Receptive Players Make The Difference For Ranieri

- Foxes top of the Premier League halfway through Claudio Ranieri’s first season 

- Ranieri loves to see his team fight to the end, regardless of the result 

- Italian says February will be important in determining where his side can finish 

Claudio Ranieri says the speed with which his players have got to grips with his methods has been crucial to Leicester City’s success so far this season. 

The Foxes head into a 10-day fixtureless break with a three-point lead at the top of the Barclays Premier League after the most astonishing rise from relegation favourites to league leaders. 

And Ranieri believes much of the progress his squad has made has been down to their swift understanding of his philosophy after the Italian took charge in the summer. 

“This team could do something special, but I told them it was important they understood me as quickly as possible,” Ranieri said after his side’s latest victory – a 3-0 home success over Stoke City at King Power Stadium. 

“It was more difficult for me, because there were maybe 25 players [to get to know]. For them, they only need to get to know one man. I told them that if they can understand me quickly, we can start well. 

“I’m very excited, but I hope I am balanced because, in football and in sport, there are good and bad moments. You must always be on the same plan.” 

One quality Ranieri quickly identified in his squad is a fighting spirit that served them so well, both in last season’s recovery from the foot of the table and this season’s surge to the top.

And for a manager who values endeavour and character above all else, there is no better sight that his team leaving everything out on the pitch. 

“For me it’s important to let our fans dream,” he said. “We will lose, I know we will, but it’s important that we fight until the end. 

“Against Tottenham [in the FA Cup] I was so pleased to see at the end that we were losing 2-0 and Kasper Schmeichel was trying to score a goal. This is fantastic. I wasn’t a big champion when I played, but my character was very strong and I see the team is like my character.” 

City now face a challenging run of fixtures in February, with Liverpool visiting King Power Stadium on 2 February, before back-to-back away trips to Manchester City and Arsenal. 

And Ranieri said the tests on the horizon gave added significance to Saturday’s win over the Potters. 

“I told the players in the briefing that the month of February is very, very tough, so it was important to be top of the league. 

“If a bad moment arrives, we are strong to get over this bad moment. 

“February will be crucial for us.”