Trevor Benjamin on Leicester changes and survival bid

“It was a real shame to see Claudio (Ranieri) get the sack, he was essentially given keys to the city in the summer. I think the players knowing Craig already gives him a big boost, he’s a familiar face and has a good understanding with the players already. There won’t be a bedding in period to put his stamp on the team, the players know his style of play already and I think it’s the right move for the club.”

“You can’t take away what they’ve done, but they needed to pull their fingers out and I think they have. They weren’t expected to challenge again, of course not, but a mid-table finish would have been expected, not a relegation battle. I think it’s been a holiday season for them, and the harsh reality of relegation survival has meant those players have had to get back off their champions’ holiday. They’ve gone from heroes to zeros, which is sad to see.

“It’s the players’ responsibility on the field, but it’s the manager’s responsibility to make sure they’re ready on and off it. I don’t think he lost the dressing room so soon and a lot of it is speculation, but this season shouldn’t tarnish last season. It really baffles me how the mighty have fallen. I don’t think it was right to sack him, but they were losing games and relegation would have been devastating.

“On the flip side, their accomplishments have inspired clubs around the UK to dream bigger, try harder and you can see it’s rubbed off on teams such as Sutton and Lincoln – to show no fear regardless of who you are playing and however hard the task may be.”

“I think the players have started to realise they need to pull their socks up and they won’t win games by turning up. The last two games have been an example of Leicester when they put a shift in, they’re no longer coasting. I’m disappointed with the team, not a particular player, because they won as a team last year and they lose as one this year.”

“That’s a no-brainer – of course they will. They need to keep the team spirit and mindset going to push on for the rest of the season and finish strong.”

“It’s going to be very difficult but the Champions League is like the FA Cup, surprises can happen. Leicester are underdogs but should use this to their advantage and treat it as a one-off cup final. I think they could pull it off and this could kick-start a good run of form in the league.”

“Yes, I think he deserves it if he pulls them out of trouble.”

“They’ve done okay. I expected better because the management and board there are enthusiastic and ambitious and it flows throughout the club, so I thought they’d be a bit higher up the table. They’ve laid very good foundations and they’re preparing for League One – which is fantastic – but I’m sure it you asked them for a review of this season, I’m sure they’d be a bit disappointed.

“It goes without saying that the League is a tough league but the most important thing is consistency and I don’t think they’ve been consistent enough this season.”

“He’s doing really well. He scored a great hat-trick on the weekend and his work-rate is fantastic – I’ve heard he’s a bit like I was. I think he’s got a real chance to kick on to the bigger leagues, such as the Championship. I think he needs to kick on with the right team if he moves on from Cambridge to really highlight his talent.”

“I think the club is really excited about Shaun and I’m excited about what he brings to the club. I think he’s passionate about his role and has taken it with everything he’s got. He’s using his experience as a player to help the team.

“His experience really rubs off on the players because he’s not far removed from being a player himself, so I’m sure he sees himself as a player still, on the pitch with the players willing them on. The players will be using his enthusiasm and knowledge of the game, having played at a high level, to roll with it. It’s great to see and the players are really respecting him.”

“I think they can reach the play-offs but consistency is key. If they keep Medy Elito fit and the rest of the team healthy then yes, they’ve got the potential to sneak in. It’s not one man or another, the whole team needs to up a level to reach the play-offs and if they do, then promotion is definitely on the cards.”

“I’m gutted. In all honesty, there are some fantastic chaps who played for such a brilliant club and the likes of Dion Dublin deserve it, he went on to such great things. I keep in touch with a few of the Cambridge boys I played with, it was a close-knit community of players when I played, so I’m looking forward to catching up soon.”

“I’ve been keeping up to date and they’ve really been struggling of late. It’s been a real up and down season for the Posh – they win one and then lose one, again there’s no consistency. It’s a real shame because they’ve got a really good young manager there in Grant McCann, who is taking the club in the right direction.”

“He has management material about him. It’s very different going from a player to manager but he could become a really good coach. It’s important he’s got the right team around him to advise him and make sure that everything clicks. I think the main thing at the moment is to make sure everyone – manager, staff and players – are on the same wavelength and when they click, you’ll see the rewards.

“He needs time. Every manager becomes successful when they’re older. What Grant needs to do is learn from the downs, which he will face many of, and make sure he turns them in to positives.”

“He’s got every chance to break in to that squad but it’s increasingly difficult to do so when your team is not playing well. If you’re playing well as an individual, which I think Chris is, and the manager of Ireland, or one of his coaching staff, is watching you individually then you’ve just got to keep trying your hardest despite the team’s misfortunes.

“Playing for Peterborough is a minus for him, we all know this. It’s much easier to get seen and showcase your talent playing for a top club. It’s tougher to get spotted when you’re lower down but that doesn’t mean you give up – just keep showing up week in week out and who knows?”

“It was my last club and I loved the club. It was a real shame they got relegated a couple of times but they’re on the upward curve again, despite getting beaten in the final last year. I think they expected to get promoted last year, it didn’t happen, and they’re making up for it this year. It’s strange to see the National League without Hereford United.”

“I went on loan, like any other player would, to play football. I don’t think players should just sit there and collect a wage – we’re all in this sport to play, compete and that’s what I loved doing whichever club I played for. It was never a negative to go on loan, it was always a positive.”

“I think Jack can play for anyone. The choice was Bournemouth and he’s playing week in week out and you can see the benefit it’s having. Playing every three or four weeks is not going to help a footballer develop and Jack was stagnating at Arsenal, despite the injuries. You learn more by playing the game, not sitting on the bench.

“Jack could go to any club and succeed but it’s important that he gets games under his belt and the loan has definitely helped him.”

“I think the way Chelsea use the system is right – stockpiling players and then sending them out on loan. Players need to make mistakes and learn to progress.

“There are a couple of clubs that bottleneck the players and they don’t break through because of lack of playing time. This is why I feel under 21s and under 23 squads aren’t as important anymore – players in those teams need to be playing first-team football at lower-league clubs. There are buckets of talent in non-league football simply through bigger clubs not utilising the loan system and sending players out to learn.”