A mist of uncertainty has certainly descended upon Filbert Way, draping King Power Stadium in a chilling shroud of EFL Championship dread. In a twist of exquisite irony, young Ben Nelson, who proved so influential in Oxford United's survival under Gary Rowett's guidance last season, now finds his fortunes inverted.
The ultimate paradox is that the LCFC gaffer has seemingly dropped his trusted pupil just as Leicester City navigate their own perilous relegation run-in. You couldn't write this stuff! In spite of supporter suggestion - it was the Foxes Academy product who lost his place and not Caleb Okoli.
​While Nelson watched from the periphery, the Italian survived the cull. The former Serie A defender largely marshalled the penalty area with physical robustness, avoiding the recent errors that plagued his younger colleague.
Despite conceding less, the defensive ecosystem remains incredibly fragile. The looming return of Jannik Vestergaard from injury could provide a calming, experienced head to the backline. Alternatively, and inadvertently, the Dane may upset the apple cart and fracture a delicate dressing room dynamic.
Why Leicester City head coach Gary Rowett left Ben Nelson out vs Watford
​Rowett's public reasoning for omitting Nelson, as detailed in the media, strips away any romanticism regarding youth. The manager confessed that his decision to drop the academy graduate was born from a ruthless need for reliability. Noting (slightly rarely) the centre back's Hornets shortcomings post-match.
"Jamaal came in with experience. I’ve got to make tough decisions at the moment. I love Ben and I think he’s going to be a top player. He’s got the potential to be a top player."Rowett - Leicester Mercury
Rowett subsequently explained that he favours Okoli; adding that Nelson's recent individual lapses in concentration and costly errors have chipped away at his confidence. In the unforgiving crucible of a Championship relegation dust-up, the manager explained that he simply cannot afford to field players who lack week-in, week-out consistency.
"Sometimes I’ve got to make a call based on what I think. And I felt today we needed a bit of experience, a bit of know-how, a 7/10 performance, a bit of leadership and a voice."
By prioritising battle-hardened ballers over raw potential, Rowett is gambling the club's future on experience; similarly to the paradigm which earned him the job. On the one hand this is a severe, unsentimental approach to management. Whereby the warmth of past pupilage is instantly sacrificed at the altar of immediate survival.
"Then I just went with Caleb instead of Ben. But I thought Ben did really well when he came on."