- Ali Mauchlen provides his verdict on Leicester City's 2019/20 campaign
- The former Fox admits the Club's expectations have grown over previous seasons
- Mauchlen picks out Ricardo Pereira, Çağlar Söyüncü and Jonny Evans for individual praise
- He also selects City's 9-0 win at Southampton in October as his highlight of the year
The Foxes finished in fifth place in the top-flight standings during Brendan Rodgers' first full season in charge - an improvement from two successive ninth-placed finishes previously.
Mauchlen, who made over 200 appearances over a seven-year spell at Filbert Street in the 1980s and 1990s, believes any disappointment among the fans is a testament to the Club's progress.
A final-day defeat by Manchester United denied City a return to the UEFA Champions League, but Rodgers' men nonetheless have a campaign in the 2020/21 UEFA Europa League to look forward to.
Reflecting on Leicester's sixth consecutive Premier League season, Mauchlen also picked out the record-breaking 9-0 triumph at Southampton in October as his highlight of the past year.
"If I was offered fourth or fifth place at the start of the season, with the cup runs we've had as well, I'd have snapped your hands off," the Scottish former midfielder told LCFC TV.
"In the perception of Leicester City fans everywhere, winning the title and then playing in the Champions League has raised the bar so much higher in terms of expectations.
"It is incredible to think now that we, as a city, and as a group of football fans, have an expectation that Leicester should finish in the top six every year, on the back of that little bit of success.
"The 9-0 win away at Southampton was just great and they weren't a bad side then. To win 9-0, away from home, in the modern-day game is just an exceptional feat.
"And all credit to the players for seeing that through. I know that Jonny [Evans] was driving that on because he had a similar score at Man Utd prior to that.
"He was in the lads' ears saying: 'Don't take your foot off the gas, don't feel sorry for them. Let's just keep going.'
"To win by that sort of scoreline in the Premier League in 2019/20 is just a great achievement."
Asked to elaborate further on the players who impressed him most during the past 12 months, Mauchlen looked to the performances of City's defenders - who conceded just 41 goals in 2019/20.
"I just wax lyrical about two players in particular every time I talk about them," he added. "Ricardo [Pereira] and [Çağlar] Söyüncü, for me, this season have been brilliant.
"I think Söyüncü's composure on the ball is phenomenal. You know, he takes little gambles, but when they come off, we see why the fans have taken to him like you wouldn't believe.
"Ricardo and Söyüncü, I think those two have been absolutely magnificent this year. It was a big ask for Söyüncü when Harry [Maguire] left and I just think to a man, he's been one of our outstanding players.
"Both he and Ricardo are closely followed by probably the biggest unsung hero, Jonny Evans.
"I think if you spoke to Jonny, during his first three months at Leicester, he must have been scratching his head thinking: 'Where's my form going? How am I going to get into this side?'
"But since he's put that shirt on his back, he has been exceptional as well and I think we need him in the team as well.
"He's such a steadying influence for the likes of James Justin, [Ben] Chilwell and [James] Maddison. You see him talking to them all through the game.
"I know he's not got the armband on his arm, but it is like he does sometimes."