With the Premier League season edging towards its halfway point, who has starred for Leicester City and can Nigel Pearson keep the Foxes away from relegation? Here's a look at how Pearson's men have fared so far.
Following a fleeting yet fine promotion honeymoon period, Leicester suddenly look like suffering a pretty painful divorce from the Premier League.
Highlight
The improbable 5-3 comeback victory over Manchester United was one of the highlights in Leicester's 130-year history, let alone their season. United undoubtedly imploded, but it was still the Foxes' finest Premier League performance.
Even Champions League winner Esteban Cambiasso -- who scored his first Leicester goal in the game -- ranks the win as one of his top five career highs, which underlines just how memorable the sensational victory was. Poor Tyler Blackett probably still wakes up in a cold sweat just thinking about man-of-the-match Jamie Vardy.
Low Point
The individual low was Ross Wallace's late equaliser for Burnley; a brilliant free kick which denied Leicester a vital home victory. More broadly, the biggest disappointment is failing to capitalise on the momentum from September's victory over United. Leicester haven't won since that game and have plummeted to the foot of the table.
It's where many expected the Foxes to be but it's hard to pinpoint where the sudden dip in form has come from. Leicester also looked strong at home against Everton (2-2) and Arsenal (2-2), but since beating United have been far too much of a pushover. They must urgently improve their form at the King Power Stadium in 2015. I was also perturbed by Nigel Pearson's expletive-fuelled rant at a supporter during the 3-1 loss to Liverpool. The mouthy fan was clearly the aggressor, but the Leicester boss picked the wrong choice of words and by smugly refusing to apologise has only exacerbated the situation, leaving the Football Association with no choice but to act.
Surprise Star
Winger Riyad Mahrez has a big future ahead of him. The 23-year-old still lacks a bit of consistency, but he's definitely got the pace and touch to terrorise defenses. He doesn't show opponents any respect and has proven one of Leicester's more creative and positive players. It's just a shame Pearson has used him so sparingly to date.
Sometimes the Algerian international still tries to do a bit too much on the ball and occasionally snubs clear shooting opportunities in favour of hurtling down the channel but as he matures, he'll inevitably be one of the pivotal weapons in Leicester's survival battle -- especially if he can weigh in with a few more goals.
Must Do Better
Captain Wes Morgan has a huge role to play, both on the field and in the dressing room. He hasn't been leading by example of late. The 30-year-old Jamaican was needlessly sent off against Liverpool and caught ball-watching for Frank Lampard's winner in the 1-0 defeat to Manchester City. He hasn't quite acclimatised to Premier League strikers, who you can't just shrug off the ball.
Morgan was superb in the early season 2-0 loss at Chelsea, but since then has dramatically lost his form. Leicester must bring in a centre-back in January -- someone like Marseille's Rod Fanni would be perfect.
Great Expectations
It's not all doom and gloom. Firstly, there's money to spend in January, so I expect to see a stronger Leicester side in the second half of the season. Secondly, this is exactly where the Foxes expected to be. The bar was probably set too high after the opening few games. The giant-killing of United perhaps made players and fans a touch complacent, but the current winless streak has proven a reality check.
A successful season for Leicester would be finishing one point above the drop zone and that's still a very attainable goal. I fully expect City to place above fellow newly promoted sides Burnley and Queens Park Rangers and hopefully Crystal Palace, too. They key in the short term is to find a way to win quickly -- and if needs be, ugly.