According to Leicester City manager Gary Rowett, a “silly and irresponsible” act combined with a lack of “desperation” have put the club in a must-win situation.
City dropped to 23rd in the Championship table after Saturday’s home loss to Swansea, leaving them four points away from safety.
The game was resolved by Zan Vipotnik’s goal early in the second half, which resulted from a City free-kick deep in the Swansea half.
for the 26-27 season
Divine Mukasa did not obey team orders to get the ball into the box, instead opting for a short pass, which Eom Ji-sung intercepted and carried up the field to set up Vipotnik.
Despite having 35 minutes to respond, City appeared defeated and barely reacted, with Rowett stating that his players lacked the “desire” to get back into the match.
It adds pressure to the voyage to Portsmouth next weekend. The already massive game now has much more at stake.
“I don’t know how many times I’ve said it, we give a stupid goal away,” Rowett remarked. “It’s an absolutely ludicrous goal to give away. It is never on to do a quick one to the edge of the box. You only have to get the ball into the box. We must return to the basics.
“The players sensed that it was on and made the decision. I am not attempting to accuse them, but it was not the appropriate time. We give it away, and they run 80 meters up the field and score. We have prospects to stop and defend it.
To give away a goal in such a manner is not only extremely frustrating, but it is heartbreaking to watch it happen so many times. In that single moment, your entire plan falls apart. That was a foolish, reckless act that we repeated too frequently.
“What I would say is that we did not respond well enough after that. We were very poor for the past half hour. We made several changes. I don’t believe anything made a difference. I simply believed that we had lost our way somewhat.
“We did create some moments, but not enough. Certainly, our response to conceding the goal was not what you would expect from a team battling for their lives at the bottom of the table.
“I still believe we’re attempting, but in a different manner than one that seems desperate.
“If that game is 0-0 in the 80th minute, the team still believes, the audience still believes, and you have a chance to see if you can nick one. However, we created ourselves a challenge at the incorrect moment in the game. That has been extremely harmful.
“We have to show more fight, more desperation afterwards. But when we conceded, it seemed like everyone was thinking, “How are we going to score two? “
“I said to the players. The next game will determine a lot. It’s not only about the players and crew. There are many other people at the club. It’s the fans. It means a lot to everyone.
“We have to start battling as if it truly matters. In my view, next week’s game is a must-win.
Portsmouth moved four points ahead of City with a 97th-minute goal at Middlesbrough, while Oxford kept their hopes alive with a 2-0 victory over Watford.
Blackburn and West Brom both drew a point over the weekend, making City the only relegation contender that did not win.
