Season Review 2013/2014

What a difference a year makes! Twelve months ago, Leicester City suffered play-off heartache in the cruellest fashion imaginable at Watford. If you had told City fans that evening how the following season would pan out, few would have believed you. It is impossible to describe the incredible job that Nigel Pearson and his staff did to lift those players for the start of this season. Somehow, they managed to do so and that was crucial to Leicester's success this term. Summer signings were key too. The arrivals of Wasilewski, Taylor-Fletcher and Hammond added much needed experience to a promising, yet youthful squad. 

When you finish the season on a record breaking 102 points, it is difficult to pinpoint key moments from the season. However, a few stand out. The impact of the first game of the season should not be underestimated. Leicester were 1-0 down at half-time away at Middlesborough with a "here we go again" feeling. They came back to win with Jamie Vardy scoring a spectacular winner. That victory certainly set Vardy up for an outstanding season in which he scored 16 goals. The 3-0 victory at Watford early in November banished those horrible play-off memories and left City fans feeling that this could be their season. Watching Knockaert volley home one of those goals, after what happened to him on his previous visit to Vicarage Road, was a sweet moment.

The 1-1 draw with Burnley on 14th December might seem a strange choice as a crucial moment of the season. However, City had just suffered surprise back to back defeats and doubts were beginning to creep in. Of course, Burnley ultimately finished in second place and that draw kept City in touch with Burnley and leaders QPR. A 1-0 victory at QPR in the following game triggered a remarkable run of 9 successive league victories - a sequence which broke the back of the competition and put Leicester in an incredibly strong position. Notable highlights in that run of victories include the 5-3 home win over Bolton, the 4-1 demolition of Derby (arguably the most complete performance of the season) and the 1-0 victory at Leeds with the clever Phillips dummy in the final ten minutes which lead to Nugent's goal.

While on the subject of Nugent, he deserves a special mention. It is often said that to gain promotion from any division, you need at least one 20 goal a season striker. For Leicester City this year, that man was David Nugent. With 20 league goals, Nugent becomes the first City player to achieve that milestone at this level since Gary Lineker - an incredible achievement. A large proportion of these goals were penalties - a job that Nugent has never taken responsibility for before and another lesson learned from the play-off heartbreak at Vicarage Road. Many of those penalties were earned by Vardy, a player who seemed to find an extra yard of pace this season and was too much for most Championship defenders to cope with.

Victories against Burnley and QPR in the closing weeks of the season confirmed Leicester's superiority this season. However, promotion was confirmed in the most anti-climactic way possible without City even kicking a ball on the 5th April, as other results went their way. The Foxes then lost the promotion party game 4-1 at the hands of Brighton, although it is fair to say that not many City fans were actually watching the game! The job was done and there was plenty to celebrate. The title was confirmed with victory at Bolton and City managed to break the 100 point barrier by winning their final game of the season against Doncaster. Leicester broke almost every record in the book - club records for successive victories, for games without defeat at the this level and a record points tally. They won 5 more games than anyone else and clinched promotion with 6 games to go. City failed to score in just 3 games all season and finished a staggering 17 points clear of third placed Derby. There aren't enough superlatives.

Many players completed the best season of their careers. Vardy was a revelation and the biggest surprise of the season in terms of form. Drinkwater won the player of the season award and his partnership with Matty James was crucial to City's success. The arrival of Mahrez in the January transfer window boosted the wide options, with Dyer also having his best season for the club down the left flank. The defence was excellent, marshalled by Morgan alongside the excellent Liam Moore and the towering presence of Marcin Wasilewski. Schlupp put in some excellent performances at left back and Schmeichel proved once again that he is the best shot stopper in this division. 

Leicester were formidable at home - but they were last season too. In fact, it was their away form that propelled them to automatic promotion this time round. Last season, City managed just 6 away victories, yet their home form matched that of Hull City, who secured one of the automatic promotion berths. This year, Leicester won 14/23 away matches and lost on just 4 occasions on the road. There is no doubt that Pearson's team identified the need to take a few more risks and to go for the jugular. This was certainly reflected in more creative and attacking substitutions that paid off on a regular and uncanny basis. Pearson has masterminded one of the greatest seasons in the club's history and his role cannot be underestimated. Foxes fans can't wait to see what the manager produces next season. Exciting times...

Leicester Up - Doncaster Down

This match was always going to be more about what happened off the pitch than on it. With Doncaster fans listening for Birmingham's result and Leicester fans soaking up the promotion party atmosphere, the game seemed to be an unnecessary distraction. City were looking for victory to push them over the 100 point mark and striker David Nugent was looking for his 20th league goal of the season - a feat no Leicester player has achieved since Gary Lineker. It was fitting then that Nugent's 75th minute penalty, after Mahrez was fouled in the box, secured both achievements for the Foxes. In a cruel twist for Doncaster fans, two late Birmingham goals confirmed their relegation from the Championship. It was a fact that wasn't going to spoil Leicester's party.

With Birchenall running around the pitch before the match, free beer provided to every City fan, a giant circus tent outside the ground and the Mexican wave rippling around a 30,000 strong crowd, City fans were going to celebrate. The league trophy and Championship medals was presented after the match and fireworks were set off as the City players completed a well deserved lap of honour with their children. It was a moment to savour and one that Foxes fans can bask in over the course of the summer. Next season, City step into the unknown after a ten year absence from the Premier League. The only thing we can be sure of is that Nigel Pearson's squad will be as well prepared as any to take on the challenge that lies ahead. It promises to be an exciting journey and one that the Foxes will embark upon with confidence high and great memories of today still fresh in their minds.