Leicester City find themselves mired in their most precarious and demoralising position since 2010. The fall from grace is real and torturous. The King Power faithful are reeling and protesting.
It was this creeping sense of impending catastrophe that necessitated the appointment of a man like Gary Rowett. His brief was ostensibly simple: strip away the veneer of an underperforming, seemingly disinterested squad and return them to the foundational, 'no-nonsense' basics of the English game.
However, while Rowett was hired to steady a sinking ship, a tactical rigidity and perceived lack of modern ambition are already arguably proving counterproductive. Stifling the few remnants of quality in a team that looks increasingly detached and technically hollow is a worry.
​The most glaring error in Rowett's short tenure (one that many fans, blinded by the desperate desire for "passion" and "grit," have yet to fully digest) is his regressive insistence on primitive defending. By reintroducing an antiquated, survivalist philosophy, Rowett has inadvertently handcuffed the two centre backs. Turning occasionally proactive athletes into reactive clearance machines.
This archaic approach encourages centre halves to clear the ball indiscriminately - often sending it spiraling into the stands. Or, worst of all, conceding unnecessary corners even when under the most negligible pressure. It is a philosophy built on fear rather than control - it is actively hurting the side's ability to transition.
Leicester City shortcomings vs Norwich City
​Against Norwich, this technical regression was laid bare with painful clarity. Instead of cultured passes down the line or a calm, tactical reset through the goalkeeper, the mandate was to 'hoof' the ball into orbit at the first sign of an opponent.
These aimless boots are not defensive masterclasses: they are immediate, unforced turnovers that invite relentless waves of opposition pressure. Ben Nelson and Caleb Okoli, two likeable players capable of much more quality, were reduced to mere spectators of their own distribution as they launched the ball into no-man's land.
The second Canaries goal was the inevitable, crushing byproduct of this frantic surrender of possession. By abandoning the back line's courage to take a touch or find a teammate, Rowett has created a self-fulfilling prophecy of defensive chaos.
The infuriating reality is that these Sunday league-esque errors are clearly encouraged, or at the very least not halted, by Rowett. Worse still, they are often rewarded by outlets like FotMob for "defensive contributions" - masking the truth that this style is a self-inflicted wound. Rowett’s methods have actually simplified and negated LCFC. The Foxes are playing like they're already in League One.