Adaptivity Important For Ranieri

- The Foxes face Southampton at St. Mary’s Stadium on Sunday 

- City go in search of their first 2016/17 Premier League win on the road 

- Ranieri says his side’s target of reaching 40 points this term has not changed 

Claudio Ranieri believes it is important for his players to adjust to different systems as Leicester City continue their search for a first Premier League away win of the 2016/17 season. 

The Foxes boss has seen his side play a number of formations this term, with the most recent a 3-5-2 stratagem during the last time out at King Power Stadium. 

While beaten, Ranieri says his men applied themselves well against the Premier League leaders and feels it is pivotal for his side to understand how beneficial it can be to adopt different systems while the game is in progress. 

“The future is to change the system also during the match,” Ranieri told the media ahead of Sunday’s fixture against Southampton. “It’s important for my players that they know how to play three at the back – two years ago they played in this way. 

“It’s not important the system, but the mentality is important. The system can help you. I’m not closed with the 4-2-3-1 like we are used to playing or the three at the back. It’s important to understand the best players I can choose to put the opponent under pressure. 

“You have to surprise the opponent. If you want to make some changes, there are so many teams that change their system. 

“Sometimes I do this, sometimes during the training session we change the system. For example, one half they played one system and the other another system. The mind of the players is open.” 

According to Ranieri, City’s target of reaching 40 points for the 2016/17 campaign has not changed, as his side prepare for a testing . 

He added: “Our goal from the beginning was 40 points. People were laughing but I was so concentrated on these 40 points. Our goal is 40 points. 

“Now there are two away matches and we want to do the best for us to achieve these 40 points as soon as possible.”