Why are Leicester struggling so much this season?

(With quotes from Leicester VAVEL writer, Mason Gale)

(Image courtesy of Getty Images – Alex Livesey)

As the full-time whistle blew in the Midlands on Sunday afternoon, Leicester City’s disappointing season hit a new low as they were knocked out of the FA Cup by Championship giant-killers, Nottingham Forest.

The Foxes were 3-0 down within the first 32 minutes, with goals from Phillip Zinckernagel, exciting youngster Brennan Johnson and captain Joe Worral, putting the Reds in cruise control. The away side did manage to pull one back in the 40th minute with Kelechi Iheanacho, capitalizing on a goalkeeping mistake, from Nottingham Forest goalkeeper, Brice Samba.

However, this would prove to be only a consolation goal as on-loan ought-after right-back, Djed Spence, completed the rout making it 4-1 in the 61st minute with a precise finish past Welsh international goalkeeper, Danny Ward, and subsequently knocking out the holders.

It was a post-match feeling that is becoming all too familiar for Leicester fans. Being on the wrong side of a heavy defeat and witnessing an uninspiring performance from bereft of direction.

This defeat epitomised a lot of the issues that have plagued Leicester this season.

Firstly, the Foxes’ defensive frailties were on show during this one-sided contest. This defeat was the eight time this season that the Foxes have conceded three or more goals in a single game. Their once solid defence now seems more and more disjointed and Daniel Amartey’s miscalculated back pass for the second goal exemplified this.

Turkish international, Caglar Soyuncu’s performance on Sunday also left a lot to be desired and the calls from Leicester fans for him to be dropped begin to increase in volume and regularity.

They are sorely awaiting the return of injured star centre-back, Wesley Fofana, and in their four matches in 2022, have now conceded an average of 2.25 goals per game.

(Image courtesy of Getty Images – Justin Tallis)

Leicester VAVEL writer, Mason Gale, said on Leicester’s defensive struggles this season: “The main difference for me is the lack of defensive stability.

“Positioning and intensity at the back is miles off what we were last season and the amount of key injuries, especially Jonny Evans, have cost us dearly.”

Another key issue that has plagued Leicester this season is mentality. Time and time again this season, the Foxes have conceded goals and consequently dropped points because for one reason or another, their heads have simply not been in the game. Whether it be the shocking last-minute defeat to Tottenham a couple weeks ago, or the penalty shoot-out loss to Liverpool in the Carabao Cup, Leicester consistently let their heads drop in games.

During the 4-1 mauling on Sunday, the lack of a leader on the pitch was evident to see. The captain on the day, Youri Tielemans, has been engulfed in transfer rumours linking him away from the King Power for quite some time now, and his reluctance to commit his long-term future to Leicester rules him out of a leadership role.

Without Kasper Schmeichel, Jamie Vardy or Jonny Evans on the pitch, there was no one for Leicester to lean on to drive them through the situation they found themselves in on Sunday.

Statistics showed that despite having a large chunk of the possession (62%), they failed to regularly threaten the Forest defence. This is not a new pattern of the Foxes game as Leicester have regularly failed create substantial chances this year.

Gale added: “Our goalscoring ranks fifth in the league, but we cannot win games if we are conceding two or three goals per game.

“Tactically, we are in a hole and there seems to be no new ideas which is why I think people are beginning to call for Brendan to go.”