Leicester City are stuck within their worst rut in Premier League history. Here is what Brendan Rodgers had to say about turning this abyss into light.
Nine games played, four points gained, tied bottom of the Premier League. A single win. A single draw. Seven losses. Paint that picture any bleaker and one might slip off a chasm’s edge into the abyss – just like the Foxes.
The painting can get far scarier though. According to Transfermarkt, the King Power club have led fixtures six times. From those, they have one singular win, their only draw, and four losses. Rodgers’ side have dropped just too many points from winning positions.
Just to rub salt in the open wound, the figure of six times leading is joint fifth best in the league. Add those lost points back on, and Leicester would be challenging for European competition. So, what does the gaffer have to say about this?
Leicester City’s Brendan Rodgers responds to questions
The Northern Irishman has been a brilliant coach for Leicester. It cannot be understated quite how far the Foxes had improved under Rodgers. Note the ‘had’. At this point in time, incessant regression, seldom confidence, and a fragile mentality are rampant in an otherwise great squad.
Asked by Jordan Blackwell of LeicestershireLive, about the constant dropping of points from winning positions, here is what the boss had to say. Spoilers, it was more of the same.
"“Clearly we come off it. When you go in front there is a shift in terms of possession percentage. It’s still something we have to be better at managing… you have to stay aggressive… We failed to do that today… The gameplan is there. We started well and we’re scoring goals” Brendan Rodgers post Bournemouth 2-1 defeat"
Talk about stating the blatantly obvious. As a coach, we should expect a little more analytical depth than simply stating the players had to stay aggressive. That much is obvious. The question Rodgers should be answering is how he intends to change that mentality.
It is certainly true that when going ahead – beyond the exceptional Nottingham Forest fixture – the Foxes seemed to lack that killer instinct to kill off the match and see through the task. Confidence withered and passing became more lackadaisical and imprecise.
Possession – contrary to how the gaffer likes to portray it – is not what wins you matches, and nor is it what maintains leads. Progression, progression retention, and structured defending are far more critical. You can lose the ball, but still control how it flows around the opposition halves. You can lose the ball and still manage to press as a unit and win it back further up the pitch.
Responding to a question regarding the feeling post-Forest to now, Rodgers is insistent that the fixture was of importance to changing Leicester City’s fate in this campaign.
"It does [feel season-changing], because of the level we played at. We saw 45 minutes of that today. But we’ve seen that over the course of the season where we’ve played well for a period."
Once again, stating the obvious. In one match, the thrill and utter adoration of supporters at the King Power as the side proceeded to utterly crush our East Midlands rivals built a momentum and confidence.
Away from that, even while at home, the team has not maintain those levels. Finally, Blackwell asked the most important question of all. Did the head coach still believe he could turn the form around, kick start the season, and get out of the relegation zone?
"“I’ve got no doubts. We’ve just got to be more consistent.”"
Spoiler alert: we are consistent, consistently incapable of killing off matches and defending in a structured and sensical manner. It seems without the same backline – Timothy Castagne, James Justin, Jonny Evans, and Wout Faes – communication breaks down and an inability to proactively defend in a composed and logical manner sets in.
Faes goes out of position to press, Daniel Amartey does not cover and the midfielders do not shield or actively engage in a combined press from all sides. Leicester will never be able to improve unless Rodgers prioritises the three key elements already identified. He needs to do some coaching.
On one final note before this raving rant regarding Rodgers comments concludes: play Caglar Soyuncu some time, actually be prepared to use Papy Mendy and Marc Albrighton. If Rodgers does not begin to utilise underused talents, then he might as well announce a stunning relegation.