Ward: We Have A Foundation To Build On
- Leicester City entertain Leeds United on Thursday night
- The Whites visit King Power Stadium for a 8:15pm kick-off
- Goalkeeper Danny Ward previewed the fixture with LCFC TV
- The shot-stopper has helped keep successive clean sheets on Filbert Way
Sitting 20th in the top-flight standings, with seven losses from 10 matches, it's been a far from ideal start for Brendan Rodgers’ side.
Navigating through that tough spell of form by posting back-to-back clean sheets at King Power Stadium, taking four points from a possible six on Filbert Way, is a step in the right direction.
City’s No.1 believes the team can take a degree of confidence from those shutouts against Nottingham Forest and Crystal Palace, ahead of another home test against Leeds United on Thursday evening (8:15pm kick-off).
“Keeping a clean sheet gives us a massive chance of winning a game of football,” the Wales international explained, sitting down with LCFC TV inside the King Power Centre dome. “We’ve done that the last two times (at home), but just couldn’t get over the line against Palace.
City & Palace Share A Point
Highlights from Leicester City's 0-0 draw with Crystal Palace at King Power Stadium in the Premier League.
“But it’s a foundation for us to build on and a positive to take moving forward. If we can continue to do so, the more clean sheets you keep, the more games you’re likely to win.
“It was frustrating (not to win), but a clean sheet is always good for confidence and that’s not just the goalkeeper, it starts from the front with the pressing and the midfield boys winning first and second balls and getting around there.
“We felt we had enough chances and good moments in their final third to win the game. Obviously, we lacked that cutting edge and a little bit of quality at the end, which was unlike us this season, considering where we are, but it’s something to work on and hopefully we’ll put that right moving forward.”
Reflecting on and assessing Leicester’s difficult run of form, frustration is clearly an emotion that runs throughout the squad. Despite this, spirits remain high around LCFC Training Ground.
The shot-stopper continued: “It’s not what any of us wanted really. There’s been times in games when we’ve had a half or 30 minutes where we’ve not shown our true face, which is obviously disappointing. Where we are in the league is where we are, but we’ve got to look forward to the game and put things right.
“The key in this moment in time is to stay positive. The talent and the characters that we have in that changing room, there is a good team spirit here. We know what we have here, not just as players, but there’s a good camaraderie within the group. That’s something we’re going to have to rely on in what has been a tough start for us.
“As a group in general, if anyone’s struggling or needs a kick or an arm around the shoulder, they can come to anyone in that changing room. It’s a great group of fellas who will welcome anyone with open arms.
“Slowly but surely, we are looking to put those results from the first 10 games behind us and work on the things that we haven’t done so far.”
Previewing the battle with the Yorkshire club, Ward pointed to the high intensity style of play deployed by Jesse Marsch, which has led to some impressive performances, albeit they are without a win in six Premier League matches.
Leicester, on the other hand, put four past Nottingham Forest and will require a similar level performance to take a positive result on Thursday.
Move Forwards Together, Says Ward
Danny Ward gives an honest assessment of Leicester City's start to the season while speaking to LCFC TV prior to facing Leeds United.
“They press the game really well,” the 29-year-old analysed. “They seem like they’ve got a good group of players who work really hard and won’t give you a minute on the ball. That’s something we’re going to have to deal with.
“We’ll have to match their intensity and their pressing and running. We’ll have a game plan and we’ll take that into the game.
“It was huge (to beat Forest). Not just the result, but the reception from the fans, it was fantastic and created a great atmosphere. Things like that can’t be downplayed. It gives the lads a real boost and you could see that from the start we made in the game.
“The intensity was really high and that wasn’t just on the pitch, it was in the stands as well and drove us forward in what was a brilliant win.”
All times BST.