All Quiet on the Leicester Front - Season Preview

It has, for once, been a quiet close season for Leicester City. Just two players have departed - Wellens and Beckford, whilst only one player has joined the ranks - former Tranmere left-back Zoumana Bakayogo. What's more, manager Nigel Pearson remains in post - a decision which polarises opinion amongst City fans. For some, Leicester's mid-season collapse, causing them to slip out of an automatic promotion berth and barely scrape into a play-off place, was unforgivable. Others will point to the fact that, in Pearson's 3 full seasons in charge, he has lead the Foxes to the League One title and two top 6 Championship finishes. This season is bound to be the manager's toughest challenge of all. 

Against the backdrop of new Financial Fair Play regulations, Pearson cannot strengthen his squad much further, without finding a way to offload Erikkson's big earning signings. So, Pearson must find a way to succeed with the players who got City into a good position last season and then blew it. Perhaps the painful memory of that last minute defeat to Watford in the play-off semi-final will be motivation enough. Pearson must be ready with a plan b when things are not going well. He can't change the personnel and so must be more flexible with his formation. It is interesting to note that 3-5-2 has featured heavily in pre-season matches. Don't be surprised if that is how the Foxes line up, particularly away from home and possibly starting at Middlesborough this afternoon.