The nail in the coffin: have the Foxes quit on Puel?
Leicester City Chairman Vichai Srivaddhanaprabha’s recent words – that “at the heart of the club is a spirit and determination to fight for everything” – were nice to the ears and a reflection of what the club is all about; however, the players have forgotten this mantra under Claude Puel.
Different day, same result
Another regretful result against a club fighting relegation has left the Blue Army frustrated. A 2-0 loss against West Ham United followed a script that has become more and more common with each Leicester City fixture.
The Foxes came into the match above in the table and with a better overall squad on paper than West Ham, yet that mattered little, as Leicester once again were offensively stagnate and were wholeheartedly outplayed.
Without a win in their last six matches at home, fans at King Power stadium showered the Foxes with jeers as the squad left the pitch. The Leicester players themselves did not look like the same squad that claims that they “never quit”. It is unsurprising, as a once prominent season has become a disappointment.
Pitiful play under Claude Puel
The bulk of the blame is on the shoulders of Claude Puel and frustration from the Blue Army has been noticeable. During a double substitution in the second half, fans of the Foxes began to mock Puel’s decisions. Chants of “you don’t know what you’re doing” were heard in certain spots of the King Power stadium. This is a stark contrast from when the Frenchman first took control of the club.
Since winning the first five of his eight league games, Puel has managed only four victories in the last 19 fixtures. Further, a once high-flying and pace driven offense has turned stagnate.
Leicester City have a terrific mix of young and veteran offensive talents. However, it has become a shell of its former self. In 27 matches as manager, Puel has only mustered four games where the Foxes scored three or more times. Those four matches were against bottom table teams Southampton, Newcastle, Huddersfield, and West Brom.
The lack of offensive quality has made games harder to win for Leicester, as an already struggling attack has only gotten worse in recent weeks.
In the past five games the Foxes have only scored twice and haven’t scored at all in the last three matches. This poor form up front has caused players to question Puel and his future as Leicester manager.
Beware of player power
Reports of player discontent towards Puel have caught fire as of late. Rumors of Puel’s possession based offence, constant changing to the starting XI, and a lack of communication from the gaffer has ruffled some feathers in the Leicester locker room.
Veteran players like Jamie Vardy have downplayed these reports, claiming them to be nothing more than false speculation. However, it is noticeable that the commitment and grittiness this club plays with has not been there for sometime now. A lack of spirit and belief on the pitch means there is a lack of spirit and belief off it with Claude Puel.
Related Story: Leicester City players are behind Claude Puel, insists Jamie Vardy
Since winning the Premier League two seasons ago, the players at Leicester City have high expectations of returning to prominence. Due to this, the power these players hold is immense. Most notably, reports of player discontent emerged shortly before the sacking of Claudio Ranieri.
Unlike Puel, Ranieri brought Leicester to the greatest heights the club has ever seen. If the Board would listen to player complaints about Ranieri, why wouldn’t they about Puel?
Comparing the trends in sackings: Claudio Ranieri and Claude Puel
In hindsight, the sacking of Claudio Ranieri followed a script that Puel is witnessing. After reports of a player revolt against Ranieri, the Leicester Board stated the Italian had their “unwavering support”. Less than three weeks later, he was sacked. Puel is following in those footsteps.
As noted, player discontent toward the Frenchman has grown. Chairman Srivaddhanaprabha has come out with a statement of encouragement towards Puel. In his end of the year statement for the fans, Srivaddhanaprabha writes, “Our manager Claude… [has] my full support”.
The Chairman’s statement of support rings eerily like the one he and the board gave to Ranieri. If one is to learn from history, it is clear what will happen next. The end of the 2017/18 season will also be the end of Claude Puel’s tenure at Leicester City.
The final week
The remaining fixtures against Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur do not bode well for the Foxes. The struggles against clubs in danger of relegation will only intensify against those who are playing for Europa and Champions League spots.
Next: Leicester City 0-2 West Ham United: Three things we learned
Leicester City do show their quality against the top six teams in the Premier League; however, the current form that the Foxes are playing in will lead to a pair of losses. The end of an unsatisfactory season is close. The slogan for Leicester currently is simple: “Foxes never quit, but we’ve quit on Claude Puel”.