Leicester City need a strong reaction, says Claude Puel
Claude Puel has demanded a strong reaction from Leicester City after their comprehensive failings, as they are in dire need of one.
The Foxes are on a run of just four wins from their last 18 Premier League games, and it’s Puel who’s in the firing line.
The Frenchman began his tenure at the King Power Stadium rather well, recording a number of wins to bring his team into contention for a top eight finish.
However, three defeats in his last four games have meant that Leicester City are not even guaranteed the ninth place anymore, let alone a place in the UEFA Europa League.
In a way, Claude Puel and company don’t have anything left to play for, but with nine points still available against Arsenal, West Ham United and Tottenham Hotspur, there’s a point to be proven, especially for the boss. Unsurprisingly, he has therefore asked for a reaction from a team that he thinks may have lost its focus.
"“I took over this club in a difficult situation, 14th in the table,” Puel said.“I try to give more opportunities to players to give a good response. But, at the end of the season, of course we have some difficulties to finish with a good concentration, a good focus.“I know it’s difficult and perhaps the players have the World Cup in their heads or different things.“My only concern is my team and my squad. We deserved the last result and it is important to correct this. There remains three important games for us: West Ham, Arsenal, Tottenham. Two great teams to finish and West Ham, also, at home. We need a strong reaction, to try together to give a good response.”"
The upcoming three fixtures are going to be of extreme importance to Claude Puel. Ideally, he would want to get three wins in three to finish the campaign off in some style, but to beat Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur – and even West Ham United to some extent – would take some doing.
If the Gunners make it to the final of the UEFA Europa League, that might force Arsene Wenger into playing a weakened team against Leicester City, seeing as his side play Burnley and Huddersfield Town either side of the midweek fixture against the Foxes.
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It may open up a possibility for Leicester to at least get a point against them, but they’ve got to beat West Ham before that, the only truly winnable game of the lot.