Swansea defenders Alfie Mawson and Martin Olsson struck in the first half at the Liberty Stadium to condemn Leicester to a fifth successive defeat and 14th of the campaign in total.
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The out-going Champions who surprised themselves and the world by lifting the trophy have been a complete shadow of their last season self.
Ranieri was given a vote of confidence by the Leicester hierarchy this week, but the pressure is growing after a run of five consecutive league defeats.
Leicester finally threatened when Riyad Mahrez’s througball sent Slimani clear, but Lukasz Fabianski raced out to make a crucial stop with his legs. They may be facing a glamourous Champions league fixture against Sevilla later this month but the priorities are suddenly somewhat different.
They’re also the first defending champions not to have scored in six straight games.
In other words, Leicester looks much the same as it did two seasons ago, when relegation seemed a certainty until then-manager Nigel Pearson steered the Foxes to seven wins in the last nine games. “We know we have quality in this team and we know if we do things properly we will stay in the Premier League”.
‘I don’t feel now is the right time to change everything, but questions need to be asked’.
“My job was to come in in January and put confidence back into the team, get them playing better and get them organised”, he told Sky Sports. You have to be prepared and be strong in these moments and don’t lose your focus and concentration.
The contrast without him is stark – the Foxes have only 63 points from 63 games – and the lack of protection that Kante gave has meant that Leicester’s defence has been brutally exposed.
Last season, he scored 17 Premier League goals from midfield and provided 11 assists.
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Leicester boss Claudio Ranieri admitted he may be too loyal to the likes of Mahrez and Vardy, and Cottee believes it’s time to leave the pair out of the starting XI. Now it is 10 hours without scoring a goal and we have to find a solution because it is not possible (that) everything is wrong this season.
