Do not turn against us
BOSS’S PLEA TO FOXES FANS
LEICESTER V L WARSAW 8PM BT SPORT
BRENDAN RODGERS has appealed to the Leicester fans to be “for us rather than against us”.
The FA Cup winners were booed during and after a 3-0 home loss to Chelsea last Saturday. They have come fifth in the Premier League in the past two seasons but are 12th after one point from three games.
They now face a crunch home tie in the Europa League, needing to win to keep alive their hopes of topping Group C to qualify automatically.
Asked if he had a message for the supporters, manager Rodgers, right, said: “For me it is about encouraging the team. We all understand the frustrations but only ask for a little perspective.
“These players have given so much in the past couple of years and given great joy to the fans.
“When the team are suffering a little bit with consistency, then that encouragement will help them.
“Bring that incredible passion and support and really encourage us. That will always give us a chance.
We need them to be for us rather than against us.”
Leicester held a dressing-room inquest this week. Their Spanish attacker Ayoze Perez said: “There have been honest and open conversations. We know we are struggling for results and even performance but we’re focused on what we can change.
“It was a disappointing result against Chelsea but the main thing was the mentality.That’s what we’re missing from a couple of seasons ago – the mentality and resilience.
“The manager is trying to make us think about the basics. You have to try not to overthink or overdo things.”
LEICESTER (probable): Schmeichel; Amartey, Evans, Soyuncu; Castagne, Ndidi, Soumare, Bertrand; Perez; Daka, Iheanacho.