Wes starts every day with a Good Morning under Rodgers
CHERRIES RIPE FOR IMPROVEMENT
Morgan Vardy
BRENDAN RODGERS’ dramatic transformation of Leicester continues and no one epitomises the club’s turnaround more than Wes Morgan.
The Foxes’ title-winning captain was an unused sub in Claude Puel’s final game and faced the exit door with his contract up this summer.
But successor Rodgers recalled the experienced stopper and he has played a crucial role in City winning three out of four games since then.
Rodgers, appointed in February, has wasted no time in giving Morgan a contract extension.
And while Puel’s promotion of young players is admirable, Morgan possesses the experience and respect in the dressing room which is invaluable.
Morgan is now repaying Rodgers’ faith in him after scoring for a second successive game.
He said: “Speaking to the gaffer, he pulls you in and says he has always worked closely with the captains of the teams he’s had in the past.
“He said he sees me as an important part of his plans and, regardless of what role I am playing, I am still going to be important.
“He made his thoughts clear and there was only one thing I wanted, which was to make sure I signed. To get the opportunity to spend another year here, I snapped their hand off.
“It is always important to have a mix of experience and wise heads along with youth and I think he is trying to get that combination.
“It will take time to build the team he wants but the future looks bright.”
Morgan is now looking to guide Leicester to more glory after joining from Nottingham Forest in 2012 and leading them to promotion in 2014, then the title in 2016 and into the Champions League.
But he knows his future at the King Power Stadium could have been different had unpopular Frenchman Puel remained.
Morgan added: “Who knows? But I don’t have to think about that now. All of that is irrelevant now, Brendan has come in and made it clear what he wants – and here we are.”
Morgan’s upturn in fortunes have been mirrored by Leicester’s own as they once again look a determined, attacking force.
The defender soon undermined Bournemouth, flicking Ben Chilwell’s shot in off the post with the inside of his boot. Leicester controlled the game and missed a number of chances before Jamie Vardy headed in Youri Tielemans’ late cross (left).
The win lifted them to eighth and left fans once again singing about Europe.
Morgan is confident Leicester will now enjoy more “success” with Rodgers dishing out clear instructions. He added: “I think Brendan has set his stall out from the very beginning.
“He has made it clear what he expects from us and how he expects us to play and imprint his identity on us.
“The boys have taken it on board and it is going to take time before we perfect it, but sooner or later we will get it exactly how he wants it and I am sure we will be successful.
“Our form is good, we have had some good results and if we can pick up more points I am sure we can put ourselves in a great position.
“First and foremost let’s finish the season strong and see if we can continue our good form into next season.” RYAN FRASER admits Bournemouth’s form has not been good, but insists they can still deliver a good season.
Eddie Howe’s Cherries have lost 10 out of 11 away games and won just once in eight matches. They were poor on the road again at Leicester and winger Fraser said: “The second half of the season hasn’t been good enough.
“But we will try to put it right in the last six games. If we can win most games and end up with 49 or 50 points, everyone says it is a good season and that is how quick it can change.
“You still have to keep looking over your shoulder if we keep playing poorly. We need to start winning again and hopefully we can. It is easy to say that, but just tweak a couple of things which are not working and go from there.” Referee ........................... Lee Mason Attendance ............................ 31,530
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