Leicester City boss Brendan Rodgers has told his side that they cannot afford to let their poor form affect them for the rest of the season as they look to seal a spot in the UEFA Champions League.
The Foxes looked like they had suffered a huge dent in their top four hopes after a crushing defeat to relegation threatened AFC Bournemouth on Sunday before the news broke on Monday morning that Manchester City's appeal against a two-year ban from Europe was overturned - meaning that only the top four would secure themselves a place in the Champions League - with the place no longer going to the side finishing in fifth.
Despite this, Rodgers and his side were handed a lifeline as Michael Obafemi scored a late equaliser for Southampton against Manchester United on Monday night to keep Leicester in fourth place on goal difference only.
Rodgers' side have only won one game since the return of the Premier League and know that three wins will confirm their place in Europe's elite competition.
'We can't be derailed by any result'
The Northern Irishman admits he was surprised by the manner of which the Foxes were beaten at the Vitality Stadium on Sunday, but after speaking to his squad, believes they have moved on and are focused on the task in hand.
Speaking to BBC Radio Leicester Sport Rodgers said: “We spoke afterwards and there’s one thing about this team is that they are a very humble group and are willing to learn.
"It was such a shock for me because I’ve never seen that. But we’ve got over that. We can’t be derailed by any result in this period.”
Despite the setback, Rodgers is looking forward to the test and says that the players deserve to be where they are now.
He said: “We’re excited for the challenge, and the players deserve to be where we are.
"We’ve shown over the course of the games this season, the talent that we have. It was a game that wasn’t natural for us.”
'We want to be up there challenging'
Whilst the East Midlanders have been inconsistent since January, they have still haven't dropped outside the top four since September, and at one point were challenging alongside title winners Liverpool as well as competing with fellow traditional 'big six' sides Chelsea and Manchester United.
Leicester boss Rodgers knows that his squad are classed as outsiders but at the same time, has ambitions to ensure that the Foxes are fighting for a Champions League place year in year out.
The 47-year-old said: "If you look at the clubs below us and around us, we’re ambitious but we understand that there are super clubs around us.
"Are we as big as them? No. We want to be up there challenging irrespective of size of club.
"It doesn’t change the way I approach it. We were 12th when I came in, and to be fighting for a Champions League place. That’s amazing."
"He's done a brilliant job'
Whilst Leicester know that three wins will secure them a place in the top four, they won't be faced with an easy run-in, starting on Thursday with Sheffield United at the King Power Stadium.
Chris Wilder's men have defied the odds and could even be playing in Europe themselves as they currently find themselves in seventh place.
The Blades have been a breath of fresh air in the league with their style of football which has seen many teams fall victim to them this season, most recently on Sunday at Bramall Lane where they comfortably dismantled Frank Lampard's Chelsea 3-0.
Wilder has received praise for his organisation and style of football this season, with Rodgers being the latest to acknowledge his efforts.
He said: "Chris is certainly up there.
"I know from first-hand experience coming into this league, the challenge it is. To get the team tactically ready, and giving the players the confidence to succeed at this level, he’s done a brilliant job.
"They’ve had the momentum coming through. They fight, they run, but they also play with quality.
"We knew from early on in the season, when we played them, we saw the problems they can cause.”
