Next up Chelsea at home, 11th March 3pm

[Guest Mee-9]

Snow affecting the game? 

 

Anyone reckon there's any chance it'll be off? It's a bit mega in Rutland. 

[Fox92]

5 minutes ago, Mee-9 said:

Snow affecting the game? 

 

Anyone reckon there's any chance it'll be off? It's a bit mega in Rutland. 

Hopefully. Anything to not lose.

[goose2010]

31 minutes ago, Mee-9 said:

Snow affecting the game? 

 

Anyone reckon there's any chance it'll be off? It's a bit mega in Rutland. 

no chance unfortunately. 

 

They will still water the fake plastic pitch before the game too. 

 

 

[moore_94]

Brendan Rodgers Pre-Match Press Conference vs Chelsea

 

Injuries?

“The only one was Harvey Barnes from our last game. We’re hopeful he will make it. We won’t know until tomorrow. He had a badly swollen ankle so we’ll see where that’s at. Jonny Evans should come into the squad as he has trained all week. That’s good news for us.”

 

Form?

“The recent form hasn’t been so good at all but we have come through adverse moments. We have to focus on the basics of our game. There were lots of elements at Southampton that were ok. The work ethic was good and we created opportunities. The players are very much together and we will look take a good training week into the game.”

 

Relegation?

“We have to be clear on that. Our form hasn’t been good enough to take us away from that. We and a host of other teams are in a position where we’re fighting.”

 

Impact of record losses of £92.5m?

“It’s not a surprise. The accounts are a year old so it’s not a surprise to us. The club is on a secure financial footing. The owners are fantastic. The debt has been written off. The model of this club has always been to sell players. The only summer we didn’t sell was in the pandemic, which was a tough market. It’s how the club has worked and it’s worked well. It doesn’t mean James Maddison is for sale, but it’s something the club will assess each summer. We have other talented players too. Our focus is on the football.”

 

Maddison asked to leave?

“No.”

 

Squad revamp?

“Clearly come the summer the club is coming to the end of a cycle. Over the course of the next 15 or 16 months, we will want to secure some of those players. There will be a natural progression of the team. It’s exciting. It happens to the best teams. Because of our situation, we haven’t been able to refresh, but we will in the summer. There will be a new energy. But we have a massive job to do before then. We have to finish as strong as we can.”

 

Job pressure on you and Potter?

“It’s part of the job at this level. It’s the level of pressure that’s there. I’ve accepted that, if you don’t win games, you’re under pressure. From Graham’s perspective, he’s very new into there. It’s a difficult challenge because he has so many new players. It’s difficult to keep 30 players happy. It’s just time. The club has gone through a lot of change. At the top clubs, you may not get time, but he is deserving of it. They’ve had a good couple of results. When you make structural changes, it takes time to settle.”

 

You going to stay?

“As long as the club wants me. You always fight to stay in position. I do my very best. I give my players everything we possibly can. We’ve been here four memorable years and it’s been a challenge this season and we’ve always been about togetherness. I’ve always said it, I enjoy the challenge.”

 

Lack of consistency?

“It’s reiterating the basics of the game. If you analyse the performance against Southampton. We started well and could have been ahead. We gave away a disappointing goal. Our reaction was there. I can’t fault the players. Sometimes we don’t quite find the quality. There have been games where we haven’t played with enough intensity, but that’s different. The basics of the game were there.”

 

How big is challenge?

“It’s a big challenge. It’s really just the next game. We didn’t get the points in a big game, but we’ve regrouped. It’s a huge challenge over 13 games.”

 

Relegation?

“There’s a recognition we’re in a position nobody wants to be in. We have the qualities to come through that. We do our talking on the pitch. We all know we need to win. That’s something I’ve seen in the players, I’ve seen that focus. They didn’t deserve to lose last week. Hopefully we can get a positive result this weekend.”

 

Leaders?

“We’ve got players in the squad, James Maddison is a fantastic leader. James calls the game well and honestly. Harry Souttar is vocal. He sees the game from inside the field and calls it well. Jonny is doing great work. He’ll be around it soon. We have a number of quieter leaders. It’s not always about being loud. We have enough there. Every game you have to prove it.”

 

How to stop communication going stale?

“You just have to find different messages. That will comes from within. I can’t transport that will. I can make a great culture and develop, but I can give that will. That comes from within and you need to have as a player. I have every faith in these players. When you’ve been at a club for a long period of time, and when the players are the same… If you see with Sir Alex Ferguson, he could never get a fourth title win in a row, because even with a team of winners, he needed freshness. You need a new stimulus to create a different story.”

 

Leicester and Chelsea on different paths since FA Cup final?

“The reality is that you can’t compare. This is a fantastic club but you can’t compare the resources. It’s not possible. We have had to fight against the odds to be up there. It’s been a challenge since. That day will always bond us. Sometimes it creates an expectation that you can be there all the time. Chelsea are expected to be there because of what they can spend. It’s unfair to compare the two when the resources. It’s like a Ferrari and a Mini in a race. It’s tough on the Mini.”

 

Maddison?

“When he’s out on the pitch, he’s declaring himself fit to player. With every player, they’re never 100 per cent. They’re always managing something. He’s managing the issue. He was outstanding at Southampton. He’s available.”

 

Selling players?

“You’ve seen the players before me who have gone. I don’t think there’s any change. As you go and develop, people might expect you not to do that, but it’s the model of the club. That’s not to say James Maddison will definitely leave. The market wasn’t there in the pandemic year. Every other summer, a player has gone. Harry left and that allowed us to bring in Youri and Ayoze that helped us finish fifth twice and win the FA Cup. Every manager would love to have funds where you can compare. This is a club that is run very well. What’s happened is lots of other teams have increased their spending. I understand that from the club’s perspective.”

 

Vestergaard?

“I’ll not talk too much on it as it was an unauthorised interview. He said he didn’t know why. I had to make sure I wasn’t talking to his twin brother, because I’ve been very clear on his position on the club. That communication has always been there. I was surprised. Anything that happened, we’ll deal with internally. Any success we’ve had has been with solidarity and I’ll always look to protect that."

 

Vestergaard training alone?

“Anything that’s decided inside, we’ll keep it that way.”

 

Dirty work?

“You have to remind players of that side. Most players like to do the nice things in the game. That’s something that is constant, you need to have that aggression. You may have to go against what you are and have that mentality. It’s something you encourage and promote. You cannot let players do what they want to do against you. You have to get in contention. And then you earn your right to play your football.”

 

Atmosphere?

“If you look at the Liverpool game, they lost to Real Madrid and then a week later they won 7-0. Football changes. It’s ok to be down when you lose a game, but after 24 hours… it hangs around longer for supporters because it’s their life. They work hard all week to see their team. Nobody respects that more than me. We want that connection between the supporters and players. We saw it in the Spurs game. If they like what they see, it’s a fantastic atmosphere. You’re always looking for that moment to change your fortunes.”

 

 

Edited 9 March 2023 by moore_94

[ThurmastonFox]

Still plenty of tickets for this too!

[Simoken]

2 minutes ago, moore_94 said:

You going to stay?

“As long as the club wants me. You always fight to stay in position. I do my very best. I give my players everything we possibly can. We’ve been here four memorable years and it’s been a challenge this season and we’ve always been about togetherness. I’ve always said it, I enjoy the challenge.”

music to my ears. #4 more years

[reynard]

15 hours ago, BeautifulHB said:

Gotta feeling Vardy will start this one and hopefully, surprise a few.

You mean you think he will actually score?  

 

Playing them just as they have discovered how to play. Can't see anything but yet another dispiriting loss frankly. Truth is we're garbage most of the time. We won't even win on possession.

[AjcW]

1 hour ago, moore_94 said:

Relegation?

We do our talking on the pitch

 

 

...The talking...

 

[Jobyfox]

Vestergaard has a twin brother?

 

Maybe we should have signed him?

 

…. or his mother

[filbertway]

Pretty confident that we sh*thouse a 1-0 win with Maddison scoring out of absolutely nothing in the 85th minute.

 

He whips off his shirt to display a rendering of  Vestergaard and Tanner being sodomised by Rodgers and Madders himself.

 

He then jumps into Brendans tiny arms, who gently unbuttons his shirt and gives Madders his bitty.

 

@Simoken is announced as the new DOF and Rodgers is given a 10 year contract and massive payrise.

 

 

 

[Thequickbrownfox]

If this team were playing, I'd give us a chance. Keller, Walsh, Elliott, Kaamark, Prior, Guppy, Izzet, Lennon, Savage, Heskey, Claridge. The 1997/98 team weren't worth a great deal in the transfer market, but they gave us far more memorable games than this current stale side seem capable of.

[jv1]

4 minutes ago, Thequickbrownfox said:

If this team were playing, I'd give us a chance. Keller, Walsh, Elliott, Kaamark, Prior, Guppy, Izzet, Lennon, Savage, Heskey, Claridge. The 1997/98 team weren't worth a great deal in the transfer market, but they gave us far more memorable games than this current stale side seem capable of.

What a team that was - loved every minute of that in my teens - me and the old man in top of the double decker - what a ride under Martin - this lot I’m watching at the minute couldn’t lace their boots - no balls at all - couldn’t fight there way out of a post box and a gaffer that is so hateable - great times with a bunch that really gave a sh*t 

Edited 9 March 2023 by jv1

[jv1]

Oh - might as well chuck it in as well - bring on the noise - Izzet was better than Maddison - yep I said it and it’s true - proper legend and what an absolute baller 

[oxtonfox]

On 06/03/2023 at 15:56, harpendenfox said:

My suggestion if Barnes is not fit is to play Vardy on the left. Remember this time two years ago when Kelechi was banging in goals for fun and Vardy was on a long drought? Vardy played in a kind of inside left position, with licence to just run at defenders. It seemed to work, and relieved of the worry of being the main goalscorer, perhaps it will allow Vardy to assume a different role in the last few months of his career. I'd love to see him running at defenders, getting into the box, and 'earning' dodgy penalties as only Vardy can.

Fair point, but Vardy has dropped off completely this year and I don't see that working. It was evident against Seville in the last pre-season game in August. Seville played a high line, there was a through ball for Vardy where he had 2 metre start on the last defender. That defender caught up and passed him in the race and recovered the ball. That never happened before. I thought then that's Vardy's main asset was gone and he would not be able to do what he's done so well in the past.

[BeautifulHB]

6 hours ago, reynard said:

You mean you think he will actually score?  

 

Playing them just as they have discovered how to play. Can't see anything but yet another dispiriting loss frankly. Truth is we're garbage most of the time. We won't even win on possession.

Yes, just a gut feeling against the odds.

[FoxyJim1987]

1 hour ago, jv1 said:

Oh - might as well chuck it in as well - bring on the noise - Izzet was better than Maddison - yep I said it and it’s true - proper legend and what an absolute baller 

Izzet is a legend and was my favourite player growing up. Stayed 8 years through thick and thin too, carried us at times. However, I feel Madders is a better player, if slightly different. The last two years Madders has been pretty much one of the best in the premier League, I can't remember Muzzy as good as he was, being in that bracket. Izzet is a club legend, I feel Madders is and could be a premier League legend.

[glebe_sydneyfox]

Cue a shithouse 1-0 win to us and pressure off Rodgers again

This is actually the first game in a while I'll bother staying up for - I hate chelsea and feel as though we may sneak a result.. call me an eternal optimist as you may

[Happy Fox]

F**k off Rodgers

[sly1]

Can see being called off ,just because around the ground areas ,might be a good thing

[Matt]

Snowed off?

 

Another stay of execution?

 

‘Stay of execution’ who am I kidding?! Play (have 0 shots on goal), even if we lose 5-0 (to a team who can’t score), he’ll still be here anyway.

 

Edited 10 March 2023 by Matt

[westernpark]

Having just been for a run around the city, whilst a bit more difficult than usual, I think it would be very strange to call this one off. It’s just slush.

[Nalis]

8 minutes ago, westernpark said:

Having just been for a run around the city, whilst a bit more difficult than usual, I think it would be very strange to call this one off. It’s just slush.

Yeah its been snowing where I am every night this week and the snow has thawed pretty much by mid morning each day.

 

[westernpark]

3 minutes ago, Nalis said:

Yeah its been snowing where I am every night this week and the snow has thawed pretty much by mid morning each day.

 

It’s set a bit more in the suburbs, but not much around the city. One thing I would say, it’s getting worse where I live, having just looked out the window.

Edited 10 March 2023 by westernpark

[Daggers]

On 07/03/2023 at 08:38, Matt said:

Saturday (After match) - Pitch forks out 

Sunday - Bile and vitriol.

Monday - Waiting.

Tuesday - Hoping.

Wednesday - Discussion.

Thursday - All is forgotten.

Friday - Focus on the game.

Saturday - Clapping.

 

Just another week at Leicester City.

 

FWIW I have a prediction for Saturday. Chelsea play midweek, they’ll be “tired”, we’ll get a result because of that, everything will be all rosy again and Rodgers position will be safe and go unquestioned and unscrutinised (from the outside) for another month.

 

Saturday - another boycott

Saturday night - post a gif I plan on stealing from reddit

Sunday - read the post match comments and make angry post

Monday - Susan finally replies to my letter sent three months ago

Tuesday - first day at the club sorting out all the internal issues

Tuesday afternoon - announce Rodgers is being replaced with a staple gun

Wednesday - staple gun inspires new levels of effort in training, all players recover from treatment

Thursday - crowds surround the ground chanting my name

Friday - revolution, parliament burnt to the ground, I run my caring dictatorship out of Toddington services 

Saturday - by order of the President, City given 65 bonus points as I open up my new space base

 

Another typical week for me really.

[PhillippaT]

32 minutes ago, Nalis said:

Yeah its been snowing where I am every night this week and the snow has thawed pretty much by mid morning each day.

 

A good time for the under-pitch heating to malfunction?