Gary Rowett has never been characterized as a 'tinkerman' throughout his managerial tenure. He favours the foundational virtues of structural integrity and a disciplined (arguably predictable) starting XI. However, in the harrowing shadow of Leicester City's current predicament, the former Foxes player has committed a grave tactical and personnel error that threatens to undermine his mission of survival: placing persistent, inexplicable trust in Jordan Ayew.
Why Jordan Ayew is generally a waste of space at Leicester City
To the majority of the Filbert Way faithful, the Ghanaian's continued presence in the lineup has become a source of profound exasperation. A slap in the face for Leicestershire. Rarely does Ayew earn applause.
Ayew represents a profile of footballer that this outlet has seldom seen in contemporary times. A figure who appears fundamentally disinterested, languid to the point of lethargy and staggeringly unskilled when the stakes are highest. This is, of course, a damning indictment of the current recruitment strategy.
How an overpaid and underwhelming former Crystal Palace forward, whose contributions oscillate between the invisible and the detrimental, remains the focal point of the attack is astonishing. Supporters are entirely right to chastise a player who has proven to be almost a total letdown. Ayew haunts the King Power turf while better men sit idly by.
One might argue, albeit charitably, that boss Rowett deployed Ayew to navigate dense, low blocks frequently employed by Championship opposition. Misplaced hope in a lacking veteran's guile to unpick the lock. Irrespective of the opponent’s tactical posture, the experiment failed.
The time has come for a change that is rarely muttered in the pubs of LE2 with such desperation: Patson Daka must now start.
The case for Daka's reintegration is not merely a rejection of Ayew, but a potential necessity for survival.
Gary Rowett's Jordan Ayew enigma and the Patson Daka solution
While the Zambian international has faced his own trials with consistency, he offers the one currency LCFC currently lack: genuine, explosive intent. Daka possesses the verticality and swiftness to stretch defences and a partial predatory instinct to capitalise on the half-chances Ayew simply watched drift by.
"With City away from home this weekend, I suspect Rowett will go back to 4-2-3-1, and so back to starting Daka up front."Leicester Mercury
In a relegation dogfight, one cannot afford the luxury of a disinterested passenger. Rowett must now embrace the raw, chaotic energy of Daka to inject life into a terminal front line. The era of indulging the uninspired must end - the Zambian must be unleashed consistently.