The Premier League season is entering its final stages, and the fight to avoid relegation is heating up.L eicester City, who had been enjoying a relatively comfortable season, suffered a significant setback on Sunday after losing 5-3 to Fulham. The result has left many fans worried about the club’s prospects of avoiding the drop, and with good reason.
Leicester’s performance against Fulham was a mixed bag. On the one hand, they showed plenty of attacking intent and created several good chances. However, defensively they were woeful, conceding five goals to a team that has struggled to score all season. The game was a microcosm of Leicester’s season so far – flashes of brilliance combined with moments of defensive ineptitude.
Fulham are currently in the relegation zone
One of the main reasons for Leicester’s struggles this season has been their inconsistency. They have often looked like a top-six side, but then suffered unexpected defeats against teams they should be beating. The loss to Fulham was a prime example of this. Fulham are currently in the relegation zone and have the worst defensive record in the league, yet Leicester managed to concede five goals to them.
Another issue for Leicester has been injuries. They have been without key players such as James Maddison, Harvey Barnes, and Jonny Evans for long periods of the season, and their absence has been felt. Maddison, in particular, has been a big loss. He is the creative heartbeat of the team and has been sorely missed during his injury layoff.
Leicester’s form since the turn of the year has also been a cause for concern. They started the season in fine form, but have won just six of their last 20 league games. This run of form has seen them drop from third in the table to eighth, and they are now just six points above the relegation zone. With tough games against Manchester United and Chelsea still to come, there is a real possibility that Leicester could find themselves in a relegation battle.
So, what can Leicester do to avoid the drop? Firstly, they need to tighten up defensively. Conceding five goals to a struggling Fulham side is simply not good enough. Brendan Rodgers needs to work on the team’s defensive structure and ensure that they are more solid at the back.
Secondly, they need to start winning games again. Draws are not going to be enough at this stage of the season. Leicester have some winnable games coming up, and they need to take maximum points from them. The likes of Brighton, Crystal Palace, and Newcastle should be beaten if Leicester are to avoid the drop.
Finally, Leicester need their key players back fit and firing. Maddison, Barnes, and Evans are all important players, and their return to the team will give Leicester a huge boost. If they can stay fit for the remainder of the season, Leicester’s chances of avoiding relegation will be greatly improved.
In conclusion, Leicester City’s loss to Fulham was a significant setback in their quest to avoid relegation. The performance was symptomatic of their season so far – flashes of brilliance combined with moments of defensive ineptitude. However, there is still time for Leicester to turn their season around. They need to tighten up defensively, start winning games again, and get their key players back fit and firing. If they can do this, they should have enough quality to avoid the drop. However, if they continue to struggle, the prospect of relegation will become a very real one.