Gary Rowett is not an imprudent man, he is undoubtedly executing strategies which he considers the most efficacious strategies for Leicester City's survival. However, his tactical philosophy could be described as slightly antiquated in certain respects: favouring the rugged, aging professional over the young and fluid dynamism modern supporters crave.
While defensive rigidity has demonstrably improved under his stewardship, goalscoring has diminished into a trickle, leaving the faithful at King Power Stadium yearning for a more expansive blueprint. Furthermore, certain selection choices will definitely annoy specific members of the Blue Army.
Rowett has candidly admitted to disregarding the East Midlands club's burgeoning youth stars for this arduous run-in, opting instead for the perceived safety of experience. If he ultimately fails to keep the Foxes in the top flight, this particular call will be remembered in anger: viewed as a stubborn refusal to blood the very vitality the squad so desperately lacks.
Omitting players is never an easy task for a manager, though standing by and protecting footballers who have performed poorly for their entire tenures, or those who appear overpaid and uninterested, is rich, to say the least. There is a palpable friction growing within the stands.
Protecting and eulogising Patson Daka and Jordan Ayew
Rowett will surely and quickly lose his own Blue Army support if public encomia continues for the likes of Jordan Ayew and Patson Daka, whose contributions have often felt pedestrian at best. Unless this duo miraculously begins scoring with consistent ferocity, the boss's unwavering loyalty will be viewed not as commendable faith, but as a perilous delusion.
"These are things you look at and we have quite a few young forwards in and around the club,” Rowett said. “But we have two very experienced forwards."Rowett - LCFC Live
It appears neither Lorenz Hutchinson nor Kirsten Otchere shall be given even brief opportunities. Divine Mukasa won't be used as a striker, either.
"...I’m not going to stick someone up there who’s never played as a striker before. The reality is I don’t think that’s going to work."
In the unforgiving spectacle of tier two football, sentiment is a luxury the former Stoke City and Oxford United man can ill afford if the goals do not return to Filbert Way. Hopefully the pair of underachievers save the season and prove this writer wrong!
"It’s a case of encouraging Pato and Jordan, the two experienced members of the squad. Jordan scored a fantastic goal for Ghana and Pato scored a great goal for us against Ipswich.
“It’s about giving them the environment, platform and support to go and be the best they can."