Boxing Day wasn't the worst 24 hours of the season so far at King Power Stadium. That is sadly because Leicester City Football Club is so badly run that Friday's unforgivable overall performance (especially in the second half with respect to defending) is nowhere near the worst instance in the current campaign. What a mess; as I have said on many occasions this term!
The manager of the East Midlands side, Marti Cifuentes, inherited a bad lot at City. We all know that. Yet he still actually gets a tune out of some of the better members of the Foxes squad in most games. It is just that the decent displays generally last for one of the 45 minute halves, as opposed to a constant confidence and fluidity.
What the former Queens Park Rangers boss has not achieved is consistency, in any way, shape or form. And without that stability in the team, promotion, even the Playoffs, are not in touching distance. As a matter of fact, with a nine or 12 point deduction expected on Filbert Way at some stage, Cifuentes is actually guiding the team towards the relegation zone. Honestly; whether you believe me, agree or otherwise.
Therefore losing at home to a surely beatable Watford is an embarrassment. That scenario essentially shouldn't really occur; unless once in a blue moon. So why was the match such a let down? Were footballers or the head coach to blame, or was it a combination? Let's look at Leicester Mercury's Player Ratings to discover the true feeling.
Losers in the Leicester City XI vs Watford - which Foxes let the side down at home?
First of all, Jakub Stolarczyk (4) and his defence. The goalkeeper made mistakes and no eye-catching saves. Caleb Okoli was the lowest rated with '3'.
"Abdul Fatawu: A poor afternoon. Everything seemed half-hearted, the winger not attacking his man and his crosses aimless. He picked up early in the second half, but then struggled again, making terrible choices in possession. 3"LCFC Live
Midfielder Oliver Skipp's performance (4) was questioned. Abdul Fatawu's poor decision-making (3) got a mention. Elsewhere only one or two stood out for the right reasons.
"Jordan Ayew: City’s best player. He held up the ball well and offloaded nicely for the goal, and he pressed hard too to nearly force a second. He ran the channels when he had to as well. As a goal threat, he was lacking as usual, but he did well at everything else. 7"Jordan Blackwell