Brendan Rodgers
Brendan Rodgers said Leicester City’s squad is weaker after their transfer window ended with just one outfield signing.
Brendan Rodgers said: “I’m happy the window’s shut. It’s been a huge distraction for us. You’ll have read the programme notes and you’ll have seen the situation the club is in. To have to watch every club in the top five leagues get players in and for us not to be able to improve, that was difficult. It’s not just as a manager but for the players, because they want to compete. This group have shown they can compete but we needed help. Unfortunately we haven’t been able to get that. I think that’s clear to see that. I came to Leicester to compete and in the first few years we were able to do that. The last couple of windows we have been unable to add to the squad. Like you’ve seen with all of the top teams, you have to add quality. Unfortunately for us, we’re not able to do it. What’s most important is the sustainability of the club. I can’t think only about myself. Of course I would have loved to have added five or six players, which adds quality, which brings competition, which improves the players you have. If you can’t do it, I respect that. I have to do the very best with the resources I have. The competition now is greater. Four or five years ago, Leicester were the top club outside the elite, but I think it’s clear there are more challengers now with more money, and it’s a lot more difficult. We have to manage with what we’ve got. I loved every minute here. It’s the longest I’ve ever been at the club and that’s because of the players and that’s because of the ownership. They have given me every support. My challenge was to disrupt the market and we were able to do that. We won an FA Cup and we wanted to build on that, but we haven’t been able to do it. I trust the board. If they tell me we can’t do that, then we can’t. Hopefully I’ve shown in my time here that I can compete here without the best resources, but it is frustrating. I’m so looking forward to the window shutting and now taking on the challenge. I’m going to relish it and certainly won’t be shirking the responsibility.”
Four losses in a row, following a 1-0 defeat to United on Thursday night, means City are bottom of the table, having enduring their worst opening to a campaign since 1994. The final whistle was met with loud boos.
Brendan Rodgers said: “In terms of the result, it’s my responsibility. We should have won by now, we’ve been in good positions in a couple of games, but we haven’t been able to see it through. Supporters want to see their team win, and if they’re not, they’ll tell you. We won’t hide. We’re ready to fight, but it’s going to be really important that the supporters get behind the players. It’s a really challenging situation not being able to freshen up this team, so we really need their encouragement to push the players forward. We’ll get a win sooner rather than later, but we need their help.”
