LEICESTER CITY MANAGER Claudio Ranieri is tempted to get carried away by his side’s surprise Premier League title tilt but maintains their underdog status is intact.
Tuesday’s 2-0 win over Liverpool, courtesy of Jamie Vardy’s brace, puts Leicester three points clear at the summit ahead of trips to traditional heavyweights Manchester City and Arsenal in the next fortnight.
The outcome of their visits to the Etihad and Emirates Stadiums could make or break Leicester’s chances and Ranieri says his side – who battled relegation for long spells last term – remain unfancied for the title.
Referencing Barack Obama’s slogan during his successful run for the United States presidency, the Italian told reporters: ”I’d like to say ‘Yes we can!’, but I am not Obama. If I maintain this suspense it is much better.
“Of course we are underdogs. Even if [the other teams] push a little more and accelerate they go. We have to run a lot.
“Calm. Calm. Calm. Our fans must dream. We must stay with our feet on the ground. If we arrive fourth and go in the Champions League, unbelievable.
“During the pre-season friendlies, I believed in these players and I gave them all my confidence and support. Never did I blame them and say: ‘We conceded this goal because you did this or this.’ No. I said: ’Okay, we replay the highlights and we try to improve.’
“I want the intelligent man. If you have intelligent men, you can improve the player. You can be a fantastic player but if you’re a stupid man you cannot improve. I have very intelligent players.”
Vardy has arguably been the star of the show for Ranieri’s side, with a stunning long-range opener against Liverpool helping him top the Premier League goalscoring charts by three from Tottenham’s Harry Kane.
The 29-year-old’s contract expires in 2018 but the England international had reassuring words for Leicester fans.
“It will be sorted. I am leaving that to my agent,” Vardy said.
C’mon the Pool!
@Gerry Peyton: it’s a little cold to be going to the pool.. Maybe around summer time come back to me
Hooray defence has changed a little.
Liverpool starting XI: Mignolet, Alexander-Arnold, Can, Lovren, Robertson, Henderson, Milner, Wijnaldum, Coutinho, Salah, Firmino. Subs: Karius, Klavan, Grujic, Oxlade-Chamberlain, Mane, Solanke, Sturridge.
Some good news finally.
@Hank_Scorpio: Emre Can at centre Half?
@Ronan Rafferty: at this stage I take a traffic cone over some of the centre halves.
@Ronan Rafferty: plus it’s good to see No 23 back in the defence.
Brighton to Win and Shane Duffy to score a header..
@Colin Floyd: you are a header
@Colin Floyd: threw himself to the ground for that peno, our Shane.
Come on Hendo Cano Dumo Robo Salo Gimpo Harpo Gypo and Kloppo . Majestic !
@powerfix: whatever your in to, we won’t judge.
A Brighton win here wouldnt surprise me….if they contain and mark Salah, then they should score and take the points…i’m a big fan of Chris Houghton who was very hard done by at Norwich..
And on to more important news…well done Chelsea another 3 points and the gap is closing….ish !!!!
@dannyboy: Hard done by at Newcastle too. The man gets no respect from up high but players have never had a bad word to say. Excellent football man, terrible footballing politician. Unfortunately that’s the same as every other walk of life. Big Sam, anyone?
@dannyboy: Houghton?? Wasn’t he yer man that put the ball in the back of the English net?
@dannyboy: Great prediction, you must be a real football man, Lol!
3-3 anyone ?
@powerfix: yeah maybe in 10 years