Another game of two halves to close the season for Leicester City

In what’s been very much a season of two fairly contrasting halves, Leicester City finished the campaign with a 1-1 draw that settled us in twelfth place. Bournemouth might rue their fortune though, as it was also a tale of two halves during the game, and the Foxes were pretty poor during the first one.

After the heavy defeat to Tottenham, you can’t blame Foxes fans for wanting the team to finish on a positive and as high up as possible. It was a sloppy start though and Bournemouth were deservedly ahead early on. It didn’t get much better during the first half either, Eddie Howe’s side comfortable in possession and with chances to increase their lead. First halves haven’t been something Leicester have got right often this season and depending on the task at hand, we’ve left ourselves with a mountain too big to climb on more than one occasion in the second half.

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While it was a much improved second half, more fight and some level of creativity, it still wasn’t quite at the standard we’d have expected. A draw is probably the fair result, even if Jamie Vardy was seemingly robbed of a second goal, and winner, that was deemed to be offside. There were chances at both ends, while we relied on Kasper Schmeichel’s lightning quick reactions on more than one occasion, we could have gone ahead again with Islam Slimani.

The Algerian started alongside Vardy, putting a firm test to that partnership and how it might work. We asked him to play more of a number ten role, as opposed to his preferred role and it was effective. Slimani will rue his missed chance, a header he’d usually have buried, but he was the outlet for many of our most creative moments. Words were exchanged between he and Vardy after one missed opportunity, but with Slimani playing provider for Vardy’s goal, there’s promise here. He certainly tried to play in the likes of Vardy and Riyad Mahrez where he could. He wasn’t afraid to get stuck in either, often dropping back to try and regain possession. What he may lack in pace, he makes up for with determination.

If there was one slight surprise, it’s that fan favourite, Marcin Wasilewski, wasn’t involved in the game. The Pole, a faithful servant over the last four years, announced that with his contract coming to an end, he’d be departing the Foxes. The big centre-back is an incredibly popular figure, both with his colleagues and those of us in the stands, so it was pleasing to see him given such a good, and deserved, send off. With the game still up for grabs, we were deprived of a chance to give him a standing ovation and a final chance for him to notch a goal, but his rendition of the Hokey Cokey was sung over and over with a guard of honour post match reducing him to tears.

Wasilewski’s given us plenty of memories to hang onto in the course of his Leicester career. He’s a traditional, no holds barred kind of defender and his professional, dedicated approach to playing won over Foxes hearts quickly. Sure, fans would almost always be taking bets on how long he’d make it before being booked or sent off, he was never afraid to get stuck in, but he’s been important over the seasons. Signed by Nigel Pearson back in the Championship, it also brought an unexpected friendship with fans of his former club, Anderlecht, who also adore him. Always dependable, we wish him luck for the future.

It was a slightly surreal lap of honour today, the stadium far less full than twelve months ahead and the mood a little different. It was tough not to look out at the likes of Riyad Mahrez and Kasper Schmeichel without wondering if it’ll be our last glimpse of them in Leicester colours. There are certainly unresolved questions for Leicester City that will be addressed during the next few weeks. What players will be leaving, who’ll be joining and most importantly; who’ll be the man leading them from the technical area.

The club were very adamant that with Craig Shakespeare on board as manager until the end of the season, a future past that point would not be open for discussion until all games were done. The owners, who received more criticism and judgement than deserved, for sacking Claudio Ranieri, have been vindicated by Leicester’s survival and revival since February. Shakespeare enjoyed a superb reaction from the players and got things off to a great start. He cemented his name in history by winning his first five in charge and his part in helping the Foxes get into the Champions League quarter-finals.

With just two wins and seven point from the last eight games, it’s become slightly trickier for the new manager. Injuries in what’s already a fairly small squad haven’t helped, but the manner of some of the losses and performances may well give the owners a harder decision than it first appeared. It’s also divided fans who, many now less convinced that Shakespeare is the answer. Though nobody is quick to come up with an alternative either. We’ll once again place our trust in the owners to get it right yet again.

Reflecting on the season as a whole, it’s been mixed but with a lot of highlights. Premier League survival, not too far away from a desirable top ten finish and with a very successful Champions League campaign under our belts. There’s a lot of memories to hang onto, but the break will be welcome for all. We’ve got some rebuilding to do before August, but I already feel optimistic.

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