Rodgers: That Was Not Acceptable

- Brendan Rodgers reflects on Leicester City's 4-1 defeat by AFC Bournemouth at Vitality Stadium
- The Foxes manager apologised to the Club's supporters for his side's second half performance
- Rodgers says City must 'show their mettle' to recover from a 'bitterly disappointing' result
- Leicester entertain Sheffield United in the Premier League on Thursday (6pm kick-off)

Jamie Vardy's 23rd goal of the season got the Foxes off to a commanding start at Vitality Stadium, but the match got away from Rodgers' men in the second period.

Junior Stanislas' penalty, a brace for Dominic Solanke, an own goal from Jonny Evans, plus Çağlar Söyüncü's red card, all contributed to a frustrating night for City. 

"Listen, first of all, I apologise to the supporters," Rodgers told LCFC TV at full-time on the south coast. "I don’t think I've ever had to do that in my time here.

"We've always been a tough team, mentally and physically, and tried to then play football, but to collapse like we did in the second half was bitterly disappointing.

"[In the] first half, we had control of the game, scored a goal, looked like we were the threat… and then, [in the] second half, you expect a challenge from them.

"Especially in the first 10/15 minutes, when you're playing away from home. Sometimes you have to grind that period out and we did that to an extent.

"But then the penalty changes the course of the game and the momentum. It shouldn't, but it did do for us and, very quickly, we're 2-1 down and a man down.

"We didn't take responsibility when we were defending and when we had the ball. You've got to play for 90 minutes.

"We didn't show anywhere near the level that you need to, both with the ball and defensively. And, like I said, performance-wise, the attitude was not so good."

Rodgers labelled Leicester's second-half performance as 'not acceptable' and challenged his young squad to deliver a vastly improved display against Sheffield United.

Chris Wilder's men visit King Power Stadium in the Premier League on Thursday (6pm kick-off) and the Foxes manager has called on his squad to 'show their mettle' in the game.

"It's not a happy changing room and it shouldn't be, because that is not acceptable, to deliver that level, especially when you work so well," he added.

"Like I say, it was the attitude. We didn't show the right spirit and that's something that we've showed consistently. But, yes, that was bitterly disappointing.

"[The Sheffield United game] will be a great challenge for us because we need to show a greater level of physicality and mentality. That'll be a really good test.

"We had a great result at Bramall Lane earlier in the season and now this is a game where we've really got to show our mettle and look to get working again."

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