Brendan Rodgers insists Leicester City are still 'in a really good position'

08 May 2021

Leicester City manager Brendan Rodgers has called for calm after defeat to Newcastle, and claims his side are still 'in a really good position' in the race for the top four in the Premier League.

The Foxes boss was speaking on Friday night after seeing his players fall to a humiliating 4-2 defeat at the hands of visiting Newcastle United, which has mustered fears over Leicester's ability to handle pressure.

The hosts were 4-0 down by the 73rd minute, courtesy of first half strikes by Joe Willock and Paul Dummett and a second half Callum Wilson brace. Marc Albrighton and Kelechi Iheanacho pulled goals back for Leicester but the Foxes eventually fell to a shocking 4-2 loss.

Despite Friday night's events, however, Rodgers remains confident of his side's top four aspirations. The Daily Mail report that the Northern Irishman told Sky Sports: "We are still in a really good position and everything is still in our hands.

"I have always said we have to fight for everything. We are so close to where we want to be. We are in a great position still. I have always said 'let's see where we are after 38 games'."

Brendan Rodgers consoles Jamie Vardy after the Newcastle defeat | Michael Regan/Getty Images

With just three games left of Leicester's Premier League season, there are fears that Rodgers' men could miss out on the top four once again. The Foxes won just two of their last nine matches last campaign, seeing them slip to fifth place in the table and qualifying for the Europa League rather than the Champions League.

And, depending on Saturday's results, they could drop down to fourth after Gameweek 35, one point behind Chelsea and just two above West Ham.

Joe Willock capitalised on a Caglar Soyuncu mistake to score the opener | Alex Pantling/Getty Images

However, Rodgers puts his side's defeat on Friday night down to a lack of concentration rather than an inability to handle pressure: "It was a game in which we made so many mistakes and you can't afford to do that.

"It was uncharacteristic," he continued. "It's a period of the season where we need to be super concentrated, you are very close to achieving what you want to achieve. We lacked concentration and if you do that against good teams and good players they punish you."

Leicester will have to be fully focused in their remaining matches if they are to retain their place in the top four. The Foxes face a frightening run in, with gruelling away trips to Manchester United and Chelsea before hosting Tottenham Hotspur on the final day of the campaign.


Source: 90min