Matchday With The Manager – Returning To Leicester's High Levels

Digital Members Exclusive
12 Dec 2021
3 Minutes
Brendan Rodgers believes continued hard work and resilience will help Leicester City rediscover their form in the Premier League.

Thursday's 3-2 defeat at Napoli, resulting in an exit from the UEFA Europa League, was a big blow for the Foxes, who had ambitions to advance far further on the European stage. They are back in Premier League action on Sunday, though, against Newcastle United at King Power Stadium.

The congested December fixture schedule is something all teams have to contend with, but on the back of a trip to Naples, City must now come up against a Magpies side who have benefited from a full week of preparation. Eddie Howe's men also secured their first win of the season last weekend.

Rodgers is focused entirely on ensuring his own side is ready for the challenges which Newcastle will pose on Filbert Way and on getting Leicester back to winning ways domestically. 

"Unfortunately, at the moment, we haven’t had the time to [coach and train]," he said. "At times that cohesion doesn’t quite look right on the field. That’s where experience can sometimes come in. We’ve got a model here where the young players will get the opportunity to come in and play and work.

"They’re going to make mistakes, as will some of the senior players, so it’s just limited time to correct those. I know the players can work well. We’ve shown that consistently over a period of time. Our confidence is probably not quite where we would want it to be at the moment, but it’s not rocket science.

"You’ve just got to work hard. Even in the tough times, you’ve got to do the right things every day and eventually it’ll turn for you. You’ve got to have that resilience and that persistence to keep going. Offensively, we’ve been good.

The Foxes manager is confident his side can return to their best levels soon in the Premier League.

"We’ve looked a threat, we’ve scored goals, but ultimately, to win games consistently, you’ve got to defend well. We’ve shown we can do it and we want to return to that level again."

Rodgers has been open in discussing City's defensive record in 2021/22 with set pieces being a particular problem in recent months. Getting the basics right, both in training and during games, will be key to improving that area of their game in future, the Northern Irishman says.

"It’s about more than quality," he added. "There has to be a willpower as well and a determination. That’s another aspect of some of the goals we’ve conceded. For the third goal [at Napoli], we have to show more determination on the side of the field to stop the cross coming in.

"They got that little bit of luck as it runs through to the player and they score. Defending is also about determination and mentality. That’s obviously something you can’t transport to players. It’s something I know will return. We just have to get the balance right in our game again.

"Fundamentally the best advice you can give is doing the basics well; the pressing, the work, the concentration. All these things all lead to performing better. The basics are important in any game.

"The next game is always important, especially when you lose. We got back late from the European game and we’re recovering today (Friday) and then you’re playing a team who have prepared all week to play. They’ve got some rest on the back of their first win of the season.

The former AFC Bournemouth manager has been charged with guiding Newcastle to top-flight survival.

"For us, that’s always the challenge when you’re up there playing in European football. It’s a great opportunity. We’re playing at home. Showing confidence and stability in the team will be important for us against a good team that have dangerous players and we have to bring our game to the weekend."

Rodgers also pointed to some of the threats which Leicester will need to be alert to if they are to secure a positive result on Sunday. Newcastle will be looking to climb away from danger in the Premier League over Christmas and, according to the City manager, they have the tools to do so.

"I’m pretty sure over a length of time that Eddie will do a great job there," the 48-year-old explained. "He’s clearly just come in and he’s looking to stabilise everything. They play in a very straightforward 4-4-2 system, defending well, looking to be compact and tight as you would expect.

"They’ve got players on the counter-attack who can hurt you. [Callum] Wilson and [Allan] Saint-Maximin are dangerous players. They have talents in their team and Eddie will come in and, with his staff, bring new ideas. At this moment in time, being solid and compact is probably what he's looking for.

"He knows he has players who can cause problems too. Over the next number of years, he’ll look to really impose his authority and his way of working on the team."