Matchday With The Manager – The Importance Of The Blue Army

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Matchday With The Manager – The Importance Of The Blue Army

Brendan Rodgers has called on Leicester City's 'amazing' supporters to make their voices heard at King Power Stadium on Sunday.

2022-08-07T07:15:00.000Z

by Sam Stevens

Published

07 Aug, 2022

Matchday With The Manager – The Importance Of The Blue Army

Brendan Rodgers has called on Leicester City's 'amazing' supporters to make their voices heard at King Power Stadium on Sunday.

Sam Stevens

2022-08-07T07:15:00.000Z

Matchday With The Manager – The Importance Of The Blue Army

Brendan Rodgers has called on Leicester City's 'amazing' supporters to make their voices heard at King Power Stadium on Sunday.

Sam Stevens

2022-08-07T07:15:00.000Z

Matchday With The Manager – The Importance Of The Blue Army

Brendan Rodgers has called on Leicester City's 'amazing' supporters to make their voices heard at King Power Stadium on Sunday.

Sam Stevens

2022-08-07T07:15:00.000Z

Matchday With The Manager – The Importance Of The Blue Army

Brendan Rodgers has called on Leicester City's 'amazing' supporters to make their voices heard at King Power Stadium on Sunday.

Sam Stevens

2022-08-07T07:15:00.000Z

Brentford are the visitors to Filbert Way on the opening weekend of the new Premier League season, 77 days after City's last outing. Fielding questions from the national media on Friday, Leicester's FA Cup-winning manager discussed a wide range of topics on Filbert Way. Here's what was said...

There's always possibilities – A message for the fans

Despite considerable attention and debate concerning the Club's transfer window activity, Rodgers is excited to see Leicester City in action in this new campaign. He pointed to the quality of the players at his disposal, and the impact which Foxes fans can have on the team's fortunes.

"I think there’s been a lot of noise around the Club, naturally, because we haven’t signed a player," the 49-year-old said. "But I always think, whenever we go into every season, there’s always possibilities. Despite the noise, internally, we’re very excited by the season. Hopefully, together, we can connect right from the very beginning and not let all the noise affect the mentality of the stadium. The supporters here, when they’re behind the team, they’re amazing. We’re really going to need them this season. Let’s get everyone connected and let’s see if we can look forward to a great season."

There has been speculation concerning both incomings and outgoings at the Club this summer. Rodgers, though, is relaxed about the situation.

"I think we can do well in the Premier League," he continued. "Any manager will always want an improvement in their squad. That’s only natural. I felt this was a time we would need to improve, but it’s not the case, and I respect the Club’s position. The Club have been outstanding for me in my time here. They’ve supported me in whatever I’ve wanted to do. At this time, I need to support them. It’s a situation which is unfortunate. I just need to concentrate on the players that I have. I would have loved to improve the squad and there is still time, through until the end of August. There’s still time if things change, but at this moment in time, all the focus us going into the players that are fit and available and getting them in the best condition possible."

Asked if key players could leave, he explained: "I hope not. We want to keep them. I think I’ve mentioned before – and I’ll repeat – these players are not for sale. These are very important players for us. Obviously, there’s a situation at the Club where we need to move some players out, but it’s not getting rid of anyone and everyone, and certainly [not] our best assets. I’ve said it before, you don’t want to lose your top players.

"This is something the Club are very strong on. At this moment in time, the guys you mentioned, James [Maddison] and Wesley [Fofana], have trained very well. They’re working very hard and getting ready for the game on Sunday."

Ambitions remain the same – Striving for Europe

Over previous years, Leicester have been regular challengers for European places. Although last season's eighth-placed standing wasn't quite enough to prolong the Club's longest runs of consecutive campaigns in Europe, Rodgers says the ambition is always the same.

"We’ll see how the season goes," the former Liverpool and Celtic manager added. "For us, I think the challenge is always there. I’ve always said our ambition is to get into Europe. You have your top-six clubs, and you now have more competitors for those European places. Where we sit now, challenging for Europe is always the aim. Whether we add to the squad or not, that will be our ambition and we’ll carry that into the season."

The goalkeeping position – Backing Ward & Iversen

Kasper Schmeichel left the Club on Wednesday after 11 years of outstanding service at Leicester City. Following the iconic Dane's departure, there will be opportunities for Danny Ward and Daniel Iversen to impress. Rodgers, meanwhile, says he has faith in both shot-stoppers to do just that.

"Of course, the next guy coming in will be ready," he said. "I’ve always said it, that I always felt Danny Ward was a no.1 goalkeeper. Daniel Iversen’s gone away and had experience and is actually the no.2 to Kasper in the Danish national side. Below him, we’ve got a fantastic young goalkeeper there as well. I don’t feel as if I need to look outside for a goalkeeper. We’ve got guys inside who I believe deserve the opportunity and we can assess it from there."

Preparing for Brentford – Always a tough opponent

Although City did the double over Brentford in 2021/22, winning 2-1 both at home and away, Rodgers is fully aware of the task at hand this weekend. He highlighted the work being done by Thomas Frank at the west London club, while also pinpointing a possible change in their tactical approach.

"It's always a difficult game," the Foxes manager added. "In the couple of games against them last season, at home and away, we won the games, but they were tough. I just watched them over the course of pre-season. They look more like they’re playing a back four. They played a lot of 4-3-3 towards the end of last season, having got promotion playing as a back three. They’re very well coached, very well organised. They give their all for the manager and Thomas has done a fantastic job there over a few years now at Brentford.

"There was a period last year, when we played them, that there was maybe a little bit of concern if they were going to stay in the league or not, and after that game against us, they had a tough run of fixtures. But they did great in those, got some great results, and then ended up finishing the season very well. We’ll expect a tough game, but we’re at home. You’re always happy to be at home in your first league game. The supporters are going to be very, very important for us, so hopefully in the first game, we get the supporters behind the team and look to pick up those first three points of the season. We know it’ll be a tough match."

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