MATT BARLOW: Leicester need need old-fashioned graft and faith to rescue themselves from relegation

One win, that’s all but it delivered fresh hope for Leicester. The crowd crackled back into life, the players reacted to the noise and Dean Smith savoured the unity he feels is essential to avoid the drop.

They trade in miracles at the King Power. A miracle escape from relegation followed by the most miraculous title win the Premier League has ever witnessed. Images of the recent triumphs are all around the stadium and yet there is no miracle required to get out of this hole.

Rather, they will need old-fashioned graft and faith in their abilities, and there was evidence of this as they beat Wolves to end a morale-sapping run of 10 games without victory. 

‘New management with new voices and new eyes,’ said Smith. ‘To get that win will feel new to the players. They can take that now into the rest of the games.’

Leicester go to Leeds on Tuesday and are at home to Everton on Monday. There will be twists and turns. 

Dean Smith’s side secured a vital win as they look to escape from the threat of relegation

Timothy Castagne got the winner for the Foxes, helping them edge out of the relegation zone

‘Yes, but hopefully not from us now,’ added Smith. ‘We want to be consistent in our performance and if we do that we’ll get the results that can help us climb away, but it is only one game.’

It is solidity he demands and this has been elusive. 

Leicester have not kept a clean sheet in 17 Premier League games since the World Cup and this will be the focus of attention for Smith, a centre half in his playing days, and John Terry, one of the modern defensive greats, who is on his coaching staff.

Their first move has been to restore Caglar Soyuncu in central defence alongside Wout Faes. 

Soyuncu, out of contract at the end of the season, had not started a league game since October but was recalled for Smith’s first game, a defeat at Manchester City.

‘I don’t know what’s gone on before I got here,’ said Smith. ‘All I can do is talk about since I’ve got here and I’ve seen a player who is committed to the football club, trains really well and his performances have shown that.

‘I sat down with him on the Thursday leading into the Manchester City game and asked him how he was, and to see if he felt he was in a good place. He just loves football and wants to play. I thought his performance, along with Wout, the two of them were really solid against Wolves.’

Former Chelsea and England centre half John Terry, credited with good work to develop Aston Villa’s defenders, including Tyrone Mings, has done some early work with Leicester’s defenders. ‘They will pick up lots of little details off JT, that’s for sure,’ said Smith.

Positive signs were there as they shielded goalkeeper Daniel Iversen during late pressure. 

When called upon, Iversen made an important late save to keep out a swerving free-kick by Ruben Neves. ‘In the two games I’ve had he’s not had an awful lot of saves to make in all honesty,’ said Smith. 

‘You need to him to be steady behind and you can see there’s some real connections between the players who are playing and that’s a good strength.’

Matheus Cunha gave Wolves the lead before Kelechi Iheanacho levelled from a penalty won by Jamie Vardy.

Matheus Cunha gave Wolves the lead inside 15 minutes with a strike on the edge of the box

One of Smith’s first moves has been to restore Caglar Soyuncu back to the starting eleven 

John Terry joined up with Smith’s side earlier this month and could help improve their defence

Boubakary Soumare impressed in central midfield and Timothy Castagne scored the winner in the 75th minute.

‘Everyone was buzzing,’ said Iheanacho. ‘The dressing room was rocking. Everyone was happy, we are all smiling. We enjoy it today but we need to focus on the next game. It’s a massive game, it won’t be easy for us. 

‘We need to stick together to get the results we need.’

James Maddison, who missed the Wolves game with illness, and Harvey Barnes, who has missed two games with a hamstring injury, are expected back in training and could feature at Leeds on Tuesday.