Leicester City are on the verge of relegation to League One, just a decade after their Premier League triumph. They find themselves five points adrift of safety with just four games to go of the Championship season. On Saturday they head to Portsmouth, who beat Ipswich in midweek at Fratton Park.
The Foxes’ Fight for Survival
That result left Leicester five points adrift of safety with just four games to go. On the pitch, and off it, the situation is bleak. A six-point deduction has obviously not helped matters. But even with all the financial constraints brought about by mismanagement and relegation, this is still a squad that is performing well below expectation. They are staring a drop into League One for the first time since 2009 in the face…
Tommy Smith said, “Leicester are in trouble. I’ll be totally honest, I think they’re done. I don’t think they’ve got enough in the team or the dressing room to get three wins from four, and that’s what they need right now.”
According to Smith, “When you look at the points other teams are picking up, and then at Portsmouth’s last four games, two wins and two draws against really tough opposition, that’s impressive.” He added, “A point away at Norwich, a win at Middlesbrough, and then another win last night, those are real signs of life from a team that has struggled for long periods this season.”
Consistency Concerns Under Rowett
“The issue for Leicester is consistency. Since Gary Rowett came in, there have been too many draws,” Smith noted. “At this stage of the season, draws do not really help you. You would rather win and lose than draw three or four. That’s where Leicester are right now. They just do not seem to have enough fight, certainly not yet, and the games are running out.”
Smith believes that “This weekend’s game at Fratton Park is huge for them, but even if they win, they would still need two more wins from their last three matches. That is not easy for a team that is not winning games.”
Fan Disappointment and Lack of Passion
Leicester fan Elliot Sumner said, “This season has unravelled in ways few expected. The first major misstep was failing to recruit an experienced striker after the departure of Jamie Vardy, a gap everyone knew needed filling.”
Sumner added, “That decision by not bringing in a striker has really cost us. But still, this was a side capable of pushing for the play-offs at the very least. The reality has been far from that.”
“A defining issue has been a lack of visible passion. Too often, performances have felt flat and players look lazy at times, as if some players are simply only here for the money rather than playing for the badge,” Sumner stated.
Leicester City face Portsmouth on Saturday. Watch Portsmouth vs Leicester City live on Sky Sports Football from 11am on Satuday; kick-off 12.30pm.