Steve Cooper is struggling to win Leicester City fans over following his move to the King Power Stadium.
Leicester City were held to a 1-1 draw with Ipswich Town over the weekend, losing 5-2 to Manchester United in the Carabao Cup just a few days before.
After crashing out of that competition, Leicester fans made their feelings on Cooper clear.
The Foxes now have a very testing run of games on the horizon, facing off with two of the traditional ‘big-six’ in their next six Premier League fixtures.
Poor results in said games will likely put even more pressure on the 46-year-old, with Leicester fans’ stance on Jose Mourinho replacing Cooper clear.
However, the Foxes manager does deserve credit for some of the signings he made during the 2024 summer transfer window.
Facundo Buonanotte has responded to Lionel Messi comparisons recently after his excellent start to life at the King Power Stadium following a loan move from Brighton and Hove Albion.
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Jordan Ayew importance to Leicester City highlighted
Now, another summer addition, Jordan Ayew, has come in for high praise from a former Fox.
Leicester City secured Ayew’s services from Crystal Palace late in the summer window – a move that seemed pretty strange at the time.
However, Ayew already has an interesting nickname at Leicester for the role he has played since joining the club.
Now, speaking on the When You’re Smiling podcast recently, former Leicester player Matt Piper has been quick to highlight Ayew’s importance to Cooper’s side.
He said: “He’s getting a reputation for it [being impactful off the bench] which is a good habit to have. Sometimes defences get tired and you can exploit them spaces when you come on.
“You have to come on with the mentality of trying to make a difference if the game isn’t going to plan. Whatever it is, can you be a game-changer, not just someone who is seeing out time?
“He’s very much part of a squad and we have picked up four points from his goals and made a huge difference. Sometimes he may start, but if he is coming on and doing it then so be it. Aston Villa have the same conundrum with [Ollie] Watkins and [Jhon] Duran coming on.
“He’s getting the chances and finishing well. I don’t put him down as a finisher, more of a link player – but he’s proving to be so key.”
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Where Leicester City would be without Jordan Ayew
His age and previous lack of goals in the Premier League did raise question marks over Ayew’s signing.
However, his two goals for the Foxes in the league this term have already proven vital and could play a major role in their survival.
Ayew scored in the comeback against Southampton, which saw Leicester pick up only their second win of 2024/25.
And his equaliser off the bench against Ipswich on Saturday earned the Midlands outfit another much-needed point.
Without Ayew’s goals, Leicester would be sat on six points and just one point above the bottom three.