Leicester City academy graduate Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall knows more than most the importance of Monday night’s game against Nottingham Forest.
Kieran Dewsbury-Hall said: “As a young lad growing up in Leicestershire, I know how important it is, this derby to the fans. I’ve grew up in that environment as we’ve never been able to experience it in the top flight. This is a game where you can create a bit of history, you can create a bit of folklore within the football club and that’s what you crave as a footballer you want to have your name etched in history. So, it’s a massive game, everybody knows that. It’s going to be fiery because there’s going to be heart on the sleeve moments, so I’m definitely looking forward to it. I’m chomping at the bit to get going.”
The academy graduate is also hoping to give Forest a proper Premier League welcome, with a message of what the opposition could come up against when they take to the pitch.
Kiernan Dewsbury Hall added: “Without being disrespectful I want to show the elite level, we want to show this is the top level, coming up to this level, it’s a big jump up. We know we’ve got the players to do that, we’ve got a really good squad and we need to show that now. From minute one we want to be on the front foot, not a minute’s rest for the opposition team and for them to think ‘wow, we’re in for a tough game today’. And hopefully that’s going to contribute to us getting the three points which obviously at the moment is the most important thing.”
City go into the game looking to kick start their season after what has been a disappointing campaign so far. Six losses in a row and just one point from the opening seven games means that manager Brendan Rodgers is under pressure. But Dewsbury-Hall had nothing but praise for the man who has helped make him into the player he is today.
Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall added: “He’s taken me from almost like a kid to a man. The respect I have for him just for that is unbelievable and I’ve learned so much off him as a player, tactically and technically. I’ve improved enormous amounts under him, so it’s been a pleasure to work for him. I’ve grown as a person. He’s given me a lot of opportunities and trust in me and I’m happy I’ve been able to repay that, so I want to keep doing that. And hopefully it can continue being a good relationship”
