Fans' View: Why City Are On The Up
Eighty-two long, tortuous days without a note of the Post Horn Gallop. 82 days since we last saw Leicester City in Premier League action.
Last season was far from simple. The boys in blue made me feel emotions only this Club possibly can; ranging from despair at Swansea City to an exhausting elation at King Power Stadium against FC Sevilla.
I never expected to watch my team in the UEFA Champions League, but this side never stop surprising and, as that famous music played, I felt pride only other Leicester fans could understand.
Unfortunately, our league campaign was stuttering. Up stepped Craig Shakespeare, who steered the team to 23 points from a possible 39 as City comfortably retained their place in England’s top flight.
Fans across the country are full of excitement and optimism ahead of the 2017/18 season and the Blue Army are no different. The summer transfer window has been a successful one for the Foxes with the additions of Harry Maguire, Vicente Iborra, Eldin Jakupovic and Kelechi Iheanacho to the squad.
While the capture of Iheanacho, one of the most exciting young talents in English football, may have been the transfer that got opposition fans talking, it is Maguire and Iborra that reaffirmed what Leicester is about.
This hardworking, no nonsense pair were both captains at their previous clubs and will undoubtedly add to what is already a very strong dressing room.
Pre-season is an interesting time. While clubs themselves are focusing on fitness, fans cannot help but read into the performances.
The early pre-season displays against Luton Town, Burton Albion and Wolverhampton Wanderers may have worried some, but Shakespeare and his team know what they are doing.
By the time Borussia Mönchengladbach visited King Power Stadium, we were looking ready for the opener against Arsenal.
A 2-1 victory was encouraging. More pleasing, though, was how easily Iheanacho slipped into the team just a day after signing. The performance of Matty James, too, proved that he could be like a new signing for City after his return from injury.
City will be looking to improve on last season’s 12th place finish as we look to establish ourselves as a strong Premier League side.
In my opinion, a top-10 finish is the minimum we should be aiming for as the Club continues to build on our 2015/16 Premier League title win. Now all eyes turn to Emirates Stadium as City face Arsenal in the official curtain-raiser.
The Foxes have not enjoyed much success over the north London club in recent years so it is hardly surprising the Premier League heavyweights have been installed as favourites.
The odds may be against us but that has never stopped Leicester City before.
About Emma
Emma is 20-years-old and has supported the Club since a young age. Her first match was a 2-1 defeat by Ipswich Town at King Power Stadium on Boxing Day, 2002.
Naturally, her favourite memory supporting City was watching them lift the Premier League title; in particular the 3-1 victory at Manchester City, which she watched with her dad and brother.