BRENDAN WILL GO BACK TO BASICS
Rodgers rings changes after heavy losses to main rivals
BRENDAN RODGERS admits he will have to take Leicester “back to basics” after two heavy defeats in a row.
The second-placed Foxes have seen their title bid hit the buffers with a 4-0 home loss to leaders Liverpool and a 3-1 defeat at champions Manchester City.
It ended an 11-game unbeaten run in all competitions which saw Rodgers’ young side widely lauded and the Foxes boss land a big new contract to stay in charge.
But he admits he must rally his troops ahead of today’s trip to West Ham and a Carabao Cup semi with Aston Villa next month.
Rodgers said: “We’ve been terrific this season – second place in the league and into the semifinal of a cup competition.
“We have got talent but they’ve been really tested in these last two games.
“You’re not going to have it all your own way all of the time. But this is where the manager comes in to instil that belief. You have to go back to your basics again when you lose games like that.
“You have to work hard, get your aggression back in your game and play your football.
“That is what I’ll look to do – give them that confidence back as mental strength comes from learning experiences and these last two games we will learn from and be better for it.”
Rodgers will rotate his squad today, having called them in yesterday for a debriefing on the Liverpool loss.
He added: “We’ll make a number of changes. Players will want to play every game but it’s physically hard to do that to play to the level they want to.”
James Maddison, below, is one of several itching to get back on the pitch to make amends for the Liverpool thrashing.
Maddison, who hardly had a look-in as the Reds took apart Leicester’s unbeaten home record, said: “It’s probably a positive we have got a game so quickly after that one because we can focus on it and try to put this game to bed.”
You’re not going to have it all your own way all of the time