Winks: We Need To Go Again
- Leicester City were beaten 2-1 by Middlesbrough at King Power Stadium on Saturday
- Midfielder Harry Winks has called for a quick reaction to the reverse
- He accepts that defeats are a part of football despite being rare for the Foxes this term
- Recovering from the disappointment with a positive result at Leeds United is key, he believes
Finn Azaz and Sam Silvera struck at King Power Stadium to put Boro beyond City's reach, although the home side dominated large spells and got one back through Jamie Vardy late on.
Still holding a nine-point cushion at the top of the table, the Foxes are next due at Elland Road to take on second-place Leeds United next Friday and Winks says they must make sure their mentality is right for that challenge.
Winks offered his perspective of only Leicester's third home loss of the season, first explaining what Manager Enzo Maresca told the players at full-time.
"To keep going," the former Tottenham Hotspur man said. "It’s probably normal to lose games at times. We’ve had a really good run this year with loads of wins and we’ve set the tempo of the league.
Put It Behind Us, Says Winks
Harry Winks offers his verdict on Leicester City's 2-1 loss to Middlesbrough at King Power Stadium.
"Our standards are really high but it’s normal to lose and now we just need to go again and bounce back."
City's No.8 does not feel that the home side deserved to suffer defeat on Filbert Way, but nonetheless accepts that it's happened. A quick recovery with what would be a hugely significant victory at Leeds is now on his mind.
"We had two mistakes in the first half which cost us the goals, but after that, we gave everything and we really controlled the game," he added. "We created big chances. It’s difficult when a team sits back with 11 players behind the ball.
"It’s always difficult to create clear-cut chances but we made some really good opportunities to score. It just wasn’t our day today. We’re not really used to that, the way we’ve been this year. Defensively, we’ve been so solid and so good.
"It’s something to watch back and see where we can improve and do again for the goals, but we need to bounce back, put it behind us, and get onto the next game."
That clash with Leeds is likely to attract plenty of pre-match attention and Winks is excited by the occasion in Yorkshire.
"They’re a good side and it’s another big game for us to go out and make a statement," the England international explained.
"Hopefully we can extend the gap with three points. It’s a tough game, that’s something we’re fully aware of, but we have to put this behind us now and focus on the next game. We can’t dwell on this.
"The result’s happened. We can’t change it. All we can focus on now is Leeds and make sure we have the right mentality for that and go into it with the right attitude."