Brendan Rodgers admits “the heat is on” at Leicester but has pledged to stick with under-fire keeper Danny Ward.
Rodgers' side are bottom of the Premier League after six straight defeats - their worst start to a top-flight season since 1983/84. Keeper Ward, 29, has conceded 22 goals which is more than anyone ever in the Premier League after seven games - including 11 in their last two.
Leicester's Thai chairman Aiyawatt Srivaddhanaprabha, known as Top, is scheduled to attend tonight’s clash at the King Power Stadium with local rivals Nottingham Forest, who are 19th after four straight defeats. But boss Rodgers insists he is relishing the pressure and the chance to prove he is still a top coach capable of turning City’s plight around.
Ex-Liverpool and Celtic boss Rodgers, in charge since February 2019, said: “Monday night against Nottingham Forest, should be a great game.
"I’m really looking forward to it because I know the heat is on. Everyone is looking at us and that’s what you want, you want to go and perform. Experience helps you, that’s for sure. I also know it’s only a matter of time, this team will be fine.
“We’ve just got to have that level of aggression, make sure that’s there and that will allow us to play our football then. When we do that we’ll be a good team again."
Leicester sold their long-term No.1 Kasper Schmeichel to French club Nice this summer and promoted his under-study Ward.
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REUTERS)But the Welsh international, who only made his belated Premier League debut in May despite signing in July 2018 from Liverpool for £12.5million, has endured a torrid baptism.
Rodgers assessed: “The one thing that's needed is time. You can't take away the great servant that Kasper was, and the great influence and personality that he was here.
“With Danny coming in, he then has to bring his own personality to the team and that does take a little bit of time and cohesion. It's been a really challenging start for him but you have to show faith.
“I see him every day, he's an outstanding goalkeeper and it hasn't been an easy start for the team, as well as him. We spoke about the goalkeeping situation in the summer and Wardy deserves that opportunity.
"So he's been given it and I'm sure in time he will take it."
Ward has made 21 saves so far this term but has been conceding on average over three goals a match. He has looked particularly vulnerable at set pieces which has long been Leicester’s Achilles heel.
His woes have also seen him displaced by Wayne Hennessey for Wales ahead of the World Cup. But Ward is likely to keep his place as the Foxes only have Daniel Iversen,25, on the bench.
Rodgers said: "You judge goalkeepers not just on the saves they make but how they react to mistakes. They are no different to outfield players, they make mistakes.
“But we need to support him and look to get him through if we believe in him. I believe he's a really good keeper and hopefully over time he can show that."
