Leicester City are facing an immediate return to the Championship this season.
An abysmal run of just one win in their previous 10 league matches has seen Ruud van Nistelrooy’s men slip into the relegation zone.
Last time out in the Premier League, Leicester were thrashed 4-0 by Everton, supposedly one of the Foxes rivals in the relegation battle.
Van Nistelrooy and his players weren’t helped during the transfer window as Leicester only signed one player despite needing several more recruits.
There were even talks of Van Nistelrooy quitting Leicester after being failed by the board but he looks set to remain at the King Power Stadium till May at least, and now Troy Deeney has directed some sympathy towards him.
Troy Deeney issues clear demand to Leicester City players
Statistically, Van Nistelrooy has done worse than Steve Cooper this season. The Dutchman has taken seven points from a possible 33 available while conceding a whopping 26 goals in 11 matches.
Some of the blame can be passed onto the 48-year-old, who ultimately selects the team each week, but former Watford striker Deeney believes the players have to step up and show some togetherness, something he feels they’re lacking in the squad.
Ahead of Leicester’s clash against Arsenal, Deeney told talkSPORT: “The time for talking from Leicester players is done now.
“It’s about getting hold of that group and having a togetherness, and I know from the things that I’ve seen first-hand that is not a together group. So the time for talking stopping is now. This is the group between now and the end of the season.
“Let’s get in, let’s do our job properly, let’s hold each other accountable. At the end of the season, we could all part our own ways if we don’t see eye to eye’.
“But if they want to have a good career and stay and move and play in the Premier League, they need to stay in it.”
What Ruud van Nistelrooy said on fan protests
The odds are stacked against Leicester securing a positive result against the Gunners. Admittedly, Arsenal are without five players, including Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Martinelli.
With Kai Havertz also confirmed as injured, the visitors are depleted in attack and don’t even have a recognised striker to select from.
It’s a chance for the hosts to pull off an upset in the early kick-off and pile the pressure onto Wolves, who face leaders Liverpool on Sunday.
| Position | Team | Played MP | Won W | Drawn D | Lost L | For GF | Against GA | Diff GD | Points Pts |
| 16 |  West HamWest Ham | 24 | 7 | 6 | 11 | 29 | 46 | -17 | 27 |
| 17 |  WolvesWolves | 24 | 5 | 4 | 15 | 34 | 52 | -18 | 19 |
| 18 |  LeicesterLeicester | 24 | 4 | 5 | 15 | 25 | 53 | -28 | 17 |
| 19 |  IpswichIpswich | 24 | 3 | 7 | 14 | 22 | 49 | -27 | 16 |
| 20 |  SouthamptonSouthampton | 24 | 2 | 3 | 19 | 18 | 54 | -36 | 9 |
That being said, it isn’t just news on the pitch that is dominating the headlines as Leicester fans are planning to protest in the 14th minute against Arsenal.
Supporters are unhappy with how the club has been run in recent years following relegation to the Championship, and Van Nistelrooy has now responded to fan unrest, urging them to get behind the team regardless.
“When you play in front of your home crowd and there’s a connection from a tackle, a chance or a big moment, I know as a player and a coach what that means for the team. So we hope they will get behind them,” Van Nistelrooy said.
“Of course, it’s good that they can get what they want off their chest, but when it gets to 12:30 pm, I hope that we have the full support of the crowd.”