Brendan Rodgers attempts to explain awful Leicester City defeat

With Leicester City losing for the first time this season, Leicester manager Brendan Rodgers was magnanimous in defeat saying his side were ‘not aggressive enough’ and that his side missed James Maddison and Dennis Praet.

Leicester came crashing back down to earth this weekend with a 3-0 defeat at the hands of West Ham. The Foxes failed to register a shot on target and never looked like scoring, however whilst Rodgers said his side weren’t aggressive enough and outplayed in all departments, he also said that they created chances and moments in the first half.

I must admit I was confused when I read this quote, given that Leicester could still be playing now and wouldn’t have scored.

However, when the former Liverpool manager went on to explain that the final ball was lacking and his side simply weren’t at the races, it was refreshing to see given that Rodgers does like to sugar-coat a really poor performance.

The Northern Irishman went on to highlight the absence of Dennis Praet and James Maddison as a key reason for the downfall of his side. Whilst he’s right in saying that Praet, a key player from the start of the season, would have made difference, playing 5 at the back against West Ham at home is a bigger reason to lose 3-0 at home.

The defensive mindset was puzzling given that the first two games against similar opposition, Burnley and West Brom, were won comfortably playing with a back 4.

However, this match was a classic ‘one of them days’, the lack of aggression and energy is something that does happen from time to time with this side. Early kick-offs seem to be a real struggle, but the Foxes make a habit of bouncing back, and with Rodgers seemingly gracious of defeat and critical of his side, this should be nothing more than a blip.