Unstoppable Run

[Drop some powers, leave a comment or review if you want, and enjoy the chapter, trying to hit 350 power stones this week.] 

The FA Cup semi-finals were set for mid-April, giving Leicester City a clear objective: secure promotion as early as possible to fully focus on the Cup. With this in mind, Nigel Pearson and his coaching staff decided on a bold strategy—win every game in March and build unstoppable momentum.

Between mid-March and the end of the month, Leicester City faced a grueling schedule, with five league games in quick succession:

March 12th: Barnsley (Away) – 2nd from bottom.

March 15th: Blackpool (Home) – 18th in the league.

March 22nd: Blackburn (Away) – a tough mid-table opponent.

March 26th: Yeovil Town (Home) – dead last in the league.

March 29th: Burnley (Away) – 2nd in the standings, and the most crucial game of the month.

Although Leicester City enjoyed a considerable lead at the top of the table, the fixtures were unforgiving, particularly with the additional FA Cup and League Cup commitments. Luckily, the depth of their squad meant that they could rotate without sacrificing quality.

The likes of Jamie Vardy, Riyad Mahrez, and the new fan-favorite, Tristan Hale, ensured that even on tired legs, Leicester remained a formidable force.

Barnsley vs Leicester City – March 12th

As the team warmed up on the Oakwell pitch, Jamie Vardy gave Tristan a playful nudge.

"Ready to add a few more assists to your tally?" Vardy grinned, stretching his legs.

Tristan smirked. "If you finish the chances I give you, then yeah."

Vardy laughed. "Just feed me the ball, and watch me run."

From the opening whistle, Leicester dictated the tempo. Tristan, playing in his now-familiar attacking midfield role in the 4-2-3-1 formation, orchestrated Leicester's attack. His vision and control were evident as he linked up with Drinkwater and Mahrez.

In the 20th minute, Tristan picked out Vardy with a perfectly timed through ball that sliced open Barnsley's defense.

"On a plate for you, Jamie!" Tristan called as Vardy raced towards goal, but the keeper saved the shot.

Vardy jogged back, shaking his head. "Next time, mate. That was close."

Just before halftime, in the 38th minute, Tristan and Drinkwater exchanged a quick one-two on the edge of the box. Tristan faked a shot, sending two Barnsley defenders sliding past, before threading a pass to Mahrez on the right wing.

Mahrez cut inside and curled the ball into the top corner.

"GOAL~~~!" The commentator's voice echoed around the stadium as Mahrez celebrated with a kiss to the sky.

Leicester continued to dominate in the second half, with Tristan pulling the strings. His second assist came in the 67th minute, lofting a ball over the defense for Vardy, who finished calmly this time.

Leicester cruised to a 5-0 victory. After the game, Matchday Ratings crowned Tristan as Man of the Match, and fans on social media buzzed about his performance.

Tristan's Stats vs Barnsley:

Pass Completion: 91%

Key Passes: 7

Assists: 2

Shots on Target: 1

Dribbles Completed: 4

Rating: 8.6

Leicester City vs Blackpool – March 15th

Three days later, Leicester hosted Blackpool at the King Power Stadium. Nigel Pearson rotated the squad, but Tristan retained his place as the team's playmaker.

In the 12th minute, Tristan made his mark. He sent a pinpoint cross into the box, which Blackpool's defense failed to clear. Liam Moore rose highest to head the ball down into the net.

"Good ball!" Moore shouted over the crowd's roar, and Tristan smiled back, acknowledging the assist.

Just before halftime, in the 45th minute, Tristan found space on the edge of the box. Feinting a pass to Vardy, he shifted the ball onto his right foot and unleashed a curling shot that nestled into the far corner.

"What a goal from Tristan!" The commentator's voice rang out. "A perfect strike with the inside of his right foot!"

Leicester won 4-0, with Tristan substituted in the 60th minute to a standing ovation from the fans. As he walked off, Pearson gave him a nod. "Job well done, son."

Tristan's Stats vs Blackpool:

Pass Completion: 89%

Key Passes: 5

Goals: 1

Assists: 1

Shots on Target: 3

Dribbles Completed: 3

Rating: 8.8

Blackburn vs Leicester City – March 22nd

Blackburn provided a sterner test. Their disciplined defense frustrated Leicester in the first half, with Tristan forced to drop deeper to find space. "You've got time!" Drinkwater called as Tristan spun away from pressure.

It wasn't until the 78th minute that Leicester broke the deadlock. After a short corner, Tristan received the ball outside the box. Blackburn's defenders hesitated, and Tristan drilled a low shot through a crowded box. The ball took a deflection and hit the back of the net.

"Nice one!" Vardy shouted, patting Tristan on the back as the Leicester players celebrated.

Leicester's 1-0 win kept their promotion hopes on track.

Tristan's Stats vs Blackburn:

Pass Completion: 87%

Key Passes: 3

Goals: 1

Dribbles Completed: 2

Rating: 8.2

Yeovil Town vs Leicester City – March 26th

Bottom-of-the-table Yeovil posed little threat as Leicester dominated from the start. Tristan played only 45 minutes, but in that time, he delivered a low cross in the 34th minute that Vardy tapped in.

"Thanks, mate," Vardy said with a grin, pointing to Tristan after the goal.

Leicester won 4-0, allowing several key players to rest for the upcoming Burnley game.

Tristan's Stats vs Yeovil Town:

Pass Completion: 93%

Key Passes: 4

Assists: 1

Rating: 7.5

Burnley vs Leicester City – March 29th

The match against second-place Burnley was the most important of the month. The hostile atmosphere at Turf Moor didn't faze Tristan, who stood focused next to Vardy as the referee blew the whistle.

"Focus, Tristan," Vardy muttered. "We've got this."

Burnley pressed high, and Tristan found himself tightly marked. But in the 72nd minute, he saw his opportunity. Picking up the ball near the center circle, he drove forward, avoiding tackles before threading an inch-perfect through ball to Vardy.

"Go on, Jamie!" Tristan shouted as Vardy rounded the keeper and slotted home.

Vardy wheeled away in celebration, pointing back to Tristan. "That's why I love playing with you!" he shouted, running to embrace his teammate.

Tristan's Stats vs Burnley:

Pass Completion: 90%

Key Passes: 6

Assists: 1

Dribbles Completed: 5

Rating: 8.4

Leicester City's dominance in March solidified their top position in the Championship, making automatic promotion almost a certainty. The team was flying high, not only due to its depth and tactics but also because of Tristan's standout performances.

His stats were impressive: 2 goals and 6 assists in five games, drawing even more attention from the media, fans, and pundits across England. With Mendes pushing his name further into the spotlight, Tristan's reputation as one of the most exciting young players in England continued to grow.

As the month came to a close, Leicester's rise was undeniable. The Foxes looked invincible, and Nigel Pearson's coaching team was constantly refining their 4-2-3-1 formation, allowing for better tactical flexibility.

Pearson didn't just rely on Tristan's ability to create chances from midfield; he also encouraged the two wingers, Riyad Mahrez and Anthony Knockaert, to make more aggressive runs and push the opposition back.

Tristan, meanwhile, was being challenged to step up his goal-scoring contribution by making more forward runs and taking more shots on goal.

Despite being the weakest shooter among Leicester's attacking players, Tristan's intelligent movement and passing made him a vital part of the offense.

His ability to break through on the wings and deliver passes—crosses that set up perfect shooting opportunities from the center of the box—had quickly become one of Leicester's primary attacking strategies. Over time, Tristan began converting more of his shoots and with each passing game, his confidence in front of goal grew.

While Tristan, Vardy, Mahrez, and captain Wes Morgan often led the charge, Leicester's depth also played a crucial role in their success. In matches where Pearson rested key players, the substitutes stepped up, ensuring the team's relentless pursuit of promotion continued.

In one particular game, even without Tristan or other regular starters, Leicester thrashed their opponents 4-0, extending their winning streak to sixteen games.

The victory not only highlighted Leicester's strength in depth but also earned the entire squad a well-deserved day off, a rare moment to relax in what had been a grueling but triumphant season so far.

As the season approached its final stretch, the Foxes were on the verge of clinching promotion. Tristan's rise, Leicester's incredible form, and Pearson's tactical evolution were all converging at the perfect time. With each match, it seemed like nothing could stop their march toward the Premier League.