed to pay off. They have a bottom 8 squad with no strength in depth and limited funds to do anything about it. It’s a club in decline - like Villa before they went down, relegation might not happen this season - but it’s coming
Which brings me to the inevitable. Rodgers needs to go, I’m not defending him but the fans seem to have lost all sight of the bigger picture, convincing themselves that he’s solely to blame. When he finally leaves, all of the subsequent issues and problems will be laid at his door - as it was laid at O’Neills door when by Villa fans when they went into decline
The argument is weak however - if Rodgers is the cancer that TB makes out then the club are ultimately responsible for failing to see it. The club, not the manager are also responsible for bringing in Lee Congerton as head of recruitment and overseeing an awful recruitment window last summer. It’s the club that needlessly let Kasper go with no replacement. And of course it’s the club, not Rodgers, that have spent beyond their means and mismanaged contracts resulting in a steep decline from top 4 contenders to relegation candidates in 18 months
The blame game is coming. Is Rodgers responsible for the on field results? Absolutely - but I’m under no illusions as to who bears ultimate responsibility for the mess we’re in. We can fix it, but we have to act quickly
What no one wants to hear
posted on 3/1/23
I know, I get it - it’s another pessimistic post about the club! It would be far easier to mug myself off and pretend that once Rodgers goes everything improves - the signings, the financial situation, the results etc. For me though - since Vichais passing, im seeing a different club
If anyone wants to offer a positive counter - happy to entertain it!
posted on 3/1/23
A most eloquent and interesting analysis of our current predicament,sadly i agree with it all.
I feel most anxious about our future , not for this season, but certainly the next.
I am reluctant to blame our owners for anything (apart from the appointment of Puel), but feel it is too big a job for Top and he has sadly not got the talent around him that he needs.
He does not appear as decisive as his father, who i think would have handled things differently.
As for Rodgers, am not his greatest fan, but if he was to go , then who better would we get ??
We cannot afford to go into a decline , but it really appears that we are, too many things not right at the club, and too many people not being held accountable.
A massive few games ahead.
posted on 3/1/23
Interesting thoughts, I'm not disagreeing with it mostly. I'm in the Rodgers out camp, I think he's poisoned the various relationships around the club and needs to move on. If that particular leopard changes his spots however and gets us out of the mire, he's welcome to stay; he is after all innew managerial territory
posted on 3/1/23
Managed to send that before finishing. He is after all in new managerial territory for himself, so may still be learning.
He has undoubtedly been dealt a bum hand by the club. Nobody in their right mind is going to argue that we didn't need reinforcements in the summer, but he decidedly has not made the best of what he's got.
We'll see how we get on in the next month or so, we could easily be in the relegation area by then. We've hardly hit the ground running since the WC break. Useless against Newcastle, better at Anfield, let's hope for an improvement against Fulham. Its early but its got the feeling of a crunch match for our season?