The equilibrium has been profoundly disturbed at King Power Stadium for nearly half a decade now. A staggering duration of defensive fragility that remains an unforgivable stain for many within the Blue Army. For roughly five years, Leicester City have persisted with a porous, fundamentally unsatisfactory backline that has invited disaster with the frequency of a recurring nightmare.
During this decline, LCFC recruitment strategy appeared almost masochistic: the club saw fit to consistently accumulate mediocre and unfit sentinels in every successive transfer window. The likes of Jannik Vestergaard, whose nonexistent speed often left the goal exposed.
The perennially unavailable Ryan Bertrand became an early symbol of this era of incapable indulgence. Wout Faes, while seeming the real deal, often epitomised the chaotic inconsistency that has plagued the Foxes' rearguard. Don't even bring up Victor Kristiansen, please!
​Unfortunately, the arrival of Gary Rowett has not yet yielded the transformative impact many craved. Despite a slight statistical reduction in concessions, the elusive clean sheet remains a fantasy right now.
Current tactical regression is actually palpable: the ball is booted by ever-panicking defenders with already low confidence. This was a trait largely absent due to more fluid outlets from the back, albeit totally flawed, tenure of Marti Cifuentes.
Gary Rowett recognises own Leicester City mistake to be fair
Such old-fashioned and counterproductive methods evoke a bygone era of desperation rather than a coherent strategy for survival.
​Thankfully, Rowett appears to have finally identified the root of this systemic rot and is actively striving to resolve the habitual nervousness that paralyses his defenders.
"We needed to use the ball better in the second half. Sometimes you’re happy to put your foot through it.Rowett - LCFC Live
“There were a couple of times where we cleared our lines, it goes out for a throw-in, and we’re still sat in our own half waiting for them to throw it and come back to us.
“Sometimes, you’ve got to squeeze up, try to lock them in and have some pressure there. There were a couple of times where we turned the ball over too cheaply."
It is true that Leicester cannot magically transmute into Manchester City or Arsenal overnight. The path to redemption lies in composure, correct instruction and selection. It is easy to conceive that the 51-year-old didn't want to invite constant errors.
Though, the East Midlands team must begin to utilise the ball effectively, while employing technical bravery. That's if they are to escape this dreadful reality whilst reclaiming their status as a serious footballing institution.