Dean Smith Manager
Leicester City cannot go gung-ho in search of victory in their relegation decider this weekend for fear of West Ham taking advantage, manager Dean Smith has said.
City must win their final game if they are to remain in the Premier League, with an Everton slip-up also required, but while the manager wants his team to give their all, they won’t be opting for all-out attack.
A cautious approach was taken in the goalless draw at Newcastle, City riding their luck but also defending strongly to keep their first league clean sheet in six months. However, at the other end, they had just one shot. Finding a balance is the aim for Smith, who is wary of West Ham’s threats.
Dean Smith said: “If you chuck everything at them (West Ham), they’ve got good players and they could open some doors against us and we can’t allow that. We have to make sure we give a balanced performance, so that we don’t give big chances away but so that we go and create some. We’ve got to go out all guns blazing and we’ve got to find that balance and not go too open and adventurous and make it easier for a strong West Ham to score. It’s not a given that we will win that game. We have to go and perform.”
The big decision Smith faces is whether to stick with the back five he opted for at St James’ Park or revert to a back four. The change in formation at Newcastle saw City sacrifice top scorers James Maddison and Harvey Barnes, with both not introduced until the second half. Smith said he had considered that shape to face Liverpool as well, but ultimately decided against it, because it was a home match. City conclude their campaign at the King Power Stadium, but the attention of supporters will also be on events at Goodison Park, where Everton host Bournemouth.
Dean Smith said: “If somebody had said we’ll take it to the last game, I’d have taken that, but I’d rather us have the say on whether we stay up or not. It’s out of our hands but we have to go out to get the win and hope Lady Luck shines down on us.”
