Leicester City Season Review: Foxes Fight Back to Avoid Drop in Style

It was to be the season of madness for Leicester City. Nigel Pearson was to be the central figure in a season of tension, emotion, and ultimately, elation. Leicester avoided relegation thanks to arguably the greatest of great escapes ever witnessed in Premier League history following a run of brilliant wins throughout the spring.

Leicester City may have expected to be fighting off relegation before the start of the 2014/15 campaign but such fears were quickly quelled for Nigel Pearson’s men, symbolising the peaks and troughs to follow. Early results for Leicester lit up the Premier League and left everyone in shock; draws with Everton and Arsenal were followed by a famous 5-3 win over Manchester United in the opening month of the campaign; it would soon leave a false impression on Leicester’s players, fans, and pundits alike. Indeed, the road ahead would be a lot rockier than many would have envisioned after the defeat of Man United.

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Following the aforementioned defeat of Manchester United, Leicester’s form nosedived with 13 games without a win leaving them bottom of the table on 13 points after 19 games played. There was though, some semblance that Leicester were a better side then they had showed, with many expecting their form to go on a slow ascendancy. It took a lot longer than many expected though. Four wins out of six just after Christmas were a sign of better things to come, but soon Pearson’s bizarre behaviour was to make all the headlines.

After the 53-year-old bizarrely grabbed Crystal Palace’s James McArthur by the throat during a 1-0 loss at the King Power Stadium, reports emerged saying he had been sacked. Leicester issued a statement refuting those claims, however, and the Foxes boss clung to his job. Eventually the remarkable turnaround ensued.

A late 2-1 win at home to West Ham ended a run of eight games without a win in all competitions, and it was followed by a thrilling 3-2 triumph over West Brom in which Jamie Vardy struck an injury time winner. Esteban Cambiasso proved to be an inspired signing in the run in, netting several key goals. Leicester took more points (22) than any other Premier League side in the final nine games of the season.

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Next season will be without doubt time for consolidation for Leicester. Such great escapes are nothing to be relied upon – just look at now League 1 Wigan Athletic. New recruits in midfield and up front will be needed should the Foxes hope to survive next season. Perhaps some defenders will be the key area of reinforcement – Leicester conceded the joint most own goals (5) in the Premier League this season.

“If you don’t know the answer to that question, then I think you are an ostrich. Your head must be in the sand. Is your head in the sand? Are you flexible enough to get your head in the sand? My suspicion would be no. I can, you can’t”. Perhaps this bazaar Nigel Pearson quotes sums up their season: peculiar, unique, and above all enthralling.

Season verdict C+

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