‘We’re In Good Stead’ – Justin’s Verdict Ahead Of Soton Showdown

- Leicester City resume their Premier League duties on Saturday afternoon
- The Foxes travel to St. Mary’s Stadium to take on Southampton (3pm kick-off)
- James Justin assessed the start to the new season under Steve Cooper
- The full-back has started all seven league fixtures so far this term

Seven games into the new season, a first victory of the campaign ahead of the international break was one welcomed by all connected to LCFC but converting that into a sequence of wins is the next step to really drive some momentum for the next chunk of fixtures to come.

Matches against Nottingham Forest, Ipswich Town and Manchester United all follow prior to the next international window, three teams currently positioned around or below the Foxes in the standings.

And speaking ahead of Saturday’s meeting with Southampton at St. Mary’s Stadium (3pm kick-off), another side towards the bottom end of the table, Justin mused on City’s start to 2024/25 and how collecting three points against AFC Bournemouth earlier this month can serve as a catalyst for the succeeding weeks.

“I feel like we’ve just been missing the final pieces,” the full-back analysed. “We’ve dropped points a couple of times late on and that’s been disappointing, but we picked up our first win and clean sheet of the season in our last game, so that puts us in good stead for the really important run that we have coming up in the Premier League.”

Steve Cooper is less than four months into his tenure as Leicester City Manager but Justin says that performances and results will continue to improve having got to grips with new methods and tactical ideas.

“He’s only been here for a few months and it’s hard to get over ideas in that short space of time,” the 26-year-old admitted. “He’s added to things we did last year and is creating his own ideas.

“It was tough in the first few games of the season, but now that we’ve understood what he wants from us, things are turning the other way now and I’m excited to see how we do in the next few games.”

The one-time England international has played throughout each of the first seven matches of the season, fulfilling the right-back role while also popping up with a brace at Arsenal in Leicester’s last away fixture, as well as assisting Facundo Buonanotte’s winner against the Cherries last time out.

“I’ve scored a few good goals, but that’s probably my favourite one so far,” he added on his second strike against the Gunners. “Obviously scoring away to equalise and tie the game up was amazing.

“The technique on it – I don’t think I’ll hit one better than that. Hopefully I can do one similar this week. I’ve got to keep my shooting boots on and hopefully add a few more goals and assists this season.”

All times BST.