The once substantial lead of Leicester City in the Championship has been significantly reduced, as their comfortable cushion at the top of the league has been slashed in half in just one week. Despite their recent back-to-back defeats against Middlesbrough and Leeds, manager Enzo Maresca remains steadfast in his belief that a substantial points lead was never a realistic expectation. From the outset of the season, Maresca consistently conveyed to his players that a close battle for the top spot was inevitable, and thus they should not succumb to pressure as their lead diminishes.
Following their victory over Sheffield Wednesday a week-and-a-half ago, Leicester City had surged to a staggering 14-point advantage within the Championship’s top two. Nevertheless, with several of their promotion rivals experiencing victories in their recent matches, coupled with the presence of games in hand for some, the club’s lead may shrink to just six points if Ipswich secures a win on Saturday. This potential six-point lead would represent the narrowest gap at the top since early October.
Despite the anticipation of a close competition at the top of the league, Maresca remains resolute in his confidence in the Leicester City squad. The manager’s unwavering message to the players since the commencement of the season has been to continue to focus on winning games, and not to be surprised by the tight nature of the competition. He has consistently emphasized the fact that maintaining such a significant points lead was never normal, and thus, it was essential for the squad to adapt to the impending challenge of maintaining a narrow lead as the season reaches its climax.
With a dozen games left to be played, Maresca is laser-focused on nurturing his squad’s winning mentality, as he believes it will be crucial in their pursuit to reach their ultimate goal. He acknowledges that while a small lead may seem precarious, any lead is still a lead, and he is confident that by continuing to win games, Leicester City can overcome the challenges posed by their competitors and emerge victorious in the end.
