Matchday With The Manager – Chasing That Winning Feeling
Blackburn Rovers stand in the way of Leicester City booking their place in the quarter-finals, with the Lancashire outfit arriving at King Power Stadium for Tuesday’s fifth round tie (7:30pm GMT kick-off).
Prior to the upcoming FA Cup clash on Filbert Way, here’s what the manager had to say on recent form and City's special connection with the prestigious tournament, while speaking to the media at LCFC Training Ground on Monday afternoon…
Reflecting on Arsenal
A second successive Premier League defeat, at the hands of league leaders Arsenal on Saturday, frustrated Rodgers, but it is a game that has soon been put to bed and moved on from, given the short space of time to prepare for the next fixture.
“It is a reflection of the game that we didn’t create enough,” the 50-year-old admitted. “That’s what I get the satisfaction from. When you win games of football, it delays the criticism. But for me, it’s about how you play and perform.
“We didn’t perform well, which meant we didn’t create the opportunities that we have done in the last number of weeks. We didn’t have the ball enough or use the ball well enough. It’s not all about possession, but we do like to control the game better.
“We have to respect the opponent that we were playing. Arsenal were very good in the game. We didn’t give away so much from a defensive perspective, but I expect us to be much better on the ball, technically, because that’s our game.
“It’s about looking to get the ball back as quick as we can, it’s very simple. And then when you have it, looking to play fast football through the thirds in order to create opportunities. We didn’t really do that.”
Opposition analysis
Jon Dahl Tomasson’s side have gathered momentum in recent weeks, with Rovers sitting inside the Sky Bet Championship’s top six and fighting for promotion to the top-flight following three successive wins and just one defeat this calendar year. Their style of play, in particular, has impressed City’s manager.
“We’re playing against a good team who are doing very well,” Rodgers continued. “They’ve been in the play-off positions this year. They’re fourth in the Championship and it’s a tough league. They’re right in the mix of the play-offs and you can see why. I think it’ll be a really good football game.
“I like how they try to play. They like to bring the full-backs in on the inside to try and create an overload. They stretch the game and play really expansive up the field. They play a very good technical game and play well in the shape that they use. You’ve seen that in their results.
“That’s something that I look forward to, I enjoyed the analysis of watching them because I haven’t seen them so much. They are used to winning, they play well and so it’s going to be a really tough test, but it’s a good game for us.
“We know each stage of the competition that you go through, each game becomes more difficult. This is a chance for us to get to the quarter-finals and we’re really going to give everything to be able to do that. Each game which goes by provides an opportunity for you, playing at home in front of our own supporters.”
City’s FA Cup history
Winners in 2021, it's an occasion that will live long in the memory for all Foxes fans and those at the Club, whether one of the 6,000 supporters at Wembley for the final or following along from home, as City finally claimed the one domestic prize that had previously eluded them.
“We’ve been on this journey before, and it led us to winning it,” the Northern Irishman explained. “We have that feeling and we know what that feeling is like. But in order to do that, you have to get there.
“Of course, it’s right up there to win the trophy for the first time in the Club’s history. It was a great honour and privilege to be able to do that. The day itself was absolutely amazing. The feeling that it gave everyone, in what was a difficult period. It was the first time fans were coming back into stadiums after the pandemic.
“To beat such a top-class team in Chelsea and deliver the cup.... we had tough series of games right the way through. It’s a day that will always provide us all with a special bond. I hope that we can do it again in the future as well.
“You can never take it for granted. When you look at Manchester United yesterday, and Celtic winning the Scottish League Cup, you see the joy of them winning and having experienced that feeling at Wembley, it’s an amazing feeling. You can’t replace that feeling of winning. It’s great to share that with your supporters.
“Once you’ve won titles and trophies, it then allows you to have a canvas leading into games. And especially if some players have won, they know what it takes. That experience is very important, otherwise the emotions can be difficult. We have enough players in the squad now who have good experience of winning titles and that helps.”