Steve Cooper watched on in frustration as his Leicester City side let slip a golden opportunity to claim their first Premier League win of the season against Everton on Saturday.
Instead of celebrating a much-needed victory, Leicester had to settle for a 1-1 draw after falling behind to an early goal from Iliman Ndiaye, before Stephy Mavididi salvaged a point with a late equaliser.
The performance will have left Cooper deeply concerned. Leicester, playing at home against an Everton side that started the day bottom of the table and without a point, managed just two shots on target over the 90 minutes.
Despite the atrocious weather conditions, which added a scrappy feel to the game, the Foxes looked alarmingly unprepared for what felt like an early-season relegation battle at the King Power Stadium.
James Justin, one of Leicester’s more experienced players, made a damning admission after the match, saying the team hadn’t been ready for the fight Everton brought to them.
Speaking on the BBC Sounds When You’re Smiling podcast, Justin didn’t mince his words:
“We weren’t really at it. Everyone, nobody in particular. I feel like we weren’t really ready for the fight they were going to give us and we got hurt early on. We did well to get back into the game but it was a bit naive from us, to be honest.”
For Steve Cooper, who already faces the challenge of winning over the Leicester fanbase due to his association with local rivals Nottingham Forest, such comments from one of his senior players do him no favours.
Leicester’s slow start to the season has not helped his cause, and the ongoing search for a first league win is putting increasing pressure on his position.
Justin’s admission will be a tough pill for Leicester supporters to swallow. It is unthinkable for a club with Leicester’s aspirations, just a few seasons removed from European football, to be accused of not being up for the fight against a struggling Everton side.
While some of the blame may lie with the players, it raises serious questions about Cooper’s ability to prepare his squad for crucial fixtures.
Leicester now face the daunting prospect of a trip to the Emirates to take on Arsenal, a side expected to challenge for the title again this season.
With just three points from their opening fixtures, Leicester will need to summon every ounce of determination and resolve if they are to avoid a humiliating defeat in North London.
If Leicester are not at their best from the first whistle, Arsenal, brimming with quality, have the potential to cause real damage. Cooper and his players must find a way to rally quickly, or they risk slipping further into the relegation battle they so desperately want to avoid.