Brendan Rodgers: New Leicester boss insists there are ‘lots of positives’ to take from first match in charge despite late defeat at Watford

Brendan Rodgers: New Leicester boss insists there are ‘lots of positives’ to take from first match in charge despite late defeat at Watford
Brendan Rodgers said there were lots of positives to take from his first game in charge of Leicester despite suffering a 2-1 defeat at Watford.The Foxes seemed on for a decent draw after Jamie Vardy cancelled out Troy Deeneys opener but a stoppage-time strike from Andre Gray ensured let Rodgers and co went empty-handed.3

Gray celebrates his late winner

And despite losing the game in such infuriating circumstances against a club he used to manage, Rodgers gave a reasonably upbeat post-match interview.But the former Celtic, Liverpool and Swansea boss did admit Leicester could have done more started and finished the match better.Speaking to talkSPORTs Ollie Wilson after game, Rodgers said: It was a disappointing start and a disappointing end but lots of positives in between that.We didnt get off to the best start but worked our way into the game and stayed in the game. Watford have shown theyre a good side in terms of their positioning in the league.3

Rodgers felt his side were the more likely team to win after the equaliser

I know what its like at Vicarage Road, its a difficult place to come.I thought after half-time we were better and our passing was much cleaner, much faster in our game and that allowed us to sustain our attacks.Once we got the goal we had the momentum in the game and it felt like there was only going to be one winner but unfortunately right at the death we didnt manage the game well enough.Apart from that ten-minute spell after Watfords first goal, I dont think we had too much to defend. Like I said we grew into the game. In the modern game you have to play against teams that sit deep, have the patience to win the ball and pass that deeply but when you are sat deep you have to be able to play on the counter and with this team I think we have that ability to do both so Im looking forward to developing that with the team.They played two strikers but the 3-4-3 gave us the numbers in midfield and as the game wore on you could see how the shape was very effective for us.Leicesters most positive moment in the game was Vardys goal which saw Youri Tielemans slip in a nice through ball before the striker clipped it over Ben Foster.3

Rodgers said Vardy is a ‘brilliant striker’ after the match

However, Vardy was forced off late in the game following a collision with the Hornets keeper but Rodgers was pleased with the striker’s display.Rodgers added: Hes a brilliant striker, hes shown that over his career that one thing he can do is score and the idea is for us to try and provide as many opportunities for him to do that.That pass from Youri [Tielemans] and the finish was fantastic.

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