MY ACCOUNT
Brendan Rodgers believes Leicester will come good eventually despite their poor start to the Premier League season.
The Foxes currently sit bottom of the table and are the only team yet to taste victory in the new campaign but the former Liverpool boss has faith in his players.
Leicester take on Nottingham Forest in a must-win clash for both sides tonight and Rodgers has suggested that he has seen promising signs in recent fixtures.
Speaking about the 6-2 loss to Tottenham before the international break, he said: “For 73 minutes I enjoyed watching us competing against a really good team. We looked creative, which is what I would expect.
“The final 15 minutes is what we analysed to see where we could be better. There was no lack of energy. We got punished.
“The players have worked well, those that have been here. It’s been great to get them all back in together. The game being on Monday gives extra time.”
Rodgers plays down pressure
It is perhaps no surprise that the 49-year-old is the odds-on favourite to become the next manager to lose his job following Bruno Lage’s departure from Wolves this weekend.
But the Northern Irishman is adamant that he does not feel under pressure and that the owners have faith in him to turn the current situation around.
He said: “I’ve repeatedly said about the joy I have here. This season has been a challenge.
“I’m looking forward to steering the team out of this. From a personal level, it’s never changed for me. I love being here.
“Believe it or not, it’s easy. I’ve been managing for a number of years so you learn to regulate the noise.
“If you’re bottom of the league, you’re not going to be flavour of the month. I love working with these players, I believe we will come good and get into a good position.
“I see these players work and that gives me strength. I also know I’m the best person to lead this team forward and that’s something I think we will do in the coming weeks.”
Cooper demands improvement
Forest boss Steve Cooper is also under pressure to pick up results with the club’s investment over the summer not reaping the rewards just yet.
A loss for the hosts tonight could see them swap places with their Midlands rivals and sit bottom of the table.
Cooper said: “The Premier League is tough, it’s exciting and brilliant to be part of.
“It’s a ruthless and tough environment to be in, but we wanted this, we wanted to be part of it and after a couple of disappointing weeks, we’re really determined to progress.
“We need to pick up more points than what we have done, we can’t lose sight of that, but it’s now part of the challenge of what was always going to be a tough season.
“I think a lot has happened since that whirlwind of getting promoted at Wembley and preparing for the new season.
“Recruitment, scheduling and everything else that has come with transitioning to life in the Premier League both on and off the pitch.”
Did you know?
Forest have lost just one of their six Premier League meetings with Leicester, winning the last contest 1-0 in 1999.
James Maddison has been directly involved in 11 goals (seven goals, four assists) in his last 10 top-flight games.
Neco Williams’ 24-shot involvements are the most by any player without registering a single goal or assist in the Premier League in 2022-23.
No side have conceded more goals from set pieces than Leicester and Forest (five) in the league this season, while all five conceded by Cooper’s side have been via corners.
Rodgers could lose three home league games in a row for the first time as a manager.
