21ST CENTURY FOX
After four Cup final defeats, Rodgers is convinced Leicester have mentality to win it for first time
LEICESTER are a team who have an eye on lifting a trophy this season.
A n d a f t e r r u t h l e s s l y dismantling Stoke, Foxes boss Brendan Rodgers ( ab o v e) spoke about the winning mentality he hopes can take them all the way in the FA Cup.
Stoke presented a formidable barrier to that aim. They lie just outside the play- offs in the Championship because they are disciplined and hard t o break down , and as k physical questions which are tough to answer.
Yet, Leicester did superbly, f i rst by not f l i nching and t hen , aft er James Justin’s majestic opening goal , by s k i l f ul l y di s s e c t i n g opponents.
The display had Rodgers cl aiming hi s si de are f ast developing the spirit and attitude required to become serial winners.
“It ’s a mentality we are developing,” he said. “When the game is tight you have to stay strong, and defend well.
“S t o k e a r e a r e a l l y experienced side, who are tough to play against. You have to match that, which we did brilliantly.
“Then, when we got the goal – which with a lot of young players gives you confidence – you have to take control, have to be good in all aspects. We showed that. You
t h e i r could see the level of the team going through the gears. We showed great strength in our mentality, which is important.
“You need to show it when y o u g o b e h i nd t o o – a mentality strong enough to come back – and we did that against Manchester United. Overall, we are beginning to show great strength.”
Leicester have such quality in their ranks, as this win without the i njured Jamie Vardy and James Maddison proved.
Stoke had chances, Sam Vokes heading over f rom close range when he should have scored. But the visitors remained unruffled, and after Justin’s spectacular opener,
th ey were r uthless. Marc Albrighton added a second after the break – his first goal in two years – with a similar, if less dramatic, finish.
Ayoze Perez added a third before the sublimely creative Harvey Barnes rounded it off.
Al b r i g h t o n’s g o a l h a d Rodgers beaming, i n part because it delivered on an aspect of his game the manager believes he must improve.
“He is a very honest player, an i ncredible professional who has that intensity I like in a player, he’s mentally tough,” said Rodgers. “But I have said to him he has to score more goals and he can.”
For Stoke manager Michael O’neill, who confirmed after t he game he has bi d f or Charlton’s Alfie Doughty, it was an important lesson for his side.
“We recognise the quality we were playing against, for some of our younger players its an indication of the level required at the top end of the league,” said O’neill.
STOKE: Bursik 7, Souttar 6, Shawcross 6, Batth 5 ( Matondo 65, 6), Smith 5 ( Collins 65, 6), Allen 7, Mikel 5, Clucas 6, Mcclean 5 ( Thompson 65, 6), Vokes 5, Brown 7
Schmeichel 6, Castagne 7, Fofana 7 ( Soyuncu 79, 6), Evans 7, Justin 8, Tielemans 7, Ndidi 7, Albrighton 8, Praet 7 ( Mendy 90), Barnes 8 ( Iheanacho 81), Perez 7