Ranieri: Time To Show Fearless Spirit

- Claudio Ranieri wants to see Leicester City's fearless spirit against West Ham United on New Year's Eve (3pm kick-off)

- The Foxes boss has called upon his players to show more concentration ahead of the clash with the Hammers

- City fell to a 2-0 defeat against Everton on Boxing Day but Ranieri retains his faith in his Premier League champions

- Leicester then travel to Middlesbrough three days later before the Emirates FA Cup trip to Everton on Saturday 7 January

The Foxes go into the clash on the back of a disappointing Boxing Day defeat to Everton but the Hammers’ trip to King Power Stadium gives Ranieri’s men an ideal chance to end 2016 on a high note. 

It has been a landmark year for City after becoming English champions for the first time in their 132-year history in May but Ranieri insists that his focus is on the present and not the achievements of last season. 

Speaking during his weekly media briefing on Thursday afternoon, he said: "We are unhappy. We have to react very quickly, be a strong dressing room and show all the good things on the pitch. 

“The match verses Everton was very even but then they scored twice – unbelievable. But that’s football. We must concentrate because when we concentrate, we can show fantastic football.” 

Ranieri reiterated his confidence in his squad’s ability and says it is just a matter of time before results start to turn in their favour following a difficult festive period. 

After facing West Ham on Saturday, the Foxes travel to Middlesbrough three days later before the Emirates FA Cup third round trip to Everton on Saturday 10 January, 2017. 

Ranieri added: “The squad is good and all the players are good. We can lose but there is a right way to lose a match. 

“We lost to Everton maybe because of a loss of concentration with one kick from the goalkeeper. If we are fearless it means we are the Foxes and the Foxes are fearless. 

“We know we are in a battle with lots of teams and we are ready to battle.”