Rodgers Highlights Leicester's Mental Strength

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Rodgers Highlights Leicester's Mental Strength

Leicester City manager Brendan Rodgers has pointed to the inner strength of his players as the Foxes head into their final run-in of Premier League fixtures.

2020-07-12T07:38:00.000Z

Rodgers Highlights Leicester's Mental Strength

Leicester City manager Brendan Rodgers has pointed to the inner strength of his players as the Foxes head into their final run-in of Premier League fixtures.

2020-07-12T07:38:00.000Z

Rodgers Highlights Leicester's Mental Strength

Leicester City manager Brendan Rodgers has pointed to the inner strength of his players as the Foxes head into their final run-in of Premier League fixtures.

2020-07-12T07:38:00.000Z

Rodgers Highlights Leicester's Mental Strength

Leicester City manager Brendan Rodgers has pointed to the inner strength of his players as the Foxes head into their final run-in of Premier League fixtures.

2020-07-12T07:38:00.000Z

Rodgers Highlights Leicester's Mental Strength

Leicester City manager Brendan Rodgers has pointed to the inner strength of his players as the Foxes head into their final run-in of Premier League fixtures.

2020-07-12T07:38:00.000Z

- Brendan Rodgers previews Sunday's Premier League fixture at AFC Bournemouth (7pm kick-off)- Leicester City are fourth in the top-flight standings, while the Cherries currently sit in 18th place- However, Rodgers believes Eddie Howe's men pose several threats and possess quality in their squad- The Northern Irishman also praised his side's mental strength as they approach a key period

The Foxes are sat in fourth place in the table with four games remaining of the 2019/20 season after Tuesday's 1-1 draw at Arsenal took their overall points tally up to 59.

On Sunday, City travel to Vitality Stadium to tackle Eddie Howe's AFC Bournemouth in a clash of two teams who still have much to play for - albeit at opposite ends of the table.

Speaking during his virtual press conference on Friday afternoon, Rodgers, whose young side have won 17 matches this term, outlined the challenge he expects the Cherries to pose.

"Eddie will know the games are running out," he said. "They know that they need to get points on the board and they worked very, very hard (in a 0-0 draw with Tottenham Hotspur).

"They were very, very solid and they have threats that can score goals. I think it's been really, really unfortunate for them. They made a really good start to the season.

"Then it's been disrupted by injuries and whatnot throughout the season. Of course, if you get into a run a losing games, sometimes the confidence can be affected.

"But, for us, we'll prepare for a really, really tough game. Both of us are fighting for different objectives, but we'll be ready on Sunday for a tough match.

"They're the highest goalscorers from set-pieces, so that's something that we will look at as a coaching staff and assess and then we'll prepare the players for that.

"It's something that we have to be mindful of. It's something I've always been aware of at Bournemouth when we've played the games, so we have to organised and concentrated."

Throughout the campaign, Leicester's substitutes have frequently made an impact on the game and, on Tuesday, it was Demarai Gray who assisted Jamie Vardy for the equaliser.

Rodgers believes possessing a squad of players who feel valued as part of the whole is one reason for their admirable record from the bench, as well as their undoubted abilities.

"It's critical because games aren't won just by the 11 starters," he explained. "We pride ourselves on being a fit team, being well organised and having a great attitude.

"If they're not starting, they know that they're really valued in the squad and whatever time they can come into the game, they come in to make an impact.

"And we've been able to do that, if we've had to change the game, we're able to do that. Players come in and then, in general, they make an impact and we score goals.

"It's obviously something that's good for our squad, but like I said, it shows the mentality within our team."

Discussing the wider context of City's 2019/20 objectives, Rodgers insists their destiny is in their own hands and pointed to the players' mental strength as a reason for optimism.

"Our destiny's about what we do," the Northern Irishman added, when questioned about the final run-in. "My players, over the course of the season, for 34 games, have been great.

"We've not always been playing our best every single week, but we've managed to accumulate and amass a number of points that puts us right up there with four games to go.

"I think the Arsenal game really typified the mentality of this group. It's a strong group, mentally. I thought we started the game very well, in the first 15-20 minutes.

"We should have been in front. We worked a great corner that we nearly scored from. They then get the goal and then are on the ascendancy, really, for the rest of the half.

"But then, from the start of the second half, we looked to be on the front foot in the game and we got a deserved equaliser and played against the 10 [men] very, very well.

"It could end up being a valuable point for us, but we'll see that at the end of the season. It certainly felt, from where we were at, the players showed a good mentality."

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