The LCK Summer Split group stage ends in just two weeks.
As it currently stands, T1 are fifth in the LCK Summer Split group stage standings and is still within a shout of making it to the playoffs. However, the team is currently in a downhill slump, having lost three of their last four games in the past two weeks. To put it into greater perspective, T1 has lost five of their last six games ever since the team's star midlaner, Lee "Faker" Sang-hyeok had to step down due to an injury.
In his place, T1 promoted Yoon "Poby" Seong-won from its Challengers squad with the young midlaner taking over the reins from one of the world's best. Unfortunately, it hasn't quite worked out for both Poby and T1 as both suffered heavy losses. This included another defeat against two of the best teams in the LCK Summer Split right now, KT Rolster and Gen.G Esports.
T1 also lost against Brion Esports as well as Hanwha Life Esports, two teams they managed to defeat during the earlier weeks of the summer split. And with just four games left in the group stage, T1 will have to go all out to ensure they still finish within the top six. Their next two matches for this week include a rematch against DRX and KT Rolster, two teams they will be hoping to get revenge for their earlier losses.
Now, just how much has Faker's absence cost the team? This has arguably been one of T1's worst summer split seasons in a long while, and it's easy to see why. With Faker gone, the team lost a commanding presence in the mid-lane, which meant that any sort of playmaking or tempo control is instantly gone. While Poby has done a decent job in trying to steady the ship, it's concerning just how fragile T1 looks without their main talisman.
Of the 13 games that Poby has played for T1 ever since taking over from Faker, he has averaged a 1.8 KDA, which includes 2.2 kills per game. However, it's his death count that makes for some bleak reading, which sits at 3.2 average deaths per game, the highest of any midlaner so far. Poby also averaged just 3.8 assists per game but his kill participation in team fights is the highest of any midlaner at 71.6 per cent.
To put it into perspective, Faker played 19 games for T1 before his injury. He managed a 68.4 per cent win rate with an average KDA of 3.7. Faker also averaged almost three kills a game at 2.8 while his average assists numbers stand at 5.2, the third highest of any midlaner despite not having played the last few weeks. This shows just how crucial Faker is for setting the overall tempo and flow for the team.
Overall, T1 have an uphill task on their hands right now with just four games left for them to seal a spot in the top six. Thankfully for them, T1 are in a relatively safe place at the moment, being three points clear ahead of sixth-placed Freecs, who currently have a 4-10 score. All T1 has to do is win their next match against DRX to solidify a spot in the LCK Summer Split playoffs.
The match will take place on July 27 at 5.00 pm GMT+9, which will also be the first series of the day, followed by Hanwha Life Esports and Nongshim RedForce at 7.30 pm GMT+9. Catch all the action on the official LCK Twitch channel.
