Leicester City were back in Premier League action over the weekend, facing fellow strugglers Ipswich Town.
Both teams went into the match eager for a win, each hoping to lift themselves clear of the relegation battle.
Leicester, who were 15th in the league, had recently suffered a 3-1 defeat to Nottingham Forest and were desperate for three points to create some breathing room from the bottom.
Ipswich, meanwhile, were winless and sitting 18th, making this a prime opportunity for Leicester to seize a much-needed victory.
Yet, despite the seemingly favourable matchup, Leicester could only manage a 1-1 draw, leaving Steve Cooper’s side still in 15th place and five points above the drop zone.
Cooper made some notable changes to his starting line-up for the game, most prominently dropping regular starters James Justin and Caleb Okoli.
The decision to leave Okoli out raised eyebrows given his strong form since joining Leicester in the summer. However, it was the omission of Justin that came as an even greater surprise.
The right-back had been a mainstay in Leicester’s Premier League campaign, playing every minute this season and even featuring in the recent Carabao Cup loss to Manchester United.
After the match, Cooper shed light on his choices, telling Leicestershire Live that the decision to bench Justin and Okoli wasn’t necessarily about performance issues but rather about rotation.
“The two that came out, Caleb’s new to the club and JJ’s been here a while. They’ve played most of the games and played the other night,” Cooper explained.
“We’ve got the opportunity to make those changes now. Sometimes leaving a player out is not them being dropped, it’s about them taking a deep breath and getting them ready to come back in.”
Despite Cooper’s hints that Justin could return for Leicester’s upcoming fixture against Manchester United, there are reservations over whether that’s wise.
Justin’s recent performance against United in the Carabao Cup was far from encouraging. He struggled defensively, notably being at fault for multiple goals in Leicester’s 5-0 thrashing, where he was repeatedly exposed by United’s Alejandro Garnacho.
Given Justin’s recent struggles, there’s concern his inclusion could prove costly against a Manchester United side hungry for league points.
It’s been a challenging season for Justin, who has faced criticism over several defensive lapses in key matches.
Cooper’s remarks imply confidence in Justin’s readiness, but many feel that starting him against United could be a gamble.
If Leicester are to improve their form and start climbing the table, Cooper may need to rethink his defensive approach and perhaps look at alternatives to Justin in the short term.
Facing a potent United attack, Leicester need stability at the back, and Cooper will have to weigh his options carefully to avoid another frustrating result.